Nails
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Behind the Scenes: Working with a Pro

While this was Los Angeles–based nail tech Beth Fricke’s first shoot for NAILS Magazine, her resume boasts cover shoots for Elle, Glamour, and Redbook, to name a few. 

by Staff
March 2, 2007
2 min to read


While this was Los Angeles–based nail tech Beth Fricke’s first shoot for NAILS Magazine, her resume boasts cover shoots for Elle, Glamour, and Redbook, to name a few. She’s worked on everyone from the likes of Angelina Jolie and Scarlett Johansson to Lindsay Lohan and Katie Holmes. So we knew she has the chops to hand this month’s polish preview and cover shoot.

While Beth has had her license for 18 years, she hasn’t been doing nails the entire time. After several years working in full service salons, she took some time off to attend college and study abroad. After college she spent five years working music video and commercial production before settling in to a job at the popular Burke Williams Spa. But that didn’t hold her interest for long. After three years, she decided it was time for a change.

Ad Loading...

“I have spent my time in salons, on my own, and most recently in spas,” says Beth. “If I was going to continue with this kind of work, I wanted to do the upper echelon of nails, which seem to be booked mostly through an agency.” So about two years ago she joined Artists By Timothy Priano in the agency’s Los Angeles division and now works almost primarily as a set manicurist. She enjoys the production work of being creative and hands-on. Beth notes that working on location is an experience most don’t get to see and it’s one of the things that make her job so fun (not so fun, a shoot in the desert she once did in 105° heat).

Advice for fellow nail techs who are considering agency work: “This is seemingly glamorous, but like anything, you have to start at the bottom and work your way up, sometimes this means you have to work for free. It’s about knowing what you are doing under pressure and while being watched, and bringing the dog and pony show. You never know what they are going to ask for. You have to be punctual, perky, confident, and accommodating. And above all else, have some on-set experience!”

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Business

A row of styling stations at JBW Jeffrey Ching Salon
Business|Articles|Mar 3, 2026

Precision, Passion, and the Business of Beauty

When Bowie Lau and Jeffrey Ching opened JBW Jeffrey Ching Salon in 2011, they weren’t just launching another luxury hair destination—they were building a business rooted in passion, artistry, and thoughtful growth.

Sponsored by Amex

Ad Loading...
Business|Articles|Nov 27, 2024

Prepare for Small Business Saturday® with American Express

The busy holiday season is here, and with it comes jam-packed days, last-minute client requests and booming retail sales. For many salon owners, the highlight of the season is Small Business Saturday® (SBS). This year on Saturday, November 30, consumers can take their shopping into the small businesses in their communities.

Sponsored by Amex

Ad Loading...
Business|Articles|Oct 22, 2024

Success at the Top: Thriving on Madison Ave.

Salon owner Nuri Yurt had a dream of owning a salon on New York City’s Madison Avenue. "Through perseverance, hard work and stellar customer service, he and partner John Kaygisiz founded Toka Salon in 2007.

Sponsored by Amex

Business|Articles|Sep 6, 2024

Vagaro’s New AI Features and Communication Tool Pave the Way for a More Efficient, Profitable Business

Vagaro has consistently been at the forefront of salon software technology, helping businesses be more efficient, create more effective communication, and even improve company culture. Now, Connect by Vagaro, the platform’s two-way communication capability, and Vagaro’s new generative AI tools are giving owners new opportunities to grow and expand.

Sponsored by Vagaro

Business|Articles|Aug 6, 2024

5 Things I Won't Do as a Nail Tech

This list of watch-outs from @jodydoesjels prompted us to reach out to her and learn more. We had already fallen for her hand-painted designs and now we wanted to know more about this list she created to help clients decide if she was the nail tech for them.

Ad Loading...