An entire month of nail school already finished! I have completed 94 hours of my 240-hour course. In Florida you have to complete a minimum of 240 hours to qualify for the state board so you can obtain your nail technician license. Within this time, I have also managed to complete 40 of my 90 required nail services.

During the practical session of class this week, I practiced hard gel application using OPI Axxium hard gel.

I actually find working with the hard UV and LED gel systems much easier to apply than acrylic because there’s time to mold and shape the products and allow it to level on the nail before you cure it in the UV or LED lamp. I've learned that with acrylic application, especially when using a fast setting monomer, you really have to know what ratio of liquid and powder to use to ensure you get the appropriate acrylic bead size and texture to smoothly build the nail before it air dries.

Also this week, I found myself wanting to do more and more sculptures. I decided to purchase a few other brands of nail forms to see which ones I like best. So far I’ve tried Odyssey Nail System forms, Harmony, and of course, the CND nail forms that were included in my student nail kit.

I can certainly say there’s a true art to getting those things on perfectly, and this I have yet to master. What do you and/or your clients prefer? Nail forms or nail tips? At this point, I’m still not certain which I prefer.

Finally, ever since the butterfly I did last week, I've had the "butterfly bug." Take a look at my butterfly sculpted stiletto nail that was inspired by a pair of butterfly stiletto heels by shoe designer Sophia Webster.

Until next week,

— Tisha