Follow my journey as a beginner nail tech!
Not gonna make this too long.
I started my nail journey back in 2023, fell off due to a big promotion at work and then having a baby. 2026, I’m starting back over from square one. I demoted myself and dropped down to shorter hours just to have a better schedule to actually raise my child and not evolved around a 9-5.
When I first started in 2023, I only worked on nail prep and then when I wanted to just work with acrylic I practiced liquid to powder ratios and application. Then would practice prep on my mom and basic nails sets on my sister.
2025, I fell back in love with the idea of wanting to become a nail tech, getting back into the flow of what I was first interested in wanting to do. But being even more locked in to do it. Right now I’m practicing with gel-x & polygel. Which I think is a great start as a beginner before jumping into acrylic! I’m watching a ton of tutorials on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram, practicing as I go, trying to be more hands on, doing my own nails as practice and still even getting compliments on the sets I do when I’m out
I know as a beginner I have a lot to work on such as structure, shaping, building an apex, e-filing, nail art, application, prep and retention (working on not trying flood my cuticles is a struggle for me right now for some reason 😆)
But here are my pictures from starting out again in 2025.
I can’t wait to keep going and being more consistent, staying locked in, and getting ready for the next goal, which is school to become licensed, and taking in friends or family hands for practice.
If there are any nail techs out here, advice would be lovely 💕
#nailtechnicianjourney #nailbeginner #nailsforbeginners #beginnernailtech💅 #nails
Embarking on a nail technician journey as a beginner can be both exciting and challenging. From my personal experience restarting in 2026, balancing family life with learning new nail techniques requires dedication and patience. One of the biggest hurdles I faced was mastering the preparation phase, crucial for ensuring longer-lasting nail sets and preventing flooding the cuticles—a common beginner struggle. Practicing on family members, like my mother and sister, gave me invaluable hands-on experience that video tutorials alone could not provide. Working with different products such as gel-x and polygel before acrylic helped me build confidence while understanding the key differences in application and retention. Consistency is vital: dedicating regular time daily or weekly to practice shapes, apex building, and e-filing improved my skills gradually. Engaging with online communities and seeking advice from experienced nail techs helped me refine techniques and avoid common pitfalls. For others starting out, I recommend focusing heavily on prep work since good nail prep translates to better adherence and prevents early lifts. Watching diverse tutorials on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram enriches understanding of trending nail art and professional application styles. However, hands-on practice remains irreplaceable. Ultimately, my goal is to attend a formal nail tech school to become licensed, which will open doors for offering services professionally. Meanwhile, offering free sets to friends and family hones my skills and builds my portfolio. Remember, patience and consistent practice make all the difference on this exciting journey to becoming a skilled nail technician.
