Kim Motte on her love for the natural nail, social media & nail art

Tell us about your training…

I began my training back in 2014 with a 3-day course. I then decided to focus on natural nail design and gel polish so developed my training further in April and May 2014 with Nail Harmony UK. Since then I’ve undertaken other courses with various providers to build my knowledge and learning in nail art.

Who do you admire in the industry?

I don’t really follow many high-profile nail technicians. I love the work of Gemma Lambert and Celina Ryden but their style and what they offer, is very different to me. I personally have endless admiration for the countless nail technicians like me on my journey. Part-time technicians like myself, trying to balance growing a business whilst raising children and keeping a home are my biggest inspiration because that’s my journey. I’ve made a lot of great friends in the nail industry and they provide me with countless inspiration, support and friendship. They are without doubt the biggest source of inspiration to me as a nail technician and a business woman.

What designs do you love to create?

I love creating hand painted and bespoke designs. I draw a lot of inspiration from things around me as well as what I see scrolling through social media. I like to provide my customers with something unique and all of my work is my own; I don’t use any stencils or stamping. My biggest goal is to show my customers that you don’t need long nails to look beautiful. I love changing their perception by creating beautiful artwork and design on smaller, natural nails. I also love being able to draw inspiration from a design done in another medium and find a way to do it using gel polish and to create something that has people scratching their hearts on how I did it

If you had to pick one, what nail colour would characterise your personality?

I would choose black as my nail colour personality. Black as a very underestimated and understated colour. Some people feel the black only fits into one category of nail style but it disproves this theory time and time again by creating many wonderful and magical designs, ideas and inspirations. I feel that this perfectly represents myself and my character.

What treatment or nail technique are you planning to add to your services?

I’m always thirsty for knowledge on different nail art types so I’m hoping in the new year to start ticking some off my list. I’d really like to learn 3D acrylic to be able to create flowers and design work and also airbrushing.

What is the most exciting thing about the UK nail industry?

The opportunities! There are countless opportunities for training, development and I think it’s a fantastic industry that shows time and time again that it is never too late to achieve your dreams. I started my business at a very low point in my life and it ended up becoming my complete saviour falling into the world of nails and I think that the industry is more than just painting nails, it’s an amazing social platform to share your passion with other people. Some of my closest friends are people I’ve never met who share the same passion as me.

If you weren’t doing nails, what you would be doing?

It’s hard to imagine because it’s such a huge part of my life and I do think I would be doing some kind of nail designs in my own time as a hobby. I am very sociable and I love working with people and also helping them/guiding them so I think I would’ve pursued a career in some form of counselling or support worker. I am also animal obsessed; I currently have 12 pets. If money was no object, I’d have lots of land where I could provide a home to countless rescue animals and fostering animals.