Hailing from Indianapolis, the self-proclaimed “King of Nails” Jordan Do has been a consistent nail art dazzler since he first started doing nails 12 years ago. Do will regularly send his latest collections of eye-catching works to nail publications as well as submit entries to NAILS’ cover tech contest. NAILS got a chance to talk to Do about his start and what keeps him inspired to do such daring nails. 

NAILS: How long have you been doing nails and how did you get started? 

Do: Twelve years ago. I started at 17 after taking my lady friends to my cousin’s nail salon. After seeing how acrylic was put on I thought it looked easy so I gave it a try.  NAILS: What is your favorite product to use? Do you prefer acrylics, gels, or a mixture of both? Do you use acrylic paint as well?

NAILS: What is your favorite product to use?

Do: The only thing I really use is glitter or color acrylics. And I mix all my own acrylics.  I have a few clients who will not let their acrylic paints go so I still design a little with that. I don’t use polish at all, not even a top coat (except when I have to design with acrylic paint) — most of my clients get a maximum-shine buff . 

NAILS: Where do you get the inspiration for your nails? 

Do: Most of my inspiration comes from the fact that many women love diamonds, jewelry, and anything shiny and that grabs attention. So I make my nails like that.  NAILS: What has been one of the most challenging designs to do? 

Do even does acrylic spiral nails, a difficult design that is very popular in Puerto  Rico.

Do even does acrylic spiral nails, a difficult design that is very popular in Puerto Rico.

NAILS: What has been one of the most challenging designs to do?

Do: When my client’s son passed away, I did a 30-picture collage set, with each nail having about three different pictures on it.

NAILS: Have you built up a healthy clientele for your nail art? 

Do: Right now I’d say I have a little over 100 clients I see faithfully once a month — and all of them get nail art. I offer them all a one-month warranty on the nails and if they break I fix them for free.

NAILS: Do you feel that nail art is properly taught to nail techs, and that clients have an appreciation for it? And if so, what advice would you give to other techs to help them convince clients to try out a nail art set?

Do: Nail art comes from within the nail tech, not the clients. Clients may have an idea of what they want, but as an artist you should be the one to put it together. My advice is to have a portfolio displaying your work, because nothing speaks better than pictures of your art

 

<p>One of Do’s greatest accomplishments came when he crafted a nail  enhancement for a client who had lost part of a finger as a child. Do  made a clear acrylic band and attached a glitter-decorated enhancement  so the client could slip it on for a complete look. “She was in the  mirror for 45 minutes, I kid you not,” says Do. “She told me that for 30  years she never thought she’d see it look normal. I was very happy I  could do that for her.

 

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