Senior Status

It has been a wild ride, and I am just 300 hours away from being done with my program, With my junior practical exam next week, I am slated to become a senior as of next Tuesday. A SENIOR!!! It is hard to believe that we are already here.

Of course, there are some awesome perks to being a senior. I am only 5 requirements (all acrylic fills) left to complete my program. Which means, unless there are no students available or I am requested, I am able to sit back and "relax" which translates to studying for my senior exams and state boards.

The downside, of course, is my senior testing. On top of my written testing, which includes Oregon Law, Esthetics, and Nail Diseases and Disorder, I am also responsible for a gamete of practical exams. I will need to show that I can officiant in giving manicures, pedicures, facials, make up application, body waxing and facial waxing via practical testing. (So, if you are wanting and willing in July, I will need a model to help me out with that)

In 300 hours, I will be on my own, and ready to start the process of looking for a job in the real world. Time to be on the look out for a good salon, spa or massage parlor. Wish me luck!!!!

As always, thanks for joining me on my journey!!! ~ S

It's been a while...and sooo much has happened!!

It has been a crazy month!! I have passed all my sophomore testing, written and practicals. I am now considered a junior, when it comes to classes. On top of that, I am about 50 hours away from being halfway done with school. This means that I am not far off in believing I can be done by August (if all gets approved by financial aid). I have little to do for requirements, and a TON of studying in prep for my junior and senior testing. It is CrAzY and amazing at the same time!!!

First, with the junior status: I am currently taking all of my junior classes and tests. I have already completed my junior nails test (93%) and Oregon Law (91%), leaving infection control, facials and career development left for tests. These will come as I finish each class. Which, due to my accelerated program, I am in classes on Mondays and Wednesdays, leaving Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for clients. On top of that, I need to practice for a make-up practical and french tip form practical. These all have to be completed before July, when I will start my senior testing. It seems so far away, but the fact that I feel like I JUST started this journey, I know the time will pass quickly.

My requirements are being checked off quicker than I expected. Most of the items I have left to do, I have less than 5 to complete. The biggest thing I need to do is acrylic fills, which are easy on my fake fingers (those things are SOOO freaking creepy, I will not be missing them when I am done). After my requirements are done, I will be getting extra requirements under my belt, which will look AWESOME on my resume when I get ready to go out into the real world.

So far, it looks like August could REALLY happen. However, I had the bomb dropped on my that, because I am getting federal financial aid, I may not be able to graduate that soon due to how loans and grants are paid out. That is fine, as long as I am prepared for that in advance. And, that means I may just get to take a few weeks vacation and enjoy my summer still. So long as I get a few days with my kids and husband before I go back to work, I will be a happy girl.

I am still rocking out the clients Tuesdays, Thursday and Fridays. Come join me on the journey one of those nights and I can give you a discount as one of my readers. <3

As always, thanks for joining me on the journey ~S

Sophomore Practicals

I'm so excited to announce that I am done with my sophomore practicals! And, I only have one written test to finish to be completely done with my sophomore testing. Then, on to my junior status.

The time at school has gone by so quickly. I am excited to be done, but a little nervous as well. I will love being able to set my own schedule and have access to more products and classes. However, there will be no teacher standing near by to help answer any questions or assist me with a client. As the day of graduation gets closer and closer, I find my confidence growing.

This journey just keeps getting better and better! Thanks for joining me on it. ~S

Sophomore Status...That Didn't Last Long

I am officially a sophomore at school...and I have already done my sophomore testing for facials. Next month, I will be doing my sophomore testing for nails. At this rate, I will be done with testing by July and able to graduate as soon as my hours are up, which could be as early as mid-August. What an awesome feeling!!!

Tomorrow, our facial product representative will be at school to teach us more about the product and how to do a 4 layer facial. I am excited, as I have a few classmates who come to me for their regular facials and I want to get her advice on what different products I can use to help with their skin issues.

