What Does A Manicurist Do?
The main task of manicurists is geared towards making clients’ fingernails clean. They cut, file and polish fingernails, mainly of female clients although they may also groom the nails of male customers as well. If the client wishes, they also paint nails with different colors and apply different designs. There’s more to cleaning a client’s nails than meets the eye.
Manicurists don’t simply use a nail cutter the way most people do at home to get the job done. Rather, they utilize various tools to buff the nails, push back cuticles and trim them. The tools of their trade include files, cuticle knives, electric buffers, nail clippers and nail polish of different colors. Manicurists also soak the client’s nails first before proceeding with the rest of the steps to soften them and make nail clipping easier.
Aside from coloring nails, manicurists may also do other tasks. For instance, they may put on artificial extensions to their nails to make them look longer, if the client requests it. They may also massage clients’ hands and moisturize them using lotions and oils. Some manicurists also provide pedicures or grooming of the nails on the feet although there are pedicurists who specialize on the task. They may also shave off or pluck unwanted hair from various parts of the body if they are so trained for it. Manicurists who have undergone cosmetology training and have earned their cosmetology licenses may also provide facials, exfoliation treatments and other beauty services.
Professional manicurists also teach clients about how to care for their hands. They may also recommend products that clients can use in between appointments. If these products are available in the salon where they work in, they may also sell these to their clients. After each procedure, they accept payment and inform the client on the expected longevity period of the manicure. They then ask clients if they want to be booked for that particular date so that the manicure can be redone. This helps encourage repeat visits which is important for business to thrive. It’s also important for manicurists to remind clients that they would love referrals. They may even provide discounts and promos to encourage existing clients to bring in new customers.
Manicurists need to be good conversationalists and have excellent interpersonal skills. A manicure can last anywhere from half an hour to about a couple of hours. During this time, they typically engage in a friendly conversation with their clients—unless the customer prefers to bury her head in the latest edition of Cosmo magazine. Some clients even vent out their frustrations at work and at home to their regular manicurist.
Manicurists have to maintain a clean workstation at all times. They must see to it that the tools they use for each client are clean and sterilized. They must also lay a fresh paper cloth or towel for every customer and not use the same one for succeeding clients. Before the start of each workday, they must test to see that the lights are working because good lighting is necessary for them to do their job well without causing any injury to the client.
As professionals, manicurists must be observant and keen listeners. They need to ask what the clients want first before initiating any procedure. This helps them ensure that the color and design they apply are indeed what the clients want. Manicurists may recommend colors and styles but in the end, they will always follow the decision of the client. They must also see to it that the procedures are done skillfully so that the client is pleased with the results and would be more inclined to come back. Manicuring requires manual dexterity and excellent hand-eye coordination. These skills can also be learned in a cosmetology program and honed with experience.
Enrolling in a nail technician training program which focuses on nail care is definitely the first step that all aspiring manicurists should take. The curriculum will teach students the different kinds of nail disorders, procedures for sculpting and curing, products used for nail care and manicuring technology and machines, among others. They will also be apprised on what the state regulations regarding safety are in salons and beauty shops. The program also teaches them on the procedure to follow in the event that the client or the manicurist gets injured during treatment. This program can last anywhere from three to nine months.
After finishing the program, they may be eligible to take the nail technician licensing exam for as long as they comply with the state’s other requirements.
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