How to Practise (Without Losing Your Mind): Real Talk from a Nail Tech

Practising on real hands is by far the best way to learn, but let’s be honest—it’s also stressful. There’s pressure to make everything perfect, and when you’re still finding your rhythm, that can feel intimidating.

When I started out, I didn’t dive into full sets straight away. I practised one nail at a time, sometimes two. I’d leave that one nail on for two weeks, walk around looking slightly strange, but it helped me learn. I was able to observe how it grew, how the structure held, and how the product wore over time. Then I’d remove it, reassess, and try again, correcting what I could. That was the best training I could have given myself.

How to Practise (Without Losing Your Mind): Real Talk from a Nail Tech

So today I want to share the method that worked for me and still works for so many of my students. A simple way to practise—without burning out, getting overwhelmed, or losing confidence.

Start with one or two nails. You’ll be able to see how long your application lasts, how well your structure holds up, and whether anything starts lifting or chipping. It’s better than using a training hand or even working on a friend who’ll be texting you in a week asking you to fix something.

If you’re doing gel polish or BIAB, focus on the basics: prep, thin and even layers, clean shaping, gel polish application. Then wait two weeks and reassess. That’s your real feedback.

I painted most of my colour display black for pigment display. these wheels are great for gel polish application - they are rounded like real cuticles and long, which makes applying evenly more challenging. But if you fill up the whole wheel, you have already put in a solid practise session. They are also perfect for testing new colours and checking their coverage and quality.

If you’re working with extensions, don’t jump straight into long sets. Start short and focus on building a clean structure. And begin with square shape. It’s the most requested shape in salons and one of the easiest to achieve when you’re learning. Once you’ve mastered square, move onto rounded, almond, and eventually shapes like coffin, ballerina, or stiletto. Every shape teaches you new skills—from file control to product placement.

Practising in smaller parts will save you a lot of frustration. Jumping straight into full sets can leave you sitting at the table for three or four hours, panicking halfway through and rushing the finish. Instead, break it down. Nail prep. Tip application. Base and builder. Shaping. Colour. Top coat. Practise these steps separately, and once they start to feel comfortable, then try a full set.

Here’s how I’m doing it right now.

I’m currently getting ready for a competition in October. It’s an acrylic competition—and I haven’t touched acrylics in about eight or nine months.

Acrylics used to be my strongest skill. About 90% of my clients wore acrylics, and I loved working with them. But after being diagnosed with occupational asthma, I had to stop. It was a tough call because I genuinely enjoy working with acrylic, but health had to come first.

When I decided to enter the competition, I knew I couldn’t just dive back in. So I broke it down.

For two weeks, I focused only on bead control—picking up beads on a practice sheet and working on my liquid-to-powder ratio. Then I moved on to a printed French smile line sheet and spent time perfecting that. After that, I practised on tips for a few more weeks, slowly rebuilding my confidence.

Only recently did I feel ready to work on a model. Now, I’ve started training on real hands again. There’s still lots of practice ahead, but I can feel the progress—and that’s what matters.

my practise on tips

My practise

My practise

(These are competition-style nails, which follow a completely different set of rules compared to salon nails. The moon and French must both be sculpted - nothing is painted. It is a very specific and technical design).

This process reminded me how important it is to take things step by step, even when you’re experienced. You don’t los

e your talent, but skills need maintenance. And there’s no shame in starting from the beginning again if you need to.

Working on yourself is also an incredible way to learn. You’ll feel the pressure of filing, experience the heat spikes of gel, and see firsthand how different products behave. These experiences will help you connect better with your clients and give you more control when working on others.

Cuticle work is one of the most important steps to learn and best practised on yourself. Whether you use e-file or file-and-buffer prep, learning on your own hands helps you understand pressure and angles. I even found that feet were a great place to practise. Foot cuticles tend to be thicker and stickier, so if you can master them, working on hands becomes so much easier. And if you accidentally create a ring of fire on your toes, no one will see it.

You don’t always need a full hand to practise. Kiwis or eggs are great for learning e-file angles and pressure. A lemon can be used to practise cuticle cutting—just be aware that it can blunt your scissors, so always use a spare pair. Cut lemon in half and start practising by trimming around the edge. Focus on creating an even trim without cutting too deep. It is all about building control and precision.

You can apply product on practice tips or colour wheels and learn how to file and shape from there. Little sessions like this still help build confidence and skill.

Now here’s a little reminder: don’t jump into nail art too soon. It’s tempting, I know, but

layering art over an uneven extension or bumpy BIAB will only highlight your mistakes and knock your confidence. Nail art is a skill in itself—it has its own rules, techniques, and challenges. Focus on the basics first: clean application, strong structure, even shaping. When that’s second nature, then start adding designs. If you’re really eager to decorate, try stickers, decals, or simple glitters to begin with. These are all explained in my Basic Nail Art Upskilling Manual.

When you finally begin working on friends or models, be picky. You’re the one who is practising, so choose someone with easy nails. Look for healthy nail beds, no biting, no damaged skin. Avoid tricky clients at this stage. It’ll only make the set harder and more discouraging.

And make sure you’re in charge. Don’t ask, “Do you want a French or a design?” This is your learning session. Block colour only. Square shape only. Keep it simple and focus on doing those things well. Difficult sets can come later—once you’ve mastered your basics.

Also, work with professional products. I can’t stress this enough. You won’t get good results from cheap kits. If you’re unsure where to invest, I cover that in detail in my “Where to Put Your Money First” manual. It’s based on my own experience—buying everything I didn’t need, and learning the hard way what actually matters. (if you haven't received yours, subscribe to our mailing list and it will be sent out to you).

If you’re feeling stuck or struggling to spot your mistakes, don’t be afraid to get help. Good training can skyrocket your understanding and save you months of trial and error. Some educators, like myself, offer ongoing support after training. And if you’re learning completely on your own, keep studying, keep testing, and if you need guidance, my manuals are here for that—they’re full of real-life knowledge, not just pretty step-by-steps.

There is no rush. Take your time. Practise in small steps. Even one or two focused days a week will help you improve massively. I’ve seen nail techs start with gel polish or BIAB, and within six months, they were working from home or in salons, confidently taking clients. It’s possible.

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to keep showing up. You’ve got this.

Maya xx