Train with Sarah in Brighton.
A day (or two) at SLX Studio, working one-to-one with Sarah at the desk. Learn hands on, in-person with direct feedback from Sarah. A premium personalised experience, provided with a full starter kit filled with Sarah's favourite products.
Course options
Builder Gel & Gel Polish
A focused, in-person session at SLX Studio in Brighton. 7 hour day, learning and perfecting your technique in Builder Gel & Gel Polish.
Acrylic
A focused, in-person session at SLX Studio in Brighton. Two 7 hour days, learning and perfecting your technique in Acrylic.
Fast Track: Builder Gel, Gel Polish & Acrylic
Our two (8 hour) day intensive course, allowing you to learn all the essential skills and techniques you need to confidently start your nail journey.
What each course covers
The Builder Gel curriculum
Foundation preparation
- Nail preparation for builder gel and gel polish
- Cuticle care and non-living tissue removal
- Shaping and filing
- Shine removal and surface preparation
- Setting up your workstation
Gel polish foundation
- Base coat, colour, and top coat application
- Curing under UV or LED light
- Gel polish removal
- Working with gel polish as a standalone service or as a layer beneath builder gel
Builder gel foundation
- Builder gel application: slip layer, apex construction, curing
- Refining builder gel
- Creating French tips on builder gel
Maintenance and extended techniques
- Builder gel infills
- Builder gel removal
- Tip application and shaping
- The seven core nail shapes
Hygiene & safety
- Sanitising your tools
- Salon hygiene protocols
- Ventilation and safe workspace
- Contra-indications and contra-actions
Practical assessment and certification
- Complete a practical assessment to be reviewed by Sarah.
- ABT-accredited certificate issued on completion
The Acrylic curriculum
Foundation preparation
Nail preparation, cuticle care, shaping and safe workspace setup.
- Nail preparation for acrylic
- Cuticle care and non-living tissue removal
- Shaping and filing
- Shine removal and surface preparation
- Setting up your workstation
Tip application and shaping
Sizing, fitting, blending and shaping tips before acrylic application.
- Selecting the right tip size
- Fitting the tip to the natural nail
- Applying the glue and positioning
- Trimming and blending the tip
- The seven core nail shapes
Acrylic application
E-file work, bead control, apex construction and working nail to nail.
- E-file technique: bits, speed control, directional rotation, avoiding heat
- Dappen dish setup, brush prep, bead consistency (swipes to seconds)
- Bead placement and building acrylic structure
- Apex construction over the stress area
- Working nail to nail
Finishing and maintenance
Refining, French tips, top coat, infills and safe removal.
- Refining and finishing the nails
- Creating French tips on acrylic
- Buffing and top coat application
- Acrylic infills
- Acrylic removal
Hygiene & safety
Sanitisation, salon protocols, ventilation and contra-actions.
- Sanitising your tools
- Salon hygiene protocols
- Ventilation and safe workspace
- Contra-indications and contra-actions
Practical assessment and certification
- Complete a practical assessment to be reviewed by Sarah.
- ABT-accredited certificate issued on completion
The extras
Course training manual
Sarah's complete written reference to accompany the course. Covers all theory, technique, chemistry and safety.
Full starter kit
Containing the exact products Sarah uses in the SLX Studio.
SLX Collective community
3-month free trial. Direct dialogue with Sarah and a community of nail technicians building their craft. Speak to Sarah on the day for access.
ABT-accredited certificate
Issued on completion. Recognised by insurers for professional nail work.
Personal review from Sarah
Sarah reviews your practical work personally before certifying you.
Nail art bonus techniques
Bonus lessons covering chrome, french tips & 3D flowers.
The business alongside the craft
Every SLX course teaches the technique alongside the business of turning it into a career. Because knowing how to do the work is only half the picture.
- Client care and the professional standards that build repeat bookings
- Aftercare protocols that protect your work and demonstrate your expertise
- Infill and removal maintenance that keeps clients returning every 2-3 weeks
- Setting up as a nail technician: legal, insurance, tools
- Social media fundamentals: showing up in a way that attracts the right clients
- Pricing your work with confidence
Feedback from some of Sarah's students.
“The course was such a nice, fun and relaxed experience. Sarah was a great teacher with a lot of knowledge and support.”
“Sarah is honestly the best teacher a girl can ask for !! So happy I took the course and I already know it's the best investment I've made on myself!! Thank you so much again, I really enjoyed it!!”
“The last two days have been amazing. Sarah was such a patient and attentive teacher. I now feel so confident and can't wait to start the rest of the journey.”
“This course has helped me so much. I am so glad i booked the course with you! I feel so much more confident and I cant wait to start doing this full time.”
Your questions answered
Do I need a nail qualification before I book?+
No, these courses are designed for any unqualified or qualified person looking to get into the industry. Whether you have no qualifications or just one of the two these courses are for you. At the end of each course you will have an accredited certificate of completion to allow you to apply for insurance.
What's included in the course fee?+
All products, tools and practice materials are provided on the day, plus a detailed course manual and a certificate of completion. You just need to bring a notepad, your phone for photos and a willingness to learn.
How many students are in each class?+
Classes are typically 1-2-1, but some days you may be in a group of 2+. You can also complete the course with a friend at the same time.
Do I need to bring my own products?+
No, the studio is stocked with everything you need to complete the course. You will also leave with your own starter kit.
Is there support after the course?+
Absolutely. You're welcome to reach out on Instagram or WhatsApp to ask any questions. Course clients also get a free 90-day trial to our community SLX Collective - ask Sarah for access to this on the day. You may later decide to undergo our mentorship program. If this is something you might be interested in, check out the Mentorship page of this site.
Train with
Sarah in
Brighton.
Hands-on training in the SLX Studio, set up for small-group learning and one-to-one feedback.
Studio location
Brighton, UK
Sarah, founder of SLX.
Sarah built SLX from her bedroom before moving to her Brighton studio, teaching herself the craft alongside a business management degree. That combination shows up in everything she teaches: the technique matters, but so does the business you build around it.
She teaches nail artistry as a craft with a career attached to it. Her in-person days are built around real client-level feedback, small groups, and the kind of corrections that move your technique forward in hours rather than months.