Wednesday, June 24, 2015

The Nail School Chronicle: Almost There

Affiliate Links

Nail School Update


Hello Loves.  I know I haven't posted about nail school in a while, so I figured it's about time for an update.  I apologize for dropping the series without notice.  I've actually been dreading writing this post.  Why?  Because there just isn't anything exciting to write about right now.  I'm at that point where all the days blur together.  Well, the days that I was able to go.  I had to take a few days (ok, it added up to a few weeks) off.  But y'all have been so super supportive and deserve an update.  :) 

So much has happened since my last update.  I have now completed and passed both of my mock state board practical exams.  That is a really cool process.  The school sets everything up just like the actual state board exam.  They run through it as if we are taking the actual test and then provide notes on how we can improve.  After taking both mock exams, I feel 100% ready for the real thing.  All of my anxiety over that portion of the test has been relieved.  I don't know if all schools do mock exams like this, but it is freaking awesome and I am super thankful that GCI does them!  I still have some anxiety over the written portion of the state board exam, but I'm sure I'll be fine.  I'll go over all of my notes a hundred times between now and then.  lol

So, where do I stand right now?  I have less than 50 physical hours to go.  During those hours, I have to complete 14 more pedicures and 31 more manicures.  Whew...that number is daunting.  Not as daunting as the original 60 pedicures and 80 manicures we started out with, but still daunting.  Did I mention that those manicures are basic manicures?  Meaning polish, not gel polish?  Yeah...so I've been working on my polishing skills.  A lot.  I'm getting better, I think.  But I still prefer my gel polish.  Anyway, several of my classmates have started helping me find students for manicure and pedicure services.  I can't even begin to express how thankful I am for their help.  Seriously, my heart is overflowing.

Ok, enough with the rambling.  As I mentioned, I've been working on my polishing skills.  Which means I've also been playing with polish nail art techniques.  I finally managed a decent polish gradient!  Woo Hoo!  Wanna see it?  The first picture is a quickie that I snapped with my cell phone while waiting for the polish to dry.  The gradient isn't as smooth as I would like, but it's not bad.  I didn't realize you need to wet the sponge first, so I had issues with the polish getting tacky and pulling up in spots.  Lesson learned!
Bright Summer Gradient with Holographic Top Coat

The colors are three of the bright stripers from a Color Club Nail Art Striper set that I picked up from Cosmo Prof the other day.  I don't know the names...or if they even have names.  They're in my kit downstairs and I'm too lazy to go get it.  I know...I'm awful.  I topped it with Out The Door Northern Lights top coat.

So, once it was dry I decided to stamp over it to hide the flaws.  I used an image from MoYou London Pro Collection XL 14.  Much better!  I actually love how it turned out with the stamping.  Heck, even though the gradient isn't as smooth as I would like, I'm pleased as pie with it anyway.  I mean, hey....it's polish!  Lacquer.  And I did it!  lol
Bright Summer Gradient with Stamping

Bright Summer Gradient with Stamping

I know I have so much more to tell you.  More updates, more details, more thoughts on school.  But honestly, I'm exhausted.  I've been dealing with some personal issues lately that set me back a bit.  I had to take a few weeks off from school to deal with some medical issues.  Don't worry, I'm ok.  Just working through it.  So I'm humping it at school this week to get in as many credits as I can.  Then we're off for summer break the following week.  Hopefully I can come back and hit it hard the week after break and finish this thing!  Then I'm off to join the lovely Brenda Anderson from Tuff Enuff Nails in her booth at the Nail Tech Event of the Smokies July 11-13.  I'm so freaking excited about that - and honored that Brenda asked me to join her and do nail art demos.  :)  If any of you will be there, please come by and see me.  I would love to meet you!

But for now, I'm going to kiss my 4 year old good night for the last time and head to bed.  He'll be 5 years old tomorrow!  I'll try to get in another post this week, but I might not make it.  Between the birthday party tomorrow and school the rest of the week, time for writing just isn't there.  But don't worry, I'll make up for it over the break.  I promise!!!

~Michelle

*This post uses Amazon Affiliate Links.  Purchases through these links generate commissions that help fund this site.

4 comments:

  1. Yay! Pretty nails! Keep on turckin...and you're almost there and then you can put all the crazy bad voodoo behind you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wonderful manicure with and without the stamping! Good luck with all of your exams. I have mine in July!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow!!! This is indeed a beautiful one. Love the color combos and design. You really nailed it girl. Love it!!!

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...