Everything you need to know to start your new career with HONA.
BECOMING A NAIL TECH
STARTING YOUR JOURNEY
Starting your journey as a nail technician is more than just a career move, it’s a chance to build something of your own, express your creativity, and work on your terms. Whether you’re dreaming of opening a salon, creating viral nail art, or simply want to turn your passion into a profession, the world of nails is full of exciting opportunities.
At HONA, we’re here to support you every step of the way, from in-person and online training options to our hypoallergenic product range and supportive community of nail techs across the UK and beyond. You don’t have to do it alone. You can count on us for trusted education, innovative tools, and guidance to help you grow your career with confidence.
GETTING YOUR QUALIFICATION
We offer a range of accredited courses designed for beginner nail techs. Our in-person sessions, led by expert educators across the UK, give you hands-on experience and personalised guidance. Prefer to learn from home? You can also train online at your own pace, following the same structured curriculum as our in-person courses. Whether you’re starting with gel polish, builder gel, or want to cover both in our Complete Beginners Course, there’s a path that suits you.
COMPLETE BEGINNERS COURSE
If you’re ready to start your career as a nail technician, our Complete Course is the ultimate way to begin. Bringing together both our Gel Polish and Builder Gel Beginners Courses, this accredited programme gives you everything you need to qualify as a professional nail tech.
Available in person across the UK or online, the Complete Course covers all the essentials – from nail anatomy, prep, application and removal, through to allergy awareness and business tips. With guidance from our expert educators, you’ll build strong foundations, learn advanced techniques, and gain the confidence to start taking clients straight away.
By the end, you’ll be a fully qualified nail technician with an industry-recognised certificate – ready to launch your career and grow your business with confidence.
GEL POLISH BEGINNERS COURSE
If you’re dreaming of becoming a nail technician, our Gel Polish Beginners Course is the perfect first step. Whether you prefer to learn in person at one of our UK locations or from the comfort of your own home with our online course, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to begin offering professional gel polish services.
Designed for complete beginners, this accredited course covers everything from nail anatomy and prep to application, removal, and aftercare. You’ll be guided by our expert educators every step of the way, ensuring you build solid foundations and the practical skills needed to start your career in nails.
By the end, you’ll be a qualified gel polish technician with an industry-recognised certificate – ready to work on clients and take your first steps into the world of nails.
BUILDER GEL BEGINNERS COURSE
Once you’ve mastered gel polish, learning builder gel is the perfect next step in your nail journey – and our Builder Gel Beginners Course will give you the skills to confidently create strong, long-lasting enhancements. Available in person across the UK or online, this accredited course is designed to help you expand your services and grow your business.
You’ll learn everything from natural nail overlays to safe removals, guided by our expert educators who make sure you understand every detail of application, strength, and nail health.
By the end of the course, you’ll be a qualified builder gel technician, ready to offer clients beautiful nails that last – and add a high-value service to your treatment menu.
TOP BLOGS & TUTORIALS FOR NEW NAIL TECHS
From prep to nail art, discover our most helpful blogs and tutorials to guide you every step of the way.
PERFECTING PREP
Great nails start with great prep. This guide covers the essential steps to create a clean, healthy base, helping you achieve flawless results that last.
PRESCRIPTIVE MANICURE GUIDE
In this blog, we explore how to create a prescriptive manicure service and explain which HONA products are best suited for different nail types, concerns, and goals.
A GUIDE TO NAIL FILING
The way you file your client's nails can significantly impact the overall look and health of their nails. In this guide we’ll go through the art and science of how to file nails effectively and safely.
A GUIDE TO CURING
In this guide, we'll go through some of our most-asked questions when it comes to curing our gel products, including how long you should be curing each product in your service
BUYING YOUR KIT
Every nail journey begins with the right tools. For in-person courses, your professional kit is included, so you have everything you need to start practising right away. If you train online, the same kit is available for purchase at the same discounted price, ensuring you have the professional tools you need no matter which learning option you choose.
