Jamaica Starr’s background is one of those against-the-odds stories that imparts hope. Now a successful salon owner and instructor for Sindy Mark’s Nail Art Academy, Starr overcame a life once rife with drugs, prison, and hardship. We caught up with Starr to find out how she left her old life behind to attain her dreams.
At trade shows, students will observe manufacturers doing innovative demonstrations. Top nail product manufacturers hire some of the most knowledgeable nail techs in the country to work the trade show floor, so it’s the ideal place for new students to learn all about the business of doing nails.
It’s so hard to say goodbye, and sadly, that is what I’ll be doing next week. I’ll be saying goodbye to nail school and hello to the nail business as a licensed technician; this is once I pass my state board, of course.
I am so excited to say that my nail tech school tuition will be paid in full! Last week, the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation announced the CND|BCL|Tippi Hedren Nail Technology Scholarship recipients, and I was completely surprised and honored to have been chosen as one of the 10 winners.
This week we watched a demonstration with the wonderful Gisela Marti, the creative director for Tammy Taylor Nails. I was so excited to finally have a formal introduction to a brand and product line that I see so many nail technicians are committed to using.
This week was dedicated to increasing my speed. I get frustrated with how long it takes me to complete a full set of acrylic or hard gel nails, especially if I have to first remove 3-D nail art, embellishments, and/or glitter before I can even prep the nails.
Students from Bellus Academy helped kick off Fashion Week San Diego with its opening event, “The Art & Beauty Behind Fashion,” September 30 at the Broadway Pier.
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.