Meet The World’s Star Nail Artist shortlist: KATY POTTLE, UK

Katy Pottle is a nail pro from the UK, residing in Spain, 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?

I have been working in the beauty industry for 21 years now. Eleven years ago, I started working for myself as a mobile therapist after the salon I worked in closed. I spent a year working mobile before converting my garage into my beautiful little home salon. This is when my love and passion for nails grew. I stumbled across the amazing glitter range from Magpie Beauty and haven’t looked back since. As my salon and clientele grew, I stopped doing other beauty treatments and nails became my focus. During the first lockdown I spent a lot of my time practising nail art and taking all the online courses I could get my hands on. It is so true when you say practice makes progress because the quality of my nail art improved so much during this time.

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

100% reaching the top 21 World Star Nail Artists. I mean come on, how incredible is that?!

What are your career goals and aspirations?

I am currently working towards my AET as I would love to go into teaching. I feel with the experience and knowledge I have gained over my career I can help others to succeed in the industry. I want to inspire, motivate, and support others to reach their own career goals and make a positive impact on the industry.

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

I absolutely adore hand painted nail art like character art  and especially cute little animal art. I just love the detail you can create on such a tiny canvas. I am a huge fan of bright colours, and my new favourite technique is 3D art.

What do you love about working in the nail industry?

I love being surrounded by such creative, talented people and being part of a vibrant and growing industry. The relationship between me and my client and the satisfaction of making them feel awesome. The ever-changing trends and techniques to keep me challenged and continually learning. The best thing is being able to be me, doing something I absolutely love to do as my own boss.

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

Shocked! Most definitely shocked. LOL!! Once I was over the shock (not sure I am) I was ecstatic and extremely proud to have reached the shortlist. I couldn’t wait to see what the next challenge was… until the email dropped.

How did you find the preliminary challenge?

Not going to lie here! It was hard! My first competition, my first proper challenge brief and I was like ‘what is a metaverse????” Once I had a little research and sketched out a few ideas and got going on my design I really enjoyed creating the individual pieces and pulling it altogether.

What is this competition doing for your profile and skillset?

It has been so wonderful to be introduced to different people and sections of the nail industry. I have had some lovely messages of support from people I didn’t know before and chatting to the other artists in the competition from all over the world. I love how WSNA has challenged me mentally and creatively. I hope throughout the rest of the competition I can be pushed to new levels and learn from such an incredible experience.

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

I’m going to have to say Queen Elizabeth ll. I was very lucky to have seen her at Royal Ascot one year coming out of her box. Her grace, glamour and love for bright colours will always stick with me. I know she always wore a nude nail, but I would love to create a gorgeous mid length almond nail, full of bright, bold colours, lots of glitz and jewels and maybe a corgi or two.

What would it mean to you to win this competition?

Winning WSNA competition would be incredible! The excitement and satisfaction of winning a global nail art competition would be out of this world. I have always lacked confidence in my skills and winning would be the ultimate achievement and validation of my talent and dedication. I would love for it to lead to new adventures and prospects for my career.

Follow Katy Pottle: 

Instagram: katyp_nailartist