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Maintain Natural and Artificially Enhanced Nails

The Nail Technician program provides specialized training in plain manicures, oil manicures, and pedicures. Basic and advanced techniques are taught in acrylic nails, silk wraps, gels, nail art, and paraffin treatments. Proper usage of implements with the sanitation procedures, recognition of nail disorders, and the appropriate treatments are incorporated into the curriculum. Students may have the opportunity to participate in an internship during their advanced training as an extra elective. Students completing the program will be prepared to take the Colorado State Licensing Exam.

Program Flyer Steps for Enrollment Pickens Lookbook See the Classroom

What Our Students Learn

  • Sanitize tools, equipment, facilities or work areas
  • Perform pedicures and manicures
  • Treat nails by shaping, decorating, or augmenting
  • Use acrylic and gel nail techniques
  • Provide stone massages, parafin treatments, and other hand spa treatments
  • Maintain client information and schedule appointments
nail technician working

Career Outlook

  • Employment opportunity in this field is 4 times higher than the national average of a job
  • Entry level salaries start at $25,000 and up
  • Median salary is $28,000
  • 10% of workers earn $42,000 or more

Program Experience

  • Students spend 50% of their time learning concepts in a classroom, and 50% of their time in the salon with hands-on practical work
  • Students gain experience in a full equipped salon environment with industry-grade equipment
  • An on-site internship is built into the curriculum
  • Enrollment options are available for both high school students and post-secondary students
  • 1 year of classes

Bonnie Hazelrigg

Instructor, Nail Technician
303-344-4910 ext. 27794
bjhazelrigg@aurorak12.org

Bonnie Hazelrigg has been teaching since 1995, and has been in the nail tech industry since 1977. Bonnie was a salon owner and manufacturer representative for Redken. Bonnie also worked internationally for Gigi and Clean’N Easy Wx Brands, where her job was to train sales consultants and stylists.

Certifications & Degrees:

  • Martin Parsons Advanced Cutting Academy, Toronto Canada, and Lakewood CO
  • Xenon International Advanced Cutting, Wichita KS, and Aurora CO
  • Xenon International Perming Techniques, Aurora CO
  • Eva Fredrick’s 5-Day Advanced Skin Care, Oakland CA
  • Over 200 Advanced Classes and Shows for Hair Cutting, Styling, Coloring, Perming, Skin, and Nail Care

Accredited Certificate Courses (24 credits)

All credits earned at Pickens technical college are recognized by the Colorado Community College System (CCCS), and are eligible for transfer to other colleges within the state of Colorado.

This course covers laws, rules, and regulations governing the beauty industry in Colorado and accountability for the student, licensed individuals, salons, and school owners.

This course covers various methods of sanitation, disinfection; and principles of workplace safety, infection control, and prevention. Topics presented in this course include classroom study of bacteriology, chemistry of cleaning versus disinfecting products that are used in the cosmetology industry, and terminology dealing with infection control.

This course focuses on the theory and daily practice of proper methods of disinfection, sanitation, and safety procedures as related to all phases of cosmetology. Topics presented in this course include terminology and training of disinfection, sanitation and safety procedures, and customer service in a supervised salon setting or specialized class.

This course covers salon management business practices and the knowledge and skills necessary to build a successful business. Topics covered in this course include basic business management, interpersonal skills, basic techniques in salesmanship and customer services, job readiness skills, and professional ethics.

This course covers infection control theory and practice of proper methods of sterilization, disinfection, sanitation, and safety procedures as related to all phases of the industry. Topics for this course include terminology and training in disinfection, sanitation, and safety procedures. The individual’s responsibility to provide a safe work environment is practiced.

This course covers advanced training on decontamination and safety practices in a supervised salon and/or classroom setting and primarily focuses on student preparation for the Colorado State Board Licensing Examination in decontamination and safety for all aspects of the industry. Topics for this course include Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements for schools and salons.

This course covers the proper use of implements used in manicures and pedicures. Theory and practical application of proper set-up, safety, sanitation, nail shapes, anatomy, product knowledge, and terminology dealing with manicures and pedicures are covered. Training is done in a classroom or lab setting using models or other techniques.

This course covers theory and practical application dealing with different types of manicures, pedicures, nail art, and massage techniques. Theory and practical application of procedures, products, nail shapes, and maintenance of natural nails is covered. Students learn to recognize different nail disorders and their proper treatment. Training is done in a specialized class or in supervised salon (clinical) setting, using models or customer service. Proper sanitation and sterilization as it pertains to all aspects of manicures, pedicures, and nail art are taught.

This course covers advanced theory and practical application dealing with different types of manicures, pedicures, massage techniques, and nail art. Topics included in this course are practical application of procedures, products, nails shapes, and maintenance of the natural nails. Course will cover client education on different nail disorders and their proper treatment. Training is done in a specialized class or in a supervised salon (clinical) setting, using models or customer service.

This course covers advanced theory and product knowledge of current industry nail enhancements to ready the student for employment. Practical application and removal techniques of nail wraps, tip overlays, acrylics, and any current enhancements are practiced. Instruction is provided in specialized classes or in a supervised salon setting using models or customer service. This course prepares the student for the Colorado state board licensing examination.

Provides preparation for State Boards. Allows the student the opportunity to gain knowledge in the practical and/or written examination required by the Colorado Board of Barber/Cosmetology.

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woman getting a manicure

Visit Our Salon!

Interest in affordable hair, nail, and skin services? Want to help support our in-training cosmetologists, estheticians, nail techs, and barbers? The Pickens Salon offers:

  • Hair Services
  • Nail Services
  • Spa/Skin Services
  • Barber Services

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