Careers in manicure and pedicure

Published on: Monday, November 01, 2021

By: K Krishnan

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THERE are students who have completed their secondary education but not interested in learning any formal or traditional courses. They may just want to learn a skill and start their own business or work for someone. What courses are available for such students? Well they can learn a skill in manicure or pedicure.

What do manicurist and pedicurist do?

In short, Manicurists and pedicurists clean, shape, and beautify fingernails and toenails. There are people who are very concerned with their finger and toenails. They take good care of their nails. Some go to a spa or nail clinic and engage the services of trained manicurist or pedicurist.

Manicurists and pedicurists work exclusively on the hands and feet, providing treatments to groom fingernails and toenails. A typical treatment involves soaking the clients’ hands or feet to soften the skin in order to remove dead skin cells. Manicurists and pedicurists apply lotion to the hands and feet to moisturise the skin. They also may shape and apply polish to artificial fingernails.

Manicurists and pedicurists use a variety of tools, including nail clippers, nail files, and specialised cuticle tools. They must be focused while they perform their duties, because most of the tools they use are sharp. Keeping their tools clean and sanitary is important.

Some manicurists and pedicurists operate their own nail salon, which requires performing business tasks such as keeping inventory records and ordering supplies. They also hire and supervise workers and sell nail care products, such as nail polish and hand or foot cream. A small but growing number of workers make house calls. Mobile manicure and pedicure services are popular because clients consider them convenient.

What are their day-to-day- duties?

Manicurists and pedicurists clean, shape, and beautify fingernails and toenails. In addition they:

Discuss nail treatments and services available
Remove nail polish
Clean, trim, and file nails
Reduce calluses and rough skin
Massage and moisturize hands (for a manicure) and feet (for a pedicure)
Polish or buff nails
Advise clients about nail and skin care for hands and feet
Promote and sell nail and skin care products
Clean and disinfect their work area and tools

Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor (USA), employment of Manicurists and pedicurists in the USA is projected to grow 33 per cent from 2020 to 2030. When you browse through the vacancies list in the Malaysian market, such as Jobstreet, Jora, Indeed, etc it shows that there is a growing demand for this skill in Malaysia.

Manicurists and pedicurists usually work in a nail salon, spa, or hair salon. The job involves a lot of sitting. Manicurists and pedicurists who provide mobile services may travel to their clients’ locations.

What Qualities do you need?

Business skills. Manicurists and pedicurist who run their own nail salon must understand general business principles. For example, they should be skilled at administrative tasks, such as accounting and personnel management, and be able to manage a salon efficiently and profitably.
Creativity. The ability to neatly finish small, intricate designs is important, as is the ability to suggest nail designs and match them to individual tastes.
Customer-service skills. Good listening and interpersonal skills are important in working with clients. Also, meeting the needs of clients, including interacting with them while doing a manicure or pedicure encourages repeat business.
Dexterity. A steady hand is essential in achieving a creative and precise nail design. In addition, because manicurists and pedicurists often use sharp tools, they must have good finger dexterity.

Education and Training

There are many training centers which offers courses in Nail Care. One such centre is Maniqure Nail Salon Training in Kota Kinabalu. They are at 4-1, Lorong Lintas Plaza 2, Lintas Plaza, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

According to Maniqure Nail Training salon, their course is ideal and specially designed for 3 types of participants:

Those who are thinking about learning something new and are curious to see if nails are for them. You need a workshop that will teach the skills so you can practice at home.
You have made up your mind that you’d like to earn some money from offering nail services, maybe starting on friends & family. Your ambition is work part time, from home, earning an additional income.
You want to be a fully professional Nail Technician, working full time from home or in a salon & eventually have a dream of opening your own full time nail salon business.

Maniqure Nail Training Salon offers a 3-month training programme. This 3 months course will cover the essential manicure knowledge. The course starts with teaching on preparation, salon skills and followed by:

Knowledge of Nails & Tools (1 session)

Nail Shaping Skills & Practice

(3 sessions)

Perfect Colouring Skills (6 sessions)

Beginner Nail Art (2 sessions)

Nail Brushing Skills & Practice

(7 sessions)

Classic Pedicure (1 session)

Gel Pedicure (1 session)

French & Toning Nail Art (1 session)

Classic Manicure (1 session)

Gel manicure (2 sessions)

Salon Nail Art (11 sessions)

Examination (3 sessions)

You can always add other skills later as you start to assess what the demand is for the various treatments in your area. There are many such training centres in Sabah. Before you enroll, scout around and find out more before you join.

If you are offering a course in nail care in Sabah, send your course details to: [email protected]. There may be other readers who want to know about you.