PLEASE NOTE: HONA's gel system is for professional use only, but we do allow students enrolled in an accredited course to purchase from our website. When asked to provide your certificate, you can instead upload proof of enrolment/purchase of your course.
Below, you’ll find the key products we recommend to support you at every stage of your service.
By investing in your kit, you’re not only setting yourself up to complete your training with confidence, but also ensuring you’re ready to start working on clients straight away. With HONA, you’ll be learning and working with the same high-quality, hypoallergenic products trusted by thousands of nail professionals across the UK.
STEP ONE: PREP
- Sanitiser - To clean your area and clients' hands.
- Gloves - You should always wear gloves when working on clients.
- Cuticle Pusher - To push back the cuticle during prep.
- Cuticle Nippers - To remove non-living tissue.
- Acetone - To dehydrate the nail plate.
- Lint-Free Wipes - To dehydrate the nail plate with acetone.
- 240 Grit Nail Files - To shape the nail.
- 150 Grit Nail Files - To etch the nail plate.
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Etching Tool - You can also etch the nail plate with our etching tool.
STEP TWO: APPLICATION
Rubber Base (Base Coat): It is more flexible than our complete base and bends with the nail. HONA Rubber Base is designed to give extra strength to flaky, brittle, thin or splitting nails.
Gel Polish: Our Gel Polish System delivers long-lasting wear with rich, even coverage in every shade and is free from HEMA, HPMA, IBOA, and TPO.
TrueBond (Bonder): TrueBond can be used after your prep but before your basecoat for extra adhesion.
TrueFoundation (Builder Gel): HONA's groundbreaking hybrid that marries the strength of a rubber base with the strength of a traditional builder gel - perfect for heavier-handed clients.
TrueBuild (Builder Gel): TrueBuild is our strongest builder gel to date. Formulated for strength, structure, and performance. This traditional-style builder has zero flex and doesn’t require a base coat. Our TrueBuild formula is also available in a pot with a thinner viscosity - also known as BuilderPot.
SuperShine (Top Coat): Our classic top coat that offers crystal clear shine with long-lasting protection.
Detail Paints: Our detail paint art gels offer intensely pigmented colours with a medium viscosity perfect for intricate designs, detailed lines, and even french manicures.
We also offer TrueSculpt, our hypoallergenic hard gel available in three variations, perfect for clients who want extra strength or longer lengths. To enrol on our beginners’ hard gel course, you’ll first need a gel polish and builder gel qualification.
The same applies to our SwiftTips Course, which teaches you how to use HONA’s soft gel extension system – one of the fastest and most effective ways to add instant length to a manicure.
TrueBuild is our strongest builder gel to date. Formulated for strength, structure, and performance. This traditional-style builder has zero flex and doesn’t require a base coat.
TrueBuild is our strongest builder gel to date. Formulated for strength, structure, and performance. This traditional-style builder has zero flex and doesn’t require a base coat.
TrueBuild is our strongest builder gel to date. Formulated for strength, structure, and performance. This traditional-style builder has zero flex and doesn’t require a base coat.
TrueBuild is our strongest builder gel to date. Formulated for strength, structure, and performance. This traditional-style builder has zero flex and doesn’t require a base coat.
TrueBuild is our strongest builder gel to date. Formulated for strength, structure, and performance. This traditional-style builder has zero flex and doesn’t require a base coat.
TrueBuild is our strongest builder gel to date. Formulated for strength, structure, and performance. This traditional-style builder has zero flex and doesn’t require a base coat.
TrueBuild is our strongest builder gel to date. Formulated for strength, structure, and performance. This traditional-style builder has zero flex and doesn’t require a base coat.
STEP THREE: CURING
Curing is one of the most important steps in any gel service, ensuring your products set properly for lasting results.
