At the beginning in 2002, it was just a joke…

I was looking for nail courses for my mother-in-law. When I found a school I liked, they thought I wanted to be a student. They told me that male technicians are few and far between in this industry.

The next week, I was suddenly in a class with twenty women, learning about anatomy, manicures, pedicures, chiropody, and all sorts of nail extensions. I found all of it interesting, but my favourite part was the finishing touch: painting and decorating nails.

I had always wanted to be an artist, to show my creativity, and to do paintings on a surface the size of a nail is very challenging. I love to play with the colours, because there are plenty of different ways to mix and combine various techniques for the best results. I specialise in nail art, creating permanent designs, 3D, encapsulation, and free-hand painting.

My mother-in-law never started the course, but she was my model on my final practical exam.

Of all the wonderful techniques I have learned in the nail profession, my favourite is the powder and liquid system. This is where I feel I’m creating something completely original, because everything is up to me. I have to mix the right amount of materials in the correct way and shape the nails while the acrylic is setting. I have to focus on a lot of things at the same time to do a perfect job. Patience, concentration, and endless creativity are required, which are all things I’m good at.

I have been doing nails for six years. From the time I first started studying, I have been making an effort to constantly update my skills and learn new techniques, both through study and through participating in nail competitions. I have tried and worked with many products, so I have had the chance to compare different brands. I believe that if you want to be a professional, you have to use professional tools and products and constantly update your skills.

In 2007, I decided to enhance my qualifications even further by becoming an instructor, so I sat and passed the instructor exams at the Kinetics Nail Academy. Now I also teach classes on every kind of nail technique in a salon environment in Brighton, a job I especially enjoy. I like passing on my own experience, and I love how teaching reinforces and improves my own skills as well as those of my talented students!

back