On this bonus episode of The Walk Of Life podcast, Cheryl Thibault is joined by nail artist Hazel Dixon, who contributed to the book ‘Career In The Beauty Industry; See If It’s For You’. In this episode they discuss her chapter in the book, her career in nails and in the industry.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• I got started in the industry a bit by mistake. I didn’t do well at school and I was looking at what to do after having my three children. I looked at interior design, nails and hairdressing and two of those weren’t going to work around little children, so I found a course on Creative Nail Design, I thought it was going to be easy and boy did I get a shock. It’s not as easy as we make it look, and that’s what I love about it. I love the chemistry side, the colour, the art and the possibilities of what you can do which led me on to the fantasy categories and extreme nail art and shapes.
• Nailympia was one of the best things that ever happened to me, every year I thought I’d nearly got to where I wanted to be, but someone else would come along and blow my mind and I’d think “I want to be like them!” Your goals move all the time, and that’s a good thing, it pushes you to become a better nail tech, a better artist, a better educator, a better mentor to people. Take advice on board, don’t be offended by what someone’s telling you, they’re not trying to be horrible or negative. As a judge, I want you to be better. 
• I’ve done quite a lot of fantasy nails, but my favourite one was the last one I did in Orlando because it was all of my years of experience built up and I knew I was going to retire from competing to concentrate on my distribution, my brand and education. I did Alice in Wonderland, it was probably the best piece I’ve ever made.
• I set up a training school myself and was teaching courses and I found an acrylic line that companies would allow me to work with. The UK’s different from America – it’s changing, which is great – you can go to a supplier in the US and buy various different brands. But in the UK, because it’s so small, if you sold one brand that’s all you were allowed to sell. Brands understandably have a style s and a way they want their students to be taught and I wanted the freedom to show several techniques because I feel like there’s more than one road to Rome and I wanted the freedom to do that. 

BEST MOMENTS

‘I feel I can be myself and be very creative in the competitive side. You can do it in the salon but you’re limited on time, you have to make a profit and it has to be viable. Creating extreme nails was the way I relaxed after a hard day.’

‘In fantasy you can make anything; as big as you want, as small as you want, massive 3D elements out of anything related to nail products. People say you can’t use those skills day-to-day, but working with gel of different viscosities, you get to understand your product better which relates to salon.’

‘I always feel so much pressure because I’ve won previously and done so well, it gets harder and harder. My whole family expects me to be in the finals of everything, but I don’t, I feel that you earn your place there by working hard, by having integrity, professionalism and doing your bit to make the industry a better place with what you can.’

‘One of my biggest fears is standing up in front of a room full of people and talking. I'm fine one-to-one, you can’t stop me talking, but it’s been the hardest thing for me to overcome. I did one recently for the very first time at a professional beauty show, because I’d said no for years, and the nerves went fairly quickly once I started talking and got into it.’

ABOUT THE GUEST

Before training as a nail technician Hazel Dixon had no idea what she wanted to do after having her 3 children. She has always loved art and drawing but never really considered nails as a career because all she had ever seen was the traditional pink & white nails, which didn’t appeal to her... until one day; She noticed a lady with sparkly glitter tips and that grabbed her attention and she started looking into doing nails.

Hazel researched different courses and found a reputable nail company where she booked on a 5 day acrylic beginner course. It was much harder than she thought it was going to be, but she kept at it and passed in March 2006. Since then, Hazel has completed more courses including an NVQ LVL 3.

One of the major things Hazel has learnt over the years is not to underestimate the power of education, it has been an invaluable tool that has seen her salon grow and grow, even in a recession. In this industry there is always something new and exciting to learn and clients are always looking for something new.

Another thing that has helped Hazel learn a lot more about nails is competing in national and international competitions. She first started competing in March 2009 when she entered the UK National Competition. Since then she’s become addicted! Since winning her very first trophy in the Fancy French Category in 2009, Hazel now has another 25 national and international awards. 

Her proudest moments to date include winning the UK Nail Art Championships 2011 and later that year the 2 silver medals she won at the International Nailympics Competition. Hazel has represented the UK at the Nailympics 2012 & 2013 and won UK Top Tech 2012 and 2013.​ She has been nominated for several Industry awards since, including the prestigious Nail Professional of the Year Award, Scratch Stars’ Nail Stylist of the Year and Mixed Media Nail Artist of the Year. In March 2014 she achieved one of her goals by winning Nail Professional of the Year 2014. Winning this award has meant so much to Hazel as she feels she has been recognised for the hard work, dedication and passion she has for this wonderful industry, so to win it again in 2016 was a dream come true!

Hazel feels she has learnt so much and now wants to pass on these skills, knowledge and passion. She is an independent educator and has developed a full range of courses and workshop training days available for beginners through to advanced. All her beginner, progression and e-file courses are accredited by Professional Beauty, one of the UK's leading trade and insurance companies. This means upon successful completion of one of these courses, you will be able to gain the necessary insurance needed to work as a nail technician. 

Website: https://www.hazeldixonnails.com/ 

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Be a guest!  - https://misscheryl.com/podcast/podcast-guest-form/ 

FREE E-BOOK - http://promos.misscheryl.com/ 

CHECK OUT MY BOOKS - https://misscheryl.com/features/book-launch-career-in-the-beauty-industry/ 

ABOUT THE HOST

Cheryl Thibault is a visionary, entrepreneur, multi-business owner, educator, influencer, and game changer in the beauty industry. A student of life, who will never stop growing and learning. She is assertive and an uncompromising beauty professional, and has been for over 40 years.  As a long time founder/owner of beauty spas and education centers since 1981, 

An Author, Co-Author and currently penning a series of books dedicated to telling her life story, overcoming struggles, and gaining life and career success. She is a true trail blazer and actively integrates love, understanding and compassion into all areas of her life as she influences thousands around the world to carry that forward.

CONTACT METHODS

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cheryltbo/ 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cherylthibault1/ 

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylthibault/ 

Podcast website:  www.thewalkoflifestories.com 

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