FAQ – Thinking of Enrolling on a Course?
As from the 15th February 2019 we are no longer able to take on new students for our Nail Courses. We apologise for any inconvenience. Please note that support, assessment and certification for existing students is unaffected.
Student Support; 01 440 821 999
Q1. How do I Learn at Home? How do the courses work?
Q2. What’s the best course to start with?
Q3. I’m Just Starting Out, what course do I need?
Q4. I want a Part Time Business where I can earn an extra income, what course do I need?
Q5. I want to be a full time Professional Nail Technician, what courses do I need?
Q6. How long does it take to do one of your courses?
Q7. Is there a time limit to complete a course?
Q8. Is the certificate I get recognised?
Q9. Will I be able to take out indemnity insurance once I am qualified?
Q10. Once I have my certificate am I free to perform services for real people?
Q1. How do I Learn at Home? How do the courses work?
A1. When you enrol with Essential nails, we send you all the tools and products you need. We also send you a comprehensive DVD containing lessons from top educators. We also send you a Nail Trainer practice hand. The Nail Trainer has different sized nails just like a real person. You work on these nails, and at the end of each lesson, save them on special ‘progress cards’. At the end of the course, you send these cards to us for assessment and certification. We have trained thousands of Nail Techs this way over the last 15 years.
More here: https://www.essentialnails.com/useful-information/why-learn-nails-essential-nails/ Back to top
Q2. What’s the best course to start with?
A2. It depends what your ambitions are. We know that we have three types of students:
Starting Out. You’re just starting out. You’re thinking about learning something new and are curious to see if nails is for you. You don’t want to commit to days or weeks in a classroom. You need a course that will teach the basic practical skills so you can build your confidence and practice safely and quietly at home.
Small Business or Hobby. You have made up your mind that you’d like to earn some money from offering nail services, maybe starting on friends and family. Your ambition is work part time, from home, earning an additional income.
Professional. You want to be a fully professional Nail Technician, working full time from home or in a salon and eventually have a dream of opening your own full time business.
Try and identify which best fits your ambition and then have a look at the advice in Q2, Q3 and Q4 below.
Q3. I’m just starting out, what course do i need?
A3. You need a course that takes nothing for granted, a course for the absolute beginner. You need a course that includes lessons covering Health and Safety, Sanitisation and the correct way to prepare the Natural Nail and then go on to show you how to create the great nails you see in salons.
We have three suggestions for you; The Gel Nail Course (single course teaching Gel Extensions), Acrylic Nail Course (single course teaching Acrylic Extensions) and Spa Manicure/Pedicure and UV Gel Polish (three course combination).
Any of these courses will give you a firm grounding in Nail Services. After a successful submission of your work for assessment and certification you will own a valuable certificate and have acquired sufficient skills to work on friends and family and the confidence to build a wider clientele.
Q4. I want a Part Time Business where I can earn an extra income, what course do I need?
A4. You will need to make an informed decision on which treatment you are considering offering. Do you want to offer Nail Extensions, or are you interested in Manicure and the Natural Nail treatments such as Gel Polish? The recent introduction of Gel Polishes has meant that many students are choosing to learn this first, rather than learn the traditional Gel or Acrylic Extensions. Of course, you can always add other skills later as you start to assess what the demand is for the various treatments in your area.If you have had no nail experience at all, you must start with a course that teaches Health & Safety, hygiene, preparation and salon skills. So this would be any of the following courses; Gel Nail Course (extensions), Acrylic Nail Course (extensions), Fibreglass (extensions), Manicure and Pedicure, or Acrylic Sculpting.
Once you have decided to go either the ‘Natural Nail’ route or the more traditional Acrylic, Gel, of Fibreglass route we would recommend one of the following three career progressions:
Manicure/Pedicure + UV Gel Polish, then add Gelaze Nail Art later as you build your skills.
Suggested package; Instant Nail Business Package.
Gel Nails (extensions) + Maintenance, then add UV Gel Polish or/and Nail Art.
Suggested Package; Professional Gel Package.
Acrylic Nails (extensions) + Maintenance, then add UV Gel Polish or/and Nail Art.
Suggested Package; Professional Acrylic Package.