The HONA lamp range features two professional-grade options: the Cube and the Aura. The Aura is available in both black and white, making it easy to match your salon aesthetic, while the Cube offers a premium, durable design in a sleek single finish. Both lamps are fully compatible with the HONA system and make an impressive, high-performance addition to any setup.
STEP FOUR: AFTERCARE
Aftercare is key to keeping nails healthy and looking their best between appointments. At HONA, we’ve created a nourishing cuticle oil formula that hydrates, strengthens, and helps protect the natural nail. Our oils are available in mini cuticle pens (ideal for retailing to clients on the go), full-sized pens, and droppers for daily use at home. As a nail tech, you can not only use them in treatments but also retail them to clients, adding an extra income stream while encouraging essential nail care.
STEP FIVE: REMOVALS
Safe and thorough removals are just as important as application when it comes to protecting the natural nail. With the right tools and technique, you can ensure a smooth process that keeps clients coming back. At HONA, we recommend having the following essentials for effective removals:
Foil wraps – to hold acetone securely in place.
Acetone – for breaking down gel products.
100/150 grit nail file – to gently break the seal of the gel.
E-file – for faster, more efficient removals (when trained).
Cuticle oil – to rehydrate and nourish after the service.
Extractor fan – to keep your workspace clean and dust-free.
BUNDLES AND KITS
STARTER KIT
What’s Inside
- 1 x Aura Lamp – Choose Black or White
- 1 x TrueBond – The ultimate adhesion layer
- 1 x TrueBuild – Our strong, sculptable builder gel
- 1 x Gel Polish Colour – Pick any shade to suit your style
- 1 x Top Coat – Your choice of finish
- 1 x Etching Tool – For thorough prep and perfect application
Why You’ll Love It
- Save 20% off our regular price – worth £250.67, now just £200 + VAT
- Includes everything you need to start using the HONA system
- All products are HEMA, HPMA, IBOA and TPO Free, vegan, and cruelty-free
ONLINE COMPLETE BEGINNERS COURSE KIT
PLEASE NOTE: Online courses and kits are sold seperately, whilst in-person courses include your choice of tier 1 or tier 2 kit.
What’s Inside
Tier 1
TrueBond – Our perfect gel system bonder.
Rubber Base - The perfect base product to create long-lasting safe manicures.
TrueBuild – Our premium builder gel is perfect for creating durable enhancements
BuilderPot - Our TrueBuild formula in a thinner viscosity in a pot rather than a bottle.
Seasonal Gel Polish – A fresh, trending shade to keep your collection up to date
SuperShine Top Coat – Delivers a long-lasting, high-gloss finishLong Liner Brush (12mm) – Ideal for intricate details and precision work
Brush – Ensures smooth, even application
Nail File x 2 (150 & 240) – Must-haves for shaping and refining your work
Buffer - An essential part of your kit!
Tier 2
Everything int Tier 1, plus:
Matte Top Coat - For a classy matte finish to your manicures.
Extra Seasonal Gel Polish – A fresh, trending shade to keep your collection up to date
Detail Paint - Black & White - Two of our bestsellers in nail art!
TrueFoundation -Our hybrid builder gel, great for heavier-handed clients.
Aura Lamp - Our sleek LED cordless lamp.
ONLINE GEL BEGINNERS COURSE KIT
PLEASE NOTE: Online courses and kits are sold seperately, whilst in-person courses include your choice of tier 1 or tier 2 kit.
What’s Inside
Tier 1
Rubber Base - The perfect base product to create long-lasting safe manicures.
Seasonal Gel Polish x 2 – A fresh, trending shade to keep your collection up to date
SuperShine Top Coat – Delivers a long-lasting, high-gloss finishLong Liner Brush (12mm) – Ideal for intricate details and precision work
Brush – Ensures smooth, even application
Nail File x 2 (150 & 240) – Must-haves for shaping and refining your work
Buffer - An essential part of your kit!
Tier 2
Everything int Tier 1, plus:
Matte Top Coat - For a classy matte finish to your manicures.
