Nail Artist Training
Nail artists, also called nail designers and nail technicians, provide care for fingernails and make them look better. They do this by repairing damaged nails, adding extensions to existing nails and decorating nails. Nail technicians should educate themselves in nail care and be trained in using nail polish and nail art.
Other People Are Reading
-
Qualifications
-
To practice the art of nail design in the United States you must become certified. To receive certification you have to attend an accredited cosmetology school and pass a state board exam with written and practical portions. If you desire to become a nail artist specializing in art designs or application of artificial nails, you will want to take a program specifically geared towards that, although your basic training will likely encompass more aspects of beauty care. You may attend a nail design program part-time or full-time. Most have open enrollment.
Fields of Study
-
To become a certified nail artist you will need to complete 600 hours of training covering practical and theoretical nail care. You will learn about specific nail and skin diseases and how to treat them as well as about the cells, skin, skeletal, muscular, and circulatory aspects of fingernails. You will learn about proper sanitation and sterilization of your tools and receive an overview of state guidelines.
-
Treatments
-
During your time in cosmetology school you will practice using artificial nails, learning nail maintenance and nail art. Nail art includes painting nails, drawing nail designs and using gems and transfers. You will also train in airbrush art. Other standard pedicure and manicure procedures include hot oil treatments, spa manicures, pedicures and French and American manicure polish applications.
Additional Training
-
If you are interested in improving your skills as a nail artists, you can find nail training videos and tools online. As you become more skilled in using the latest procedures, such as airbrushing, sculpting acrylics, using gel and fiberglass, you make yourself a more valuable nail technician and can earn more money. You will need lots of volunteers to practice your methods on, as there is only so much hands-on time in cosmetology school. Check with your school to see if they offer advance training classes in different aspects of nail artistry. Manufacturers of nail products may offer training classes.
Considerations
-
Nail artists work with people from all different backgrounds and of all different ages. People have a tendency to chat while they are getting their nails done, so make sure to train your listening ear and hone your conversational skills. Stay on the cutting edge of the latest trends by continuing to read professional nail-care magazines and watching for the new designs in nail art or new techniques of applying artificial nail enhancements.
-
References
- Photo Credit unghie image by maelena from Fotolia.com
