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Nail Technician

Nail technicians treat clients' nails and may apply artificial nails.

 

Tasks & duties

Nail technicians may do some or all of the following:

  • consult clients about their nail care requirements
  • assess, trim and file clients' nails
  • tidy cuticles (fingernail skin)
  • apply a basecoat and coloured nail polish
  • prepare clients' fingernails for nail enhancements (artificial nails)
  • apply and buff nail enhancements
  • paint designs and patterns on to nails (nail art)
  • pierce nails
  • provide manicures
  • massage clients' hands and forearms
  • give pedicures (treat clients' feet and toenails)
  • massage clients' feet and lower legs
  • refer clients to health professionals for nail diseases

 

Skills & knowledge

Nail technicians need to have:

  • knowledge of nail care and nail problems
  • familiarity with artificial nail enhancements and nail products
  • skills in using various nail applications, and filing, polishing and shaping techniques
  • creative skills for doing nail art
  • good communication and people skills, including good listening skills
  • an understanding of hygiene, and health and safety regulations
  • an awareness of Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS)  
  • time management skills
  • business skills if self-employed

 

Entry requirements

There are no specific entry requirements to become a nail technician. However, most employers prefer you to complete a nail technician course before you start working.

 

Secondary education

There are no specific secondary educational requirements to become a nail technician, but art is useful.

 

Tertiary education

Some providers offer an NZQA Approved Certificate in Nail Technology or the National Certificate in Beauty Services (Nail Technology). Each of these qualifications takes about 12 to 18 weeks of full-time study to complete.

 

Training on the job

Many skills are gained on the job. Nail product suppliers may invite nail technicians to attend seminars and workshops to keep up to date with new products and to develop new techniques such as nail sculpting. 

Further skills and knowledge may be gained by searching the Internet and reading nail and beauty magazines. Nail technicians may also learn about new products through sales representatives.

 

Useful experience

Useful experience for nail technicians includes:

  • work as a beauty therapist or beautician
  • hairdressing
  • modelling
  • fashion sales work
  • beauty consultancy work
  • work in a pharmacy
  • any work experience that involves contact with people, or artistic flair and creativity

 

Related courses

Beauty Therapy

 

For more information, please refer to Career Services.

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