So I want to be a nail tech

[NodaNodaNoda]

Hello,

Newbie here both in the industry and on this forum. I've been lurking and reading on here for a few weeks now but I've finally made an account as I find this place to be supportive and friendly!

A bit about me:
Coming from a very traditional strict Asian family, I felt I was not fully supported when I told my parents that I wanted to work in the beauty industry ( plus they hated the smell of nail varnish) so instead I went down the route of school, uni, ' proper job'. It didn't bring me fulfilment and I was unhappy for a long time, because I felt the job did not give me any creative outlet or freedom although of course I am not blaming my parents.
Now that I am 30 and have a bit more freedom with my choices, I have recently qualified in massage and now want to do nails but still in the same career. I would love to build a business in nails! The only experience I have had is painting manicures on friends and of course myself. I haven't practised doing any gel on myself or others. My goal is to have a nail business as a side hustle and eventually build it into something bigger so that I can fully go self employed so that I can have more freedom with my working hours and ability to work abroad as my boyfriend is planning on teaching overseas.

Questions:
- With my lack of experience, what do you recommend I do to gain more knowledge. For example, do you recommend buying a standard gel kit to start off doing gel nails on self and others before jumping straight into a 3 day course for example?
- I mainly want to have a nail business in natural nails/ gel/nail art ( not acrylic) due to the smell- how viable is this in your experience?
- If I buy a nail kit, is it worth spending more on something 'professional' compared to a cheaper one?


Thank you for taking time to read my post !

Please share your experience as I am happy to learn more from you all

 

[Busyeyes88]

Hello,

Newbie here both in the industry and on this forum. I've been lurking and reading on here for a few weeks now but I've finally made an account as I find this place to be supportive and friendly!

A bit about me:
Coming from a very traditional strict Asian family, I felt I was not fully supported when I told my parents that I wanted to work in the beauty industry ( plus they hated the smell of nail varnish) so instead I went down the route of school, uni, ' proper job'. It didn't bring me fulfilment and I was unhappy for a long time, because I felt the job did not give me any creative outlet or freedom although of course I am not blaming my parents.
Now that I am 30 and have a bit more freedom with my choices, I have recently qualified in massage and now want to do nails but still in the same career. I would love to build a business in nails! The only experience I have had is painting manicures on friends and of course myself. I haven't practised doing any gel on myself or others. My goal is to have a nail business as a side hustle and eventually build it into something bigger so that I can fully go self employed so that I can have more freedom with my working hours and ability to work abroad as my boyfriend is planning on teaching overseas.

Questions:
- With my lack of experience, what do you recommend I do to gain more knowledge. For example, do you recommend buying a standard gel kit to start off doing gel nails on self and others before jumping straight into a 3 day course for example?
- I mainly want to have a nail business in natural nails/ gel/nail art ( not acrylic) due to the smell- how viable is this in your experience?
- If I buy a nail kit, is it worth spending more on something 'professional' compared to a cheaper one?


Thank you for taking time to read my post !

Please share your experience as I am happy to learn more from you all

Hi
Firstly, if you have not done so yet, I suggest you invest in a Nail Technician course and obtaining certified qualifications that you can show your clients and get insured.

I have been doing my nails since age 16 but became a legal PA and spent many years working in prestigious law firms in London. I took time out and qualified as a nail technician in 2012 and obtained 6 months experience working in two discount salons in 2014. I have now enrolled at college to study Beauty therapy level 2 full time.

The beauty industry is hard to branch into without qualifications and most salons require Beauty therapy level 2 for you to even get a chance in the door, especially in these trying times.

Just like you need to study to become a lawyer you also need to study to become a nail technician. There is no "quick fix". Find a good course and go from there. Good luck.