This journey is going by so fast!! Thank you for joining me on it ~S

Moving Right Along

This week is going to be a whirlwind, followed by next week. I have two tests to take, left over from my extra training in facials. One will be my make up practical and my facial written. From there, I will be looking at what requirements I have completed and what requirements I have left to finish, then start working on getting them finished. My goal is to get 2 or more requirements done every day. Ambitious if I end up getting clients daily.

Next week, I have a few things I am going to seek about learning. Eye treatments, more facial machines and nail art are just a few things that I would like to get some focus on. On top of that, I have two product specific training I will be taking next week. The first is at the local beauty supply store, where I will be learning a new nail art product. The second is with our facial cleanser company at the school. This will only help me to better know what products are out there, how to use them and how to help my clients use them to their benefit.

So far, I am still on target to get done with school in early September. This also means that it is time for me to start working one Saturday a month to make sure my hours are where they need to be. It will be an amazingly busy time, but well worth it.

This journey has only just begun! Thank you for joining me on it ~S

What A Week!!!

What an awesome week.

My teacher is on vacation this week, which means that I am on the floor ready for clients. And, so far, it has been SUPER productive. I have gotten many of my requirements done and have been recomennded to many students for different services. Slowly, I am becoming a favorite for some of my fellow classmates for facials and manicures.

On top of getting so much done, I had my second real client. My first client was someone who I am friends with. This client was someone who walked in and got an appointment with me. It was both a gel manicure and pedicure. It was great and she was a ton of fun and super nice.

Slowly, I am gaining my confidence on the floor and being able to work on people with out fear. One step closer in my journey!! Thanks again for joining me ~ S

Just One More Day

Tonight we had out waxing practical and started our make up "training."

The waxing practical was easy. 100%, and done. I am still not a fan of waxing, just because it causes people pain and I always feel like I have to point out the flaws in others in order to do it. However, people love getting waxed and my perfectionism-issues make me good at it. So, bring on your unwanted hair...I'll take it away for you!

Make up training was more about how to wash your brushes and make sure that your make up didn't get contaminated by reusing it on different people. They didn't really teach us much on how to apply it. But, with the power of being a girl and the internet, I am sure that I can find some really good tips, if I have any questions. Tomorrow, we take our practical on that.

After our practical tomorrow, I will OFFICIALLY be done with my back classes. That means, I am going to be on the floor and able to take clients. My schedule is Tuesday through Friday starting at 5:30 (although I can start as early as 3, so if you need an earlier appointment, let me know).\

This is going way faster than I had thought it would. Yikes!!

With that, I am off and running. Thank you for joining me on my journey ~ S

Waxing...the torture

This has been a crazy week and I feel like I haven't sat down in class at all. Which is a very, very good thing.

Tuesday, we had out facials final. I scored 100% and am sooo excited. I love giving facials and it was an amazing feeling to get my test results back.

Then, we started waxing. I went from the highs of an awesome score on my test, to the lows of waxing. Not that I am bad at it. But, I am a perfectionist. Which means, it takes me forever to wax, because I want to get every hair. However, my teacher is excited to have me in waxing and keep encouraging me to find a way to enjoy it. On top of the whole perfectionist thing, I find it very hard to look a client in the eye and say, "ya know, we should wax those hairs on that lip." Or, "we should think about shaping these eyebrows." I feel as though I am pointing out the flaws in a client and that just doesn't sit well with me. Instead, I would rather make their nails pretty or send them into a relaxed state through a facial or prepare them for a big day with make up. Instead, waxing focuses on the clients' flaws. Not my cup of tea.

In other news, I had my first real client tonight. A manicure with my pastor's wife. It was fun to have someone other than a student to work on. I am also hoping this will get more people to come in and see me.

With that, I will let you all ago. Thank you for joining me on my journey! ~S

First Week of Facials in the Books

I have survived my first week of facials. And, so far, I am loving it. On Friday, we did a bit of a pretest and my teacher has great faith in my skills. As if that wasn't awesome enough, the student I did the facial on said that of all her facials, the one I gave her has been the most amazing. I am glad for that report, since this is why I really wanted to go to school.

