Perfectionist and disappointed

[PinkChampagne]

I've just started studying manicure and pedicure, did my first practice at manicure today and it didn't go as well as I hoped, my hands were very shaky (and it was only my mum I was practicing on) I attempted a french manicure varnish and I couldn't get the white tip right, it was very patchy and I thought it did just not look good.

I am very perfectionist so I need to feel I am good at something even from the start, it was my first try so I can't expect it to be too brilliant though, or is it supposed to be good even at first?

I also have an anxiety problem and very shy and this worries me about the future if I did have paying clients, I worry if they would like the treatments and look of the nails when I did them,also if my hands started shaking it would look unprofessional. I'm feeling a bit upset and wondering if it is for me with the way I am?

 

[Redduck]

Hiya
My hands used to shake all the time at the beginning - it became a bit of a joke. I found if I shook my hands for a few seconds they'd be alright. I know it's easy to say but try and relax whilst you're doing the treatment as the more anxious you get the more you'll find you get shaky hands. You should have seen my first attempt (make that first 20 attempts!!) at french manicures - it does take a while and the more you do the better you get. There are some great videos on you tube but I'm not sure how to link to them but if you do a search for french manicures i'm sure they'll come up. Good luck and don't give up!

 

[persianista]

There isn't anyone born knowing how to do nails/ hair /beauty.
We all started out like you, then practiced and practiced. After a while it becomes as easy as breathing. It takes time though. To expect your first few dozen attempts to be at pro standard is totally unrealistic.

I'm a hair pro. My first haircut on a paying client was hellish. I shook like a leaf.
My first few years as a hairdresser was spent frequently sobbing in the staff room over some mistake or other. My haircuts then were a million miles away from my work now.

The magic trick? experience and practice. Thats how you get good. It's not a teacher, a youtube vid or a magic product. It is done the hard way.

 

[deanosnana]

I think we've all 'been there, done that'. I was a wreck in the beginning. It takes LOTS of practice. Buy some inexpensive tips and practice your smile lines.

Also, get as many of your friends as you can to practice on. This will give you the confidence you need. Best of luck! :hug:

 

[Naily13]

you sound just like me!! i dont shake but i also am a perfectionist! and i also worry the same as you as to weather they like what i have done, i am a learner too and i used to panic like hell when i first did a few manicures plus i used to be double the time! it takes time and practise and the geeks on here are fab and have really really helped me through some problems.dont give up x

 

[Karen-Nail Tech]

When you were describing yourself I honestly thought you could have been describing me 6 months ago.

I like to feel that I've done a good job and look for things that didn't go as well.

Something everyone will tell you is practice. It truly is the only thing that can help you. I was so nervous doing my first manicure out of college but half way through I realised that my client didn't have a clue what steps I was meant to do next etc.

French polish is tricky at first but once you've done a few you'll be fine

x


Sent from my iPhone using SalonGeek

 

[Zephy_Devil]

I did my first yesterday . I redone 3 nails because I wasnt happy with them when my Client thought they were fine so I know what you mean about wanting to perfect what you're doing.
Just relax in to it and just breathe .. that will control the shaking, and steady your fingers on opposite fingers to help as a guide.

I try to practice on myself but just remember .. it's polish .. it can come off! and you can retry as much as you like

Good luck! x

 

[geeg]

We all start out on shaky ground .. to expect otherwise is unrealistic and only sets you up for disappointment.

If you have a real anxiety problem and generally lack confidence, then I would seriously think hard before spending an incredible amount of time, money and energy on a job that requires you to have a large amount of confidence and a considerable ability to communicate meaningfully with customers .. whether they are happy or not happy. It is not going to help you for everyone to say that it will all be OK ... everyone is different.

Doing nails is not for the faint hearted .. you will have to be strong in many ways.


Remember these things:

What type of person becomes a nail technician?

There is more to being a great nail technician than just being able to turn out good nails (although this is very important). Here are a few thing to think about.

Doing nails is not for the timid personality or the faint hearted ... you need to be able to be strong and firm with people.

Doing nails needs a person with an empathetic nature, one who cares for and about people.

Doing nails is a business, and a good business head is essential if you want to be financially successful.

Doing nails requires self sacrifice and a vocational attitude as you need to be there when and if your clients want you. Staying in late and going in early etc.

Doing nails is not a fun little hobby ... it is a profession and should not be done by amateurs but only by professionals in the true sense of the word (look it up in the dictionary ... interesting).

Doing nails requires a great sense of responsibility. We work on people's bodies. They trust us to work safely and to nurture and care for their natural nails while they are wearing nail enhancements.

Doing nails requires integrity (as should everything) and good business ethics. Business ethics is something allot of newbie technicians know nothing about in the UK ... thinking they can use someone Else's good will ... work in a salon and then leave trying to poach business from the very salon that hired them and helped them in the first place.

Doing nails is one of the greatest most fun and rewarding and satisfying businesses in the world. Enjoy your learning but realize that the learning process never stops ... you will know when you are ready because you will feel confident to make that start.

Doing nails requires an atitude of Life Long Learning. Regular classes are not only necessary, they also increase your average earnings and keep you motivated.

A good nail technician who wants her business to thrive needs a business head and sales training too. If you haven't got it then get it or you wont survive.

A good nail technician has to have excellent communication skills and be able to take the negative comments as well as the positive ones and deal with both.

Just a very few things to think about, and if you think all the 'caps' fit you or can fit you in time, then go for it.

 

[Charlie5305]

I really wouldn't be disheartened after your first attempt! If you look through all these threads then you will find hundreds of nail technicians who say they are disappointed with their work, and they want to learn how to do better. Remember that not every manicure is going to be perfect, particularly in the start! The best thing is to practice practice practice, and to ask for feedback from the people you are working with. Use Salon Geek as a place to come for advice, everyone is really helpful!

As for the anxiety, everyone is nervous when they start something new. Perhaps mastering the techniques of manicure and pedicure will leave you with a sense of achievement that will in turn boost your confidence!

 

[Jules30]

You sound exactly like me ive only just started out and i'm feel just like you. Its lovely to see all the nice comments on here, think these will help me keep going, hope it does the same for you

 

[jacquelineanna]

If you are still studying and this was your first practice you are being a little harsh with yourself my lovely.

French manis terrified the life out of most of us and there are still some lovely ladies on this site who post to say that even though qualified they STILL quiver and shake and do not feel confident with french.

As has already been said, practise practise practise, you will get there and you've still got far to go as you're just starting to learn.

The first time you have a client paying for this or any other service you carry out will make you feel sick!!! But, you gotta 'fake it til you make it', the client will not know its your first time and they will assume you've performed manicure etc a hundred times already.

You will be fine, just focus and have the desire to be great.

Jacqui xx

 

[persianista]

I read a fab article today. It asserts that the people who "make it" in their field are the ones who believe it takes work and effort, as opposed to those who feel they should have natural talent.

Put it this way. If I sat you at a piano, would you be upset that you couldn't instantly play it like a concert pianist? You may think that you have an "ear" for music or a natural aptitude, but that concert pianist has put in countless hours of practice to become adept.

Often I have heard people claim to be perfectionists as an excuse for not actually getting on and doing something the necessary amount of times to become good at it. I had a stylist once who refused to do foils as she couldn't get them a perfect weave and placing like I can. It was because she refused to attempt them under the guise of being "perfectionist" that she never got there.

You have to go through the wobbly imperfect bit to get to the stage where you get it perfect.

 

[smooth]

Oh my goodness, it was your first attempt, don't beat yourself up about it, you'll get there eventually. just keep trying to do the smile line and you'll be a pro very soon x