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Many techs dream of a career in which their nail designs are published on magazine covers and adorn the fingers and toes of the hottest celebrities. One nail tech shares her story of uprooting her quiet Midwestern life for a chance to make it as a celebrity manicurist in New York City.
This year’s NAILS Cover Tech competition was truly international in scope. Our winner, Kelly-Marie Daly, hails from County Cork in Ireland, and our three runners-up represent Canada, the United States, and Slovenia.
In the year 2000, the editors of NAILS decided it would be fun to have a nail technician reader create the cover for one issue and so we started the Cover Tech Contest. Browse through the best of the contests through the years.
In the year 2000, the editors of NAILS decided it would be fun to have a nail technician reader create the cover for one issue and so we started the Cover Tech Contest. Browse through the best of the contests through the years.
The Contessas are an annual beauty award program that shows off the best Canada’s salon professionals have to offer.
With the voting for this year’s winning cover tech image too close to call, NAILS has done something it’s never done before: We ran two different covers for the same issue. Some of you received an issue featuring black and pink striped nails on the cover and some of you got a blue and green plaid design. In either case, you’re enjoying the handiwork of Julie Kandalec of Jenniffer & Co. in Mentor, Ohio.
You don’t have to live in a fashion mecca like New York City to find opportunities to have your best nail styles featured in a professional photo shoot. Take a page from the (ever-growing) book of Joy Yavenue, who enhances her nail art print and web portfolios by partnering with area entrepreneurs.
The Contessas are an annual beauty award program that shows off the best Canada’s salon professionals have to offer.
From getting initial experience and photos to selling yourself at an appointment with an agent, this is a handy how-to guide for finding an agent for freelance manicuring work.
Clients of Illusions Nail Salon in Johnson City, Tenn., get an eyeful when they walk into the salon. Owners Thomasina Alexander and Wendy Allen have decorated the space with a Nail Art Wall of Fame, a framed, regularly updated assortment of 12 of their artistic creations.
This musically-inspired nail art number was created by nail artist and piano player Alexandra Wittenmyer.
For many techs, taking pictures of your work allows you to create portfolios for your clients, advertise themselves on Internet sites like MySpace, or share your work with peers on forums and websites. Here are some tips from techs who have made a habit of photographing nails.
Jessica-Marie Ellison, an instructor at Yorkville School of Makeup and Esthetics in Toronto, picked up the award for Nail Tech Artist of the Year.
Doing photo shoots in your salon — nail style shots, salon interior shots, or service shots — will help you develop a portfolio to show off to both clients and editors. Learn from the pros how to hire a photographer, how to prepare for a photo shoot, and what to expect at the end of the day.
Lillian Tsui paints her animals' portraits on nails.
A perfect photo of your flawless nail art is an essential sales tool.
Her career path led her from grocery store clerk to nail technician to a member of CND's photo shoot team. Advice for others who are interested in having their nail work photographed.