My only "problem" with giving facials, is that I tend to be more relaxed giving them than I get receiving them.

Tuesday, I have my first practical. Then, we start waxing. After that, make up application and then our final. It is going by so fast...

Thanks for joining me on my journey!!! ~ S

Facials

Although I started my freshman facial classes tonight, I also started my sophomore/junior facials class last night. This is going to be a serious learning about facials. Lucky for me, I get to go quickly through classes as I'm only a nails/facials student.

Last night, it was "spa facials," or a facial using a steam machine. It is fun to give to others, as it really helps moisturize their skin. However, if you're claustrophobic like me, I don't suggest them.

Tonight, I learned the correct way to rub cleanser into the skin. If I thought receiving a facial was relaxing... I feel like I get to relax so much more than my client. The movements were so relaxing to do and almost put me to sleep.

Within a week I'll be done with my practicals for facials. Then, a quick makeup class and some waxing lessons.

This is EXACTLY what I wanted to go to school for. So so SOOO excited!!

Thanks for joining my journey!! ~S

Freshman Nail Finals

My freshman/introductory classes for nail tech is done and over. As of now, I am available to work on the public's hands and toes on the floor at school. I feel like a baby bird being tossed out of the nest...time to fly!

I got an 88% on my written final. Being one of those "straight A" students, I'm having a hard time. Especially since I just wrote down the wrong letter on 2, as my dyslexia kicked in. It happens, and I'm grateful I passed, but still...frustrating.

With all my practicals combined, I got an overall 98% on my practicals. My lowest score was a 95%, on my nail forms. I got 100% on manicures, pedicures and fiberglass. I had a 98% on my acrylic. For a freshman having only done a couple of nails, my teacher was rather impressed.

For freshman, 75% is considered passing.

Tomorrow, I'm on the floor. Then Monday is theory. Tuesday, I start 3 weeks of facials! Then...I'm on the floor to finish my 850 hours and multiple state requirements.

Thanks for joining me on my journey!!

This is a blog about my journey through school and working in a spa...but, those things are part of the fashion world, and I feel compelled to talk about a new fashion thing I just experienced...

The miraculous world of the clothing swap. Heaven on earth. True nirvana. Oh goodness gracious...yes...

Tonight, my hairdresser friend had me join her at another hairdresser friend's clothing swap project. Here in Portland, OR, they have a group that get together and swap out clothing. There is a small cover fee (tonight it was $5 if you brought clothing and $10 if you did not), and then all the money raised goes to charity. I brought some of my pieces I don't wear anymore and found a whole wardrobe of new things for myself. On top of that, they had some local clothing designers bring some of their red carpet outfits and sell them for $25 a piece, which was also all donated to charity.

This event was a wonderful idea. First off, you bring in clothes you are no longer wearing. No, you don't get them back...which means you don't have to worry about what you are going to do with them if no one takes them. The clothes are then donated to Goodwill or a shelter or re-purposed into something new (depending on who is organizing the event). Which means, you have already cleared out space in your closet for anything you decide to bring home!! And, bring home I did!!!

Second, this supports charity. How much better can that get? I get clothes, and a good charity gets money and some publicity?\

Finally, this is great because I get some sweet new outfits for $5!!! This is happy dance worthy!

Anyway, I am hoping that you, my friends, will seek out if your community has any of these and start checking them out. And, if it doesn't...maybe you can host one of your own?

As always, thank you for following me on my journey... ~S

Client Ready

Tonight I was given the shock of the week when my teacher explained that I am now able to take clients for basic manicures and pedicures, since I have passed my practicals. It's craziness, but awesome at the same time. There were no customers for me to work with tonight, but that was totally okay as I was unprepared. However, this means that next week, after my fiberglass, tips and wraps practical next week I will be fully ready for nail clients starting next Friday. *phew* That went by fast.

Next week will be my final week in nails back class (back class being all freshman level classes). After that, I start learning about facials and make-up application.

