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Beauty academy

  • Can I achieve a VTCT qualification through distance learning?

    Can I achieve a VTCT qualification through distance learning?

    The Beauty Academy offer a full range of VTCT Qualifications in all aspects of beauty therapy ranging from single units for those looking to specialise in one professional skill such as Facial Skincare to a full diploma at level 2 or 3 suitable for those looking to gain full time employment in the industry. Our VTCT qualifications are delivered on a ‘blended’ learning basis giving you optimum flexibility with your learning, while still providing full support and expert face to face tuition on a fast track basis. Much of the study is completed on a distance learning basis, online from home including your theory coursework. Students have access to a wealth of learning resources on our online portal including training videos, manuals and support documents. Attend for 1-5 training days (depending on qualification) to learn your practical skills at one of our 10 conveniently located training centres, across England. Practice your treatments to build a portfolio and then once ready, book your assessments.

    Most students complete within 4-6 months, studying on a part time basis at home beyond their initial training days, learning around other commitments. All students have up to 12 months to complete the qualification, should you need to learn at a slower pace.

    Full access to our expert in-house Support team by phone or email throughout. We offer the most flexible, fast track way to achieve your VTCT beauty qualification and start your new career, ideal for those who need to learn around their existing work or commitments such as childcare that make attendance of year long face to face courses unsuitable for their needs. Most learners are aged 25 or over, as those looking to either change career or start something new; although their are no age limits.

    What are VTCT Qualifications?

    Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) is a specialist awarding and assessment organisation offering vocational and technical qualifications in a range of service sectors. With more than 2,000 approved centres worldwide, VTCT has an ever-expanding list of centres throughout the UK and Ireland, with a growing international presence. VTCT have been providing qualifications since 1962 and in 2016 expanded to take over iTEC adding to its specialist worldwide training offer.

    If you are looking to embark upon a new career in beauty therapy or take your existing role in beauty further, VTCT qualifications will set you ahead of the competition and open up a wealth of career opportunities whether that is employed in the salon, spa, nail bar, cruise liner, opening your own salon or working as a beauty trainer in a further education college or for private beauty training provider.

    Achieving a prestigious and internationally recognised VTCT Qualifications will demonstrate you have an assessed high standard of competence within your treatment skills; giving both employers, insurers, industry bodies, advanced training providers & potential clients confidence within your abilities as a beauty professional.

    Which VTCT Courses are available?

    We offer a full range of VTCT awards in Beauty Therapy and also VTCT Level 3 Award in Education & Training for those looking to take their beauty career into a teaching capacity. We offer Level 2 qualifications ideal for complete beginners, along with Level 3 in Nail Technology and Massage Therapy which are advanced awards which can also be started as a complete beginner. We have single unit qualifications in individual treatments such as Facial Skincare for those wanting to specialise in a specific treatment, although we generally recommend the full Level 2 or 3 Diploma courses for those looking to gain an all-rounder set of skills most sought by employers within the beauty sector. Discover our VTCT courses by clicking below or for more guidance on the best course for you, select one of the options below to get in touch. All VTCT qualifications can be booked securely through our website or by calling our team on Freephone 0800 999 2277.

    Where could a VTCT Qualification take my career?

    The vast majority of our students achieve their VTCT qualification within 4-6 months and upon completion, enter the beauty industry either on an employed basis within a salon or spa, or start their own beauty business. We often have students who travel the world while working in beauty, working aboard cruise liners offering luxurious spa treatments. Many students enter professional competitions and gain recognition within the industry for their high level skills and flair for beauty. Once you have a VTCT Level 2 and/or Level 3 in beauty, you can then go onto learn further beauty treatments to expand your knowledge and boost your opportunities or could even take the VTCT Level 3 Award in Education & Training to begin offering beauty training courses yourself, work for a further education college or as a trainer for a private beauty training company to share your knowledge and inspire a passion for beauty in others. Click below to read the success story of one of our past students. You can see also Reviews from past students to assure you of the quality of our training.

  • What are the Advantages of Virtual Academy Beauty Training over Classroom Courses?

    What are the Advantages of Virtual Academy Beauty Training over Classroom Courses?

    With many of us having experienced more flexible working arrangements during lockdown and the benefits of staying connected online, more of us are feeling confident in taking other aspects of our lives online. Not only does online training allow you to study safely from home without any risks of Coronavirus posed from travel or being present in person, it is also flexible to fit into your life. There is no travel cost or time to consider, no early morning rushed commutes or needing to pay for additional childcare while you are away from home. There are no physical barriers to overcome as there is no attendance needed. The costs are also reduced for the training provider in offering online training versus overheads for bricks and mortar classroom based training, which translates as more affordable training options for students. Our courses start from only ยฃ99 and are fully accredited for insurance with ABT, giving you the exact same qualification as those achieved by attending face to face classroom training. All the benefits of classroom learning, without the hassle.

    What are Virtual Academy Courses?

    The Beauty Academy Virtual Academy courses are fully interactive online training sessions, led by our expert tutors. Ask questions using the chat box facility or a headset to communicate with your tutor. Questions can be answered in real time or saved until the best moment for response, avoiding breaking the tutors flow of thought and minimising disruption for all students. Watch the recording back of the session as often as you need to help the knowledge sink in and refresh your understanding. It also takes away the need to scribe lots of notes during the session, allowing you to sit back, relax and take it all in.

    All students receive comprehensive course notes by email to keep and refer back to. Also a short online pre-course learning task is delivered through our Online Portal to cover the essential health and safety knowledge. Study this at your own pace ready for your live online training session.

    Beyond your training session you have a chance to put your skills into practice, delivering your treatments on friends/family in your bubble at home or using a nail trainer hand / mannequin training head. Build your confidence and receive individual feedback on these treatments to help you develop competent ability in delivering your treatments. Once completed, you will receive your ABT Accredited diploma ready to gain insurance and begin using your skills to start your own beauty business or add to your existing treatment offering. Work with paying clients from home or mobile. Virtual Academy offers a cost effective, time efficient and enjoyable way to learn!

