Meet The World’s Star Nail Artist shortlist: FROUKJE GROENENDIJK, The Netherlands

Froukje Groenendijk is a nail artist from The Netherlands, and one of the 21 shortlisted applicants in The World’s Star Nail Artist competition 2023. Get to know her, below…

What’s your background in nails? When and why did you enter the nail industry?

The first time I came into contact with artificial nails was when I got married 23 years ago. I had been getting basic nails done and then made my own nail art. 13 years ago, my nail tech asks me why I wasn’t nails myself. I responded with, “no way, I’m not going to be filing nails all day.” But I went to do it anyway!

I started with a home acrylic course and it went easily for me so I continued. I specialised in nail art and have taken many lessons with various educators. After a few years, I was asked to do an educator training of myself. I really loved teaching! It’s satisfying to give tips and convey your own passion to others and make their own performance better. In the meantime I have followed various educator training courses at various brands and my nail salon is packed! It gives me a great sense of appreciation.

What’s been the highlight of your career to date?

There are many highlights, but winning my first poster contest in Ireland was amazing! I never expected it but it happened anyway.

Another highlight for me was getting to know different people in the industry. I have learned so much from them and am still learning so much. These people are really worth gold! And of course I was one of the lucky 21 of the short list of this competition! That’s amazing!

What are your career goals and aspirations?

First of all, I want to convey my passion and knowledge to both students and customers. Because I believe that the customer in the salon should also be informed about why certain products are used and how they work. I hope one day to be able to work on recognizing our profession. In my opinion there are too many “nail techs” who have no idea what they are doing. As a result, our profession is not taken seriously by, for example, a government. At least that is the case in the Netherlands. Unfortunately, Nail Styling is not a recognized professional.

What kind of nail artist are you? What’s your signature style and favoured techniques?

I am a real acrylic lover. You can do so much with acrylic if you have good control of the product. For the first round I only used gel but while acrylic suits me much better, it’s not very handy. I am actually known for my fine line work and my 3D acrylic. I dare to say that I have a very steady hand (probably inherited from my mother, who painted delft blue) and I love painting with gel polish. 3D acrylic gives me a lot of relaxation and I do that regularly just for fun. In the salon I am a fan of fast but effective nail art. I think 90% of my salon art is hand painted.

What do you love about working in the nail industry?

I am a people person, I love being around people and I love that in the salon, customers go out happy.

I enjoy passing on my knowledge and seeing the results. I love it! When we talk about products, so much has changed in a short time! There are so many techniques, so many different improved and new products and as soon as something new comes out, I can’t wait to get started, to get to know the product. And of course to make beautiful things out of it. Sometimes my head is so full of ideas that it makes me restless. My head wants all kinds of things, but then it doesn’t come out of my hands. (That was also a small problem with the last challenge.) I first have to find peace before I can work out my ideas. What a beautiful profession it is!

How did you feel to be shortlisted in The World’s Star Nail Artist competition?

I was amazed, happy, in disbelief but super excited. I couldn’t believe it and I’m very happy with the opportunity I got but now I have to prove myself to others. For a long time I worked in a kind of bubble of my own, despite the fact that I have many colleagues. I just did my thing and now I have to show what I can do.

How did you find the preliminary challenge?

To be honest, I found it difficult. Since English is not my native language, I had to read the assignment several times and have it read by someone to see if I had understood the assignment correctly.

It is the first time for me that a video blog had to be made and now I know that things can be done differently. I had so many ideas in my head for my design that (as I said before) it didn’t come out well but it was certainly a learning assignment. After the podcast and seeing other people’s designs, I now know more or less what is expected of the assignments. I now see all my points for improvement, such as a voiceover is a must (sad that I didn’t do that). But, I am someone who can look critically at himself and can certainly appreciate the work of others. But also can see/accept that someone else is better and there is still a lot to learn.

What is this competition doing for your profile and skillset?

It lets you take a good look at yourself and your work. Sometimes you suddenly make things you didn’t know you could do. Often you are stuck in a certain pattern but by participating in competitions like this you can learn a lot. You have to push yourself in these competitions, try hard, bring out the best of yourself. In my case, I feel like I’ve had some start-up problems while you have to go straight into it. Another great teaching moment.

If you could create artistic nails for anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and what design would you create?

Oh that’s a tough one but I think I’ll go for Prince. He was ahead of his time in terms of clothing style and music. I would give it a purple design. One to match his beautiful suits, something with graceful lines, rhinestones, and black accents.

What would it mean to you to win this competition?

What does it mean to me…. It means a lot! It puts my name on the map so I can inspire even more people with my nail art than I already do. It will teach me a lot about myself, about the products I normally use little and about my work. But I’m under no illusions. It would be super cool of course, but I wish it for the others too. I hope I can make this journey a little bit longer, so I can show you what I’m made of.

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