Nail School Nail courses - what questions should you ask before registering

Every year thousands of students register in nail schools, nail courses and nail programs all over the world. And every year inevitable some graduates come out feeling disappointed with the education (or lack thereof) that they received.

As an educator and the owner of The Academy of Nail Design, it is important to me that my graduates not only complete the nail course or program feeling satisfied with the education that they received, but also prepared to enter the workforce armed with the tools they need to be successful.

What questions should you ask before enrolling in a nail course? There are questions that need to be asked and some of them are for youself as a student. The obvious questions to ask the nail school you are reviewing are:

1) Do they offer a full diploma program or course or are they just offering Certificate programs?
2) Is the theory of nail technology as emphasised as the practical applications? Students need to know proper sanitation regulations, anatomy and how to assess clients needs way before even applying product.
3) What is their graduate rate? Do many students drop out of the program? Have there been any complaints logged against the school? Can you talk to recent graduates about their experiences at the school?
4) What professional kits do you receive? Do they supply students product after graduation? How are students expected to practice?
5) Do they offer a mentoring program after or during the course?
6) What is the experience of the instructors? How many years have they worked in the industry? What practical skills do they bring to the classroom?
7) What business advice do they provide?
8) Is the school up to date with not only their equipment and products but also their industry information? How often is the content of the program up dated?

Now that you feel satisfied with the school and the nail courses that they are offering what about asking yourself some similiarily hard questions. In my experience students who bring a realistic and thorough understanding of the industry are often the successful ones:

1) Why are you interested in taking a nail course?
2) What are your expectations during and after the course?
3) Are you familiar with the nail industry and what career options you have?
4) Are you prepared to start in a junior position and build up a clientele?

Nail courses - so much more than doing nails

You've finished your nail course - now what? What most students who enroll in nail courses and programs don't realize is that there are numerous career options available to them that don't include sitting in a salon all day.

My goal as an educator (The Academy of Nail Design)is to expand the minds of my students so they can see there are so many different aspects to the nail industry. Alot of my students are taking nail courses as a second career choice after having worked in different industries that they didn't neccessarily enjoy. A significant thing to remember is that every skill you pick up in any job becomes valuable and these skills you can apply in any new career.

Go beyond in the box thinking. What do you enjoy most? Travel, competition, the fashion industry?

I'll list a few career options that nail technicians can enjoy that have little to do with working 8 hours in a salon:

Product Line Educator - many nail product manufacturers hire trained professionals to set up and facilitate training seminars offered to salon or spa professionals. These educators train attendees specifically on the brand name products being offered by the manufacturer. This hands on training assists many nail professionals to fully understand the concepts of and mechanics on how to use specifics products properly. Often attendees enjoy discounts on the manufacturer’s products just for attending these training seminars.

A Specialist in Natural Nail Care - natural nail bars have been popping up all over the place and many nail professionals have made a career out of focusing on the health and integrity of natural nail care. Coined Derma Care Nail Specialists (DCNS) these professionals focus on both the skin of the hands and feet as well as the nails. DCNS venture into more intricate natural services including; hand facials, non-surgical hand lifts, and podology based pedicures.

Nail Professional for models on photo shoots– just as hair and make up are necessities for models on photo shoots, the beauty industry is quickly catching on that well groomed hands and feet can make or break a photo layout. Fashion layouts that incorporate nail artistry can range from the most simple to the most extravagant often involving nail creations that may take hours or days to create Those with a flair for the creative and a desire for the exciting world of fashion love to explore this arena.

Professional Competitor - always had a competitive streak in you? Try your hand at competing at the highest level. Nail competitions are held year round in many exciting locales (or even in your home city depending on where you live). Competing in live or photo based competitions can enhance a nail professional’s status within the salon environment. Clients feel assured that the nail services they are receiving are of an advanced caliber. Nail professionals can dramatically increase their application skills by entering into competitions and learning from the industry’s best.

A Personal Nail Professional - celebrity “A listers” often require the assistance of personal hair and make up artistry and now several have recruited their own nail professional too. Unkempt hands and feet can ruin an amazing photo op, no matter what the designer outfit. This career option may require last minute appointments at strange times of the day and of course dealing with the most demanding of clientele.

Expand your thinking about what you education can mean and you'll find a world of opportunities waiting for you.

6 essential questions to ask your nail technician before getting service

In today’s incredible booming spa and salon environment, too many clients assume that they are receiving safe, sanitary services performed by competent and trained professionals. However, this may not always be the case. We hear more and more horror stories regarding injury or permanent damage emerging from the beauty industry every day.

