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SEARCHYou may recall that I was worrying about working on clients last week. Well, it turns out that real, live clients caused me a couple of headaches in week two.
You may recall that I was worrying about working on clients last week. Well, it turns out that real, live clients caused me a couple of headaches in week two. Don’t get me wrong — one of my favourite things about this business is the people. I love meeting new customers, coming up with something amazing, and having them bounce out the door all refreshed and confident.
However, the ones who kind of do and definitely don’t know what they want can be a complete brain fudge. One lady having a gel pedi told me to “do what you think is right,” then spent half an hour deciding her Swarovski crystals (set in Crystalac) should be exactly symmetrical despite thinking a scattered look would be prettier initially. Exhausting doesn’t even begin to cover it! It’s so hard to know where to draw the line, especially being the newbie. I don’t want to have unhappy clients, but of course I can’t spend extra hours every day catering to people like this.
Working for free has started to become a little shadow in the back of my mind, too. Friends or family of those of us who are trained and skilled suddenly seem so quick to offer themselves up as a model or ask for discounts with a wink. In all honesty, I feel a little bit insulted by it. Hopefully now and in the future I will be providing such an awesome service that people will be happy to pay the top rate.
I guess it’s another part of building confidence in myself and my abilities. I sure don’t want to be charging £10 [$17 U.S.] for a full set of nails and barely earning minimum wage. If anyone has any advice, please feel free to comment or share your experiences!
Here is some of the nail art I've been working on.
Until next week,
— Harriet
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.
