Frequently Asked Questions

I was inspired to write this blog by a recent Face book conversation, where I had put on my status, a request, or even a plea to all FB nail technician's to send me some Questions about nails. I had a Magazine deadline and no clue of what to write.  I was inundated with various questions, some suitable some not...(and you girlie's know who you are...Caroline).   Questions, from the technical, about application and then the more personal; Now I am not about to reveal all to you, but I thought it might be a bit of fun to answer some of the questions aimed at me, and not  necessarily about nails.  I have also included some from a recent blog interview I did with the Make up it girl (http://makeupitgirl.blogspot.com/)


Just to let you know I will be posting the nail related Q&A later...promise. 

Q. DID YOU ALWAYS KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE AN EDUCATOR AND HELP PEOPLE LEARN NEW SKILLS

No, but I do find it easy to explain things to people, or find a way to show someone what I mean. Everyone has a different learning style and part of being a good educator is finding that learning style, and adapt your teaching style to suit it. I get a thrill when I can share something new with someone, and especially when they have the dawning realization of how they can use whatever technique I am showing them within their own work.

Q. HOW DO YOU JUGGLE FAMILY LIFE, EDUCATING AND CLIENTS

Image created for www.nailfreaks.com 

I think I have trained my family well, and brought up two amazing children who are fiercely independent. I have been self-employed since they were born and they have always come to work with me.  I was lucky to be working with my husband at the time, so we shared everything.  As a family we work as a team. So if it is jobs around the house, deciding on were we go on holiday or even how we are going to save up for something we want, we sit and discuss this.   We are all part of the team, and the family can’t function if someone isn’t pulling their weight. We have regular meetings and discussions and are very open. Each of us have their individual strengths and roles within the house but  we are all on the same page. The other important thing is that we all have a voice and an opinion. Of course my kids are not angels , and frustrate the hell out of me when they don’t empty the bin cause  they ‘forgot’, or I get back from teaching and they haven’t fed the dog! But they are teenagers and on the up side, if I text Devon to start dinner, she will quite happily. So juggling is a joint venture with the family and they help me work on my clients and students.

Q. WHATS YOUR PERSONAL FAVORITE SET OF NAILS

This is a difficult one; it’s like choosing my favourite child. I love the nails I am working on at the moment.  I also like the nails which get the biggest reaction! sometimes this  surprises me.  Every set has a little ‘back story’,  it’s hard to decide which I prefer.

Q. WHOSE NAILS WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO, DEAD OR ALIVE

Someone with the most perfect nail beds that will allow me creative freedom, has time to sit and let me play, who is willing to pay. 

Q. YOUR BIGGEST TIP

Money wise????? Or biggest top tip!

Q. HOW MANY OF YOUR CLIENTS HAVE YOU INSPIRED TO ACTUALLY GO TO COLLEGE?

 3

Q. STILETTO NAILS OR HEELS

Stiletto nails….because wearing heels kills! Although I would love to totter around in heels all day….I just don’t have the physique…shame…so I can make an impression with stiletto design nails.

Q. WHO DO YOU ADMIRE IN THE NAIL INDUSTRY AND WHY.

This is a difficult question because it changes.  I admire certain people for what they have achieved,  others for what they contribute and many for their undeniable talent. Mostly I admire the new technicians out there with their rampant passion for anything colourful. They are the new life blood for the industry, and with some stunning work already being presented they have a lot to live up to. So, who do I admire….should I give you a list of the big names, which some may or may not know, or cop out and tell you that I spend my time looking within, and not concern myself  about what others are doing.

Q. EXTENSIONS OR NATURAL NAILS

Extensions all the way, unless your blessed with the most perfect nail shape, and super strong nails, you have to live with square, flat, short and stumpy…but with some clever illusions you can create nails to die for, and maintain the natural nails without worrying about splits and chips.

Q. WHAT DO YOU PREFER TO WORK WITH GEL OR ACRYLIC

Q. DO NAIL EXTENSIONS WEAKEN NATURAL NAILS

No No No…absolutely not, I get so frustrated, when I have a client, or even some one at a party tell me that overlays ruined the nails.

The natural nail cannot die, suffocate or discolour because there is not air! The Nail plate does not not change once it has been keratinized…there for the only way the overlay will ruin the natural nail is through human error,  either by the nail tech applying them incorrectly so they lift, or they  are over buffed causing ‘rings of fire’,  not having put in place the correct hygiene procedures and causing infections, to name but a few.  Or the client has a nasty habit of ripping the overlays off…generally this is because they have not been told the proper aftercare procedures. Preparation of the natural nail also will not damage the natural nails if it is done properly, and please trust the chemist when they tell you the products you have bought (from a reputable distributor and not off ebay) are safe to use on clients.

Q. HOW DID YOU GET INTO NAILS AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY?

I started in the industry in 1999 some 11 years ago now, and it was quite by accident. I loved doing my own nail art, and used to buy the spangles kits from QVC, soon I ran out of friends and family with long nails, so I thought I would learn how to create talons to paint. I called up united beauty and they booked me on their beginners class. I stuck with united beauty for 2 years before moving over to Ez Flow. I used to come to the shows and spend hours at the Ez Flow stand. 

Q. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO COMPLETE A SET OF NAILS

For clients between 1.30hrs and 2 hrs, if I am working on some ace design nails then 3 hours.

Q. DO YOU THINK YOU CAN BE TAUGHT THIS TYPE OF DESIGN WORK WHETHER YOUR CREATIVE OR NOT?

I do think you can teach design nails, you can recreate pretty much any design as long as your shown the application technique, but what most people find difficult is coming up with something new, or be inspired by things around them. I wouldn’t say I am a great artist, just that I am able translate my inspiration onto a nail, and more importantly have the ability to help others do the same.

Q. WHERE DOES YOUR INSPIRATION COME FROM?

Oh my goodness, everywhere and anywhere, from packaging, advertisements, clothing and shoes. Generally I think of a  theme ‘ tropical or valentines’ and then I research every think that is synonymous with it.  I collect  images and fabrics and come up with a design. Other times I just want to try a new technique and just play until all of a sudden I have a nail. To be completely honest most of time I have no clue what the nail will end up looking like.

Q. WHAT BRANDS DO YOU USE IN YOUR DESIGN WORK?

I love using Ez Flow for my acrylic design work, and some of the glitter powders from NFU.oh. For gel I enjoy IBD and the colour range it has, but the range from Astonishing is great, especially the cover pinks. I also use the 3D gels from LCN, to be honest I am a bit of a collector…I have the most gorgeous green from CND, and a beautiful yellow from IBD, Ez Flow has Cocktail time….you can see where this is going.

Q.  DO YOU DO REGULAR NAILS ANY MORE?

I do still do clients, I have girls come from all over the country, generally for special occasions, weddings or holidays, someone travelled 3 hrs for their nails, now that is a hard core tech. I have a small selection of clients I still do, they have stayed with me from the early days and actually won’t let me go. I do them every other week on a Wednesday. They now come to my house, although they used to enjoy the benefits of a salon, they have become friends now.