Philosophic today...

Today I am not going to either practice or work. Instead I did some housework and as always, when doing housework, I become very philosophic. What would have happened if not, or if, blah... blah... why did my life turn this way and not another way? What is my story?

When thinking, in one way my story is pretty boring, but when thinking harder, I think it is kind of shocking, for some. People tend to have a certain impression on how you are and how you have become like that. Sometimes it fits perfectly in, but sometimes it doesn't, and then people tend to be shocked, like: "I had never thought that about you!" Maybe it is not shock, maybe it is relieve? Like I, who seem to be kind of lucky in the lottery (this is NOT my way of thinking, life is not a lottery, it is hard work), after all DO have some "incidents"?

Well, this became cryptic... Now I am going out, in the sun, resting my mind... :)

My prices

Somebody asked me what I charge. I charge 1490 Nok/£150/$230/€170 for a full set of French and 990 Nok/£100/$165/€113 for French reballance. The prices in Norway varies from 400Nok/£40/$62/€45 and up to my prices. And yes, I have a full book (as full as I want to) and I don't take new clients unless they are recommend to me by other clients.

In my opinion, it's all about choosing a marked and stay true to what you choose. I will write more about that later today, now I have to eat dinner! :)

My very good friend Elise Pilkington, from UK,

gave me a good advice. She said I should STOP practicing NOW. I know what to do and I know how to do it, so practicing more now will only wind me up. I think she is right, and I think I have felt down because I have been feeling kind of guilty for not practicing more than I have done. But it's true... I know how to do nails... I think.... :-/ After all, I am feeling much better after the conversation with Elise. She really made my day! AND it reminds me on why I LIKE competing, getting in contact with people like Elise.

This is getting harder and harder

Normally I get a rush of anxiety 4-5 weeks before a competition and normally it calms down after some days. This time it has been worse than ever and I haven't been able to get rid of it. My mood is changing from hour to hour. In one minute I don't care, in the next I am concerned about the time, then I am getting scared of the whole situation and then again, everything change again and I am looking forward to it. I am feeling kind of mad, maybe I am???

I try to tell myself that nobody care about how I place, and that is very true. The problem is that I care very much about it myself. I know I don't have a chance at the top, but my goal, deep inside me, is to get a place among the 50% of the best. I don't know if this is a reachable goal, for all I know, I may be happy to not get the last place.... You see how I am? Totally screwed...

Still need A LOT of practicing!

Today I had lunch with a friend whom I haven't seen in over 10 years. WOW, it was great! It was like we haven't been away from each other at all and we talked and talked for... 2,5 hours! We had so much to speak about, updating on our lives etc... And... she is doing photography, as a hobby, and she was happy to help me taking some good pictures with her professional camera! I can't wait to meet up with her to get some good pictures. I just have to find a GOOD model first...:-/

After lunch I went to the salon, for competition practicing. My model was a very young girl, 15 years, and her nails were not the best, but at least I had a model! I did her nails in 90 min. but I were not at all satisfied. Grrrrrr... what a pain.... I need to come up with some good ideas to do my work quick AND nice!

Finding a good model?

Yesterday, when I practiced, it surprised me how difficult it is to judge if a model is good or not. I knew my model wasn't the best,but I didn't knew she was that bad. I didn't realized it before I began blending the tips. This is not the first time I have misjudged a model, so how on earth will I manage to do it for Orlando and Vegas? I don't have the money to bring a model. I know I will not place. I really don't see the point in paying 15-2000 USD to fly in a model when my only goal is to get finished in time. Normally this is NOT my goal, but I have realized it has to be my goal for this competition. I am not used to having only 90 min., normally I am used to having 150 min!

I am speaking as I already HAVE lots of models to choose between... I don't... In fact, I don't have one at all! Maybe I have to use the first days in Orlando looking for one... Not the best preparation for a competition, but it looks like I don't have a choice.... :-/

Hmmmm....

Well, I did it... In 90 min. The result? Hahahahahahahaha, my goal was to do a set of competition nails in 90 min. My NEXT goal is to make a GOOD competition set in 90 min....