    Some commonly asked questionsโ€ฆ

    The tutor will walk you through the treatment techniques and procedure with detailed video demonstrations during the live online training session. You have a recording of the session to watch back allowing you to rewind and fast forward the demonstrations while practising your treatments. You submit your photos of a case study (as a best of 3) for individual feedback and support. When ready you arrange to attend an online support and assessment session where you practice your treatments, watched live by your tutor and receive final feedback to achieve your certificate. We have had a large number of students complete our Virtual Academy courses successfully and return for further courses.

    You will achieve a diploma issued by The Beauty Academy and accredited by ABT for insurance and recognition in the beauty industry. It is the same standard you would achieve as if attending a face to face classroom based course. It gives you the same opportunities to get insured and begin earning from home or mobile.

    Our Virtual Academy courses are so flexible. We have online training sessions available in the evenings, daytime or weekends to fit into your busy schedule. Practice at home at your own pace to submit your case study and then arrange the online support and assessment session when ready, again available at convenient time slots which you can choose from.

    You simply need a device connected to the internet such as mobile phone, pc or tablets like iPad. You donโ€™t need a head set, just the inbuilt speaker and microphone of most devices is fine or if no microphone, you can type freely into the chat box during the live online training session so can fully interact. You can even use earphones if taking part while out and about to make listening in discreet and convenient.

    You will need basic products and tools to practice your skills following the online teaching session. You can purchase these from any beauty supplier or take a look at our selection of starter kits to get going more quickly.

    We have Interest Free Credit available on all courses over ยฃ99 (which includes all Virtual Academy Courses and packages). Save money by booking a Multi Buy Package or book your courses individually as you prefer. Multi Buy Packages are carefully selected combinations of courses which allow you to save money versus individual course fees and have the best beauty business start-up training package. Book securely through our website or by calling Freephone 0800 999 2277.

    How do I enrol?

    Like the sound of our Virtual Academy Courses and want to get started? Click below to explore and book your Virtual Academy Course (or take advantage of the savings offered by our Multi Buy Packages). Or if you have further questions and need more advice, get in touch with our team on one of the options below.

  • Can you really achieve a beauty qualification with only online courses?

    Can you really achieve a beauty qualification with only online courses?

    Absolutely, yes! You can definitely achieve an accredited beauty qualification through only online training. Our courses are accredited by IPHM and recognised for insurance internationally giving you the best chance of success in a beauty career wherever you live and work. As our courses are completed entirely online, there are no distance barriers to overcome. Online training options give you full flexibility of studying anywhere in the world, even the comfort of home. They also allow you to study at your own pace, whether that is fast track or more slowly to fit around other commitments.

    We get asked this question all the time as so many are dubious about trying something new for them, but once they discover the benefits of online training they go from course to course expanding their learning with complete confidence. Our courses are written by experienced beauty industry professionals in an easy to follow style. From high quality training videos to detailed step by steps in course manuals. You also have full access to our expert in-house Support Team for any questions along the way.

    Online courses with The Beauty Academy allow you to achieve a recognised, accredited beauty qualification that enables you to get insured and start your new beauty career.

    Need more reassurance? Read some recent student reviewsโ€ฆ

    At The Beauty Academy we offer two options for Online Study, both provide an accredited certificate on completion;

    1. Online Courses completed through our Student Portal. You receive access to a wealth of high quality learning resources, written by beauty professionals including comprehensive manuals and detailed video demonstrations. You take multiple choice online tests throughout the course which are great for checking your understanding and learning as you progress through the course. These can be taken as often as needed until you achieve a pass. You also submit a small number of case studies to us by email which are assessed against industry standards to ensure your proficiency with the treatment skills. Individual feedback to help you improve and you simply resubmit as needed until you are at a successful level to achieve. Typically students complete these courses within 2-6 weeks (allowing usually around 2-10 hours per week to study), although you have 8 weeks should you need to go slower. Achieve an IPHM accredited certificate, courses start at only ยฃ99!
    2. Virtual Academy Courses are completed through live, tutor led training sessions delivered online through Zoom. Initially you complete some basic health and safety theory through our Online Student Portal. You then โ€˜attendโ€™ your online teaching session which typically lasts 60-90 minutes. A recording of the session is emailed to you which can be watched back as often as you need. You submit your one best case study of a recommended 3 minimum for feedback. Once a suitable standard of treatment skill is achieved, you โ€˜attendโ€™ a short online session where a tutor observes you complete some basic treatment skills to ascertain your confidence and given final feedback. Once completed, you achieve an ABT accredited certificate, courses start at only ยฃ149!

    Online Courses

    • Great for those who like self-paced, independent learning.
    • Full support from our team throughout by phone or email.
    • Flexible to work around you, study as many or as few hours each week as prefer – complete within 2-8 weeks.
    • Studied entirely through Online Student Portal.
    • Watch videos, read manuals, do quick tests and submit case studies.
    • No assessment days or formal exams required.
    • Study on mobile, iPad or pc, when on the go or from home.
    • Accredited by IPHM, suitable for insurance in the UK, Ireland and overseas.

    Virtual Academy Courses

    • Great for those who prefer to learn with tutor interaction.
    • Ask questions & get additional support during the online session.
    • Full support from our team throughout by phone or email.
    • Live online sessions available daytime, evenings & weekends.
    • Recording of session to watch back as often as you need + e-manual to keep.
    • Join Zoom session, practice treatments, join Zoom assessment, achieve qualification!
    • No attendance of the training centre required, all done online.
    • Complete sessions on mobile, iPad or pc – no fancy tech required.
    • Accredited by ABT, suitable for insurance in the UK & when temporarily abroad.

    Our courses are accredited for insurance purposes. Courses accredited by IPHM are accepted by their recommended insurers for work in the UK, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, parts of the USA, & most of Europe. ABT offer insurance for therapists primarily working in the UK and temporarily overseas (except USA/Canada). This means upon completion of your online course(s) you can successfully begin working either from home or mobile offering your treatments and begin earning, once insured.

