- the ability to work well with your hands
- excellent verbal communication skills
- active listening skills
- customer service skills
- to be flexible and open to change
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- concentration skills
- the ability to work on your own
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Your day-to-day duties may include:
- basic treatments, like manicures and pedicures
- cleaning and filing nails
- applying false nails or extensions
- decorating nails with coloured varnish, transfers, gems or glitter
- repairing, looking after and removing false nails and extensions
- checking for any signs of skin or nail problems before treatment
You could work in a salon, at a health spa, on a cruise ship, from home or at a client's home.
With experience, you could manage a salon or start your own business.
You could work with photographers, fashion designers or TV companies, preparing nails for photo shoots or fashion shows.
With further training you could move into teaching nail art.
You can find out more about how to become a nail technician from the Hair and Beauty Industry Authority.