Unfortunately my model today didn't have good nails for competition. She has some flat nails, some very flat nails and some with a little bit of curve. I am not sure if I want to show the pictures, as I am not satisfied at all. I think I have to improve in all aspects... :-/ OK, I'll show the before and after picture..... The polish I used was not very good. Luckily I have ordered a better one...

Although I am not satisfied with the practicing today, I have to say the same as my model said to me: "At least you are one step closer to the goal. This practicing has not made you worse, it can only have made you good!"

What a great day today has been!

This has been some of my best days for a very long time. I have done 4-5 weeks backfills in 1 hour and 10 min. I have done that before, but it is a long time since I did that so fast and still my work looked nice.

I had some hours gap between my clients so I decided to time myself when doing my own nails. I did one and one nail and found I had to do one nail from start to finish in 9 minutes. I stopped the watch when I had to cure the gel in the lamp. I managed to do all the nails in 8,5 min.! They are not the very best and I can see lots of places I have to improve, but at least, I managed to do it within the time.










After the practice-run I did one new client. She went to me 3-4 years ago but quited because I commuted to/from Liverpool and it was difficult to get appointments with me. Some months ago she tried another tech because I didn't have any appointment. She was not satisfied. After that she called me and got an appointment. I had to explain that I had raised my prices a lot since she last went to me and that I probably charge the double than the others, but she said it didn't matter, she wanted MY WORK. And today she came. She had badly bitten nails and I managed to do her nails with tip and overlay, pink and white, in 1 hour and 30 min!!! AND she was so very happy when she left. Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures before and after... it was amazing! THIS is why I love my work!

To win or to loose?

Yesterday I had a practice round at myself. I like to practice at myself because I can try out new things, use the time to perfect my skills and nobody will ask me to hurry (except for my husband and son, but they don't count!). Ah, I forgot one thing, I can think very clear while doing my own nails.

When I sat there, pondering about my nail-life and trying to sort out how to avoid the dreaded shadows with doing the nails the traditional way, I understood my lack of confidence the last months.

4 weeks ago I had a wonderful time with Amy Becker, one of the best gel-techs in the world. She thought me how to avoid the dreaded shadows, but in a totally different way than I am working. It was to learn to how to walk again... I knew she used another technique and before I went to her, I was very clear that I would commit to her technique. I tried it and tried it and tried it. It worked very well for one nail, two nails etc... but I had a terrible time to get all 10 nails being consistent. On top of this, I am used to compete with tips and now I had to use forms. I have been practicing like mad the last 3 weeks. With very few good results. For every practice round my confidence went lower. The worst thing was that I transfered my low confidence to other
aspects of my work. Suddenly I struggled with everything, every client was a new "victim" and doing nails/thinking of competing was not fun anymore.

I have always thought a good nailtech should adapt to new things. I still think that, and I am then sorry to say I may not be as good as I thought I was. I know Amy's technique will benefit me, if I only managed to do it, but I don't Maybe I have problems with my learning-abilities? I don't know....

Yesterday I did some BEAUTYFUL competition nails, with tips, MY way and NO shadows! (Unfortunately I did not have my camera at home.) I then decided myself to commit to refining MY technique and getting the time down. It may not give me the winning nails, I may end up not being finished, getting the last place, but at least I now LIKE what I am doing. I can also feel the "fun-aspect" with competing coming back. I have always said I wanted to compete to have fun. The last weeks it has not been fun, only very frustrating.

The last months, competing has become too serious for me. I have put a heavy pressure on myself, demanding myself to commit to wanting to be the best. I still want to be the best, but not that badly. I also want to have fun and not taking it too seriously. After all, nobody will kill me if I get the last place and I will still have my clients. Maybe I don't deserve to win, if I ever do that again, since I don't feel I commit to wanting to be the best. And if I never win again, even if I get the last place, I will at least have peace with myself, that I have had an amusing time!

ORLANDO AND VEGAS, HERE I COME, WINNING OR LOOSING, WHO CARES?!?!!!!

