L’Onglerie opens the first training center for nail professions in France

AGoing to L’Onglerie means entering the door of one of the 115 institutes in this franchise network founded in 1983 in Bordeaux by Gisèle and Christian Pommier. “We were the pioneers of nail installation,” recalls Angélique Gascoin, CEO of the company since 2021, who knows this extremely meticulous know-how like the back of her hand having herself been at the head of a franchise.

This activity has seen its growth skyrocket over the past ten years. The operation does not consist of sticking a “capsule”. The method is more elaborate. It involves modeling a nail extension on the natural nail, the “plate”, with three possible materials, resin, gel and acrygel, which conform to the shape of the nail. We are talking about nail prosthesis, the specialty of this brand which has more than 250 employees in France. In four decades, L’Onglerie is proud to have gained the loyalty of more than 40,000 customers, accustomed to coming every month. “We really do personalized,” underlines the business manager. The length, the shape, we do everything the client wants. »

Six months alternating

To learn these techniques, plus the whole commercial aspect, there is now a diploma for “hand, foot and nail beauty manager”. At baccalaureate level, it is recognized by the State. This six-month work-study course is provided at L’Onglerie Académie, the apprentice training center (CFA) that L’Onglerie inaugurated on October 3 at its head office, transferred in 2023 from Pessac to Canéjan. It is the very first in France focused on the specific profession of nail technician. This is not a general aesthetics school. Obtaining its registration in the National Directory of Professional Certifications, a guarantee of quality, is considered “a major step forward” for the sector. The State did not recognize this profession “as a real profession”, observes Angélique Gascoin.

After a theoretical phase of three to nine weeks, the periods spent in the company total eighteen weeks. The “learners” of the current promotion (composed exclusively of women) come from almost everywhere, from Gironde, but also from Landes, Loire-Atlantique, Manche, Côtes-d’Armor, Finistère, Pas -de-Calais or Puy-de-Dôme. There are 14 of them. Some are undertaking retraining, like Morinne, 35 years old. This former care assistant who previously worked at the Flamanville nuclear power plant, in Manche, is called upon to manage L’Onglerie de Cherbourg. Alongside her management role, she will be “at the table”, as they say in the profession.

“It’s complicated to apply black and red varnish without overflowing too much on the sides”

She learned to place a template in the extension of the finger, a sort of graduated paper tutor on which the material is applied which, by solidifying, will give this nail extension to then be shaped with the sander, then with the file, to give it the desired shape, short, long, rounded, square or stiletto (very pointed). For gel and acrygel, which can be patiently modeled because they do not dry in the open air, a UV lamp is used so that the molecules assemble.

“Have an eye”

It is tailor-made, depending on requests and tastes, but also on “the typology of the nail”, its condition. More classic nail and hand care, as well as foot care, are also on the program. “There is a widespread belief that the prosthesis should be changed regularly to let the nail underneath breathe,” notes Angélique Gascoin. But it doesn’t have lungs, a nail, it doesn’t breathe. » The key is to take care of it. On the other hand, as the natural nail continues to grow, it is necessary to make “fillings” at its root.

There are no academic prerequisites to apply, knowing that there are three overlapping training sessions per year, which begin in October, January and July. However, practical tests are carried out. “It’s complicated to apply a black and red varnish without overflowing too much on the sides,” reveals Angélique Gascoin. This allows you to judge dexterity. He’s like a painter. If it makes little laces, it’s ugly. It’s very important to have an eye. »

With talent helping, one of the options is to develop your expertise in nail art and nail decoration. A style idea? “Little decorations for Halloween, with pumpkins, skulls, spider webs. » And for Christmas, “trees, glitter”.

Male clientele

Angélique Gascoin has already had men as clients for nail prostheses. “A guitarist explained to me that depending on the thickness of his nail, the sound was different,” she says. A market gardener also came every month, but for simple hand beauty. As he worked with the earth, his hands were very dry. A salesperson who bit his nails had a small, very thin nail plate applied to hide it. »