About Zoya Mac

Zoya is a nail content creator based in West Sussex. After spending over eight years as a nail artist, she transitioned into roles in social media management and content creation for nail brands. Zoya is passionate about creating captivating and engaging product and tutorial videos. She helps industry brands to showcase their products in clear, authentic ways and teaches other nail artists how to confidently record their own videos.

@zoya_mac

The Social Scene

“Why does the light flicker in my videos?”

Most of the time, flickering happens when you film under ceiling spotlights. Most salon lights are dimmable LEDs. They look fine to your eyes, but your phone camera picks up tiny electrical fluctuations, especially in the UK where mains electricity runs at 50Hz.

Your camera, recording at 30fps or 60fps (frames per second), can clash with that frequency. That’s when the flicker appears. Your eyes adjust automatically, but your lens doesn’t.

My simple fix? Turn off the overhead spotlights when filming and use one or two desk lamps instead. I recommend a non-dimmable daylight bulb with a colour temperature of 6,500K, power of 100W (usually 13W or 13.5W LED) and brightness of roughly 1,500 lumens. This combination offers clean, crisp colour and dramatically reduces flicker. I use lighting brand, Lepro UK.

If flickering persists, try lowering your phone camera’s frame rate to 24fps. This can help reduce the effect without affecting resolution. The motion will feel slightly softer, which works well for steady nail close-ups, though it’s less ideal if you’re filming fast hand movements.

“What settings should I film and upload in?”

I often film in 4K at 60fps, but I don’t upload that way. These settings give me flexibility, allowing for detailed close-ups, smoother motion and room to crop slightly without losing quality. Think of it as filming in ‘master quality’.

But here’s the important part: most platforms, including Instagram, display videos/Reels in 1080p (Full HD). If you upload a 4K file, the platform compresses it, and heavy compression can sometimes soften your video or make it look slightly blurry.

So, after editing – whether in CapCut, Edits, InShot or similar, I export videos to my camera roll in 1080p at 30fps. This plays smoothly across devices, uploads faster and reduces the chance of Instagram over-compressing the content. It’s the sweet spot between quality and reliability.

Uploading 4K 60fps won’t harm your account, but it doesn’t give you a visible advantage either, as most platforms scale it down.

You don’t need to film everything in 4K

4K files are large. They use a lot of storage and can slow your phone down. If you are constantly plagued with the ‘storage almost full’ pop-up, filming and editing can become stressful.

I mainly use 4K for product content, slow motion videos and detailed brand work. Everyday salon content doesn’t always need that level of detail. 1080p at 30fps is sufficient, especially if you’re filming:

• Behind-the-scenes client work.

• Quick salon vlogs.

• Clips of you talking to camera.

• Simple before and after videos.

For everyday client content, 1080p is practical, efficient and perfectly suited to how social media displays your work. Good content isn’t about always selecting the biggest setting; it’s about choosing the right one for the job.

Until next time, keep creating – and remember to wipe your camera lens!

#NOWTRENDING

WHAT’S HOT

Reusing your content Over the past year, head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, has assured users that content is ranked based on engagement, not newness. If you repost your own work, you won’t be penalised for sharing it again.

If the last time you posted a piece of content was 60–90 days ago, it is likely that:

• You’ve gained new followers since then.

• Your existing followers don’t remember the post.

• The algorithm simply didn’t push it widely the first time.

None of this means the content is bad; it just means that timing wasn’t on your side. If an image or video is still relevant – and you’re proud of it, refresh the caption, tweak the hook or change the cover image and repurpose it.

Here’s why this is beneficial for you as a nail professional:

1. It reduces pressure. You don’t need to constantly create something new to stay visible.

2. It increases return on effort. If you spent an hour filming and editing, why only let it work for you once?

3. It gives you breathing space. Reposting strategically allows you to rest, plan better content and focus on clients without going silent online.

WHAT’S NOT

Undisclosed AI nail content AI is everywhere right now, and to be honest, I’m still learning about it. There are parts of it that are genuinely clever and useful, however what doesn’t sit right with me is when AI-generated nail images or product visuals are shared without any mention that they’re created using AI.

Instagram has a ‘Made with AI’ label which encourages creators and brands to disclose when content is AI-generated, especially when it looks realistic. In our industry, where colour accuracy, finish and detail really matter, transparency is important.

I understand that brands may use AI to save time and money. However, when a generated image is passed off as a real hand, product or nail finish without any disclosure, it can feel misleading.

AI can absolutely be part of the creative process, but I also believe that if content is AI-generated, this should be clearly stated. A note in the caption is enough.

Behind-the-scenes

It has been a fun yet busy time behind the camera recently, with a spring/summer feel. I’ve been filming some beautiful new collections featuring fresh, delicate shades. I’ve produced content with cat eye gels that showcase subtle rainbow shifts, creating soft holographic sparkle that catches the light beautifully.

Brands are also leaning towards pearlescent finishes and lighter spring tones, which is refreshing after darker winter palettes. I can’t wait until the collections I’ve been capturing are officially released, so I can show you properly.

Alongside filming, I’ve been investing in my skills. I’m currently enrolled in a Photoshop course to try to properly understand the software, rather than just ‘get by’. I’ve also been exploring new editing tools and learning more about AI – not to replace creativity, but to understand how it can support behind-the-scenes processes.

Working as a content creator means things move quickly, as new trends, tools and ways of capturing attention are continually emerging. It’s a constant learning curve, but that’s what I love. It keeps my brain switched on and reminds me that there’s always something new to try.

Creator spotlight

I want to highlight the amazing Aleksandra, a home-based nail technician from Dover who has naturally grown into content creation alongside her client work.

Aleksandra first stepped into the content world as a brand ambassador for Magnetic Nail Design, sharing product photos and launch posts. What started as simple product images soon became a personal passion, and she refined her lighting, improved her filming and developed a unique editing style.

Inspired by beautiful nail Reels on Instagram, Aleksandra began pushing herself creatively. Having studied photography in college, content creation felt like a natural extension of her creative side – and over time, it’s become the part of her role where she feels most inspired and true to herself.

I love seeing nail techs lean into that creative spark, and Aleksandra’s work is a great example of how client work and content can grow together beautifully. Check out Aleksandra’s Instagram account: @alex.makes.reels