I am doubting my skills again

I am soooooo frustrated. Right now I am doubting my skills so much that I am thinking my former first-places have been pure luck. I have been doing some practicing today and the nails came out... awful... It's embarrassing and frustrating to see how inconsistent my work is as it usually is very consistent. Usually, at competitions, I am used to use tips. This is the first time I will be using forms and I just don't understand how I can be as consistent with forms as with tips.
I guess I have to practice more, the only problem is that it's only 2 weeks left until I am on *that* flight to Orlando. :-/ I don't feel ready at all.... ARGH...

I am still in need of people who are willing to model in Bergen

The advantages of being a model is that you get a set of nails for free. They may me a little bit more dramatic than salon-nails, but after I have practiced I can file and reshape so you don't have to walk around with super-long nails. :)

Another advantage, for the right person, is that you can get to travel with me for free! I'll pay all your travel-expenses, you only have to pay for your own food. To get this you have to have long nail-beds (the pink area of your nail), long, thin and straight fingers and not "milk-white" hands. :) You also have to have a strong bladder, as you have to sit for many hours. You are not allowed to exit the competition-arena before AFTER all the judges have seen you. You also need to have good nerves, as it can be kind of nerve-wrecking for the model as well as for the competitor. I sometimes swear like a man if something go wrong (sorry mum...:-)). Sometimes I talk and sometimes I don't say a thing. You have to deal with me...:-D You have to manage to travel by your own as you may have to come after me and leaving before me. And to the last you have to be grown-up to like to have some time alone as I am not always very keen on partying etc... I don't like to be a baby-sitter! :) Well... that's a lot, but I think it is worth it. I am not *that* bad, although it can look like it....:-D

So far I have not felt the need of bringing my own model as I haven't taken the competitions *that* seriously. Or maybe it has been the pressure-thing. If bringing a model, the pressure become worse... It may now look like I need to be more serious and then I need to bring my own model. (Geeeee, I need a sponsor....)

Today has been

a much better day. I did a set of nails, with forms, in 1 hour and 15 min. The client didn't have nice nails, so I "fiddled" a little bit to get the forms on. So yes, I think I can do a set of salon-competition nails in 1 hour and 30 min! I am relieved!

Today a friend of me came to visit the salon. It seems like she has very good nails to practice on. They are not 100% for competition, but for practicing, they are good. I now have, at least, one model to practice on, that's better than none! :-D

My improvements through the year

My 1. competition. Nailympics, London May 2008. I had met my model once before, but never done any nails at her. I met her the day before the competition and did the tip-fitting, her cuticles and tried to figure how to do her nails. :) I went to this competition with the expectation of just being happy to entering and finishing in time. I was surprised and happy when I got a 3. place. It was embarrassing emotional. I am sure I am the only entrants who cried like a child for a 3. place! :-/

From Professional Beauty Manchester, October 2008. I had not been in the mood for competition-training because of some personal issues. I decided to enter in the last minute (some weeks before) and found my model at the internet. I thought it could be good practicing... To win was never in my mind, so when I got the 1. place I was, again, surprised. :) Managed not to cry this time!


This is from the Norwegian championship, Oslo February 2009. I was not very happy with my performance here, but it gave me a 4. place.

Professional Beauty, London March 2009. Since I won in Manchester I had to compete in the Champion category (winner of winners). I knew I had to compete against some very good and experienced techs and I also knew I was one of the very few who entered with gel. In this category you can use gel or l/p or fiber and tips or forms. You just have to make the ultimate competition-nail. Luckily I had used my model in Manchester, so I knew her nails. However I was sure I didn't have a chance and had prepared to get the last, or the next-last place. After the competition I was not happy with my work and I can still see I can improve very much. Haha, but it still gave me a 1. place. It was a FANTASTIC feeling, and of course, I had to cry... In fact I was so emotional I shivered and cried so much Sue (who gave me the price) had to ask me if I was ok! :-D ARGH, I hate myself for being so emotional... It is so very embarrassing. :-/

What made me most happy with this competition was the comment I got from Antony Buckley before the prize-ceremony. He said it was some of the best gel- nails he had every seen. WOW! I didn't believe him, and still not sure if I do.... :)

Well, that was all I have done so far!

