So glad I found you!

[emmad]

Been a novice for a while doing my own and friends nails. I've decided that nows the time to get some proper training with a view to my own business.

The training thing is a nightmare, every beauty college offers different courses some lead to NVQ, some don't and I see from this forum that quite a few people are recommending Creative. Any words of wizdom about which type of course to take? I need a fast track route as I have 2 children under 4 and don't really want to take forever over it.

Just been through the tutorials which I thought were great and has really got me wanting to get stuck in.

Hope I don't become to much of a pain over the coming monthsin asking you all loads of questions!
Emma D

 

[talented talons]

Hi, i know haow you feel about wanting to learn everything now. The plain fact is you just won't be able to. There is too much to learn as far as the Physiology of the Nail, Overexposure, Contra-indications, Sanitization, Client Consultation, Client Records just to name some of them, and beleive me you would never take that much info in, in a short space of time.

I did a course with Star Nails that covered everything in a basic level, something to give you a foundation to start with. It was a total technician course, 1 day manicure, 4 day extentions,1 day nail art. In the extention part you got to try Acrylic L&P, Acrylic Lite, (UV cured ) Fibreglass and Gel. At least i found you could have a go at each then specialize in a particular one.

At the end of the day there is no fast track way of doing this, otherwise you will end up being known as one of "those techs that don't really know what they are doing". You cannot substitute great training, this will take time and beleive me you will find it so rewarding.

Please think about this hard, if its what you want then go for it girl, we are all here to help.

 

[emmad]

Thanks very much for the information on how you did it and the advice.

I definately want to do this, If I have to find more time, I will. I've had my nails done several times by techs who definately don't know anything other than how to apply extensions (in most cases badly) and I have higher expectations of myself.

I live in an area where this is big business and in my opinion there is no where giving a really good service and taking care of nails rather than stripping them down to nothing and applying gel badly. I really want to make a difference.

So far I've been told that classes run from 1-6 days the latter setting you up for a professional qualification. Costing from £110 to £1000 (including assesment fees). It can take 6-12 months to get to NVQ level. I'm waiting for the postman to bring me lots of application forms and course dates so I can make up my mind where and how to start.

How on earth do you decide which products to use? I'm guessing that you find something that suits you and you stick to it.

Are there any trade shows coming up that would be useful?

Are there any magazines I should subscribe to?

I've been looking into renting salon space or a small retail let which seems almost impossible to get around here. If anyones got any ideas on how to find me a broom cupboard, let me know!

Sorry for all the questions. Hopefully one day I'll be able to help someone else out!

Emma D

 

[sabrina Smith]

I have just recieved my certificate today for the 4 day creative foundation couse (in L&P). Although I found that I spent just over £1000 on the course and additional items, I feel that it was worth it. It was only four days and over the 2 weeks their was quiet alot of work, practical, presentation and revision to be done but I learn't loads. I have since one my family'sa nails. I am at the ,oment at full time work as a manager of a day nursery. I am not really enjoying it but ubtil I get alot quicker (takes 3 hours for a set) I can't afford to leav my job. Although I must admit I am finding it difficult to fit doing the nails in. But practice makes perfect. I am now going to have some one to one sessions(well in the next 2 months oe so) then I would like to do a few more courses.

Good luck

 

[Lellipop]

Hi,
Just to give another choice to you, I did my vtct at my local college i started with the manicure,pedicure course, then advanced nail techniques followed by nail art. I also took my health an safety exam.
It costs around £500 to do all the courses i did and i had a fantastic tutor and feel that i have good qualifications that are reconised in the nail industry.

 

[emmad]

I have just recieved my certificate today for the 4 day creative foundation couse (in L&P). Although I found that I spent just over £1000 on the course and additional items, I feel that it was worth it. It was only four days and over the 2 weeks their was quiet alot of work, practical, presentation and revision to be done but I learn't loads. I have since one my family'sa nails. I am at the ,oment at full time work as a manager of a day nursery. I am not really enjoying it but ubtil I get alot quicker (takes 3 hours for a set) I can't afford to leav my job. Although I must admit I am finding it difficult to fit doing the nails in. But practice makes perfect. I am now going to have some one to one sessions(well in the next 2 months oe so) then I would like to do a few more courses.

Good luck

Sabrina,
Congratulations on your certificate!!! Thanks for telling me how you've approached this, its really useful to get to know what route everyone is taking.

It must be quite difficult to find people to practice on. I thought about putting a models wanted ad in my local newsagent.
Emma D

 

[emmad]

Hi,
Just to give another choice to you, I did my vtct at my local college i started with the manicure,pedicure course, then advanced nail techniques followed by nail art. I also took my health an safety exam.
It costs around £500 to do all the courses i did and i had a fantastic tutor and feel that i have good qualifications that are reconised in the nail industry.