    The requirements of individual salons / employers / local council licensing will vary. Generally speaking most students entering the beauty industry will do so to be able to start their own business working from home or mobile as this is often the most lucrative way to work in the industry with uncapped earning potential. Online courses may enable you to gain work in a salon either employed or more likely on a self-employed basis as the certificate is accredited, however for those such as college leavers looking to qualify to gain full time salon employment, you may wish to consider more formal options of training such as VTCT Qualifications.

    How do I sign up?

    Click below to explore the training options, whether Online Courses or Virtual Academy Courses. We offer Multi Buy Packages which are carefully selected course combinations, put together to give you the best business start-up opportunity with treatments that sell to clients well as a package. These allow you to save money booking courses individually and get you started quickly on the path to your new beauty career! Book securely through our website when ready. Alternatively, if you canโ€™t see what youโ€™re looking for or donโ€™t know where to start; why not give our friendly team a call on Freephone 0800 999 2277 and they can chat you through any queries and point you in the right direction!

  • How to Make Brows Fuller & Less Unruly

    How to Make Brows Fuller & Less Unruly

    If windows are the eyes to the soul then surely brows are the frames? A great pair of eyebrows can really give a face structure. They can also help correct an unbalanced face shape or give the appearance of a more desireable face shape. When so many clients are investing in lash extensions right now, it would be wrong not to have the know-how to create flawless brows to finish the look. We give you the top 10 ways to make brows look fuller and groomed…
    1. Use a brow pencil to fill in gaps and create better definition to the brow shape such as using short pencil strokes to create high points above the brows making them appear more arched and refined. Choose a brow pencil close to your natural hair colour and if between two shades, go for the lighter option.
    2. Use a brow powder to give a softer, fuller brow look. If you only want to achieve more fullness but more definition, opt for a brow powder. Generally brow pencils last longer on the skin but can look harsher on mature skin and accentuate fine lines and wrinkles. Brow powders are a softer option and can be sealed with brow gels or wax.
    3. Considering brow tinting โ€“ if daily touch ups arenโ€™t working for you, say if you swim or work in hot, humid environments, tinting may be a better option. Tinting can last 2-3 weeks. Treatments typically take only 15-20 minutes so easy to fit in alongside other beauty treatments. A longer lasting option is Henna brows which can last for up to 4-6 weeks instead. Henna brow products have great depth of colour and are naturally formulated so can be kinder to the skin. Tinting or henna can bring out the natural shape of your brows, especially for those with naturally fair or grey brows. This can make the eyes look brighter as the whites of the eyes contrast with the darker tones.
    4. Encourage better hair growth by using a naturally formulated brow oil or serum. The massaging in of products daily can also help boost blood flow to the area which in itself encourages better hair growth and improved hair condition and strength. There are many purposely designed serums on the market or just good quality castor, coconut or extra virgin olive oils will also do a great job of nourishing the hair and skin.
    5. Pluck in the right light and at the right level of zoom โ€“ ensure you pluck your brows using suitably sharp tweezers to avoid hair breakage. Try to pluck in natural daylight to better help you see the new, finer hairs coming through and ensure you are following the right line for shaping. Avoid using magnifying mirrors as they force you to focus in on one hair at a time causing you to lose sight of the overall brow shape and you can get too pluck-happy resulting in uneven brow results or overthinning the brows.
    6. Brows are sisters, not twins. Whenever tinting or shaping brows, ensure you work across both brows equally and check across both brows throughout for an even result. That said, brows are never identical so donโ€™t try to force them to be or you could end up damaging the natural line of hair growth and having overly thin brows which is both aging and unflattering. Overplucking can lead to permanent damage so take care or best still, leave it to the professionals.
    7. Have patience when brow shaping โ€“ donโ€™t be tempted to pluck a clump of hairs at a time. Work on just removing one at a time. Avoid removing longer brow hairs as these are often the leading hairs which define how the rest of the brows sit and removal can leave unsightly gaps or loss of definition. Slanted tweezers are great for helping to select the right hair. Go slow and use patience when removing odd stray hairs between brow services or if attempting some home pampering. You can always go back and take another out but you canโ€™t put a leading hair back in again if removed incorrectly.
    8. Embrace other methods of hair removal such as hot wax or threading. Both offer a quick but accurate hair removal option that take out all the hard work of tweezers. Check reviews of any therapist you are considering booking with and ideally seek out photos of their recent work on their social media to ensure you will get the result you desire. Generally speaking waxing is more readily available and hot wax is great in small areas like brows to give clean results. Hot wax is also less likely to irritate sensitive skin. Threading is great for anyone wanting a more linear, angled look due to the way the thread moves. It is great for those with naturally thick unruly brows that need some serious attention.
    9. Donโ€™t lose patience with those long unruly hairs. Use a brow gel to brush and seal them into shape. If you really must improve them, donโ€™t pluck them out but use short handled, sharp scissors to gently trim them so they sit better in place. Those long hairs often need to sit flat to provide the overall shape for your brows that all other hairs follow so take care not to be too snippy, particularly for the first few hairs at the start near the eyes as these can look bushy if trimmed too short.
    10. If you really canโ€™t get those unruly brows to sit correctly, consider a brow lamination treatment. Not only will they help give the appearance of thicker, fuller and more youthful brows; but it is a quick and relaxing treatment to receive. Typically taking around 30 minutes, results can last up to 6 weeks and when combined with a basic brow shape and tint, it can give you maintenance free, hassle free natural brows for over a month! Well worth investing in. The treatment uses similar products to lash lift (perming) products, but applied to the brows in a specific way that fixes and sets the brows in the desired direction as dictated by the brow technician.

    Want to learn to create the perfect brows, explore just some of the many brow course options we have by clicking below. Canโ€™t see the course for you or interested in a package? Give our friendly team a call on Freephone 0800 999 2277 and we can guide you to the right option!

  • Add Some Colour to Your Lashes

    Add Some Colour to Your Lashes

    Coloured mascara has been around for decades, flash back to the 80’s and blue mascara was all the rage. Fast forward 40 years and coloured lashes are back! As more people invest in lash extensions, the classic black lashes are pretty standard but coloured lashes are gaining serious popularity as more clients seek something different to their standard lash enhancement. Fashion dictates bolder lash looks and coloured lashes are the perfect way to stand out from the crowd…  

    Clients may want to accentuate their eye colour, match an outfit or occasion, or just make a fashion statement.

