Manicurist Career
Manicurist Career
The Real Poop
Nails, nails, nails.
From demure French tips to terrifying talons; glossy glazes to sparkly and vibrant flecks; drizzled, splashed, sprayed, splayed, gem-tipped, gold-dipped, lace-trimmed, and fur-lined; we're talking fierce, flossy, flashy nails. Phew.
You can do them all (toes too) when you're a manicurist. If you're good with a Bedazzler, think how much better you'd be with polish.
Nails are a hot business that is firmly ensconced in the fashion industry, with manicurists (also known as nail technicians) getting top billing on the pages of beauty mags and even enjoying niche magazines dedicated to the industry. Though the average manicurist only makes about $22,000 a year, the rising profile of both nail art and celebrity nail technicians is creating a much deeper interest in the industry.
Nails are an expression of yourself. Whether demure and dainty, or wild and outrageous, they're a fashion statement that everyone can afford (home manicures can be done with a bottle of 99-cent drugstore polish and look good—if you know what you're doing).
But for pampered professionals, both men and women, nails are a sign of good grooming and a must-have, much like weekly haircuts and blow-outs.
While some may dabble with doing it themselves, most people are loyal to their manicurist, who is, along with a hairdresser, part life coach and part artist.
Of course in order to become a nail technician, you'll have to go to beauty school and learn all aspects of taking care of your customer's nails, in addition to important sanitation techniques. If you don't sterilize your tools, you can pass on all kinds of fungi and infection to your clients—that would definitely not be fierce.
At school, in addition to the health issues nails face, you'll learn how to shape the nails, how to apply acrylics and tips, how to do gel manicures (they're so hot right now), and how to do the perfect French manicure, which never goes out of style.
Once you graduate from school, you'll have to pass some tests to get your nail technician's license. Everyone is required to have a license to work in a salon or in the industry in general.
After graduation and licensing, it's about finding work—in this case it's all about talent and chutzpah (a.k.a. marketing yourself).
If you want to work in a mall nail salon for minimum wage, that option will be readily available to you.
You could also get a job in a posh salon and charge slightly more, earning you a little above the average $22,000 (source). Manicurists in busy salons are packed with regulars, who tip well for fancy "tips."
If you're super-creative, talented, and awesome at schmoozing, you could find yourself painting the nails and toes on Hollywood royalty. Celebs like JLo, Coco Perez, Eva Longoria, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry have their own nail technicians flown to film sets, magazine shoots, and awards premieres.
The best part, though, is that most nail technicians make their own hours and control the amount of money they make by how many hours they are willing to put in. It's a great job for those who need a flexible schedule or want to raise a family.