Nail Art Tutorial: Inky Abstract
Inspired by an abstract image I stumbled across on Pinterest, this layered design combines soft color washes, Bleeding Ink, and unexpected tools to create a moody, inky effect with plenty of depth and dimension.
Nail Thoughts Celebration Collection: Interview with Founder Katie Masters + Swatches
Interview with Nail Thoughts founder Katie Masters on the Celebration Collection, surpassing 100 shades, packaging updates, and full swatches.
Nail Art Tutorial: Abstract Lava Lamp
While there are definitely more on-the-nose lava lamp manicures out there, I’m more of a fan of a nod-and-wink approach to inspiration. What better way to modernize the lava lamp vibe than to throw in some #aestheticgirl details and a valentine’s adjacent color palette.
Dapper French
As much as I wish I had a super quick french manicure hack, the truth is, it’s a little different for every nail shape and length. I find, for me, the best way is to sketch out the smile line, fill in and then perfect with a tapered clean up brush.
Double Moss Arte Review: Palette Ring & Primero Brush Set
I’ve been following Betina Goldstein for years now- you probably have too. She’s kind of the queen of the gorgeous DIY manicure videos along with a crazy long list of celeb clients. Long before I put down the makeup brush and picked up the nail file, I was following her on insta. She’s got an effortlessly chic aesthetic, perfect hands and her beautiful videos are absolutely swoon-worthy. She’s also as sweet as pie and gives me those classy cool vibes- like, I firmly believe she is somebody who can wear all white, eat tacos and not spill anything and I’m here for it.
Neon Matisse Nail Art Tutorial
Modern art has always had a place in my heart and, as I was growing up, the walls of my family home. While I’m not necessarily taken by everything Gen-Z is reviving (sweater vests and low rise jeans are a hard pass for me) the renaissance of respect for Henri Matisse’s cut outs is right up my artistic alley.
Dark Marble
We’re on cruise control straight into Spooky Season. If you’re looking for something Halloween-y that’s not like skulls and blood, this look is for YOU. I love the way the mica flakes pop through the jelly black, creating an oil-slick rainbow when the light hit’s it just right.
Natural Accent Gel Nail Tutorial
Do you ever have a nail art concept that you just can’t wrap your head around? Welp, that was me with chrome accents. Thankfully, when chatting with Marissa (one of the artists at Vacation Nail Collective) and she gave me the tip of a lifetime (I’ll share below). Instead of a matte top coat, you need to buff the surface of the nail. MIND BLOWN. All these months I was trying to use matte top coat to try to sequester the chrome zone and it was driving me full bonkers.
Pumpkin Spice Leopard DIY
It’s halloween time, y’all! Are you ready to make some magic with a fun spooky-color-themed leopard DIY? Sweet! Me too!
Meet Me in Tulum: NailPro Magazine Feature
When NailPro Magazine reached out to me to create looks inspired by Tulum, Mexico- my mind immediately went two places: vibrance and earthiness. If you’ve ever had the privilege to spend time in Mexico, these are two common threads seen throughout- be it in folk art, buildings, artists and just the general beauty of the culture, people and land.
Cuticle Confidential: Home Maintenance
After the third round of quarantine in California, I’ve come to the realization that we are just not talking to clients enough about cuticle care and maintenance. Here are some basic habits to get into to get the most out of your mani or if you’re not into getting your nails done, this will help your nails look nice and help prevent snags and hang nails. Let’s start with the basics.
Nuance Tortoise Shell Tutorial
In my studio, we go gaga for tortoise shell designs of all kinds. You want a punchy traditional amber tortoise? say no more. You want a blonde tortoise? I got you. The one type of tortoise that was missing from my arsenal was a melty, caramel swishy tortoise. The kind of tortoise that would adorn a vintage compact or music box.
Jelly Clouds Nail Art Tutorial
Strawberry jelly skies for days- also, I cannot help but hear “Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles on repeat in my head when I look at these beauts. Yes, we’re going to be doing a hand-painted-no-hacks-no-shortcuts ombré, but before you stress out- it’s also got GLITTER. We all know that glitter covers a multitude of sins. Now, add some fluffy marshmallow clouds and we’re in BUSINESS.
Heart On Your Sleeve, Red On Your Fingers
“Red, for valentines day, revol-uuuuu-tionary.” Listen ya’ll, we aren’t reinventing the wheel here; reds and pinks are forever favorites ANY season of the year. But today, TAH-DAY, we’re talking about my favorite hues for the month of love.
Variegated Monstera Nail Art Tutorial
If you have found yourself on Plant TikTok or Plant Instagram lately, you’ve for SURE seen these rare and coveted mutant monstera plants.So, instead of spending an inordinate amount on clippings, let’s create some nail art. Because it’s 2021, we really can have it all.
Disco Darling Nail Tutorial
I have a feeling that once the world gets right-side-up again we’re all going to be wearing ballgowns to brunch. If my ever-expanding personal collection of bejeweled turbans is any indicator, we’re due for another period of excess like the Roaring 20’s or the 80’s. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for a little bit of devil-may-care to balance out all of the doom and gloom as of late.
Mexican Tile Nail Art
Growing up in Southern California meant that i spent a lot of time in Mexico as a kid. Truly some of my best memories were browsing artisan shops with my mom or stopping at roadside eateries with my dad. To this day, nothing evokes a sense of nostalgia for me quite like that distinct smell of Mexican leather.
Sky Daisies Nail Art Tutorial
Remember in the nineties when we all wanted to look like we were in the seventies? Everything down to polyester button ups and bell bottom jeans, not to mention the ever-present sunflowers and daisies. Seriously, I had SO many shirts and skirts with daisies on them- the more retro, the better. It seems, the nineties are most certainly back, at least if you ask the local youths.
Marble Lightning Art Tutorial Featuring Essence by Luminary
Luminary is my number one desert island product in my studio. Often immitated, never duplicated. I was beyond stoked when Kelly Van Dahl, the owner and creator of Luminary, reached out to me to try the newest addition to the Colors by Van Dahl collection: a gorgeous warm dove gray called “Essence”.I’m not going tp lie it was also a bit of a Sally Field “you like me, you really like me” moment, because, well, I’m an artist and a woman and imposter syndrome is REAL. The TL;DR of the matter is, it’s nice when a brand you love, loves you back.
Prep School: Press-On Prep 101
2020 has been the year of the pivot. It’s challenged all of us in the nail industry to diversify our businesses- leading to an awesome and unexpected press-on nail boom. All of a sudden, us manicurists were left with a surplus of time we were not expecting to have and rent/mortgages that still came due on the first of the month. Necessity truly put creativity in full-force.