    The effects can be subtle such as a few carefully weaved in blue lashes to get that blue-black look many of us are already familiar with through tinting. Or you can go for a bright rainbow effect with ombre lashes. Our new Rapid Lashes, Tinting & Brow Shaping Course covers not only the quick lash extension application process suitable for beginners (and taking only 20-30 minutes for a full set); but also introduces the use of coloured lashes which you can incorporate across all lash extension services.

    What are coloured lashes?

    Lash extensions come in a range of curls, lengths and thicknesses, but now they are also more readily available in a wide range of colours too. Black lashes remain the standard lash but coloured lashes can be mixed with black lashes for a subtle effect, come in ombre options that allow you to apply a pre-selected complementary range of colours or selected in a chosen hue like blue or pink for desired effects. Every colour you can imagine is now available as a lash from subtle shades of brown to neon bright pinks and blues.

    What are the benefits of coloured lash extensions?

    • Create the perfect graduated ombre look that can be as subtle or dramatic as desired, simply apply more or less coloured lashes. That isn’t possible with a coloured mascara which just applies uniformly to all lashes.
    • A quick, easy way to get ‘look at me’ lashes that stand out and get your work as a Lash Tech talked about.
    • Easy word of mouth and new client recommendations guaranteed once you introduce coloured lashes!
    • Coloured eye lash extensions can enhance natural eye colour.

    How toโ€ฆ

    To enhance eye colour:

    Go for shades which complement their natural eye colouring or provide a contrast. Applied as an outwards flick from a third of the way inwards all the way to the outer corner of the eye. Keep the inner third of the lash line to dark lashes to give definition and open up the eye area.

    • Green eyes are great with purple lashes.
    • Blue eyes really glow with blue lashes.
    • Brown / hazel eyes look great with most shades but especially purple, green or blue lashes.

    To create a fashion statement:

    Bright shades to match an outfit or occasion make a bold statement. Applied either interspersed through a full set of black lashes or entirely in place of black extensions. You can create some bright, beautiful looks with extra time and creativity.

    Top Tips for Coloured Lashes

    1. Remember to factor in some extra time if considering coloured lashes both for the consultation stage to agree the look and for application. Let your client know this will add a little time to their appointment but is well worth it for the results!
    2. Careful lash mapping is key โ€“ decide where youโ€™re going to apply the coloured lashes, how many etc. and make sure you work evenly acros both eyes in stages to get a professional, symmetrical look.
    3. Consider using a clear lash adhesive. Typically lash extensions have a black colour to them to optimally help blending of standard black lash extensions but when going to the effort of using coloured lashes, this may be spoiled through use of a standard black adhesive. Clear adhesive is perfect when using lighter coloured lashes or when applying only coloured lashes; but can sometimes be less effective or most costly due to the thinner formulation. It may also take a little getting used to in terms of different glue drying times. Black adhesive will still work well for darker coloured lashes applied among standard black lashes. Remember if using a different adhesive, the client will need to have been patch tested with it 24-48 hours prior.
    4. Charge extra for coloured lashes to reflect the artistry involved in their application. This will cover your additional treatment time and some possible extra cost for materials. It will also stand the service out ahead of your competition as many lash techs are not yet up to speed with coloured lashes and signal a premium service to your clients.
    5. Advertise the option well on your social media, website and price lists so that clients know it is available and can let you know they want this when booking so you can factor in sufficient time and theyโ€™ll know the treatment cost ahead of the appointment. Also whether they need a patch test for a clear adhesive, you might want to start patch testing with both glues as standard anyway.

    Book your place now on our Rapid Lashes, Tinting & Brow Shaping Course. Click below to Book Online, or have questions? Call our friendly team on Freephone 0800 999 2277.

  • Sculpting your Dreams

    Sculpting your Dreams

    Once you’ve mastered the basics of working with acrylic to create tip and overlay nail extensions, you will soon want to progress your skills to ensure you are offering the best possible nail service to your clients. Not only will it ensure your clients are dazzled by the results you achieve and bring new clients in through word of mouth, but you will save yourself time and stand miles ahead of the competition. All simply though learning to sculpt and use an electric nail file. We give you the lowdown on what they are and why you’ll benefit…

    What is Sculpting?

    Sculpting with acrylic is a method of creating nail extensions using โ€˜nail formsโ€™ as a platform to create the tip. This is then layered with acrylic to create a strong but tip-free extension. Traditional acrylic extension involves the use of plastic false tips & glue, overlaid with acrylic on top to give the extension strength. The sculpting technique can be kinder to natural nails as there is no glue, no tip is needed with a sculpted enhancement.

    How long do sculpted nails last?

    2-3 Weeks

    Benefits of Sculpting

    • No adhesive to break down over time.
    • Can be thinner than with tips as you donโ€™t have the bulk of the tip under the product.
    • Once mastered, sculpting is generally faster to apply than a properly applied and blended tip.
    • Generally better for nail biters because the moisture in the nails of biters can break down the adhesive and also the thick skin on the edge of a nail biters fingers will often push the tip off the nail or create a โ€œski jumpโ€ look to the nail.

    What is an E-File?

    An electric file (formerly called a โ€œdrillโ€) is a tool used by nail technicians to speed up, streamline, or make easier some nail services. The electric file allows nail technicians to file or finish areas of the nail that are hard to reach (for example, under the free edge of a newly created sculpted nail)

    Are electric nail files safe?

    As long as itโ€™s done properly and with the right tools, an electric file on the natural nail can be just as safe as a regular nail file. They can be used to gently push back the cuticle, exposing any dead excess skin which can be more comfortable than use of cuticle pushers.

    Itโ€™s the tech, not the tool.

    E-files often get a bad rep. When we see pictures of rings of fire, nail plate burns, and injured skin we assume itโ€™s the evil e-file at work. In truth, an e-file really canโ€™t do any damage without a nail tech wielding it. The big question is how can nail techs learn to use an e-file properly? Well, itโ€™s much like learning to drive a car. It takes proper instruction through an accredited course and careful practice. Youโ€™re going to have an accident here and there, especially in the beginning, but the goal is to learn and improve.

