Holly Schippers has been doing NAILS since 1999. And since she can remember, it’s always been her dream to do a cover for NAILS. “It was the first ‘crazy’ goal I set for myself in school,” says the Bussey, Iowa-based tech. “At the time I thought it would never be a reality, but it was worth working toward anyway.”

It all started when Schippers (also known as the FingerNailFixer) wrote to NAILS publisher Cyndy Drummey back in 2000 inviting her to come in for a pedicure. “I saw that Cyndy was going to be in Iowa for a show and I sent her an e-mail that I was a new nail professional and I was a huge fan of the magazine. I nearly fainted when she not only wrote me back but also accepted my offer for a service.”

Holly “FingerNailFixer” Schippers whipped up a quick nail art video inspired by “The Hunger Games” between shots. Watch it at  www.nailsmag.com/hungergamesvideo.

 Holly “FingerNailFixer” Schippers whipped up a quick nail art video inspired by “The Hunger Games” between shots. Watch it at www.nailsmag.com/hungergamesvideo.

The rest, as they say, is history. Schippers began working as an educator for CND in 2004 and has been a frequent contributor to NAILS over the years. In 2011, NAILS launched the FingerNailFixer blog where she posts technical advice, videos, and offers nail techs a place to share and get inspired. “My beginning in the industry was a constant struggle and my dream is for others not to make my mistakes or to go without information that could make their careers easier,” she says.

Schippers, here with NAILS editor Hannah Lee, says of the magazine, “NAILS felt like an old friend from the first time I read it. And to be a small part of the family now is a dream come true.”

 Schippers, here with NAILS editor Hannah Lee, says of the magazine, “NAILS felt like an old friend from the first time I read it. And to be a small part of the family now is a dream come true.”

“Now my original dream has come true,” says Schippers. “It has definitely been an amazing experience that I will always cherish! And what I want everyone to know is if I can do it, so can you. Set goals for yourself that seem a little crazy and put your heart into working toward them. You never know what direction hard work will take you.”

Here's how you can do these nails:

1.    Prepare nails with cuticle work, shaping, and ScrubFresh.
2.    Apply a thin layer of base coat to all 10 nails.


3.    Apply a thin layer of CND Brilliant White to all 10 nails. Tip: Using white under the other colors will help them pop a little brighter.


4.    Using a small art or detailing brush, polish varying sizes of a diagonal slice on all 10 nails. Use alternating colors from top to bottom as you go across the hand. (Schippers used CND Smoochie as her first color.)


5.    Using a small art or detailing brush, polish the remaining portion of the nails with your second color. (Schippers used CND Green Scene as her second color.)


6.    Allow to dry for a few minutes, then fill in any color that has white showing through.


7.    Allow to dry for a few minutes, then apply top coat. Tip: Apply top coat quickly or it will smear the colors together.

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