Talent: Unmasked

US nail pro, JESSICA MASKER, opens up about her career journey, competition success & the creative process behind this month’s Scratch cover

Jessica Masker

Jessica Masker’s persona is just as sunny as the state in which she works. The Florida native has an unwavering passion for nails: an interest that took her by surprise around five and a half years ago.

“I grew up working in agriculture and raising livestock, where long nails would get in the way of the job,” Jessica remembers. “I supplemented my work at a farmer’s market by selling hand-made hair bows, and a customer bought two for her children before inviting me to her nail salon for a complimentary pedicure. It was then that I struck up a friendship that would change the course of my life.”

Following a few years of regular nail treatments, the salon owner, Melissa Goodson, encouraged Jessica to train as a nail tech. “I have dyslexia, and the thought of going back to school to learn a new skill as an adult was overwhelming,” Jessica continues. “I dismissed the idea and instead began working as a receptionist at Melissa’s salon, Polished, in Ocala, Florida.”

Working at Polished salon.

About a month into the role, Melissa reignited the conversation about training, and said that if Jessica gained her nail licence, she would be her mentor and offer her a job as a nail tech. It was the encouragement that Jessica needed, and with additional support from her family, she achieved her licence in January 2019, at the age of 34.

Melissa Goodson & Jessica at Nail Camp East.

“Four months later, Melissa and I attended Nail Camp East in Clayton, Georgia, and it was there that I was bitten by the competition bug,” Jessica recalls. “Despite being a new nail tech, Melissa encouraged me to take part in the Camp’s competition, and I chose a category and model. I was surprised and delighted to achieve second place in the Gel Manicure category, and am so grateful that Melissa saw something in me. She has been such a supportive mentor.”

Jessica continues to work at Polished, where she offers salon nail art – particularly on short nails – alongside pedicures and L&P acrylic and gel enhancements. “I am so blessed to work with six talented and amazing nail techs,” Jessica smiles. “We all celebrate and support one another, and everyone brings a different skill to the nail table.”

Jessica & Alex Fox at Nailympia Orlando 2023..

Competition progress

Fuelled by passion and a desire to evolve her skills, Jessica entered her first international competition, Nailympia Orlando, in 2023. Competing in nine categories (four turn-in and five arena), she won an impressive eight medals, and took the title of Art Winner of Winners – division one. “To say I was overwhelmed, excited and happy is an understatement,” she reveals. “I will never forget the awards presentation, where each time I stepped onstage, Nailympia’s global director, Alex Fox, gave me a hug and my salon friends watched in support. I soaked in the joy for months!”

Competing at Nailympia Orlando 2024..

Jessica seized the opportunity to compete in her second Nailympia Orlando contest in June: this time in division three, owing to her previous success. She challenged herself by entering another nine categories, including Extreme Poster, for which she created striking and colourful nail shapes for a model bursting through a bright backdrop. It’s an image from this photo shoot that has been chosen as this month’s Scratch cover.

The photo shoot

Keen to craft a colourful, bright and crisp image that contrasted with her 2023 Nailympia Orlando Extreme Poster entry, Jessica contacted photographer, Cathy Cooper, with whom she had worked previously.

Cathy Cooper

“I love working with Jessica on nail shoots, because she gets as excited about the process as I do,” shares Cathy. “Jessica is involved in the entire production: not just creating the nails, but discussing the design of the shoot, choosing the model and even supporting direction to ensure I capture the best images possible.”

Jessica credits Cathy, who is best known for family photography, with bringing a new perspective to the shoot: stepping outside of her comfort zone to create striking nail imagery. “Whenever I suggest an idea, style or theme, Cathy understands my vision,” Jessica shares. “I also invited my client, Shannon De Jesus, to be a part of the shoot. She is a licenced cosmetologist who understood what we were trying to achieve, and was the model and hair stylist for this photographic series.

“The creative team was complete with Cira Franco-Hernandez, a make-up artist who has over 20 years’ experience and works with me at Polished. It was so much fun to collaborate with her and she captured the essence of the shoot’s concept by complementing my nail design with her make-up style.”

Model & hair stylist, Shannon De Jesus, & make-up artist, Cira Franco-Hernandez.

Thanks to the purchase of the Aleana Practice Hand, Jessica was able to create the nails in the weeks leading up to the photo shoot, then apply to the natural nails of her model on the day. “I sculpted each nail using L&P acrylic, before intricately painting them to fit the vision,” she explains. “I love creating extreme nails as there are no boundaries when it comes to shape and style.”

Jessica & Hazel Dixon at Nailympia Orlando 2024.

Jessica had taken a six-hour Zoom class with multi award-winning UK nail stylist & competition mentor, Hazel Dixon, prior to creating the nails. “Hazel was so patient, kind and knowledgeable,” she shares. “She showed me how to create a competition stiletto nail, and then use it as a base for entries into the Extreme Poster and To Stiletto & Beyond categories. Her guidance meant I significantly improved my Stiletto Nails competition scores from Nailympia Orlando 2023, and I was delighted to show Hazel my nails in person at Nailympia Orlando 2024.”

On the day of the Extreme Poster photo shoot, the team arrived at Polished at 12pm, and Cira and Shannon got to work on the hair and make-up looks. They then drove to Cathy’s studio, where she had the idea of ripping the paper of the backdrop they had chosen. “This simple action brought the bold concept to life,” Jessica continues. “In just over an hour, we had created images that are bright, striking and full of excitement. My eyes dart from the nails to the model, make-up and overall finish – and I am so proud of the final looks.

“I love my job at Polished and that I can embrace opportunities in the nail industry with the support of the team and fellow creatives. I didn’t know what I was capable of until I tried, and am excited to see where my nail journey will take me!”