    Benefits of E-Filing

    • Reduces risk of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) for the technician as takes the hard work out of filing
    • Saves time so technicians can fit more clients in and clients can have quicker, more convenient appointments
    • Boosts earning potential as more clients in your working hours equals more money

    Interested to complete an Accredited Training Course in Sculpting & E-Filing? See below recommended courses. Many of our packages include training in Acrylic if youโ€™re a beginner so you can get the best value on your training!

  • 10 Things to Love About Being a Nail Technician ?

    10 Things to Love About Being a Nail Technician ?

    Nail technicians look after, shape and decorate their clients’ finger and toe nails. Youโ€™ll use a variety of techniques to provide manicures, pedicures and/or nail extensions. You may be working directly for a salon, or be self-employed. Youโ€™ll need good communication skills as youโ€™ll be dealing with a range of clients. If youโ€™re working as a self-employed nail technician, youโ€™ll need good business skills too.
    • Client Satisfaction.

    Most nail technicians value pleasing their customers above all else.

    • Meeting New People

    Whether itโ€™s new clients, co-workers or other nail technicians at tradeshows; nail technicians appreciate the opportunity to meet and make new friends.

    • Financial Rewards

    As a nail technician, we are told you get out of your job what you put into it. If you are dedicated and hardworking, this will show in your earnings.

    • Flexible Schedule

    How many clients you want to service in a given day is ultimately up to you.

    • Challenging Work

    No matter how experienced a nail technician you are, every day brings new challenges.

    • Personal Satisfaction

    For many people, job fulfilment is one of the most important reasons for sticking to their career.

    • Continuing Education

    Nail technicians have the opportunity to learn more and more skills and techniques every day.

    • Creativity

    When it comes to nails, you can really exercise your artistic ability and let your imagination run wild.

    • Competing

    A lot of nail technicians say competing is one of the best extra-curricular activities of doing nails and seeing what your competition is, in the area you live in.

    • Just Doing Nails

    The bottom line for most professionals is that they simply love doing nails.

    Interested in training to be a Nail Technician? Not sure where to start? We have classroom and distance learning (online) options covering all aspects of nail services. Why not take a look at some of our many Classroom Based Nail Courses or Home Study Nail Courses. You can Chat LIVE with our Advisors as you browse to help you find the right course for you. Or why not give our friendly Advisors a call on Freephone 0800 999 2277? All courses are ACCREDITED and FULLY INSURABLE allowing you to begin earning offering your treatments upon completion!

  • The Magic of E-Filing

    The Magic of E-Filing

    Once nail salons are able to reopen (hopefully in August), we’re certain you wonderful nail techs will be packed out with clients wanting to restore their nails to former glory. We can imagine some of the nail extension horrors you may encounter and clever client scheduling will be key to fitting everyone in. But what else can you do to speed up your nail treatments to maximise your earning potential while additional safety measures are in place? Our blog this week looks at E-Filing…

    What is E-Filing?

    It is surprising to hear how many nail techs are not fully aware of e-filing and how it works. E-Filing is use of an electric nail file to speed up the time taken working on nail extensions. It can be used on both acrylic and UV Gel nail extensions to help finish and refine the product, to help with speeding up a maintenance or removal treatment such as to reduce the length of the extensions, take our excess bulk when rebalancing and to help with product removal (usually alongside use of acetone soaking). Experienced nail techs may also use an electrical file on natural nail plates (often called a Russian manicure), although specialist advanced training is required for this and not all insurers will cover this.

    E-Filing helps to reduce the amount of manual filing required to speed up your treatments, give more even finish for better quality nail results and can help to reduce the risk to the nail technician long term of an RSI (repetitive strain injury) or aggravating of conditions like Carpal tunnel or arthritis. Quicker treatments allows you to fit in more clients so boost profitability but is also great for time pressured clients, who often want a quick and effective treatment.

    Can anyone train to use an E-File?

    We offer courses in E-Filing which can be completed through our Online Student Portal and are accredited by IPHM. The course teaches you to utilise an electric nail file when working on acrylic or hard gel nail extensions. We do not cover use on a natural nails as most clients prefer use of manual files on natural nails for a safer, more comfortable treatment. We will also soon be launching a Classroom based training option. The E-Filing courses are suitable for anyone who has completed a recognised training course in Acrylic or UV Gel Nail Extensions and ideally also within Manicure & Pedicure. If you are looking to train within these skills also, you may wish to look at our Online Nail Training course packages, Virtual Academy Nail Courses or Classroom based training. The courses are suitable for those recently qualified or who have been working within nails for some time.

    The Main Perks

    Incorporating E-Filing into your nail skills will be invaluable, especially once rushed off your feet post-lockdown. You will be able to;

    • Offer quicker nail extension treatments including for maintenance and removal.
    • Fit in more clients each day to maximise your earnings
    • Offer better results in your nail services than with manual filing alone
    • Reduce the strain on your precious hands and wrists from less manual filing
    • Reduce the amount of nail files within your kit, great for mobile therapists
    • Metal E-file drill bits can be easily and more thoroughly sterilised, offering a much more hygienic service
    • E-Files can be picked up affordably and are usually guaranteed for at least 12 months making a great investment

    Still have questions? Why not contact our friendly team for more advice on the best training option for you?

  • Business Launch Must Dos

    Business Launch Must Dos

    Updated 30th October 2024 The key to business start-up success is careful planning. Considering the direction you want your business to take, the scale and the target market. Setting realistic goals with realistic timescales is vital to ensure you stay on track but also stay motivated. It can be challenging starting a new beauty business but also incredibly rewarding when you see the return on your investment in terms of a regular client base building, your treatment results gaining word of mouth or indeed just making a profit! We give you the lowdown on how to get up and running for success…

    Have a business plan

    Set yourself clear SMART goals. These are specific, measurable, achievable and time bound. So think about where you want your business to be and to take you in say 6 months, a year, 2 years and 5 years. Be realistic and take baby steps. Nothing is more demotivating than setting a goal impossible to achieve. Small, measurable goals are what you need so that with every milestone achieved, whether that is your first regular client, first client referral, tenth client booked etc. you have positive steps towards those bigger, long term goals.