Q5. I want to be a full time Professional Nail Technician, what courses do I need
A5. Again, it’s best to choose the route you want to take to get qualified, but in the end you’ll probably want to learn everything. This will take you a while. You can learn one course at a time, either starting with Manicure and Pedicure and UV Gel Polish to get the natural nail treatments under your belt, or via the Gel or Acrylic Extension courses. We have assembled some Course packages that will save you money if ordered together and get you fully skilled in the fastest possible time. Have a look at our Fast Track Career Packages.
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Q6. How long will it take me to complete the course?
A6. This is very much dependant upon you! If you regularly put aside a few solid hours to work through the course, and do some practice, then you will complete the course relatively quickly. The times below are the average times our students tell us they have taken to complete the course (including practice time) and send in their work for assessment;
Acrylic Nails (extensions) – 80 hours.
Gel Nails (extensions) – 80 hours.
Fibreglass Nails (extensions) – 80 hours.
Maintenance (maintaining Gel Acrylic Fibreglass Extensions and Sculpted Nails) – 20 hours.
Acrylic Sculpting – 90 hours.
Spa Manicure and Pedicure – 50 hours.
Nail Art – 20 hours.
UV Gel Polish – 23 hours.
Gelaze UV Polish Art Course – 20 hours.
Freehand Art Mastertech – 40 hours
Acrylic Art Mastertech – 50 hours
One Stroke Mastertech – 50 hours
Q7. Is there a time limit to complete a course?
A7.
No. We have had students complete the course in a couple of weeks, others take 9 months. Everybody has a hard time dedicating time to themselves. Family, events, duties, etc. always seem to interrupt our best intentions, don’t they? But in all honesty, those who start and finish a complete card within 3-6 weeks tend to score much higher because the focus of learning is less likely to be broken. Only when you are happy with the results of your nails (both visually and technically) and you think that people will be willing to pay their hard earned money for them, should you submit your work for assessment. If you’re not happy with your standard, get yourself some more Nail Trainer nails and keep practicing. Practice really does make perfect!
Q8. Is the certificate I get recognised?
A8. Yes,Our certification is nationally recognised within the nail industry.
Essential Nails is a member of the following professional bodies:
The Guild of professional Beauty Therapists.
Habia Supporto ( The government recognised standards setting body for hair, beauty and body art & nails).
British Learning Association.
Professional Beauty Direct.
Forum Distance E-Learning (Europe).
On completion of the courses and on passing, you would have qualified as a Nail Technician in the system that you have chosen. The certification gained will allow you to obtain your insurance and work on human hands whether you decide to work from home, be mobile or work in a salon.
Q9. Will I be able to take out indemnity insurance once I am qualified?
A9. Yes. Essential Nails qualifications are recognised by the largest beauty insurers:
Beauty Guild, Pro beauty Direct, Salon Secure & ABT. Application documentation for insurance is included in your course.
Q10. Once I have my certificate am I free to perform services for “REAL” people?
A10. Yes. But if your first course is the Gel, Acrylic or Fibreglass extension courses then we recommend you order the Maintaining Nail Extension Course as you must know how to maintain clients nails competently when they return to you in 2-3 weeks time. The course will give tips and techniques to enable you to confidently deal with damaged nail extensions. The course covers all three systems (Acrylic, Gel and Fibreglass extended nails and Acrylic and Gel sculpted nails), the recommended removal procedures of each, and much more!
If you would like more information on how to choose a nail course please click here.
Q11. Payment Options (UK Customers Only).
A11.We offer several payment options available On-line at the checkout and over the Telephone.
Pay Online with a Single Payment and Save!
You can save 10% by purchasing in a single payment with your debit or credit card.
Enter promo code SUCCESS10 at the checkout.
Q12. USA customers pay no tax.
A12. Please choose USD currency (at the top of the website). Please note that the prices you see include UK VAT tax at 20%. This will be deducted at the checkout when you select your delivery country to be USA.
If you would like more information on how to choose a nail course please click here.
If you have a question which is not listed, please click the Free Callback button at the top of your screen and one of our experienced and friendly staff will call you right back.
IF you would rather phone us, our number is 01440 820 999 and our lines are open Mon – Thurs 8am – 8pm and Friday 9am – 6pm.
