Love & Sparkles with Katy P nail artist

The World’s Star Nail Artist 2023 shares tips, techniques & insights into her soaring career

”Any nail techs that need support with nail artistry or simply want to improve their skills should enrol. The designs are contemporary, versatile and achievable.”

A closer look at my nail art workshops

Samantha Birtchell

Instagram: @sunray_nails_by_sam

T his month, I’m so excited to share an interview with Samantha Birtchell, owner of home salon, Sunray Nails, in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. She has been a nail technician for 18 months and adores making her clients’ nails sparkle in between looking after her two children and mini dachshund, Fudge. Samantha loves creating nail art and enrols on as many workshops as she can to improve her skills, and has taken part in all of the workshops I offer.

What sparked your interest in a career as a nail technician and how did you embark on this creative path?

During lockdown, I purchased a kit to maintain my nails. When lockdown lifted, a friend suggested that I should seek out a course so that I could do nails professionally. I got in touch with Future in Beauty, a company that offers a complete nail technician course close to where I live, and started my journey. It was one of the best decisions I have made.

Do you have a particular style or design that you enjoy creating for clients?

I love crafting designs with string gel as although it can be a little messy, it creates unique patterns and offers great results.

How do you wear your nails?

I gravitate towards bright colours but can never pick just one to wear. I often create ‘Skittles nails’, which involve wearing a different colour on each nail, using my favourite gel polish collection from Magpie Beauty: American Summer.

What are your top three essential nail products?

Magpie Beauty’s Prep & Dehydrate Fluid is essential before my gel services, and I also enjoy using the brand’s Give Me Strength builder gel, which adds a layer of strength and can be used to encapsulate glitter and art. Finally, the Precision Art Brush from HD Pro Nails is my go-to for various techniques and art needs.

You have taken part in all of my workshops. Why did you choose them?

I have followed you on social media for a long time and admire your incredible work. All the workshop designs have been lovely, and each one is reasonably priced. As they are filmed in real time, I can follow along without having to pause at each step. I love the continued support after the workshops and that you offer lifetime access, as other courses I’ve completed have only been available for a month, so I can’t revisit them and refresh my knowledge at a later date.

What makes you choose online learning over in-person training?

I find that for some areas of nails, in-person education is a must, such as E-file training. However, I prefer to learn art techniques online. I have hearing loss and although I wear a hearing aid, it’s difficult to hear people speaking. It is often more challenging in large rooms with several people and lots of noises. With online courses, I only have one person to focus on, so find it easier to hear and follow the instructions clearly. Online courses also mean that I can fit workshops in between clients and my family life, without having to travel or take time off work.

What skills or techniques have you learned during my workshops that you find particularly valuable?

I have learned so much, and can finally create ombré styles confidently using gels, which are really popular with clients. I used to shy away from chrome, but now understand different ways to use it and how to make it last. The glitter workshop was valuable as I used to struggle with how best to apply different types of glitter, especially chunky glitter, but you showed different methods to apply each one. I now feel so confident in offering glitter, that all my clients choose it.

What has been your favourite nail art workshop?

Although I’ve loved all of them, the ombré workshop has been my favourite. Ombré nails are stunning, and the colours can be changed to suit any season.

How have my workshops levelled up your nail game, and why should fellow nail artists check them out?

The workshops have given me the confidence I need to create a variety of designs. I no longer panic when clients request nail art! Any nail techs that need support with nail artistry or simply want to improve their skills should enrol. The designs are contemporary, versatile and achievable.

What is your career highlight?

Seeing my clients happy and admiring the nails that I have created for them, is a daily highlight.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a nail tech just starting out?

Get your prices right straight away; charge as you should. Doing nail art designs, French and glitter requires additional time and product, so charge for it.

How do you envision your future as a nail technician?

I would like to learn acrygel application and improve my shaping skills. I’d love to enter a competition in the future, too.

www.katypnailartist.com

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Instagram: @katyp_nailartist

THE WORKSHOPS

Here’s an insight into the pre-recorded workshops I offer via www.katypnailartist.com...

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The benefits:

• Lifetime access.

• Learn in your own time, at your chosen pace.

• Work along with me in real time.

• Grow your skills.

• Feel more confident with clients.

• Continued support.

• Receive a certificate of completion.

Gel Ombre Design Workshop

Lights, camera, ombré action!

There are seven designs included in this workshop to help you to create envy-inducing gradients. All ombré designs use gel colour: there are no pigments! Once you have mastered the techniques, you can adapt the designs to any season by changing the colours. The workshop covers:

• Horizontal ombré.

• Vertical ombré.

• Ombré French with gel polish.

• Diagonal ombré.

• Glitter ombré.

• Small sectioned ombré. You will learn how to hand-paint, mix glitter pastes, isolate chrome and more, in order to enhance your seamless ombré creations.

Chrome Animal Print

Get ready to unleash your wild side!

Master the art of animal print and take your chrome work to the next level. This workshop is packed with different techniques, including hand-painting skills and how to apply different products.

In this pre-recorded workshop, you will learn how to hand-paint the following designs:

• Snake print.

• Tiger print.

• Leopard print.

• Giraffe print.

• Tortoise shell.

You will also gain salon-friendly tips along the way and learn these techniques:

• Isolating chrome.

• Reverse chrome method.

• Full chrome application.

• Triple chrome ombré.

• Layering chrome.

• Creating a chrome cuff.

Glitter Masterclass

This class explores various glitter types and how to master the art of applying each one. Work along with me as we delve into the following product applications:

• Glitter gel polish.

• Glitter flakes.

• Glitter dust.

• Light reflective glitter.

• Holographic glitter.

• Metallic glitter.

• Chunky glitter.

• Glitter shapes.

Acquire some salon-friendly tips, too, and learn the following techniques:

• Full glitter application.

• Sparse glitter application.

• Glitter fade.

• Glitter ombré.

• Dabbing glitter.

• Burnishing glitter.

• Sugaring glitter.

• Sprinkling glitter.

• How to mix a glitter paste.

• How to encapsulate different glitter types.

• How to apply a matte top coat.

” 1-2-1 Masterclasses

Dive into my online, personalised 1-2-1 masterclasses and transform your nail dreams into reality! Whether you’re a newbie to the nail art scene or a seasoned pro, these masterclasses are designed to take your skills to the next level and beyond. Let’s create some nail art magic together!

What’s waiting for you:

• One-on-one personalisation.

• Step-by-step guidance.

• Exclusive tips and tricks.

• Limited places.

• Continued support.

In these sessions, we dive deep into your nail art desires, crafting each class around your unique wants and needs. Here’s just a glimpse of what can be covered:

• Seasonal designs.

• Full-on tip application.

• Acrygel.

• Perfect polish application.

• Designs of your choice.

• Line work.

• Chrome.

• Floral designs.

• Character nails.

• Art techniques.

• Ombré effects.

• Pigments.

• Extreme shapes.

• Mixed media.

• Competition pieces.