Most of us wouldn’t buy a house or a car without asking the salesperson for very specific details; nor would we visit a doctor or dentist without researching their credentials. So, why are we so careless about our personal safety when we visit a spa or salon? One of the central reasons many fail to attend to their personal safety in the salon or spa is that most clients don’t know what to ask their technicians. In order to understand the different levels of expertise and professionalism that should accompany any safe salon or spa experience, some key issues should be addressed.

Now you can arm yourself with a short list of essential questions to ask before you receive your services.

1) Where did the nail technician receive his/her training or education?
It may be surprising but not every country in the world requires nail technicians to be licensed; many are also not required to take a professional course. Even countries with strict educational requirements still have untrained technicians working in salons. Ask to see proof of a license or a diploma from an accredited facility (both of which should be prominently displayed in clear view). Not so great answers to your question include: “I taught myself” or “my sister taught me”. Neither of these answers should leave you assured that this technician has received the comprehensive training required to perform your services. Accredited courses will have covered such important theory such as anatomy, disease and disorders, and proper sanitation as well as a thorough understanding of the science behind the practical applications of acrylic or gel enhancements. A great school to learn the art & science of nail technology is The Academy of Nail Design where they offer both in class nail courses and nail programs and online nail courses and programs. Great nail techncian training.
2) Does your nail technician complete a full client assessment before performing your service?
Assessments often surprise most clients because they can’t believe that something as simple as taking a brief medical history is so often overlooked the nail industry. Did you know that if you are diabetic your nail services, especially pedicures must be altered completely? Were you aware if you have ever have had an allergic reaction to acrylic or gel you should avoid wearing that particular type of enhancement again – even after the reaction has cleared? Other important issues that arise from client assessments, and could drastically affect your services, are your medications. And, of course, you will want to be asked about your past services, what you liked and disliked about these services, and any problems that arose during past services. These are all very important questions and issues that your nail technician should be aware of and asking you about before beginning your service in order to assure your safety and satisfaction.

3) What are their sanitation procedures and how do these procedures work?
Not only do you want verbal assurances that the equipment and implements that are being used on you have either been properly disinfected/sterilized (or new) as required by law, but telling you just isn’t enough, any qualified technician should be more than proud to walk you through their sanitation procedures.



4) Do the products they use in their services contain any recently banned ingredients?
There have been several cosmetic ingredients that have come under fire in Europe and North America in recent months and some of the banned ingredients are present in nail products. Is your technician using these products? A knowledgeable technician will have researched the latest restrictions and be able to provide alternatives.



5) How do they disinfect their foot baths?
Foot baths are subject to the most recent controversy due to improper cleaning and disinfecting procedures. How does this salon disinfect the basin area of the foot bath in addition to the pipes and the drainage valve, where most of the bacteria builds up? What are they doing to ensure that the baths are safe?

6) Do they use disposable files and buffers?
Does your technician re-use cardboard files and buffers? Does he/she open a drawer full of used files and grab the closest one to file your nails? These files are contaminated and chock-full of bacteria. These are ‘one time use’ items only, as they cannot be disinfected nor sterilized. Health regulations require that one time use implements are to be discarded after each client.


The expertise and professionalism of your nail technician revolves around your safety—it is very important that you be aware of and ask the basic questions as this will improve your service and your spa/salon experience. Once the questions have been asked and you are satisfied with the answers it is now time to relax and fully enjoy your salon or spa visit.

Online Nail Training article published on AC

Check out my recently published content on AC:

Learning How to Do Nails Online Can Save Students Travel Time and Minimize Educational Costs

Best At-Home Manicure

For those of you who find themselves short on time and aren't able to get into the salon - or of course our Amazing Nail Boutique , for your absolute favourite hand treatment, I have some excellent tips for maintaining your hands and nails between salon visits.

In this first of three posts, we will discuss at home manicure kits - what should be in them, then in the second post - step by step instructions and how to's for one of the best manicure treatments around and then in the third post; different receipes you can create at home to make it an extra special event (or even to treat friends).

Today's post is the first step, which is why to invest in your own personalized manicure kit, how to take care of it and what it should have in it. Remember these kits are strictly for your at home personal use - do not bring these kits to the salon. The nail professionals in the salon have their own professional equipement that they are both comfortable with and that has been properly disinfected and/or sterilized.

Your kit should include;

- A Glass or Crystal File - unlike cheap, disposable cardboard emery boards that shred the free edge of your nail plate, these fantastic files are a small investment in the beginning (anywhere from $9-15.00 CDN), but pay for themselves in long time use and in the way they seal the free edge which helps keep nails from splitting and peeling this in itself keeps your natural nails looking stunning. These files are re-useable so make sure you clean and disinfect them (thoroughly spray with isopropyl alcohol and let sit for 5-10 minutes) before putting them away - it doesn't matter if you are the only one using it - your bacteria multiples just like everyone else's and you don't want weeks of bacteria growth on your file next time you pull it out to file your nails!