    You also need to do the maths and have a fixed budget for starting your own business to cover the cost of insurance, tools and products, business cards / price lists, transport costs such as if you need a bigger car, interest on any business related loans, rent and bills if having a salon space etc. and then also if this is going to be your only source of income, work out how much you need to earn each day/week so you can keep track of your income versus outgoings. Initially you may need to have a buffer and expect it may take a month or more to start breaking even and into profit as you build up your client base.

    Have a brand

    Think about your branding. What is your company name and logo? Is it obvious what you do from that to stand you apart from others? Is it catchy and memorable? If youโ€™ll be using it online as part of a website address, on social media etc., and your clients will be searching for your business online; it must be easy to spell and not similar to existing company names or website addresses. Think about how you will present yourself โ€“ will you wear a beauty tunic and if so, will this have your logo on it?

    Get your brand online as soon as possible so a basic website will do to start. Platforms such as wix.com offer free or low cost hosted websites, ideal for web beginners. Social media is also vital โ€“ set up a Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok profile for your business so you can showcase what you do, start building a following and start reaching out to your existing contacts to provide them an easy way to share what you do with their contacts too.

    Youโ€™ll also want to register your business on Google Business listings so you appear on Google Maps, great when clients are searching the local area for your services (or indeed discover you accidentally when planning a journey). This will only work for those with premises or working from home, so is more tricky for those working mobile.

    Have realistic expectations

    If you are working your beauty business alongside another job, be realistic as to how much time you can give to the business and let it build gradually rather than trying to do too much, too soon and burning yourself out. You donโ€™t want to lose love for what you do so make sure you still take time for yourself. If youโ€™re going to go full time on your business, be realistic about how long it may take to build a large enough, regular client base to provide you with a solid monthly income. Donโ€™t be disheartened if it takes some months to build up, just keep active in promoting what you do locally and with your contacts. Encourage clients to recommend you through word of mouth and speak with other related local businesses such as hairdressers, florists etc. to help build up clients and contacts. Build a steady projection of income too by always getting your clients booked in for their next appointment, before theyโ€™ve even finished their current one. This allows you to manage your appointment diary, always give a sense of urgency to them booking in and that youโ€™re already getting booked up! You never want to give the impression youโ€™re always free, create the sense youโ€™re in demand!

    If things are slower than hoped to start, stay proactive and think about what you could do to boost business such as a launch event hosted in a local hair salon or coffee store where you do mini treatments, pampering evening in connection with a local charity or school, advertising in local press, handing out price lists at the school drop off etc. And donโ€™t underestimate the importance of social media and your website to help business find you. Plan marketing strategy so promotions you run throughout the year, retail products you could sell to boost sales, treatment packages for wedding or holiday season etc. The key is stay busy but stay positive. Most beauty businesses take around 6-9 months to become well established but once you are, your earning potential is uncapped so itโ€™s definitely worth investing the time and effort.

    Cover the legalities

    Make sure you have beauty insurance in place and that it ideally covers your beauty kit. We recommend Balens, Radius, Insync or ABT for insurance. You can purchase a policy directly from your preferred insurer.

    Check your car insurance policy will cover you for business related mileage and also any car contents in the event of damage or loss/theft. Make sure you are working safely and hygienically at all times. Think about waste disposal and if you need to apply for yellow bins or commercial waste collection.

    If you are working from a room in your home, check your home insurance and mortgage / rental agreement permits this. If you are converting part of your home into permanent salon premises, you may wish to consult with your local council regarding planning restrictions, change of use and if business rates would be applicable. When inviting clients into your home, check if you need insurance in the event of accident/injury unrelated to treatments. You may also wish to take a first aid course and have a first aid kit and fire extinguisher or blanket on site for emergencies.

    If you are renting a room in a salon or even your own premises, you may need to consider any additional insurance for the business premises such as employee or third party insurance to protect visitors and clients at your premises in the event of an accident/injury. If employing other therapists, take legal advice in regards to contracts and qualifications / insurance they must hold. Some local authorities require special treatments licensing in some areas for salons so this must be checked out before committing to premises. If you are working alongside another job, check your employment contract to make sure there are no clauses against this.

    Finally donโ€™t forget your safety. Make sure if you are working mobile that someone knows where you are at all times and check in with someone when arriving and leaving a clientโ€™s home having given an indication of how long you will be there so that you always remain safe. Finally donโ€™t forget to register with HMRC for tax purposes if working self-employed. You will usually need to submit an annual self assessment to declare your earnings and to correctly pay tax and NI contributions so make sure you register in a timely manner online and keep adequate records of your income and outgoings in relation to your business.

    There is a lot to consider when running your own business but with careful planning, you can ensure you are always one step ahead with no surprises. Having written down goals that you can regularly review against is great for staying on track with progress and also helping stay motivated. Donโ€™t forget it is important to keep learning as a beauty therapist so that you can stay ahead of the competition and offer something new to delight your regular clientele. There are huge rewards to running your own business including flexibility to work around your children or other dependents, pride of owning your own business, opportunity to have uncapped earnings and the chance to earn doing something you are truly passionate about.

    Want to learn more about starting your own beauty business? Need more help to break your planning down? Our Online Starting a Business in Beauty Course is for you! Completed entirely online through our Student Portal which can be accessed from mobile devices 24/7, study at your own pace and receive support from our expert team throughout. Click below to find out moreโ€ฆ

  • Why it can be great to start small…

    Why it can be great to start small…

    When looking to start a new career in the beauty industry, it can be so easy to fall into the trap of thinking you MUST train in every single treatment on the market from the get-go. But the cost of this and also just knowing how then to launch your business without any particular unique selling features or areas of specialism can be really difficult when coming to an industry with a lot of competition already. Our blog highlights why it can actually be great to start small, focusing on particular treatments, building your brand and then moving on to other treatments as your client base actually wants, rather than what you think they will want…

    Our offers this month are all about helping you to focus on learning a particular set of beauty skills so that you have a ready to launch business. Whether that is focusing on being a lash and brow artist, make up artist also offering lash treatments, a nail technician or a beauty therapist offering the Big 4 (facials, waxing, manicures and pedicures). This is because we know the industry well and we know what works.

