“It’s all about surrounding yourself with the right people.”

You can find Deborah Lippmann sitting pretty, squarely at the intersection of the nail industry and the entertainment industry. A nail tech for 25 years, Lippmann has built a clientele with plenty of star power, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Mariah Carey, Cher, Demi Moore, Kelly Ripa, and Gwyneth Paltrow. In 1999, she introduced her own line of signature polishes and treatments, in some cases partnering with celebrity clients on custom colors (like Walk Away Renee for Renee Zellweger and Sarah Smiles for Parker).

In 2004, with the release of her first album “Nightingale,” Lippmann, an accomplished jazz singer, became an entertainer in her own right. This year marks the release of her second album “Vinyl,” a compilation of cover songs from the past several decades. Vinyl also happens to be the name of Lippmann’s latest polish collection; the lacquers bear the same names as the songs on the CD.

Despite a heavy travel schedule to promote the Lippmann Collection and her work as creative director of the nail spa at Salon A•K•S in New York City, singing remains her first love — she’s been doing it since age 4. Balancing the two careers is not as difficult as it might seem, says Lippmann: “It’s all about accurate scheduling. And I have a great team behind me that fills in when I’m M.I.A. in either direction. It’s all about surrounding yourself with the right people.” Lippmann envisions a perfect future where her dual careers are combined. “I would love to sing in the towns I visit while promoting the Lippmann Collection,” she says.

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