- Lint Free Cotton Pads - these have a variety of uses including removing polish and cleaning your brushes. Make sure they are lint free or you will drive yourself crazy picking off tiny fragments of cotton from your polish. I often also used papertowel that I have torn in small squares.

- a wonderfully moisturizing Cuticle Oil. If you are short on funds and are unable to invest in a high quality professional cuticle oil, use a small amount (3 table spoons) of olive or almond oil with a couple drops of vitamin e oil added.

- Cuticle Pusher. For those who are inexperienced start with an orangewood stick or a plastic cuticle pusher. For the more experienced among you go for the sharper metal variety, just keep in mind they are sharp and can hurt the inexperienced user. Remember the cuticle is actually that thin layer of dead skin that sticks to the nail plate - not the living tissue at the base of your nail - leave that alone - never push, cut or tear this skin - it is a seal that surrounds your nail plate and prevents dirt and bacteria from getting into your nail matrix which could cause an infection and lead to permanent damage (by the way this is one of my biggest peeves in this industry - clients who insist on nail professionals cutting their skin and the nail professionals who do! Keep this is mind - Nail professionals are not surgeons - who are the only folks you should be letting cut your skin! Also remember what happens generally when you cut skin - scar tissue forms and scar tissue is thicker than normal skin which this in itself defeats the purpose of cutting the skin in the first place isn't it?)

- Terry Cloth Towel. These are excellent for gently exfoliating the cuticle and dry skin on your hands

- Base Coat. High quality base coats are a must. Their job is to aid in the adhesion of the polish to help it last longer and also prevent the polish pigments from staining your nails. There are a huge number of them out there so choose from a reputable company. Like polish, avoid ingredients such as formaldehyde and toluene. We love Cuccio's Forte Nail Strengthener - clients rave about how flexible and long their nails grow after just a short time .

- Polish. Choose your polish careful as it will be the lasting result of all your hard work. As with base coats avoid formaldehyde and toluene in the ingredients list. There are now some excellent vegan polishes on the market. In our nail boutique we use SpaRitual.


- Top Coat. Top coats are designed to protect your nails and your maintain your polish.

- Polish Remover. There seems to be some debate over whether you should use an acetone based or non acetone based polish remover. In my experience acetone (one of the world's safest solvents - when handled properly) tends to work faster and a lot of companies are putting in additives such as fragrance and oils to non-acetone polish removers making them even less effective. Yes, acetone will temporairly dehydrate your skin and nails but only until you wash them with some soap and water. So I suggest use what works the most effiecient and that for me is acetone based removers.

- Moisturizing Hand Cream. Again another instance where reading labels often comes in handy. High price tags don't neccessairly mean a better product. Choose a cream that provides long lasting moisture

- An Exfoliating Scrub. We'll talk in Post 3 about creating some amazing scrubs right from your kitchen cupboards.

Learning the Art & Science of Nail Technology

As the owner of the Academy of Nail Design (http://www.taond.com/) a Private Career College dedicated solely to the education of nail technology and professionals I felt I had to design an educational nail course that would inspire students as well as inform them.

I also created an online nail course that students anywhere in the world can log onto and learn to master the art and science of nail services. Many people have inquired how it is possible to learn the hands on skills one needs to to become a nail professional online??? I wondered the same thing to myself before I created the online nail course. Since we launched the program in 2006 we've had nothing but excellent and positive responses from all of our students. We provide comprehensive nail industry theory (anatomy, nail disease and disorders, sanitation, salon and chemical safety) and easy to follow step by step DVDs and manuals. All professional kits are available too. Students no longer have to leave their homes to learn a new skill that can help them create a new career.http://www.taond.com/

Why the blog about NAILS?

As a nail professional of 14 years and an educator in the nail industry I get approached several times each day with the familiar "I have a nail question".

These questions will come from students, clients and even people I meet at social events. Some friends and family find it strange that so many people have questions about their nails, but as I've learned over the years a large majority of the population have concerns or questions when it comes to their hands and feet. And if given the chance will chat on endlessly about their digits or recent or distant experiences. It never does surprise me when I'm approached because having spent a large part of my life providing professional nail services and educating those that would like to be providing services, I know there is a lot of information out there and some of you aren't getting any of it.

So for those of you who are openly obsessed with the health of your hands and feet and others who are still keeping your obsession to yourselves but are just dying to ask, I thought it may be a good idea to start a small online community where we can all participate in our obsessions openly.


If you have questions please let me otherwise I'll try posting some info that I have gathered over the last few years that some of you may find helpful.