Advanced Nail | Scalp | Massage | Japanese Head Spa Cellular Therapist Leeds
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📍Photon House, Leeds, LS12 1EL
🏆 Award-winning I remember vividly the first time I ever did a set of nails on a live person and no it wasn't when I first began training, it was way back in the late 70s early 80s! My Auntie enjoyed this too especially as sh
e had three boys, so it was her pamper time. I would experiment with all the nail polishes and makeup trying to (even back then) paint different shades on the nails or creating simple dotty or coloured nail designs. Even early on I knew that it was something I wanted to do I was creative, and my imagination was always on the go. I had The Complete Beautybook given to me as a gift by my parents which I still have today I used to look at the images to see if I could replicate them and give proper nail care too
Things diverted slightly as I got older, and lots changed I became a quiet, shy girl thinking I didn't look the type to fit in the world of nails, hair and or beauty. I always would paint my own nails (not during school time) again experimenting with different designs dreaming of doing what I only ever saw on the catwalk or in magazines. Wondering if I could do when I left high school, this however never happened, especially not knowing where I could go (as it wasn't available at my school) to learn to become a nail technician. Fast forward 30 years later, this was when I trained officially and learned how creative and fun doing nails would be, and of course why I had waited so long! By then I was already a Massage Therapist in Indian Head Massage and Swedish Body Massage not a masseuse! I did my City & Guilds NVQs’ (levels 2&3) in Nail Services and my level 2 beauty training at Picassos college at Ossett, West Yorkshire, UK. During my training I had my first experience of nail competitions, entering the college Match Fit nail art level 3 competition (Superheroes). I certainly didn't anticipate how quickly the time would go finishing within minutes before time was up. To my surprise I placed 2nd in Yorkshire and Humber, yeah me...this even back then made me thirsty for more! Whilst my training (and practice) continued, I was a busy working full time mum, wife, and daughter. I ensured I maintained a high level of client nail care, salon hygiene, and H&S always for clients with any treatments I performed as a student (in college) this being manicure, pedicure, L&P (acrylic) and hard gel nail systems as well as nail art. Unfortunately, I become ill in September of 2014, putting a swift halt to my dreams and growth as a nail technician it took another 3 – 4 years to get a full diagnosis. I tried to stay positive over the years, but this didn’t happen, and I shut off from everything and everyone, this also included at the time nails for a short time. I did continue to follow some amazing nail technicians and nail educators on social media, just to keep up to date see what new (or revamped) nail system(s) or nail design had been created. I struggled daily and could not see any light at the end of the tunnel but one nail tech from over the pond in Alberta Canada encouraged me, helped me re-focus and even sent me a little gift to get my "Nail Mojo" back. I could still be the nail tech I wanted to be I would just have to adapt my treatments. This did take a lot of years to get right, and a lot of tears because it was hard daily. Sometime later I tried and managed to begin my nail journey (again) becoming a Be Inspired for life member which was run by Sam Biddle. Roll on to 2018 I had an amazing opportunity to attend a two day Be Inspired annual training event run by Sam Biddle. Having only learnt the basics in nail art at college this event was what I needed to help me with my own skills building where we learnt new or aimed to perfect nail skills. I met some fabulous likeminded nail technicians who helped and supported me throughout…and for a change I fit in, for a change. This event reignited my love of nails, nail art the whole shebang! November 2018 diving right into the professional competition world I entered Nailympia London. I knew this would be a challenge especially due to my health issues of Fibromyalgia, spinal & joint Osteoarthritis and Hypermobility, but I wanted to try and prove I could do this, and I did! I entered three competitions - mixed media, runway, and reality nails the only floor comp was reality nails, knowing it would give me a taste of doing live comps. I did not place, but I felt like a winner for pushing myself to do this and just in case I never got the chance to do again. Since then, I have continued to train (health permitting) at my own pace.
2019:
I attended the Be Inspired event for a second year running. Entered the Professional Beauty – Excel London ‘Pop Art’ mixed media competition again didn’t place I however enjoyed the experience. I got to meet Elaine Watson and the lovely Phoenix VanDkye - still have the images somewhere when they are visible again! I have been spotted in Scratch magazine a few times from the Be Inspired training events (2018/19), Nail Safari bootcamp training (2019 and 2022), my own two-page spread (thank you Alex Fox) sharing my story and that I was still fighting to become a nail technician (I practiced my mum when I could at the time), and finally the annual Scratch Shootout Photographic nail competition for the (2019)! I’d love to do a front cover one day and centre page showing off all my gorgeous clients nail images and designs...
My continued learning is important, I do want to ensure my nail knowledge and skills are always up to date because the nail industry has changed a lot since I first trained. This way it helps me and enables me to offer high quality services, with the best Professional only nail products and systems to clients. I want to keep up with all the latest nail designs, techniques, and trends as well as the latest colours. My social media pages were there to show and share when I was able to practice and train or show any event training I attended, it was never a physical salon, that is until now! I have rebranded and ready to be challenged, create beautiful nails whilst still caring for the natural nail. I love all things nails and bit of a nail geek too I love the scientific side as well as been creative and artist in my own way.
