Nailing Confidence

Surrounding yourself with the right people

The biggest help for my confidence personally, was surrounding myself with people who have a genuine passion for the work we do, people who honestly want to give clients the best possible time when they’re with us in the salon. Being surrounded by passionate and talented people (especially when first starting out) gave me the drive to deliver to my clients the best possible service straight away. Even on the days when I wasn’t quite feeling myself and the ideas weren’t flowing, having people like this, spurring me on, giving me those little pats on the back, greatly boosted my self-esteem and confidence to a point where I could say to myself ‘I’ve got this!’. No matter how daunting the day ahead may seem, approaching the day with confidence in your abilities and pride in your work, will translate to clients who will leave knowing they have had the best out of you, and keep them coming back for more.

Being resourceful – knowledge is key

Choosing the right course for you within the Beauty industry is key when first starting out. Before diving into the first course you find, try speaking to qualified professionals already established in the industry who can give you first-hand insight into the career you’ve chosen. Going into courses with some subject knowledge makes learning somewhat easier as you will have a general idea of what to expect during your learning experience. If you have the means to practice a little before you get into the course, this will help you immensely. For example, if you’re looking into nail art, have a look at social media or step by step guides to give you an insight of where the course may lead. Being prepared and ready to face your course will set your standard high, yet attainable. Achievable targets will create a positive mind-set and allow yourself to be more confident in your own abilities whilst continuously adding to them, piece by piece. Products are key.

Choosing the right product for you is another key factor when starting out, and all comes with experience. You will soon figure out which brands and products suit your style best. Therefore, getting your facts straight about the products you use, will increase your confidence and subject knowledge, giving you the confidence to carry out your work effectively. When showcasing your knowledge of the products to your client, they will, in turn, have confidence in you and your ability to create something personalised and special for them.

Your chosen brands and equipment will soon start to shape the type of tech you want to become; for example, I personally enjoy working with high pigment colours with strong inhibition layers. Experimenting with a vast array of products is vital for enhancing your progression as a professional, giving you the confidence to choose the right product for the task ahead.

Finding your niche as a tech

Finding your own style of nails will play such a huge part in your confidence. This comes with figuring out the style of nail tech you want to become. Whether you specialise in natural nails, enhancements or nail art... In time you will be able to branch out in order to excel in all aspects if you so wish.

Your niche is all about putting a small part of yourself into your work, in order to put your own personal stamp into each and every set of nails. At the end of your session, you can happily stand back and admire the hard work and effort it has taken to create a unique masterpiece.

Finding your style involves research, in our day and age, this can even be done through the use of social media. When searching around, look for small pieces from other nail techs that you aspire to be as good as or just concentrating on what you look for in a service. I’m a fan of anything with strong lines and negative space; as soon as I see it, I’m sold! Also, looking at similar techs in your area and seeing what you can do to make yourself stand out can be a great tool in order to figure out what’s hot and what’s not! After you’ve figured out what is going to make you stand above the rest, it’s down to practice!

Social media

Social media has changed the industry immensely within the last few years. It’s a great way to showcase your work and get your name out there. Being present on social media also gives you more of an opportunity to talk to other like-minded techs and receive feedback on your portfolio. Social media also gives you the freedom to engage the customer you want to attract. Having pride in your content will expand your confidence not only as a nail tech but as a person. The care you instil in your work will soon be recognised. The attention from brands and likes on your posts will give you a nicer incentive to succeed.

Confidence will always blossom with experience… finding who you want to be within the industry and keeping your own personal standards will drive you to achieve true confidence in the amazing tech that you are! Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day.