I need to get into a positive track!

OK, after some housework, dinner, coffee and a chocolate I have found I need to get into a positive track. I will tell why I LOVE competing!

First of all, it makes me a better nailtech. After I began competing, 1 year ago, I am sure my clients have seen improvements in my work. At least I can see it very clear. Although doing competition-nails is very far away from the nails done in the salon, both have a lot to do with controlling the product, working smart and being meticulous. I always practice when working at my clients!

Going into the competition-arena has made me a stronger person. Before I entered my first competition I was sure my nerves would ruin everything. I am a very "nerve-wracking" person, always think the worst etc... I deal with my nerves on a daily basis (yeeeeh...:-)), so it surprised me that I became so very calm at once the competition started. Maybe because I am used to handle my nerves? For once my nerves may have done me something good, I think...

Sometimes it can be very lonely to be a nailtech, working alone. When competing I felt like being part of something, something I would never have gotten outside the competition-arena. Although we are competing against each-other, we are also in the same (nerve-wracking) boat and people are always very friendly. After the competition some even share hints and tips!

I have gotten lots of good friends while competing. Nailtechs I have never spoken to, or seen before, can stop me and my model and look at the nails and have a "nail-chat". And when winning, EVERYBODY congratulate and are very happy (at least that's what they show/say! :-)).

Competing internationally has taken me abroad. Until now, I have only been to UK, but in June, I am going to Orlando and Florida and all my travel-expanses can be written off in my accountings! WHEEEHEEE! The Chicago-trip will also be "payed" by my company (although my company is me, so "paying" means less taxes).

I just LOVE the "buzz", the nerves and the excitement in the competition-arena! For a strange reason I always feel very happy and light-headed during the competition. I am having fun and I always have a chat with my model. My trainer and mentor, Amy, didn't like to hear that. She told me I have to be 100% focused. Well, she listens to music at her I-pod, I chat (of course, not a deep conversation...:-)), I take it it is just different approaches to being 100% focused? :-D

I am feeling better now! :-D

Not feeling better today...

Grrrrrr.... Yes, I still wonder why I put myself through the competition-nightmare. And yes, once more, it really has become a nightmare this time. I don't see how I can manage to do a set of nails in 1,5 hours. Or, I might manage it, but I wonder how they will look like, certainly not as competition-nails are supposed to look.... Today I have been training to put on forms. Doing sculpting instead of tipping will at least save me some time. On the other hand, I am scared of not being consistent enough with doing sculpting. I am feeling really C * R * A * P today. (Sorry, I am sure my mother will not be happy for my nice expression here, but it is exactly how I am feeling right now.)

Since the day today has been such a depressing day I am going to practice some l/p. Maybe my very bad l/p technique will make me feel better about the gel... :-/ :-D I have never done any l/p course, still I have to make it at competition-level for Nailympics in London, in September. ARGH, why do I put myself into this????????????

Well, it's 3 weeks left! Next week I am going to train every day... Hope it will be a better week than this has been. Fingers crossed.

Why do this?

Today somebody asked me why I put myself through all the hassle with competing. Sometimes I don't understand it myself. It's like a love/hate relationship.

I hate it the weeks before the competition. I always think the worst and I always get kind of a "breakdown", thinking that I am not good enough, that my victories before have been good luck etc... I regret I decided to do it and I am depressed. And yes, I am exactly at that stage now. I just can't understand why I have decided to do this. It's only 3 weeks left and I even haven't sorted a model yet. The only thing I have done is that I have payed a fortune in travel-expenses to go to Orlando and Las Vegas.

I will write the good things a day I am in a better mood!

Amy promised me

that the day I BEAT HER in a competition, she will quit! I will do my best to help her quitting, but I can not promise anything. In fact, I am afraid I will never beat her… Well, it’s a goal, very long time into the future, we all have to have goals! :-D

Competition-training with Amy.

After the HRTE-class we were some techs who drove to Amy’s for competition-training. Carla also came with us for the first day. OMG this training REALLY blowed me away! I have learned some totally new techniques and it was like learning to walk again. The first day I was so upset because I was afraid I would never get it to Orlando. Luckily I stayed for more days, and after some practice-nails, I found how to do it, at least so much that I can use these new techniques and practice like mad. I have decided to put all my old skills behind me and go for this new technique.

