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Hi! My name is Harriet Gibson, and I’m a trainee nail tech in the United Kingdom. I live in a sunny seaside town that not many people have heard of (Llandudno Beach in North Wales), but Prince William and Kate had their first home here and we're very proud of that! I’ve always been a diehard nail fan, and after having my daughter I decided now is the time to make the jump from hotel receptionist to nail tech extraordinaire.
I’ve just completed my first year studying cosmetology and now it’s time to take on nails. I managed to get into Nailbase, which is VTCT-certified* and recognized as the school where excellent nail techs are born. I will be studying gel and acrylic nail enhancements, as well as advanced nail art and gel polish techniques. I'll be working 16 hours a week with real live clients (eek!) and spending another 20 or so on paperwork and practicing. I start on Wednesday, July 2, so no summer break for me, but I can’t wait to get started. I picked up my uniform yesterday and found out my trainer has been nominated for Welsh nail technician of the year, so it’s a really exciting time!
My true passion is nail art: I just won my first competition heat for WorldSkills UK, and I have the UK finals in November. The theme is “enchanted,” so hopefully I can use everything I have learned to create something magical to wow those judges!
You can also find my nail art on Instagram.
Until next week!
— Harriet
*VTCT, Vocational Training Charitable Trust, is a government-approved awarding organization in the United Kingdom.
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.