    Be a Specialist in your Chosen Field

    While having a diverse range of beauty skills from the off is great for those looking to gain employment in a salon (where they will be expecting you to be able to offer treatment to every client that may walk through the door); when starting your own business this is not always feasible and rarely necessary. Most beauty start-ups will focus on a niche within beauty so that they can be offering treatments that are their passion, work to their best natural talents but also ensure they are 6specialists in what they have to offer through having day to day, in-depth knowledge and practice of offering those treatments. It also allows you to focus on learning all you can within the industry around those specific treatments, whether that is through taking advanced courses or reading up on industry expert blogs and publications.

    More Affordable and Profitable

    It also makes starting your own business much more affordable. You can focus on booking onto the best training courses within the treatments you want to learn and then commit remaining funds to getting started with insurance, kits, products and tools as you need to start building your client base. If you try to learn everything, it can be very costly both in training and kit requirements meaning you may not then be able to afford the best products or tools to work with once you start working with clients which can make your treatments less attractive versus competitorsโ€™. It also puts a huge pressure on you in the first year to have to make too much money to reclaim your costs and before you get to enjoythe boost of being in a profit.

    Your Business is Focused

    Starting with treatments you know are popular in your area, which you enjoy offering and you know you have knowledge of (whether from having previous treatments yourself or through beauty magazines you read for example); really is the best way to getting your business started on the best foot forward. It allows you to focus your marketing whether that is a website, Facebook business page or adverts in local press to really shout about what you do. You can have a very clear branding message too on your price list and business card, rather than being confused by trying to offer too many services too soon. The greatest advantage is that you start with a popular service, start establishing clients and from there you can ask your target market what else they like receiving and would like you to offer so you can be sure to enrol for further courses that allow you to capitalise on this. Once you get working in the industry you can see what you enjoy too. So many therapists have fallen into doing treatments they donโ€™t really enjoy, simply because they feel they must, to justify training within them. Start with what inspires and excites you and you canโ€™t go far wrong in building a business and a career you truly love.

    Be More Competitive

    By training in specific treatments to begin with, you can keep your costs down which allows you to launch with very competitive prices versus your local competition. Once you have experience under your belt, you can raise your prices to become a premium service but having that initial competitive edge really does help to springboard you into a thriving business very quickly. Also focusing your treatment offer allows you to put together lucrative packages (both for you and your clients e.g. offering a brow service alongside lashes to frame those windows to the soul; or indeed waxing alongside pedicures to help with those fluffy toes!). Having a specialist business within beauty also allows you to have less kit lying around unused, taking up your precious workspace and minimising the amount of kit you have to take around with you if working mobile.

    You Can Always Diversify Later

    Remember by taking a couple of specific courses or indeed a package which focuses on a niche of the beauty industry, you are in no way limiting yourself. You can always take additional courses, whether further 1 day fast track, accredited courses or indeed our flexible, online, recognised learning courses. You could even upgrade to an internationally recognised qualification such as the VTCT awards in order to gain employment in a salon or spa, once you have gained experience or should a further opportunity arise beyond self-employment. You might even go on to training to teach beyond a VTCT award, so there really are huge options ahead.

    All you have to do is take the first step, decide which 1-3 treatments you love the most and give us a call on Freephone 0800 999 2277 to arrange booking onto the best training course option for you. Itโ€™s no obligation and our course advisors are all fully qualified beauty therapists with vast experience of the industry, so can certainly point you in the right direction.

  • Know Your Nails

    Know Your Nails

    With so many nail treatments to learn, it can be really confusing as to what to offer and why. Our blog breaks down the best nail treatments and the benefits; to help you decide which to learn and to promote them to your clients…

    The Staple Manicureโ€ฆ

    Everyone loves a manicure, fresh and smooth natural nails and skin. All great nail extensions start with proper care of the natural nails so manicures are also great for use following removal of or when on a break from nail extensions. Manicures are great for those trying to grow their natural nails, in the winter months when extreme weather can dry and dull the skin and nails or indeed before a special occasion or holiday. Using basic products and a traditional air-drying polish, you can achieve incredible results although it can take time and repeated treatments to achieve the best results if nails are damaged or particularly dry / brittle. Recommended to be carried out every 3-4 weeks (or more often if traditional polish is applied, which can chip with time and wear).

    Main Benefits

    + Suitable for all clients, both male and female and of all ages

    + Less contra-indications to a manicure versus nail extensions and the benefits of improving nail health and growing own nails can outweigh quick fixes with extensions

    + Less cost and upkeep to maintain results versus nail extensions

    + A wide range of traditional, low cost polishes on the market and offer the option to retail for home use

    + Popular all year round, can be enhanced further in winter with luxury aspects such as warm paraffin or heated mitts and mask

    The Perfect Pedicureโ€ฆ

    A great additional service to provide alongside manicures, caring for the skin and nails of the feet. So many clients have work or hobbies that keeps them on their feet, so it is a popular treatment to offer all year round but especially around holiday season (who doesnโ€™t love fresh polish on toes for the beach) or for weddings and proms. A great treatment to add into your packages, even for those who usually have nail extensions on fingers. Treatments typically take around an hour and are recommended every 3-6 weeks to maintain results.

    Main Benefits

    + Suitable for all clients, both male and female and of all ages

    + A great add on nail service for any nail tech to offer as part of packages or as a standalone treatment

    + A great treatment for holistic therapists to offer alongside massage treatments

    + A great way of retailing home use products to maintain the results

    + Popular all year round, can be enhanced further in winter with luxury aspects such as warm paraffin or heated booties and mask

    Good Olโ€™ Acrylicโ€ฆ

    It has been around for decades and is one of the most popular nail extension systems in use. Using a powder and liquid applied in combination as a small bead applied to the nail surface, to overlay a false tip to give instant additional nail length and an enhanced look. A full set usually takes around an hour to apply with practice and can last 2-3 weeks before requiring maintenance (infilling the regrown natural nail area and rebalancing the nail shape).

