Career Ladder: Meet nail educator Bryony Cocksedge

Having taught in salons, spas and cruise ships, as well as working backstage at London Fashion Week, the MOBOS, Brit Awards and numerous magazine photo shoots, Bryony knows more than a thing or two about nails.

Having loved all things beauty from a very young age, Bryony was destined to work in the industry and studying Beauty Therapy Science for two years during her college years cemented that. During the course, Bryony worked part time at a luxury hotel and spa where she learnt everything she could about treatments, customer care and getting certification for every possible course offered from brands such as Jessica, Bio Sculpture, ESPA and Clarins. 

Seeing her potential and natural talent, the hotel offered her a full-time role where Bryony worked herself up to a Senior Therapist in the space of two years. As Bryony's love for nail services grew, she also branched out to teach new staff manicure, pedicure and gel protocols as well as offering nail services to family and friends. It was at this point Bryony knew that she wanted to delve into the nail industry further. 

After six years at the hotel and spa, Bryony landed her first teaching job at Lena White – OPI. She completed her teacher training course and courses in all the OPI systems both in house and at salons and spas. From there, Bryony quickly worked her way up to Senior Educator & Capability Leader for the UK&I, training key accounts and ‘train the trainer' sessions as well as planning educational events. 

After five years at OPI, Bryony joined the Louella Belle family as Head of Education where she looks after all things educational as well as planning, creating, and delivering training courses and educational events across all of the brands on offer.  

Passion for nails

Prior to starting her career in beauty, Bryony didn't really know there was a world of just nails, let alone education for nails so she advises those looking to join the industry to explore what opportunities there and figure out where your passion lies. 

“I'm passionate about natural nail care, manicures and pedicures whereas some techs are more passionate about nail art or competition style nails. There are so many avenues to explore, take your time and gain as much experience as you can,” says Bryony. 

She credits the tutors from her Beauty Therapy course as inspirations to her. Their passion, knowledge and encouragement spurred Bryony on to pursue her career in nails. “I was so lucky to have the tutors I had on my Beauty Therapy course, I'll never forget on my last day, they said to me ‘you should really think about teaching, you'd be great at it' and it really stuck with me!” says Bryony.  

Best of both worlds

Combining two of her loves, teaching and working in the beauty industry Bryony enjoys working within a team that live and breathe all things beauty, and credits the Louella Belle team with having great ideas which not only benefit customers but the industry too.

What's next for Bryony? For now, she is busy creating new courses and working with the Louella Belle marketing team to bring them to life, helping grow an integral part of the business. Now that lockdown has finally lifted, she is also happily giving talks at different salons and spas, sharing her own tips and tricks with others while keeping her kit bag prepped for the numerous call ins for shoots and shows! 

To find out more about education and training with Louella Belle, visit their website at https://www.louellabelle.academy/.