Lesley,
Thanks, I've investigated this but it seems that my local colleges are only interested in full NVQ courses and don't seem to offer any courses specific to nails.
Health and Safety is definately something to consider - thanks.
EmmaD

 

[Do-it-all Deb]

I did my Unit 19 VTCT at local college but as an infill student. That meant that because I already had manicure qualifications amongst others I was able to join just the class for advanced nails which meant joining a second year combined hair and beauty class. I'm not saying this is necessarily the way to go but it does mean a few hours a week for up to a year which gives you plenty of time to practise as you go.

However local colleges, like all training, vary enormously in quality. I am now expanding by doing some product based training which takes you more into what's required out in the 'real world'!
Check out the previous threads by using the search facility; you could spend hours reading it all, trust me!
good luck

 

[Carole Lindsay]

Thanks very much for the information on how you did it and the advice.

I definately want to do this, If I have to find more time, I will. I've had my nails done several times by techs who definately don't know anything other than how to apply extensions (in most cases badly) and I have higher expectations of myself.

I live in an area where this is big business and in my opinion there is no where giving a really good service and taking care of nails rather than stripping them down to nothing and applying gel badly. I really want to make a difference.

So far I've been told that classes run from 1-6 days the latter setting you up for a professional qualification. Costing from £110 to £1000 (including assesment fees). It can take 6-12 months to get to NVQ level. I'm waiting for the postman to bring me lots of application forms and course dates so I can make up my mind where and how to start.

How on earth do you decide which products to use? I'm guessing that you find something that suits you and you stick to it.

Are there any trade shows coming up that would be useful?

Are there any magazines I should subscribe to?

I've been looking into renting salon space or a small retail let which seems almost impossible to get around here. If anyones got any ideas on how to find me a broom cupboard, let me know!

Sorry for all the questions. Hopefully one day I'll be able to help someone else out!

Emma D

Hi Emma, dont feel you have to apologise for asking loadsa questions - we've all done the same and we all help each other out. I did an NVQ in manicure & pedicure at the local college then went on to do courses with Star Nails: i did things a bit back to front coz i did my nail art first then i did a 4 day nail extension course specialising in L&P followed by a workshop in fibreglass. I really enjoyed the Star Nails courses and felt everything was explained well - far better than at the local college by a surly teacher!! Basically you dont need to choose a product. That will come when you choose a training course and there isnt an easy way to do that coz everyone thinks their training is the best (as suggested, worth doing a search and have a read of what people think of their respective trainers). A lot depends on what you can afford as well as what is available in your area. Anyway, i've rambled enough so good luck in whatever you choose and dont feel afraid to ask lots and lots of questions!!!

Best wishes,

 

[makeupartistjennyb]

I went to collge I luton i done manicue and pedicure first. I really enjoy collge meeting new people. You dont get a biased view of products and you learn how to do fibreglass and acrylic. This was the VCTC qualifications they have a website.

I paid £150 for a course because I was in a hurry to do it it was in swindon, i arrived and no one was there when i tracked her down she said i had gone on the wrong day I done one extension on one finger had a few pages of printed notes given to me. I felt really cheated by this, I also found out that I could not get insured.
My advise is check and double check what you get for your money you pay.

I hope this has helped you.

Jenny

 

[Shazzar]

Hi Emma

I'm just about to do my fourth day of the Creative four day foundation course. I have found it absolutely brilliant. As someone said earlier, there is a lot to learn, but it's at a pace that's possible. There is a two week break between the first three days and the last fourth day. I've found this really good, because it's given me the chance to work on other people and build up a list of questions and problems I've come across that I can cover when I go back next week (although I know that there is always support there anyway). The fourth day, by the way, is for the examination and then to cover rebalancing.

I know I will feel ok about going out there and doing nails once I've completed the course (as I am sure I will successfully!!!), but being aware of the NVQ thing going on at the minute, I wanted to do a longer term course that covered absolutely everything that I need to know about nails. Luckily, my local college is starting a new course in September which is Advanced Nails and is to the new NVQ standard, it runs for 2 years, on a part time basis, for two evenings per week. This is achievable for me as I too have a young family and it means that I can work on nails whilst gradually learning the be all and end all (I hope) of nails.

Good luck with what you decide to do.

 

[Deb379]

Dear Emmad

I am in a similar situation as you with 2 kids. I am in my 40s so a bit older than you and do not have the patience to go to college.

I have done my manicure course through NSI with a salon near me, it was just 2 of us (great). I am set to do the creative nails course in Salisury (could be a nightmare with getting kids to school first).

Your options for quickness is to go privately, via centres who offer training over a few days rather than colleges, you will find it is quite expensive this way though.

Good luck

Regards
Deb379