NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 6 – Traditionally, performing manicures and pedicures have been a preserve for women.
However, men are now slowly getting themselves into the beauty space and one such individual is Fredrick Kantore, a nail technician who plies his trade in Nairobi’s Imenti house.
The beauty technician ventured into the women dominated beauty and cosmetics sector nine years ago never to look back.
Kantore, originally from Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills, tells us there is no other place that he’d rather be.
His journey into the industry was born several years ago in Rwanda, when he enrolled himself into a college offering the beauty courses.
Kantore says his parents’ blessings gave him morale to pursue the course.
“I just thought of pursuing this work and because my heart desires were just to give service to humanity especially on the beauty sector and I sincerely love this work and I am always satisfied and contented seeing a client coming here and next time they come back meaning they are satisfied with what I do,” he said.
He argues that African society needs to shed the notion that beauty is only a reserve for women noting that manicure and pedicure is just like any other profession.
He goes forward to say that the boychild should consider pursuing this field even as jobs in the country become scarce.
“When you start doing this work it is abit awkward because with our African perspective that this is women work and you don’t have a hardworking and determined spirit, you’ll easily get demoralized.”
Kantore emphasized that respect is key in his work by touching women hands and even lower legs need discipline as a man so to avoid annoying the clients so they can be back again.
“When a customer realizes you do not respect them especially when massaging there hands and lower legs, they will leave and never come back, and I will be the one losing it at the end,” he added.
A nail technician’s job entails providing nail care treatments to customers based on their needs and preferences.
It involves polishing fingernails and toenails, painting designs and applying gel and acrylic nails.
Kantore says his job is to help the clients achieve attractive and healthy nails.
He also offers his clients a variety of nail treatments ranging from nail extensions and nail art applications.
For one to be able to conduct a pedicure and manicure you will at the very least require nail clippers, a file, a base coat, a top coat, and some extremely springy lacquer.
Other items, like a foot bath, cuticle oil, and a foot file for eliminating calluses, will make the treatment more therapeutic.
“A manicure involves cleansing, hand massage, filing, polishing, shaping of nails, cuticle care and the application of polish. A pedicure is similar to a manicure only that it is done on the toenails,” he said.
He explains to us how he carries out his trade.
“When performing a pedicure and the manicure, I also massage and clean the lower legs, feet and hands together with fingers to relax the client and remove rough skin. I also apply nail extension. This is usually done over the whole natural nail or at the tip, depending on a client’s needs,” he says.
In a single day, Kantore can take care of six or more clients some of whom include his regular customers who make appointments over the phone.
He charges Sh500 for each manicure and pedicure per client.
He works in a rented room with other men who are also his friends. With the shared space, Kantore says they are able to comfortably raise the house rent.
Kantore says they are always looking to hire more men who have an open mind and a willingness to work with them.
Maureen Gitonga, a regular customer, says that because of the men’s strong work ethic and commitment to providing excellent customer service, she chooses to have her manicure and pedicure done at Kantore’s place.
Gitonga claims that throughout the past two years, Kantore has taken care of her, and she has always been content with the results. With the exception of Kantore’s, where, if the place was crowded, she would wait for him until he had done serving the customers.
“I was looking for a place where I would be done manicure that will last and they are firm enough so they don’t break when I do work and I was lucky to find Kantore’s place and I have liked their work, I feel satisfied,” she says.
“The customer service here is very good and it keeps me coming here, this people respect customers they know the lines they should not cross and they know what their customers need.”
Faith Njeri added that she prefers a man to do her nails because she thinks they are able to do it without jealousy, and Kantore understands her better because he is aware of her particular needs when it comes to manicure.
“Fredrick understands me, the color I like, the shape I want and his respect for women makes me comfortable coming here every day,” she says.
“However, for me when it comes to hair and nails, I prefer men because I have a mentality that they do their work perfectly and their work is exceptional more than for ladies.”
Kantore recommends the general public, particularly ladies, to make sure the atmosphere in the salon is professional and welcoming, as well as making sure the salon is hygienic
He continued by saying that in order to lower their risk of contracting an infection, they check that the manicure shop has sterilizing equipment before getting their nails done.
In particular now when there are no employment available, he advised men to not be picky about the labor that comes their way, to be open-minded, and to not worry about what other people will think of them when they undertake such jobs.
“You should be motivated by your aspirations to succeed in life and support your family, not by other people’s opinions. Let labor be work, and achieving this requires one to be committed and focused,” he says.
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