Designing Your Future… What to Expect, Some testimonials and stories from graduates.
Student Stories:
I started getting my nails done by other professional when I was about 15, I loved them I always loved having long nail; I was never able to keep my natural nail long. The first set I had were thick I couldn’t even pick up a penny, I would go for my fills and she would always give my rings of fire and would cut the sides of my fingers with a dreadful metal file and I got a fungus; so I changed nail techs. I went to a 40 minutes or less nail tech, every time you go, you got a different nail tech. I change like this for about four months, the last time I went I had them remove my set because my pinkie nail had lifted half way off the nail bed. For weeks I was in pain, all my nails were so badly damaged that I could hardly wash my hair in the shower; I let them grow out. I missed having long nails so I went to a newly opened salon; same 40 minutes or less. I went there for about two month and it was the same thing, so I figured that I couldn’t hurt my nail more then these people; So I started out buying Wal-Mart product and doing them my self, I found out that I had a natural talent. After about a year I found out that my mom could by professional product from a suppler with her cosmetology ticket. I used youtube videos for technique, after about a year of looking for an affordable nail course that covered all the things I wanted I found Mirage Spa Education Canada. They offered all the things I wanted plus more for a reasonable price that you can pay in payments by modules. I learnt so much on technique, the theory behind gel and acrylic, and everything and anything you need to be able to become a successful nail technician. Cheryl Thibault is a wonderful teacher even though I did my course online, she was able to critique my technique and help me better my self. I feel Cheryl wants all her student in or out of the classroom to be able to step out of a school environment and into a business environment, to be comfortable in doing his or hers job correctly and to be successful in it. I had fun and learnt so much, I highly recommend Mirage Spa Education Canada for anyone who wants to become an fully qualified esthetician. Katrina Lynn LeBlanc
I think that everything was fantastic. I loved everything. I was very pleased. I felt like I received more than my monies worth. I feel confident and capable. I love that everything was so thorough. I think that the teaching tools and hands on was fantastic and helped. The testing definitely helped with my memory and ability to put that to work. I also loved the feedback. How it was recorded and it was in my home and personal. Very excellent. I cant pinpoint just one or two strong points I think it was all well thought out and helpful. Crystal
I asked a few students what they thought of learning with the nail trainer
Replies follow;
In response to whether the hand was good enough to learn the answer is yes. The hand is very close to the real thing and you can use it whenever you want. If you do a bad nail application you don’t have to worry about removing off a real person, I think it is the best way to learn, no pressure, can be used anytime day or nite, and once you are comfortable you can always do a friends nails for real practice. I found the course to be well put together and Cheryl is very very knowledgeable and will help you anytime. The course is by no means an easy one and does require time to study before you write any exams. I looked into other courses and went to see the person who would be teaching it, I was not impressed with her work and decided to take Cheryl’s course, and I am very glad I did, she is a great instructor and a very sincere person.
Take care, be well and safe Dale
I had checked into a few different ways of the nail course. I never hesitated on the hand at all. When I received it and started to work with it, it was a great tool. Very comparable to a real hand. It has all the moving parts, soft fingers and and feels like a real hand. Totally worth it. I followed all instructions and completed everything with the hours of practice and went into doing nails on real customers in no time. I have never cut anyone or filed the cuticle! ( that is a complaint that I hear from customers that went to other salons) It is great because it is always available, You can do it at your own pace. The support you have when you have a problem is great. I so enjoyed this course and would totally recommend it. I now run my own busy little salon out of my house and I have Cheryl and the other lady’s to thank for that. I have also spoken with a few young girls that went to a school in Winnipeg Manitoba and when they saw my hand they wished they had used that one. The value of it is great and you will make your money back in no time. The product you get is amazing as well. No complains with the quality.
The one on one information when I had a problem, she was prompt with an answer and always, always super fast at getting back to me
I would like to thank Cheryl for the great course she has put together. A pleasure working with her and would highly recommend this to anyone interested. I am happy I took this adventure.
Bev McDonald
I graduated from the Mirage Spa training for the Nail Technician program online in December 2011. I would recommend this program as it provides exactly what I had hoped to gain from a nail tech course. Mirage offered full training online and provided the nail trainer hand, I was able to work at my own pace without the need to travel to another centre for training.
The course material and exams are all done online and the reading is available to review and take notes during the entire course and the supplemental videos were of great help for working on real clients.
The nail trainer hand allowed me to take my time and focus on the quality of work, rather than conversation with a client. The trainer hand stayed in position and didn’t object to the excess nail glue that would sometimes run onto the virtual skin, the heat that can be created from the electric drill and the occasional brush of the file on the skin surrounding the nail. I was able to work on just five fingers rather than ten, and at first this takes the same amount of time as a whole set. If I were to be interrupted I could continue without apology. The trainer hand is fully movable and this allows you to see your work from all angles. I am still able to practice techniques on my nail trainer as the nails are reusable, just file them down and start again.
Once I had begun working with the nail trainer hand and completed my fist few sets of gel nails, I was able to do my own nails and some nails on family and friends, this allowed me to work on real clients. They were able to let me know how they were feeling, if the drill got warm, if I was holding a finger to snug and if they were satisfied with the quality of work. I have several clients who prefer my beginners work over techs that have more experience. My sister took her nail tech course through a highly reputable distributor and training centre in Calgary, AB and was extremely impressed with the quality of work I was producing right from the start of my program.
I took my education and learning into my own hands and visited a salon to see quality of work and different techniques used by their nail techs, just to compare what I was doing with what they, the more experienced techs were doing. The tech that “filled” my nails asked where I was getting mine done, when I responded that I was, she was simply amazed.
I always ensure my clients leave happy and satisfied, make them aware that I am still a new tech and encourage them to contact me with any lifting, snags or breakage so that I can correct the problem with a smile. I have not had any complaints with my shaping or quality of work, and have clients return and refer family and friends.
Cheryl Crocker, Nail Technician