MENU
SEARCHMy name is Nikki Moody. I am 39 years old, and married with four kids (ages 17, 16, 9 and 5). My oldest just started his senior year of high school and my baby just started
My name is Nikki Moody. I am 39 years old, and married with four kids (ages 17, 16, 9 and 5). My oldest just started his senior year of high school and my baby just started kindergarten. I had been home with the kids for 5½ years, but with all the kids in school now, and with my husband‘s support, I decided to follow my passion.
I am currently a student at Western Beauty Institute in Lancaster, Calif. My program is officially titled Nail Tech. It requires 600 hours and as of today I have 42 hours. I have a ways to go to get to the finish line, but I couldn’t be more excited about it. I go to school 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. We are learning the latest and best techniques for nails and nail art. Other programs offered at my school are Cosmetology, Barbering, Esthetician, and make-up. But I knew Nail Tech was the path for me.
Before I decided to go back to school I was a stay-at-home mom. Previously I worked in the beauty industry for about 10 years. I loved it. It had its ups and its downs, but I LOVED it. I worked at the industry trade shows and I traveled all over the United States and I learned so much. I created nail polish collections for the company I was working for. I worked with the labs to formulate the products and the colors. It was the best job for me. I loved the creative side of working with nail polish and colors. I loved being in sales and marketing as well and the R&D departments. As we all know life changes and it goes through different cycles. While it was great at one time, things in the company changed and my life changed and it was time to move on to something different. I worked in the financial industry for a couple of years until my husband and I decided it would be best for our family for me to stay home and take care of our children full time.
While at home I started back to college at night and online. I took a class or two a semester. I was achieving my AA at a slow and steady paced that did not distract me from my family. I started off wanting to go to nursing school. After a brief six month time period of caring for my grandmother after an illness I decided nursing was not the path for me. Then I switched to English as my major. Then I switched to Liberal Arts. Then I decided to do something crazy and get my manicuring license. I talked to a good friend who owns a gorgeous and successful salon and she gave me the “push” I needed to stop looking around and do something I always LOVED…nails!
I have been getting my nails done since I was 12 years old. It was my grandma who took me in for my first full set of acrylic nails when I graduated from junior high school. I was immediately addicted. I have always loved nails and creating new things. I still have my nails done regularly and it is one thing that is important to me. I have a good perspective as a client and I think I can bring a lot to the table as a nail professional. I am so excited to get started in this new endeavor.
— Nikki
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.
