The place do you discover inspiration to your subsequent manicure? Once I bought a replica of Recent Units by Brooklyn-based magnificence author Tembe Denton-Hurst, I knew I’d hit the nail inspo jackpot. The e-book highlights 35 artists, from L.A to India, who’re pushing boundaries with creations like moss-covered nails with 3D sculptures of mushrooms and dragonflies, and seven-inch rose-red stiletto nails.
What impressed the e-book was Tembe’s long-time love of acrylics: “Once I left my first nail appointment and noticed my lengthy purple nails, I assumed for the primary time, ‘Oh, my arms are cute,’” she says. “They went from being strictly useful to one thing thrilling. Now lengthy nails have grow to be a part of me.”
But additionally? The conclusion of how nails are tied to identification. “Nail artwork is core to the way in which Black and brown ladies adorn themselves,” says Tembe. “Rising up, probably the most lovely ladies had fly nails. Protecting your hair and nails achieved is a type of communication: that you just’re put collectively and also you care about the identical issues.”
Right here, Tembe tells us about nail developments, a low-maintenance look, and 5 salon etiquette guidelines…
Nails by Hanin Ibrahim.
On in style nail developments:
“Persons are loving aura nails proper now,” says Tembe. “Everybody’s nails are wanting like a temper ring. I’m at all times asking the proprietor of my go-to salon what individuals are coming in for. She says purchasers are into charms and 3D parts. Almond pointed stilettos have been the way in which for a very long time, however sq. nails are additionally coming again.”
Nails by Lesly Arrañaga.
On artists altering the sport:
“I like Lesly Arrañaga’s work. She harnesses her Mexican heritage — for instance, she did a collection the place she put nails on her family members, together with her dad. It was playful and nostalgic and distinctly rooted in her tradition. She additionally created resin bubbles with portraits of her canine. Her designs at all times have a novel perspective, which I feel is uncommon to search out in artwork of every kind, however particularly within the nail area, the place a method can grow to be in style on Pinterest after which immediately everyone’s replicating it. She’s additionally a really gifted sculptor. She’ll construct a complete spam musubi on a pure nail!”
Tembe’s French set by Home of Nails by Natty.
On a low-maintenance look:
“I at all times do a multi-colored French tip. One, as a result of I’m lazy — a French tip hides the develop out, so even when many weeks go by, they nonetheless look fairly respectable. And two, I don’t like sitting for a very long time on the salon to get intricate designs. However I do experiment with completely different colours on every nail.”
Nails by Leticia Casas.
Tembe’s salon etiquette:
1. Arrive on time to your appointment. “Even displaying up 5 minutes late can shift a nail tech’s day again 10 minutes; then that 10 minutes catapults into 20 minutes, and so forth. My nail tech is a mother, so at any time when I present up late, I at all times understand, ‘Oh my god, she has to choose up her daughter from college.’ Should you’re late, regulate your design to compensate for time.”
2. Don’t take calls on speaker. “I’ve been responsible of answering the cellphone, urgent the speaker icon, after which placing my arms beneath the UV gentle. However please, let’s all convey headphones. The salon is a public area, and individuals are there to loosen up.”
3. Arrive with a transparent sense of what you need. “If you need one thing particular, go to your appointment with reference pictures and the colours you bear in mind. This prevents you from consuming up an excessive amount of of your nail tech’s time and probably costing them one other consumer.”
4. Be pleasant. “At all times study your nail tech’s identify, in fact. It’s essential to attach with anybody you see usually and acknowledge them as people who’ve a life past the scope of service.”
5. Should you’re sad together with your nails, communicate up. “I do know this makes folks nervous, however I promise you, nail techs would favor so that you can say, ‘Hey, I don’t love the way in which this appears,’ to allow them to repair your nails within the second, as an alternative of you going house sad and returning to repair them the subsequent day. It’s a lot simpler to make things better instantly, versus when your nails are totally cured.”
Thanks a lot, Tembe! You may order Recent Units right here, in case you’d like. How are you doing all of your nails nowadays?
P.S. A nail polish that appears like a shell, and Tembe’s marriage proposal in a bookstore.
