BEHIND THE GRAM

Get to know social media nail stars as they offer an insight into their lives & share content creation tips

My nail journey

It started with a friend inviting me to receive a nail treatment with her at a salon. I felt frustrated that the staff didn’t seem to care about improving the appearance of my nails, and I thought that I could do a better job myself. It turned out that I have an eye for shaping. My husband works in the military, so moving every year or two made training more complicated, but I spent a lot of time practicing and educating myself on safe practices.

I had originally planned to work from home, but when a salon owner asked if I would be interested in renting a space in Boise, I accepted. It is a bright, spacious environment, in which I plan to stay until the military moves us.

A day in my life

This starts at 6:30am, as my daughters take a hour and a half to get ready. In contrast, I only need five minutes! Once I’m appropriately caffeinated and my kids go to school, I head to the salon. As a perfectionist, I like to book in two clients per day. After appointments, I eat dinner then sleep.

I’ve been obsessed with the cat eye effect for a long time, so it’s great to see product advancements.

My inspirations

Some days my mind overflows with ideas, but on days when I struggle with creativity, I check out the work of my favourite nail artists.

I love creating jewellery-inspired chrome looks.

NAIL ART ADVICE

• Never stop seeking to better your skills.

• Invest in high-quality tools and products. My go-tos are Brillbird’s art brushes and Designer Gels.

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help from those you admire.

• Take risks and try new things. If clients aren’t willing to let you experiment, practice on yourself or tips.

Your skills will develop if you put in the work.

Social media tips

My work started becoming popular on social media about a year and a half ago. I love seeing how my creations connect and inspire others.

My top tips are:

1. Show up. If you’re not posting or engaging with others, people will forget about you.

2. Post what YOU love. I adore before and after comparisons, so share those regularly. If you try too hard to be what others want you to be, you’ll burn out.

3. Find your niche. There’s a niche out there for everyone, so discover yours!

Career highlight

My greatest achievement is rebuilding my client list after moving location every year or two due to my husband’s job. It makes me proud to be able to attract new clients.

What makes me happy

My people make me happy. My husband is my favourite person, and I love reading, good food, playing tennis and spending time with my daughters.