Thanks again for joining me on my journey ~S

Nail Tips vs. Nail Wraps

The basic clear polymer powder and monomer liquid used in "acrylic" nails. Oodles of fun ahead!!!

Last night, we did acrylic nails where we added a fake tip onto the end of the nail. Then, we added the overlay. This is what I normally think of when I get my nails done. In fact, this is what everyone in our class thought of when we talked about doing "fake" nails. The process is a whole lot harder than it seems. At least, it seems like it for me. But, my teacher assures me that I am doing great and that it will become easier.

Aren't they pretty? These are my first fake nails with tips under. The white nail is a nail polish where you add beads to it before it drys, creating a wet look. The second is a very classy and classic pink-red. The third nail is a purple polish with a black shatter polish over the top. (pardon the zombie fingers, it's what I get to practice on)

Tonight, we started something very new and very interesting. This is the art of the nail form. Instead of adding a tip onto the nail, you wrap either a paper nail form (like a sticker) or a metal nail form around the nail. Then, you build the acrylic material over the top. We started with the white tip french manicure/two tone for our nail forms. This style is magical, as the form does not remain in place once the polymer/monomer mix is dried. It supports itself once it dries, and does not need a tip. At first, I thought this was going to be harder. However, when you take into account everything that goes into doing a tip AND THEN you add in the acrylic addition, it is much crazier. The nail form is much simpler, and seems like magic when it is all done.

My nifty nails done with the nail form. I still have a long way to go in getting my "smile line" perfect, but this is my first ever attempt.

I still have a long ways to go before I am perfect, by any means, but I am learning so much every day. Tomorrow, we start doing nail wraps. Tomorrow is also my first practical of the course, on manicures and pedicures. Time to study my hand and foot massage.

As always, thank you for joining me on this journey. ~S

Manicure and Pedicure practicals

Nothing much to say to you all tonight. I took my manicure and pedicure practicals tonight and got 100% on both. I am pretty stoked.

Tonight we also learned the ancient art of fiberglass. Fiberglass wraps are slowly going by the wayside in favor of gels. However, fiberglass wraps are nice for those moments when a nail breaks. It was a quick lesson, and I didn't get a picture of my tip.

Tomorrow I am on the floor for student services and final preparations for my final week in nails. That's right, next week will be my LAST week as a nail freshman! I still have gels to learn, and then my final, as well as have my testing on fiberglass, acrylic tips and nail wraps.

Thank you all again for joining me on my journey ~ S

Phagan's Prices for Manicures

These prices were taken from the Phagans School of Hair Design (Lloyd Center Campus) price sheet. Prices are subject to change...

For more information, check out the price list at:

http://www.phagans.com/portlandhairsalons/pricelist

All services are preformed by students under the direct supervision of licensed instructors.

----Manicures----

Express Manicure - $6
In 30 minutes, a nail technician cares for hands, shapes nails, and applies OPI polish to finish the look.

Spa Manicure - $10
Our OPI Spa Manicure brings facial-quality care to and, in a system of products that exfoliates, revitalizes, renews, and protects. For instantly visible results that improves skin with every use.

Gel Manicure - $15
OPI Gel Manicure is a break through in the nail industry. OPI's Axxium gel manicures last up to two weeks without chipping, smudging or cracking.With many shades of axxium soak off gel lacquer to choose from you will not be disappointed.

Polish Change/French Tip - $3
Nail Art w/ Polish - $8
Nail Art w/ Polish & Gems - $15
Nail Clip - $5

----Pedicures----

Spa Pedicure - $18

A system of professional products formulated with nature's most soothing and effective botanical  This renews and restores feet to silky smoothness. Paradise for the sole.

Toe Nail Soak & Clip - $10

A nail technician cares for your feet, shapes nails, and applies OPI polish to finish the look.

