TECH TALK
BEHIND THE GRAM
Get to know social media nail stars as they offer an insight into their lives & share content creation tips
Claudia Brooks – Oklahoma City, USA
@nail.brat
60.3K followers
My nail journey
I’ve loved nail art since childhood. I was encouraged by my grandparents to further my artistry from a young age, and they’re a reason behind my success today. I work in a private studio in North Oklahoma City, where I try to create an uplifting and enjoyable experience through maximalist décor and colour choices.
A day in my life
I start a typical day by eating breakfast and watching Bob’s Burgers, before heading to work. I chat with clients, and we watch movies or listen to podcasts during appointments. I go home to my pet cats, clean, make dinner and head to the gym. The day ends with me watching 90 Day Fiancé.
What makes me happy
I like relaxing and clearing my mind, and try to separate my work and personal lives so that I can enjoy and be present in both. I love craft activities and creating cute things that you can’t find in shops.
Career highlights
One of my greatest achievements is working for myself. It’s not always easy, but it’s a dream come true! Another highlight is being able to put my art out into the world. It brings me so much joy and I’m honoured that people like what I create.
My inspirations
My biggest inspiration is colour. As long as my nail looks are colourful, I’m happy to create a variety of styles. I enjoy experimenting with new trends and 3D designs and gravitate towards dopamine décor and dressing, so I like my nail creations to match.
3 WORDS TO DESCRIBE MYSELF Artistic, maximalist and colourful.
NAIL ART ADVICE
High-quality brushes and nail colours are crucial. A clean, crisp brush supports detailed artistic creations, and highly pigmented colours make painting a breeze.
I’m happiest when painting detailed nail art or anything Sanrio-themed (the Japanese company behind kawaii characters like Hello Kitty).
Social media tips
A few years ago, I began sharing my work in relevant Facebook groups, which led to an increase in followers.
My top tips are:
1. Share the nail designs you love most, as they will attract people who align with your art style.
2. Post as often as you can, but don’t be disheartened if that means just posting a few times per week.
3. Most importantly, give yourself plenty of grace. There are always new trends emerging and the algorithm is constantly changing, so it can be hard to keep up. All you can do is try your best!