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SEARCHGrowing up I was always known as the smart one and my almost-twin (11 months to the day) sister was known as the beauty. These were the roles we embraced since this is all we heard.
Growing up I was always known as the smart one and my almost-twin (11 months to the day) sister was known as the beauty. These were the roles we embraced since this is all we heard. I excelled in school while my sister placed in pageants.
When it came time to graduate, I went to the local college, Marshall University, for pre-med while my sister looked into beauty schools. But I was jealous. I had been harboring a passion for art and fashion for as long as I could remember. I wanted to chase my dreams just as my sister was doing. I was contemplating beauty school when I got the best/worst news of my life: I was pregnant. So I did what I thought was right: drop out of school and get a job.
That was more than two years ago. This past April, my fiancé lost his job. It hit us hard. I told him this may be the opportunity to find a job he loves not just one that pays the bills. "What about you?" he asked. "I would love to go to beauty school," I answered casually. The next day he came home with a brochure and I enrolled that same day at Charleston School of Beauty Culture in Charleston, W.Va.
I'm so thankful to have a great support system (friends in the beauty industry, fiancé, and family) to get me through this process. I plan to start school June 3 and I will go five days a week. West Virginia requires nail technicians to complete 400 hours so I should be done in 11 weeks. I can't wait to start this process. It really is never too late to chase your dreams!
— April Greenlees
As of this writing this instalment of my nail student blog may be the last one for a while. Similar to many schools and other institutions around the world, due to the threat of the coronavirus pandemic classes at San Diego City College have been suspended until further notice.
I was fortunate enough to attend the three-day International Salon & Spa Expo (ISSE) held in Long Beach, Calif., January 26-28.
The first semester of nail school is now in the rear view mirror! I am now officially 50% done with my education to become a licensed nail technician.
We had two tests this week: 1) UV and LED Gels and 2) The Creative Touch.
This week we had a test on electric filing. We also received a lecture on UV and LED gels during the week (overlays and extensions).
Student blogger Gregory Fletcher shares his Nail Camp experiences.
During week seven we began performing nail services on clients.
During week six, we learned about nail product chemistry and the basics of electricity.
During week five, we received another lecture on skin structure, growth, and nutrition and tests on pedicures and nail tips and wraps. A good portion of the week was focused on giving manicures.
During week four, we had lectures on pedicures and on skin structure, growth, and nutrition.
This week we received lectures on chemistry and liquid and powder enhancements (acrylic) and had our first hands-on lab with reallive people.
This week we had our first written tests (multiple choice) and our first practical (nail tips).
I survived my first week of nail school! Well, I assumed that I would. But you never know!
NAILS has a new student blogger! San Diego-based Gregory Fletcher is looking forward to getting into the nail industry after retiring from his first career in the financial services industry
Let’s continue to shine, continue to spread light, joy and love to all around us! We’ll make a difference one smile, one hug, one nail service at a time!
It’s been such a long journey, from being excited and feeling unstoppable to being tired and exhausted and feeling like I couldn’t do it anymore. Now, every day that passes and I get closer to my graduation date I get more and more energy.
It was a really exciting week for me, and I'm starting to see the finish line as I continue to progres.
