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Olaoluwa Olathunji knows exactly how tough competition is. Just across from his nail parlour in buzzing Juta Street in Braamfontein is another nail establishment.
But that’s not stopping the 24-year-old from Nigeria from exploring nail art. It also inspired him to start his own business at Chama Salon as a manicurist.
Olathunji has had to overcome many obstacles and, like his name, meaning God’s blessing, he says his life is based on the blessing of belief.
“If it wasn’t for belief, I would never be where I am.”
The 24-year-old almost shyly shows me his tattoo, boldly printed on his left hand, symbolising his belief.
“Through the challenges I’ve seen myself overcome, from Nigeria to South Africa, I never thought I’d see myself in South Africa and, better yet, doing nails for the people of South Africa,” he says.
With much determination, Olathunji is ready to show me what he has learnt in just seven months.
“You need to learn the art of doing nails and, with me, I learnt from watching a friend of mine who taught me how to do nails and, seven months later, I was ready to do the work myself,” he said.
On a normal day, Olathunji receives three to four clients, but he says that, at times, clients keep him busy way past the end of business hours, and he is also available for house calls.
Getting straight into the day’s work, Olathunji says: “In order for me to be able to do nails, I need to first file down the natural nail to create a rough surface for the nail to stick.”
Asking me what shape I prefer, he recommends what clients mostly ask for – coffin-shaped nails, also called “casket” in the nail world.
That was not all. Before Olathunji started, he said there was a selection of either acrylic or gel nails, with clients mostly requesting acrylic.
“Gel nails only last for a few weeks, but acrylic can last longer, and that is why clients choose it.”
In the same breath, he warns me that acrylic can break your natural nails if you are working with
heavy loads.
The acrylic nail will hit the nail cuticle, and might lead to further damage to the natural nail. “This can lead to infections, which I do warn my clients about.
“The secret to nails is that you need to spend time working on the specific nail. It usually takes me an hour to do nails, but I need to make clients happy. I also like taking my time, so that we both get an impressive outcome,” says Olathunji.
While placing the correctly sized nails, Olathunji says: “I started only with two colours – then I had to buy more colours, which my clients would want. Today, I have a wide choice of colours. Clients also have their favourite colours, and this season it seems to be maroon.”
He shows me around the selection of acrylic nails. “There are the classic round nails, which are simple to do and cost the client R130. With many clients requesting the coffin shape, they are expected to pay R150, and R140 for the oval shape. Another shape clients can choose from is the stiletto nail, which will cost them R150.”
Nail trends have changed, and Olathunji says he doesn’t receive a lot of nail-art pattern requests – at an additional R20 per nail.
“There are other designs I can do. The matte design will cost R200, no matter which shape you request, and any gel nails are R200,” he says.
Olathunji’s work lessons are pretty simple. “You need to have a passion for nails and don’t stop believing. You should also be inspired by the art of nails and making different shapes for clients. Practice makes perfect.
“Never look at working for a set time, because sometimes you end up working long hours. Always have a mentor who will help you groom your own business while you also learn from theirs – and remember always to build your client base.”
What is a manicurist?
The job mainly focuses on creating well-maintained and pretty fingernails and toenails. The services of a nail technician include taking care of the client’s cuticles, applying new nail polish, removing old artificial nails and applying new ones, shaping and buffing nails and applying nail art when requested by the client.
A nail technician is a beauty therapist who specialises in working with a person’s nails (both fingernails and toenails) to keep them healthy, to improve their appearance and/or to decorate them. The treatments they perform can include manicures, pedicures, nail sculpting, nail polish application and nail art, cuticle treatment and nail extensions.
Nail technicians can work in salons, spas and health resorts, on cruise ships or in clients’ homes. While they may be required to work evenings and weekends to accommodate their clients’ schedules, they usually do have the option of working flexible hours. The work can be physically demanding, and requires high levels of concentration.
There are many formal training courses for nail technicians in South Africa, or you can do in-service training. A quick search on the internet should give you a fuller picture and help to focus your decision.