    Main Benefits

    + Quick, cheap system to work with. No lamps required to set the nails so great for mobile technicians.

    + Durable, hard-wearing system good for those who want nail extensions but have previous damage to nails such as reformed nail biters, those who do a lot with their hands (horse riders, sports players etc).

    + Lots of acrylic powder colours available allowing the system to be used for creative results or just a classic French look

    Beautiful woman hands with rose, isolated on white

    Trusty UV / LED Gelโ€ฆ

    A newer system than Acrylic, it has become popular as it offers a more natural looking nail extension system that is also easier to work with (doesnโ€™t air dry, but only sets when youโ€™re ready, when you cure under a UV or LED lamp). Also without the vapour of Acrylic due to light curing so better for those who work in less well-ventilated work areas or mobile within clientโ€™s homes. Can be applied over tips to extend natural nails or indeed over natural nails alone to give greater enhanced strength to the nails than say, a gel polish. Typically lasts 2-3 weeks before requiring infill to the regrowth area of the natural nail and rebalancing of the nail shape.

    Main Benefits

    + Low odour unlike acrylic so great for mobile use or where ventilation may not be optimal

    + Flexible, natural-looking system that is great for those wanting extensions for special occasions such as weddings

    + Easy to master as system only sets once light-cured allowing you to tweak nails until you are happy with the finish

    + Product is ready mixed in pots so easy to store and transport, less risk of spilling as with acrylic liquid for example. No need to master product ratios unlike with acrylic.

    Versatile Gel Polishโ€ฆ

    Gel Polish has been around for a while now and is well established, despite being one of the newest nail treatments available. It is quick and easy to learn to apply, with a wide range of brands now available to suit all budgets and in a huge range of colours to suit every client. Gel polish is quick to apply, typically taking only 30-45 minutes to apply to fingers and/or toes and provides a chip-free finish for up to 2-3 weeks. Products go a long way and are dry and ready to go once the topcoat has been cured meaning little wastage making it a profitable treatment. Gel polish should be completely removed around 2-3 weeks after application and either a manicure to refresh the nails or reapplication can be immediate.

    Main Benefits

    + Quick, easy to apply

    + Profitable service suitable for a wide range of clients

    + Great for those who want to grow their natural nails and donโ€™t want the hassle of nail extensions

    + Suitable for those who want a more natural look but still a polished finish

    + Long lasting, chip free polish and high shine finish. Allow you to be creative and offer nail art within the gel easily too.

    + Products available for all budgets and price points

    + UV and LED lamps have come a long way, now much smaller so easily portable for mobile nail techs

    So there you have it, a brief run down of the most popular nail services available. Itโ€™s easy to see how starting with the basics of manicure and pedicure can then lead on to offering either one or both nail extension systems or indeed simply sticking with gel polish. Itโ€™s worth noting that gel polish can also be applied over both UV and acrylic nail extensions allowing for a really top class nail finish and extra revenue for nail techs. You can also see how the maintenance required to upkeep nail treatments easily allows you to build a loyal, regular client base. With 1 day accredited nail training courses starting from only ยฃ199 and online, insurable training courses from only ยฃ99; become a fully qualified nail technician is much easier and more affordable than you may think. Remember most nail technicians typically earn around ยฃ15-ยฃ30 an hour with uncapped earning potential; itโ€™s easy to see why freelance nail technicians are now becoming one of the most popular careers in beauty therapy!

    Call us today on freephone 0800 999 2277 or browse the nail course pages below to find the best training option for you!

  • Lashings of Maturity

    Lashings of Maturity

    Lash techs in the industry don’t want you to discover the benefits of working with mature clients, who typically have more disposable income and can become some of your most loyal, regular clients. Techs circulate ideas that lashing mature clients is difficult or even near impossible and yet with the right know-how it can be profitable and an enjoyable challenge.

    Mature clients can have hooded eyelids which make application of the lashes more difficult. However correct placement of your lash tape to the upper lids to help โ€˜liftโ€™ the lid to give better access to the lashes will help with application. Use two thin strips of tape applied vertically from above lash line to brow area, sitting approximately 0.5cm from the inner and outer corners of the eyes to get this lift and improve ease of lash application.

    Mature clients may have naturally more sparse or even thinning lashes due to many reasons including hormonal changes brought about by menopause. Using the Russian Volume technique can help to build the appearance of greater lash thickness and disguise any gaps in growth although care should be taken with the size of fan utilised. Stick with 3D lashes, no greater or the effect will not be optimally flattering and will look unnatural. If using pre-made, stick with short root styles or keep the base shorter if creating your own.

    Top tip: combining both the classic individual and Russian volume techniques to create a โ€˜hybridโ€™ lash look is ideal for mature clients. The individual lashes will give a framework to help give definition and open up the eye area, while fans will help give fullness and youth to the lash line.

    Avoid use of D curl lashes which give a very dramatic look, stick with C or CC curls for a flattering look which most mature clients will prefer.

    Donโ€™t be tempted to go overboard and apply too many lashes. Select shorter lash lengths to compliment the natural lashes, longer does not mean thicker and using shorter lengths will detract from spareness and avoid over-defining the lash line. Avoid long lash lengths to outer corners too which will make the eyes appear to droop, a few shorter lengths to outer corners will lift the eyes and give a more open-eyed, youthful look. The same goes for lash thickness, using thicker lashes will not create fullness but over-emphasise any gaps.

    Top tip: Using a lash that is too thick will be poorly supported by the natural lashes and lead to premature lash loss or even breakage and damage. 0.10mm lashes are usually best for mature clients

    Ensure your mature clients, in particular, are rigorous with the lash care. Suggest a lash safe serum to help improve natural lash growth and strength and ensure they return every 2-3 weeks for infills to ensure lashes remain looking their best. Lost lash extensions will only exaggerate any sparsity to lashes so it is key they upkeep their infills.

    Expand your skills today with our Fast track, Accredited Courses or benefit from our recognised Online training coursesโ€ฆ

    We highly recommend the following courses for those looking to offer lash extension treatments. If you need any advice on the best course for you, give our friendly Advisors a call on 0800 999 2277 or connect through Live Chat now.