I asked Australian creatives where they get their nails done
IMAGE VIA @SOHANJUDGE/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY IZZY WIGHT
“As long as I have a fresh set on, I feel sane.”
You can tell a lot about a person from their nails. For example, a clean pinky-nude trimmed short says ‘job interview’ or ‘glamourous mum’ (the difference is entirely dependent on the level of gloss). A high-shine black polish, covering both the nail and the cuticle entirely, says ‘softboy skater’ or ‘teenager with angst’.
Judging by the bloody cuticles and disastrous nail beds, my claws usually say ‘nervous wreck‘ (correct). Right now, I’ve successfully grown little white tips on my nails and the dirt underneath says ‘I was at a festival over the weekend. No, there weren’t any showers.’ I’m slowly moving away from the ‘ugly fingers’ stage of my life, but it’s a slow process.
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Like a good spray tan, fresh blowout or matching underwear and bra, nice nails emulate a general air of ‘put together’ – something I frequently see on my Instagram feed. In an effort to yassify my lacklustre talons, I quizzed local creatives on their favourite nail artists.
Jae Besorio, photographer and illustrator
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I get my nails done once a month by my dear friend Britt at Peachi Nail Bar. I’ve been a day one customer there since Britt started her Melbourne-based business a couple of years back – I’ll never get my nails done by anyone else ever again. I take getting my nails done very seriously and I honestly don’t know who or what I am without them. It sounds dramatic, but I’d rather go out with messy hair and no makeup. As long as I have a fresh set on, I feel sane [laughs].
I really love that Britty is always down to try anything. I can grab inspiration from absolutely anywhere (depending on my mood) and we’ll come up with new designs together on the spot. She never disappoints.
We’re always trying to make my next set better than the last [laughs], so it’s heaps of fun! Also, these sessions basically come with free therapy because we just chat the entire time and she has these two cute little chihuahuas that cuddle up to you in the chair. What more can I say?
Bridie Alman, Co-founder of Flowerbed Nails
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Beauty Shura in Glebe is the best of the best. The team’s artistic attention to detail and ability to bring any combination of references to life is *chefs kiss*. I also adore the team at Bondi Nails on Bondi Rd. Crimson and I often go together with our Flowerbed sheets and get fun gradients or coloured tips, working with the team to incorporate our decals into shellac designs.
Hëna Memishi, professional movement artist
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I love expressing myself through nail art and see it as a form of self-care. Because of lockdown, I couldn’t visit the salon and I decided to teach myself. I always find myself doing variations of the classic french tip – oh, and the more gems and jewels the better!
Sohan Judge, digital creator and Senior Publishing Strategist at Buzzfeed
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I visit Vic at Mannequin Hands in Newtown for my nails. Vic is is a literal artist, her hand-painted designs are so detailed and crisp. Plus, she preps my cuticles like no other, has an amazing colour selection AND great taste. Vic uses gel, which was why I went to see her in the first place — I was sick of shellac, SNS and acrylic ruining my nail beds. Now my nails are natural, healthy and vibey!
Katherine Rose, stylist, photographer and founder of Pure Obsession
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I get custom sets from my friend Kaysia, who runs Melbourne-based nail brand Slower Hands. She’s incredibly talented and detail-oriented. Each design is so high fashion with the coolest textures, colours and themes – I just love her eye.
What I love about having a few sets to reuse and chose from is that I can opt to wear them for an event – if I want a temporary option – or can glue them in place for up to a week. Her custom press-on sets are available to buy at Error404.
Alivia McNamee, digital creator and makeup artist
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If I’m not painting them black myself, I’m buying hand-painted press-ons from Mannequin hands. I love them, they’re super sick and unique – plus they don’t damage my natural nails.
Juju K, multidisciplinary creative
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I love going to Peachi Nail Bar! Brit is super talented and does incredible hand-painted nail art. She uses Gel X, which I love because it causes minimal damage to my natural nail but lasts just as long as acrylic. Her attention to detail and patience is like no other!
Ruby Staley, freelance writer
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I love getting my nails done, I simply don’t feel like me without a set of claws. I’m not fussy about where I get them done; I usually head to La Belle on Johnston St because it’s close to where I live. Although once I have a chance, I’m super keen to try out Horni Nails. Caity is a nail genius and I’m obsessed with all her creations.
Montanna Paige, stylist and performer
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Horni Nails is my go-to nail salon and one-stop-shop for all things, creative, empowering, inspiring and liberating. It’s not your regular nail salon, it’s truly an experience.
Cait (the creative genius behind Horni Nails), has a unique gift of catering to your creative, emotional and spiritual needs. She’s great at incorporating colour; the driving force to our emotions/chakras.
In conclusion, Horni Nails is the ONE. It’s an experience you won’t regret. To walk out that door feeling your most sexy, powerful and confident self… what more could you ask for?
Ash Davidson, Brand Consultant at Pash Social
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I hate to be dramatic (lies), but nails are life or death for me. And without them, I am a goblin and life descends into chaos. My nail tech @lilitaylornails is an icon, a legend and the moment. I come with inarticulate ‘visions’ that make little to no sense, and Lili puts their own creative spin on it. They also moonlight as my part-time therapist, so it’s two for the price of one.
For this year’s biggest nail trend predictions, head here.
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