When people think of Russia and the Ukraine, they probably aren’t thinking of nails. But in fact, Russia and Ukraine are two of the only places in the world where the nail industry is at the fore-front of fashion and innovation. Where else but in these countries did nail shapes like the edge, pipe, stiletto, and bridge come from. And this is not to mention their very different style of nail art.

I recently had the amazing opportunity to travel to both of these countries and expand my knowledge of nails.

So with the trip fresh on my mind I’ll start with Russia, and my first thought is what a beautiful country. I would live there if I could. Everywhere you look tulips cover the streets and the architecture is like out of a Disney movie.

The nails are nothing less than fabulous. I was blessed to be able to attend “Dom Manicure, Elena Shans” which means The House For Manicures by Elena Shans. It is one of the best nail art schools in the world to say the least. I had a custom made program for me to be able to experience all the school has to offer. First was instruction from the master herself Elena Shans, who is the author of a unique and innovative nail style that allows you to make any flower element out of only one bead of acrylic. This was truly something that no one here in North America gets to see because she has a license on the program which make it that much more exclusive.

I also had the opportunity to study with two of the school’s top teachers, Olga who specializes in competition design compositions and another Elena, Elena U, who teaches an acrylic water color technique that allows you to create 3-D nail art without the volume and give nail art amazing depth and shadows.

It truly is a blessing to be able to travel like I have, and it’s all thanks to nails, and also in large part to competing. Here are some pictures from my trip.

Me learning from Elena Shans.

Exquisite flower art.

Me with Olga Esakova (top left) and Elena Shans.

—     Max