Extra 3 Seasonal Gel Polish – A fresh, trending shade to keep your collection up to date
Detail Paint - Black & White - Two of our bestsellers in nail art!.
Aura Lamp - Our sleek LED cordless lamp.
UNDERSTANDING PRESCRIPTIVE MANICURES
At HONA, we believe every client deserves a manicure that’s tailored to their nails — not a one-size-fits-all approach. That’s why we teach and promote prescriptive manicures: services that are built around the natural nail’s condition, the client’s lifestyle, and their long-term nail health. To make that possible, we’ve developed a full range of hypoallergenic (HEMA, HPMA, IBOA, & TPO FREE) gel systems, each designed for a specific purpose.
GEL POLISH
HONA gel polishes are glossy, chip-resistant and offer long-lasting wear and free from HEMA, HPMA, IBOA & TPOthe best thing is they are extremely safe to use due to the highly advanced, hypoallergenic formula.
TRUEBUILD
A traditional builder gel, with a thicker viscosity and a rigid, strong finish. TrueBuild is ideal for clients with healthy, natural nails who are looking to add extra strength, structure, or a touch of length.
BUILDERPOT
BuilderPot offers the same trusted TrueBuild formula with a slightly thinner viscosity for easier pickup and control, while delivering the same strength, flexibility, and performance you love.
TRUEFOUNDATION
A universal builder gel, combining the flexibility of a rubber base with the strength of a builder. Ideal for clients who are heavy-handed or experience issues with lifting, chipping, or poor retention.
TRUESCULPT
TrueSculpt is HONA's revolutionary hard gel formula, designed with your safety and performance in mind. Free from HEMA, HPMA, IBOA, and Di-HEMA, this hypoallergenic gel is crafted to reduce the risk of allergies while delivering unparalleled strength and adhesion.
SWIFT TIPS
SwiftTips full cover gel extensions are one of the easiest extension services you can offer in your salon. Each component of our SwiftTips system has been carefully created to provide the best in quality and performance.
DETAIL PAINTS
Our detail paint art gels offer intensely pigmented colors with a medium viscosity perfect for intricate designs, detailed lines, and even french manicures. Plus, you won't ever have to worry about a tacky finish because of the built-in topcoat!
PROFILE
HONA ProFile is our e-file system, built for precision, comfort, and confidence. This professional range includes HONA ProFile, drill bits, and must-have accessories to elevate your prep routine and deliver flawless results every time.
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RESOURCES AND SUPPORT
At HONA, we know that becoming a nail tech is about more than just learning the basics — it’s about finding the right guidance, community, and inspiration along the way. That’s why we’ve built a whole range of resources designed to help you at every stage:
BLOGS
Packed with tutorials, business tips, trend forecasts, and education pieces on all things nails. Whether you’re brushing up on prep or exploring the latest nail art, our blog is your go-to hub for reliable knowledge.
1-2-1 CALL
Get personalised guidance from Charlotte (our co-founder) or our Head of Education. These sessions give you the chance to ask questions, get advice, and feel supported in your next steps.
Our team is just a message away. Whether you’ve got a quick question or need pointing in the right direction, we’re always happy to help.
COMMUNITY
Connect with thousands of nail techs just like you. From sharing experiences to asking advice, it’s a supportive space where you can learn, grow, and maybe even meet your new nail bestie.
ALLERGY AWARENESS
Allergies occur when the body’s immune system reacts to certain substances known as allergens. These can come from food, animals, plants, or chemicals like those found in gel polishes and builder gels. When you’re starting your journey as a nail technician, it’s important to understand nail allergies and how they can impact both clients and techs. Allergic reactions in nails are usually caused by certain ingredients found in gel products. Some of the most common allergens include HEMA, HPMA and IBOA. All HONA gel products are free from these main allergens to help reduce the risk of allergic reactions.
Want to dive deeper into nail allergies and ingredients? We’ve got you covered — explore our in-depth blogs below.