Pretty New here...Need advice PLEASE!!!

[shiver_angel]

Hello ladies and gents, I'm semi new to "The Nail Geek" I've been lurking for a VERY long time, but decided that I need your expertice.
I am from a VERY small town in wyoming (maybe 60,000 ppl) but there are salon's EVERYWHERE!! We have 2 nail academy's here and they keep putting out new tech's every 3 to 6 months. I have been doing Acrylic nails in a salon of my own for 3 years, and am just now getting to the point where getting a new, unknown client does'nt freak me out unbelievably.:lol: I am looking to change up this town (or at least my very small corner of it)...LOL...I want to get away from what everyone else is doing (wich is acrylics) and I have decided on Akzents Gels. The bad part of this decision is, pretty much noone in town uses gels...I have yet to find anyone here who uses Akzents Gel..the ones I know of use Brisa and Gelousy. I work as the only nail technician in my salon and I am trying to figure out the best way to get training..without spending an arm and a leg in the process. If any of you have any advice (tips, tricks, or hints too)..good, bad, or blah...PLEASE let me know?? Also, if any of you know of any wonderful tutorial sites and training sites for Akzents Gel..Please please let me know.
Thank you ahead of time!!
Jackie

 

[adelekeegan1]

Hi there,

Bagpuss on here uses and is very experienced with Akzentz gels.

Gina Silvestro does videos using Akzentz, here is a link to one and from there you shpuld be able to get to some others.
http://www.salongeek.com/nail-geek/71890-new-video-tutorial-p-w-sculpted-w-pinch.html

HTH:lol:

 

[geeg]

Anna Lajourdie, Toronto
Welcome to Polished.ca... Educational website for Nail Technicians, Online Supply Store, Tutorials, Pictures, Discussion Forums

Here is another excellent technician who has done lots of tutorials with this brand.

 

[shiver_angel]

Thank you ladies!!! I really really appriciate your quick help!! One more ? before bed if you have a moment...How do I practice?? I know that sounds stupid..but with Acrylic u can practice on a practice hand...can u do that with Gel?? Or do I just have to hunt down friends and hope I don't goof to badly?? Sorry to be a bother...just really have noone else around who has a clue..LOL
Thanks again!! Have a wonderful night!!
Jackie

 

[geeg]

Thank you ladies!!! I really really appriciate your quick help!! One more ? before bed if you have a moment...How do I practice?? I know that sounds stupid..but with Acrylic u can practice on a practice hand...can u do that with Gel?? Or do I just have to hunt down friends and hope I don't goof to badly?? Sorry to be a bother...just really have noone else around who has a clue..LOL
Thanks again!! Have a wonderful night!!
Jackie

You can practise on a practise hand but you are a nail tech!! with experience.

You can always correct mistakes with your file cause you know where you are going.

I'd get my practise on live people and a special offer to introduce others in town to your new service.

Sleep well!

 

[Bagpuss]

Hiya ,,, If i can be of any help just send me a pm. x

 

[Gina Silvestro]

My advice is to just read up on it, watch and view as many tutorials as you can and just go for it! I practiced on my sister first... Took me over 3 1/2 hours for the first set but in the end they looked pretty good because as Gigi said, you already know how to file & shape. Even if the nails comes out lumpy & bumpy and horrible, you can still file them. And gel files soooooooo easy, so don't even worry.

And the more you do it the better you will get. Visit my site, read the product descriptions for tips & tricks. If you need directions you can email me or just give us a call. Check out the contact information on my website for our toll free number, we're always available if you need help!

 

[shiver_angel]

Thank you ladies!! Gina I think I have all of your tutorials memorized now...I watch them each night..kinda like homework. I am waiting so impatiently for Wednesday to get my gels in and cannot begin to tell you all how excited I am...or how nervous!! Where would you ladies suggest I pick up lint free napkins?? I have some at the shop but they don't seem half as durable as the ones in the tutorials I've seen. Also..can I use the same gel brush for all of the gels (bonder, trilite, whites, builders ect?? or do I need seperate brushes as with L/P??) Thank you ladies!! HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!
Jackie

 

[Gina Silvestro]

Jackie, watching the tutorials is one of the best things you can do. When you get your products and begin to play, go back and watch them again. You'll pick up something new everytime. Let me know if you need help.

The gel brush you have coming you can use with all of your gels. All you have to do is wipe off the excess gel by placing it between a lint free towel/wipe and gently sqeeze asyou pull the brush out. Try not to wipe it on a towel because you'll pick up lint. You can use Gel Cleaner to clean it when you are finished for the day, but no need to do so after each client. I use mine so often, I actually never clean them. The gel won't really dry out in a day or two, as long as it is kept away from direct sunlight.

If you are going to use colored gels, you may want to buy a few brushes, one for reds and one for lighter colors etc...

Any lint free towels are good to use. I use 3 fold towels to wipe my brush and I fold it in half. Any cheap kind will work, or even Marcal napkins. You want something more papery, they have lass lint. Lint is the enemy with gels!

 

[shiver_angel]

LOL...I'm feeling UBER stupid...but...ummm...will Mardi-Gras (cheapie paper napkins from wal-mart) work?? Other than that..I'm not even sure where to look...*blush*...Also...about peeling gels..I've been reading ALOT of posts about those, and I was wondering how u "cap" the ends?? In the tutorials it looks as though..when filing/shaping the tip you would file that gel "cap" right off, same with the sides?? Sorry to be such a pain...but I am a perfectionist and I "Have" to know my stuff...if I don't..I drive myself crazy...I feel bad for my first guinea pig friend...LOL. I have seen one of the ladies here in town, who had a seperate brush for her bonder gel..I remember it being really frayed and ratty looking cause she SCRUBBED the bonder into the nail..do u have to get that extreme?? In the tutorials it looks as if you barely apply much extra pressure...(then again..YOU know what your doing..lot's of practice..)
Thanks again for any and all help and advice!!
Have a wonderful week!!