Q&A With Hannah Pearlman of The Dalai Lama’s Nails

For many, nails are in fact a form of meditation. The deep connection blogger Hannah Pearlman has for her art nurtures not only her soul, but those of her readers as well. This blogger of three years is now attending nail school in Denver where she shares her experiences and creations via her website, The Dalai Lama’s Nails. We talked to Pearlman about reaching nail art nirvana.

Why did you start blogging?
About three years ago, I saw a YouTube video on water marbling. I watched that video 10 times in a row, and then dashed out to buy the supplies I needed. It took over four hours, and I made a ridiculous mess, but I loved the result. That video started an obsession with nail polish and nail art. I was hooked, and tried more diverse techniques and styles. Most people wanted to know if I used stickers, and after a while it made sense to explain my processes.

What do you love about nails?
I love the idea of wearable and temporary art. Nail art requires such attention to detail, and it’s an amazing expression of design, color, artistry, and skill, and it’s all temporary. I sometimes spend hours working on a nail look, and the polish either chips off or I remove it with a swipe of acetone. For me, nail art is an outlet of creative expression that constantly evolves.

Why the decision to get licensed?
I recently moved from Boston to Denver, and found myself with the opportunity to take some time to consider my next career move. I began spending more and more time designing nail art, blogging, and creating a presence on social media. I also thought a lot about how nails make me feel — beautiful, feminine, put together, confident, and unique. Each night my husband would come home from his new job (he’s a game designer) with a smile on his face and say, “That was so fun! I can’t believe I get to go back tomorrow!” This helped me see that it’s possible to have a job that’s both fulfilling and fun. I quickly realized that my next career move was staring me in the face, and would allow me to combine my passions. I fell in love with the idea of using nail art to help other people feel the way I do when I have art at my fingertips. As I was working on some business plans (to be announced!), it became clear that I would need to become a licensed nail technician in order to proceed. I found the Academy of Cosmetology Arts in Denver and haven’t looked back.