Tag Archive for "nail technology" - Beauty Schools Directory Blog

Posts Tagged ‘nail technology’

New Manicurist Job Supply & Demand Info from CareerBuilder!

Posted on: November 30th, 2012 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

If you are about to graduate from nail technician school or cosmetology school, you are probably thinking about next steps so you can get a job with your newly earned nail tech license. You may have thought about posting your resume on CareerBuilder.com or other job-finding websites. Well we’ve gotten some information that we think could help you focus your manicurist job search! One quick note on this data: The following information compares the supply of resumes posted on CareerBuilder.com (“active work force”) against job postings 90% of the online job market.

Some of the industries hiring the most nail technicians are:

Hotels & Resorts
Department Stores
Nail Salons
Beauty Salons
Fitness & Recreational Sports Centers
Radio & Television Broadcasting
Women’s Clothing Stores

The pay for nail technicians is typically hourly rather than salary. The average wages for all nail techs (including manicurists, pedicurists, cosmetologists who do nail technology primarily) as self-reported by job-seekers posting resumes on CareerBuilder and their affiliated sites is $15.71, but those in the 90th percentile and higher may make $22.17 hourly or more. This may or may not account for tips. Compensation appears to increase as you gain more years of experience in the field.

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Vietnamese Immigrants Thriving in Nail Art Community

Posted on: July 2nd, 2012 by Becca 1 Comment

It is not uncommon to walk into a nail salon in California and be served by a Vietnamese American. In fact, it is quite common in many states for a person of Vietnamese descent to apply your acrylic tips. According to statistics published in Nails magazine, an industry magazine dedicated to manicures and pedicures and those who perform them, there are more than 400,000 nail specialists in the United States. Of those 400,000, Nails states that as much as 45 percent of nail specialists in the United States could be Vietnamese. They also said that in the state of California, an estimated 80 percent of nail technicians have Vietnamese heritage.

In the 1960s, not many of these Asian immigrants were admitted into the United States. There were barely 4,000 Vietnamese that immigrated to the country during that entire decade, according to the U.S. Office of Immigration Statistics. As the years passed, more Vietnamese immigrants were admitted into the country. A majority of them who entered into the United States arrived there after 1975. Without many people hiring, the Vietnamese were willing to do just about anything to find work and live the American dream, and nail art and design came to the top of the list. Not to mention, television shows of the 70s depicted women with nails done in the salon, which stirred up new ideas and opportunities for immigrants in pursuit of jobs or opening their own businesses. In addition, the nail industry requires short, inexpensive training at nail schools, and there’s not a huge need for the English language to perform these services, so immigrants discovered an industry where they could make a middle class salary and not spend a fortune for training. For those wanting to become a nail technician, the training is short and can get students into the job market quickly. Some schools, especially in areas with high populations of Vietnamese immigrants, even teach the classes in the Vietnamese language.

When a person attends a nail program, he or she can expect to learn to apply tips and artificial nails, as well as how to paint nails, and proper hygiene and sanitation techniques for nail care. A few schools will teach in Vietnamese language, while other schools and states require the curriculum and testing to be done in English only. In areas where Vietnamese-speaking individuals commonly reside, the test for nail technicians may be given in a their native language For instance, in Pennsylvania, the test may be given in Vietnamese, Spanish or English, while Connecticut only permits the exam be administered in English. The states of California and Virginia administer the nail technician board exams in English, Spanish or Vietnamese.

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Are Fish Pedicures Dangerous?

Posted on: June 4th, 2012 by Becca 1 Comment

Are fish pedicures safe?

We brought you the news in May that Cindy Vong in Gilbert, Arizona has teamed up with the Goldwater Institute to sue the Arizona Board of Cosmetology over being barred from offering fish pedicures as a service in her salon. New research has shown that the ever popular fish pedicures may not be as safe as people once thought. The researchers of UK Center for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences have recently performed a study on the fish used in these treatments and their susceptibility to carry harmful bacteria.

A fish pedicure involves a tiny Asian fish called the Garra Rufa. It feasts on a client’s toes to get rid of any dead skin. This may sound barbaric, but Eastern countries have been practicing this treatment for thousands of years. The fish have no teeth and they tickle clients more than anything. The research began with a shipment of the Garra Rufa from Indonesia, which was intercepted and treated at a UK airport for disease. Scientists from the UK Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the fish were carrying a variety of harmful bacteria that were not easily treated. For example, a strand of Vibrio vulnificus was found. It can make open wounds break out and infect people with the lethal disease, Septicemia.

