2 mins
BEHIND THE GRAM
Get to know social media nail stars as they offer an insight into their lives & share content creation tips
Aimee White – Stourbridge, West Midlands
@spellboundxnails 86.6K followers
My nail journey
I qualified just before the first lockdown and worked on a self-employed basis in a salon, alongside a job in the retail sector. I’ve always enjoyed arts and crafts, but became interested in creative nail art when I was furloughed. I spent each day practicing nail techniques and character painting.
I now work from a home studio, which features my favourite art, horror movie posters, ghost ornaments and crystals. It has a relaxed vibe, and I tend to play The Real Housewives or true crime programmes on the TV during appointments. My press-on business took off when I began posting character art regularly on social media. I received a number of requests to purchase the designs, and set up an Etsy store. The first batch of press-on nails sold out within hours, so I went on to create one-of-a-kind styles.
What makes me happy
I enjoy spending time with my boyfriend, our cat, my family and friends. I go for long walks and enjoy seeing my favourite bands in concert. I’d love to create nail looks for the band members!
3 WORDS TO DESCRIBE MYSELF:
Introverted, weird and hilarious.
A day in my life
I make a cup of tea each morning, before welcoming three or four clients into my studio, depending on the complexity of their nail art requests. When I finish work, I go for a walk or to the gym, and watch TV with my partner.
Signature style
I prefer to create designs with spooky, horror or emo vibes. My favourite style to wear is coloured French tips with nail art in the style of tattoos.
Video advice
Use good lighting, keep the background minimal and film short clips. Long clips can be challenging to edit and may lose the focus of the audience.
Social media tips
1. Be yourself. Don’t be scared to produce content that is different to that of others. Create work that you love.
2. Post consistently (whatever that means for you). Take breaks if you’re feeling burnt out or uninspired.
3. Ensure lighting is good. I use a white Daylight Company lamp or make the most of natural light.
My influences
I seek inspiration from other artists, and could scroll on Pinterest for hours to find nail ideas!
Career highlight
My biggest career achievement to date was when Devin Strebler of NAILZ BY DEV asked me to be a brand ambassador, as I’ve always admired her work.