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SEARCHThose Who Can’t Do, Invent: Nail tech Joi Lambert, owner of Purjoi Nail Studio, turned to product development when she discovered her painting skills were below average.
Just because you love doing something doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to be good at it. That’s what nail tech Joi Lambert discovered not long after she quit her job as a property manager in 2013 to attend nail school. “I realized early in my training that I wasn’t the best at painting nails,” says Lambert. “It was pretty discouraging and I didn’t know what I was going to do. I worked in nail salons and practiced, but I found my skills were still below average. I knew I had to think of other options.” The option she came up with was to develop her own gel-polish line called Purjoi Nail Studio.
We asked Lambert to tell us more about how she created the line.
Joi Lambert
What drew you to nails as a career in the first place?
Lambert: I think my passion started when I was in sixth grade. My teacher stopped at my desk, picked up my hand, and told me that I had the most beautiful hands and nails. I still remember her face and the feeling I had. Everything was about nails from that moment on. I still remember my first nail polish — it was Wet N Wild. My father bought it for me.
How did you go about developing the gel-polish?
Lambert: I started by testing a big number of gel brands and making notes as to what I liked or disliked. I tested the gels and ranked their application and nail art capabilities. I ranked the removal and how long it took. After fine-tuning what I needed based on my expectations, my formula was created. It was a lot of work and a lot of sleepless nights. The entire process took me about a year.
So what did you come up with?
Lambert: I introduced 50 rich colors with a high-shine gloss that last up to two weeks. The formula is three-free and it removes easily in eight to 10 minutes. “Pur” describes the three-free aspect and the simplicity of the product. “Joi” is my name and the feeling I hope it delivers.
What makes your product different?
Lambert: My one-step formula was made to be thicker to provide easier applications and to apply nail art. I discovered that by providing a little thicker formula, users are able to achieve smooth, even layers — which is helpful for any level of painter.
Do you still regret your inability to paint nails?
Lambert: Yeah, it’s big joke in my circle that I can’t paint other people’s nails and I get teased, but all in good humor. I’m proud to admit my faults and proud it didn’t get in my way. I wanted to be in the nail industry — it just took me longer to figure out where.
For more information, go to www.purjoinailstudio.com.
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