Yes, I DID enjoy the HRTE!

I LOVED it. Being with all those fantastic techs, chatting about nails, being social, getting new contacts etc… was worth the 150 USD. I KNOW I have made some very good friends and I can’t wait to see some of them in Orlando and Vegas.

The second day

THIS was the best day. Everybody set up their own tables and we practiced at each other. I am interested in competition-nails so I did some and got them critiqued. This was very valuable for me. I also showed some people to do gel…

At the end of the class Millie held a talk about how to do a press-release and how to get your name and salon OUT there. THIS was a great talk and I wished her talk had been on the first day. I would also have liked to have a talk about pricing, how to run a successful salon, how to choose a marked, how to think and work smart etc... In my opinion these are the issues people in our industry don't know enough of. I wished *I* had known more of these when I started 11 years ago. It would have saved me some sleepless nights!

The first *day* athe the HRTE

We were divided into groups of four and we had about 50-60 min. at each station. I’ve told about this before… The day I wrote it I was really excited, but after re-thinking, with a more critical view, I am not sure if I am fully satisfied with what I got for my 150 USD. Please, don’t take this wrong, I am VERY happy I went, and I can still fully recommend to go to a HRTE-class. BUT there are things that could be better.

I am not very interested in nail-art. For me, it was too much bling, and too little of what we really need to know: how to do a proper salon-nail. THIS is our bread and butter. I know a nail with art has to be thicker than a nail without, but sometimes it looks like the nail-art takes away everything we have learned about form and structure: ”As long as it’s long and full of bling, who cares if the nail is thick, lumpy, bumpy, unbalanced!” Unfortunately I saw some of those nails here too….

I had a chat with one of the educators and she said it was important that everybody went through the same stations, because it could be an ”eye-opener”. To a certain point I agree, because I found it interesting to hear about airbrush and Minx, some things I’ve never been interested in before. On the other hand, I will still not begin to do that at the salon, but I have still paied 150 USD to hear about something I don’t get anything from and to see lots of nail-art. For me, the first day was like going to a show in Europe, lots of demos with nail-art.

Another point I want to share is that HRTE always say that the educators do it for free, in their own spare-time. Well… 5 out of 7 educators DID get something from it, besides getting their travel expenses payed, they promoted their products and they also sold it in the end of the class. There is NOTHING wrong with that, after all, we are all business-women. BUT why not tell the truth?

Well, enough critique for now. I just thought these classes have gotten so much positive responses, that I needed to get out some not so good too. After all, they can’t get better if nobody tells anything else than positive things!

Budapest tomorrow

Tomorrow I am going to Budapest. Because I have to practice for the competition in Orlando and Las Vegas, in June, I have to take my nail-stuff with me. I will have to find somebody to practice on.... or else, I have to practice at myself. Not the best, but better than none. :)

Nails I did today

This is what I like the most, short, French nails. This is also what I mostly do at the salon.

The first *night* at theHRTE-class

The ”meet and greet”, at the first night at HRTE was great. More and more people came, but *my* friends were late. I was waiting for Carla Collier and Amy Becker, two leaders in our industry. Carla is head-judge of the Nailpro competitions here in the USA and also a top competitor. Amy Becker is still competing and was the first to beat gel with l/p in the USA. She is still competing. Those two people are the main-reason why I went to HRTE Chicago. I knew they were both going as I have had e-mails contact with them for some months.

Amy was the first to come. It was really great to, at last, get to know her in real life, not only through internet. We connected at once, both professional, but also as friends. Haha, we were both so eager to start that we met, after the other had gone to bed, to talk!

The next one to come was Carla. It was really funny because she had been looking for a blue-eyed and bright woman. When I said ”hi” to her she asked me if we had met before. I said that we haven’t, but that we had been in contact through e-mails. She looked at me and I could see she was thinking… I then said who I was, but I only said my first name. Still thinking, until Amy understood and said that it was me. We had a good laugh of that!