Despite the bacteria found in the fish, there have been only a handful of people who have ever reported being infected with bacteria after dipping their toes with the Garra Rufa. Still, several states in the U.S. have banned the practice, including Virginia and Delaware. Researchers specifically have advised that people with weak immune systems or diabetes to avoid a fish pedicure. A suitable alternative is for salons to order their fish from special facilities where the fish are raised in controlled atmospheres rather than less reliable international sources.

If you decide to visit a salon that offers fish pedicures or new salon in general, there are some guidelines you should follow to ensure that your experience is healthy and clean. This list was put forth by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) in order to help people understand what they can do to avoid getting an infection.

First and foremost do not get a manicure or a pedicure if you have an open wound or infection. This includes everything from bug bites to dry skin. Bacteria could spread or become even more infected by irritation from the treatment. Also, whenever skin to skin contact is involved, there is a risk of transmitting a virus or harmful bacteria.

Nail technicians should have a license to work in the U.S. that allows them to work in a nail salon. Pay attention that the nail technician uses proper hygiene and wears gloves. They also need to use sterilized equipment or replace items for each person. Do not get your cuticles cut or calluses shaved to avoid getting accidentally cut. And if you do decide to take the plunge and get a fish pedicure, ask about the origins and testing of the fish. If you feel the salon is unclean or unscrupulous for any reason, trust your instinct and find somewhere else to go.

Have you had a fish pedicure? Do you or your salon offer the fish pedicure service? Tell us your experience in the comments below!

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Nail Art and Nail Designs: Spring 2012 Trends

Posted on: November 8th, 2011 by Becca No Comments

While many fashionistas and photographers were focused on clothing and shoes during Mercedes Benz’s Spring 2012 Fashion Week in September, less attention was paid to the tones and colors that appeared on models’ fingers and toes. This spring, women can look forward to interesting nail art and nail designs trends – from updated neutral tones to pair with wild spring prints to brightly colored shades of red, pink and yellow.

Ladies who are interested in less conservative nail color will enjoy funky prints and patterned designs, which are better described as nail art rather than nail color. Women will also see a return to sparkly nails with glittered, crystal embellished and metallic nail designs.

If you’re a fan of the French manicure as a neutral option, breathe a sigh of relief. This classic nail design will remain popular throughout the spring. However, if you want to get creative with your neutral nails, try a manicure in white, gray or beige topped with a super shiny finish. If you’d rather go the opposite route with color, you’re in luck! Bright and bold colors will also be a popular nail designs trend this spring. Fire engine reds, candy-colored pinks and taxicab yellows can add a pop of color and a little personality to any manicure.

One of the wilder nail art trends to emerge this spring are patterned nails. You may remember Lady Gaga’s infamous houndstooth ensemble that featured a vintage-style houndstooth suit, shoes, handbag and houndstooth nail art. Taking a page from her book, designers showcased stunning nail art featuring interesting stripes, geometric patterns, crystal embellishments and chic ombre designs.

If you’d like to try out more daring nail designs, opt for a silvery metallic or glittered polish. However, if you prefer to wear neutral tones rather than metallic polish, try a manicure with a less obvious pearlescent finish instead.

In addition to metallic polish, glittered and crystal embellishments will also be a popular nail designs trend for spring. If you are not afraid to walk on the wild side, opt for a manicure featuring contrasting colors in a racing stripe pattern or houndstooth design. You may also want to experiment with a chevron stripe or checkerboard pattern as well.

One of the most wearable nail designs for spring are ombre-inspired color schemes. Ombre patterns feature two colors that bleed from one color to the other. This versatile look can be achieved with bold, bright colors like black and green or red and pink for a dramatic look. Ombre designs can also be achieved with less dramatic tones such as pink and beige or gray and white for a more neutral approach.

Winter is still coming, but fashion is nothing if it’s not forward-looking. Get ahead of the curve by embracing some of these spring 2012 nail art and nail designs trends right now, while everyone else is still stuck in the present.

Want to learn more about nail art and nail designs? Look into beauty schools near you that offer nail technology programs.