April 06, 2024 · By Felix Akinnibi

How To Become a Nail Tech

A nail technician is a trained professional who specializes in providing nail services of whatever kind to their clients/customers. These nail services may include manicures, pedicures, and various nail treatments.

Many times they are mostly situated at hair salons, barbershops, spas, or maybe own their own space. They carefully care for, groom, shape, and paint a customer’s nails.

As a result, nail techs usually have some understanding of the biology of the body part, as they would also be removing dead skin, eliminating calluses, and providing leg massages and scrubs.

How To Become a Nail Tech

1. Become a High School Graduate

You need a high school diploma or GED to be able to access cosmetology programs and qualify for a license. There are also vocational schools that offer cosmetology programs that can help aspiring nail technicians have ideas of what is required of them. If studied well, some of these programs may qualify you for licenses without attending a cosmetology program.

2. Complete a Cosmetology Course

Upon graduation, you can apply for a place in the cosmetology program. These programs offer educational and practical courses that can teach the foundation of nail art, nail care, customer service, and nail hygiene.

These course depends on the licensing requirements and can span for a period of six to eight months. A few of the cases that may be treated include:

Hygiene: In the course of the training program, students are taught the skills needed to maintain cleanliness in the salon. Good hygiene is needed to prevent any infection.

Anatomy: Students are taught the anatomy of the nails, such as nail plates, nail beds, and cuticles, alongside everything they need to know about the hands.

Chemistry: When it comes to treatments used on both the fingers and artificial nails after application, chemistry, and chemical safety are also taught.

Nail Application & Customer Relations: Students learn how to artificially apply nails with polish without causing damage to the nails. They also learn how to relate with customers to ensure a quality customer experience.

3. Get A License

Upon completion of your cosmetology program, you are required to take an exam where everything you have learned will be put to the test. The exam includes a written part and a practical part. Success from this exam is what will earn you your license and certificate.

4. Develop Your Skills

There are a range of soft skills that a nail technician needs to possess. A few include:

Creativity: As a nail technician, your creativity should be at its peak. Feed yourself with new styles, and trendy designs. Knowing how to blend colors and textures to bring out new and specific unique styles for your clients is a must-have.

Communication: Knowing how to communicate clearly and politely with your customers is very important. This helps you to have a good understanding of their requests and criticisms.

Organization: Being organized involves keeping appointments, requests, and admin work in check throughout the day, or for as long as you need to. As a good nail tech, you should be able to keep an organized workflow, and ensure smooth running of business.

Customer Service: The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment for your client is a big deal. Even if it is just a smile, once in a while offer snacks, recommend a movie, a hairstyle, and all, anything to engage them. Take your client's concerns seriously and give them a good time at your salon.

5. Gain Experience

Upon obtaining your license, you must put all skills learned to the test/to practice. Spas, Beauty salons, Barbershops, Hotels, and the like most times have openings for nail technicians. Apply and put your work to the test. Your first job can help you practice, and also give you constructive criticism that would be useful to you in the long run.

Some Equipment a Nail Tech Needs

Nail clippers
Different sets of nails
Apron
UV lamp
Nail files
Buffer
Nail polish (Different Types)
Buffers
Nail Removers
Sanitizers
Cotton wool
Cuticle clippers
Cuticle clippers

Becoming a Nail Tech takes determination and patience. You also need to constantly evolve and be trendy. There is always something new that everyone is doing.