----Artificial Nails----

Gel Tip - $20

Gel Overlay - $20

Gel Forms - $22

Gel Fill - $15

Gel Repair/Removal (each) - $3

Acrylic Tips - $18

Acrylic Overlay - $18

Acrylic Forms - $20

Acrylic Fill - $12

Acrylic Repair/Removal (each) - $2

Fiberglass Tips - $18

Fiberglass Overlay - $18

Fiberglass Fill - $12

Fiberglass Repair/Removal (each) - $2

I have not completed my glass yet, and am not able to work on the public just yet. If all goes according to plan, I will be able to accept clients on Friday, February 15 starting at 5. When that is the case, I will make sure to post that and let you know how to make appointments with me.

Thank you so much for joining me on this journey ~ S

First Test OVER

Tonight was the dreaded D&D night. This is a written test about nail deformities and diseases. It doesn't help that most of the nail diseases all start with "ony-" or sound VERY familiar. It came down to finding what sounds slightly different, and somehow associating that with the disease. Anyhoo, in the end, I passed the test with flying colours!!! I missed ONE question and go a 96%!!!

YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

It was good to know that my whole week of studying paid off.

And then, the fun began. Tonight, we began learning how to apply "acrylic" nails. Fun times playing with monomers and polymers. It looks a little rough, but our teacher was highly impressed with all of us. That has to be good, right?

Another step in the journey down. Tomorrow, we do more with our "acrylics" and then our practical pedicure and manicure tests. Next week is our last week of class, filled with studying and practicals and finals. Studying, practicals and finals...oh my...studying, practicals and finals...oh my...

We're following the hair school road...we're following the hair school road... :-)

Thanks for following me on this journey! ~S

Report Card Night...

I just started this journey one week ago. And yet, tonight was report card night. The teacher and I had a good laugh at my 0.00 GPA. Nothing to grade, so no GPA for me. However, I already have more hours on the books than scheduled, which means my projected graduation date is mid-July. SWEEEET!!! This means I will have no problem graduating and being licensed by my 30th birthday in September.

Tomorrow is my first written test. On the pre-test, I scored 82% and 95%. Looks like I need to study my diseases a little more. But, I'm pumped and ready to tackle this.

Thursday will be my first practical. Manicure and pedicure, from memory, on a fellow student. This week also means learning nail enhancements (wraps and fake nails). I'm starting to feel like a real nail tech.

This process is going to be so exciting, hard, fulfilling and full of mountains and valleys. Thank you for sharing in my process!!! ~S

Turning 30 and it feels SO good!!

Later this year, I will turn the big 3-0. THIRTY. Growing up I was always worried that I would dread turning thirty. Instead, as my birthday approaches day by day, I find myself getting excited. Thirty means that I am old enough that I don't care about what people think. Okay, I care about what people think, BUT I can be me and be okay with it.

SO, what does this me look like? Well, I like tattoos, piercings, funky hair styles and bright pink hair dye. Sweet...so, why was I working in an industry where I had to wear conservative clothes, covering all of my tattoos (or the tattoos I want to get), only able to have two piercings in each ear and no where else, and certainly NO hair dye. Oh...oh no...so I decided, about a year and a half ago, that I would excuse myself from working after the birth of our second child and take some time to figure myself out. And, now I am sitting in a house finding myself needing more social outlet than Bachelor on Monday nights. But, I refuse to go back to the corporate world...

ENTER THE HIGH SCHOOL DREAM...

In high school I wanted to do nails and facials and make up. But, in those days, you also had to the hair program to get those licenses. I don't want to do hair. Frankly, no one wants me to do hair. Unless everyone wants to look like Don King. However, I found out that Oregon has changed its ways, and now I don't need to take the hair program. HALLELUJAH!!

And so...the journey begins. This last week was my first week in school. One week in the nails program and I am looking forward to getting out onto the floor. In two weeks, that will be the case. That will also mean the start of my facial program. After my first 6 weeks, I will be on the floor and ready for clients who want to be pampered. And, when that happens...make sure to pay attention. I will let everyone know what services I am able to preform, how much they cost and how you can get a discount on our already rock bottom prices at Phagan's School of Hair Design (located near Lloyd Center).

So, with that my friends...peace out, and have a great night!!!

Sarah C