If you think that it’s the color, nail shape and design that make a nail look good, you’re mistaken. Actually, it’s the finishing touches that make all the difference. There is so much more that goes into the finishing of a nail than people give credit for. It takes a lot of skill and concentration to correctly finish a nail. And all of this takes practice. Practice nail finishing techniques until you feel comfortable with them. Don’t be afraid to ask a nail instructor to show you their methods as well. When you get to a point where you can comfortably finish a nail, you will be more confident in your abilities. This is the first step to doing great nails.
Perfecting your fundamentals is key to a great looking nail. Understand the concept of balance and proportion of the nail. There’s nothing wrong with practicing your skills on yourself. In fact, it’s recommended. The more you practice, the better you will become. Understand the different nail shapes and how to achieve them. And always keep your sanitation and organization skills in check.
So, how do you get to a point where you can comfortably do nails? PRACTICE. And practice often. One of the biggest mistakes nail techs make when starting out is to start with nail tips and nail art. Yes, this is fun, but if you don’t have your basics down, you will struggle with application. The more you practice the fundamentals, the better you will become at nails in general. I always suggest to my students to practice on as many people as possible. The more variety in nails you see and practice on, the better and more comfortable you will be with the process. And the more you practice, the less you have to think about the steps. Everything will become second nature.
This is a mindset that nail school can’t teach you. Nail school is there to teach you the basics and get you comfortable enough to pass the state boards. What it can’t teach you is how to not get frustrated when you make mistakes. It can’t teach you how to be patient with yourself and with clients. And it can’t teach you how not to compare yourself with other nail techs. This is a skill that you have to master on your own. The only way to do this is to just go with it. Make mistakes and learn from them. Practice your skills until they become second nature. And don’t compare your nails to others. As long as your clients are satisfied and your nails are done correctly, then that’s all that matters.
Lastly, always remember that nails is an art. It’s all about how you perceive things. There is no one way to do things. And the best part is, if you make a mistake, it’s just a nail. It will grow out. And most of the time, you can fix the mistake anyway. So don’t get discouraged if you don’t pick things up right away. If this is something that interests you, keep at it. Practice your skills and stay calm. Before you know it, you will be a pro.
