Where Do I Start
Where do I start?
Choosing Your First Nail System
Starting Strong, Then Building Your Skills
For most students, the best place to begin is with a comprehensive beginners course. These courses are designed to teach you the fundamentals of nail work — from preparation, hygiene and safe working practices, to structure, shaping and understanding how each system behaves.
Once those foundations are in place, learning becomes far more focused and effective.
From there, many students choose to:
• Return for 1–2–1 training to refine specific skills and techniques
• Attend a Skill Building Day to focus on areas such as French perfection, structure, rebalancing, art, or advanced finishes
• Deepen their understanding of a particular system they enjoy working with most
This approach allows you to learn correctly from the start, then progress with intention — rather than feeling overwhelmed or rushing into advanced techniques before the basics are mastered. Your education doesn’t stop after one course. Nail training is a journey, and choosing to build on your skills with targeted training ensures confidence, consistency and long-term success in the salon.
So What Course do I start with?
A guide for beginners entering the professional nail industry
Entering the nail industry is exciting — but it can also feel overwhelming.
Gel, builder gel, hard gel, acrylic… where do you even begin?
If you’re new to nails, it’s important to understand that these are not brands — they are professional nail systems, each designed for different purposes, nail types and results. The right starting point depends on your goals, your style, and the type of work you want to create.
This guide has been created to help you make an informed, confident decision about your first step into professional nail training.
The Different Nail Systems
Gel Polish
Refined colour. Natural nails. A gentle introduction.
Gel polish is a thin, flexible system applied directly to the natural nail and cured under a lamp. Originally created to replace Nail Varnish with something that was longer lasting and chip free.
What it offers
• Long-lasting, glossy colour
• A neat, polished finish
• Easy soak-off removal
• No added strength or length
• Cured in UV/LED Lamp
Best suited for
• Short, natural nails
• Clients who want durability without enhancement
• Beginners learning nail prep, hygiene and application
• Those who love colour, detail and finish
Gel polish is often the entry point into nails, introducing the foundations of professional practice without structural complexity.
Builder Gel (Builder in a Bottle / Brush on Builder / Structured Gel)
Strength, structure and a natural aesthetic.
Builder gel is a thicker gel system designed to reinforce the natural nail and create a structured overlay.
What it offers
• Added strength and support
• A natural, elegant finish
• Short to medium length overlays
• Often soak-off, depending on formulation
• Cures in UV/LED lamp
Best suited for
• Weak, bendy or brittle nails
• Clients wanting durability and flexibility
• Nail technicians who love a clean, modern look
• Those ready to learn structure and balance
Builder gel bridges the gap between gel polish and acrylic/hard gel enhancement systems, making it a popular and versatile choice.
Hard Gel
Precision, control and professional strength.
Hard gel is the original gel enhancement system and one of the strongest products used in nails.
What it offers
• Strong overlays and extensions
• Sculpted structure and shape
• Filed-off removal (non soak-off)
• Multiple viscosities for control and design
Best suited for
• Structured overlays and extensions
• Durable and strong performance- Hard Gel doesn’t break down or wear like soak off products
• Clients wanting a lightweight feel but with structure and support
Hard gel requires technical understanding and precision, rewarding those who value structure and refinement.
Acrylic
The most versatile and enduring nail system.
Acrylic is a two-part system, created by combining liquid and powder, which cures in the air.
What it offers
• Exceptional strength and durability
• Sculpting, correction and extension capabilities
• Suitable for all nail lengths
• Adaptable for salon or competition work
• Variety of coloured powders used for structure
Best suited for
• Full nail enhancements and corrections
• Clients who need strength
• Nail technicians who value structure and balance
• Those who wish to offer all systems within nails
Acrylic remains one of the most widely used and respected systems in the industry due to its versatility and reliability.
There are many additional systems and hybrid options within the nail industry — such as Acrygel, Polygel, Express Tips, Full Cover Tips and Dual Forms. While these may sound overwhelming at first, the good news is that the core skills you learn in your foundational training are fully transferable.
Once you are qualified in the fundamentals, you can confidently adapt your knowledge to different mediums, provided the chemical structure aligns with your original qualification. This ensures you continue to work safely, professionally and within insurance requirements. With strong foundations in place, expanding your skill set becomes a natural progression — and from there, the nail world truly is your oyster.
So… Where Should You Start?
There is no single “right” system — only the right starting point for you.
• Gel polish → colour, simplicity, natural nails
• Builder gel → strength with a natural but flexible aesthetic
• Hard gel → precision, sculpting and structure and strength
• Acrylic → versatility, durability strength
Many successful nail technicians go on to train in multiple systems over time. Your first course simply lays the foundation.
A Final Word
Professional nail training isn’t about learning a product.
It’s about understanding systems, structure, safety and technique.
When you learn the why behind what you do, you gain the confidence to grow, adapt and succeed — no matter which direction your career takes.
If you’re unsure where to begin, start with the system that excites you most.
Your journey starts there.