Metta Francis on mastering enhancements & creating expressive designs

Tell us about your training… 

When I first entered the industry back in 2010, I was still working full time and looked for courses that I could complete around the day job. I initially trained with CND™ in manicure and pedicure services, followed by Nail Harmony for Gelish training. I trained in the different brands and products including CND SHELLAC™, CND™ Liquid & Powder, Gelish Polygel, Minx and IBX. I enjoy keeping my skills up to date and every year complete at least one training course, focusing on developing my existing skill set.

I’m a CND™ Master Painter™ and have achieved the Nail Harmony PhD in Gelish. I’ve also been on various nail art training with OPI, Sweet Squared, and nail artists, Sophy Robson and Disco Nail. Being the geek that I am, I love learning more about the science behind nails and have attended various theory based seminars, hosted by Marian Newman and Salon Services and I have completed the MASCED Certificate of Accreditation in Melanoma and Skin Cancer Early Detection.

Having come from a business background, I also love developing my business knowledge and I have completed various courses on running a successful beauty business, social media photography, PR, marketing, Instagram and Facebook.

What is your all-time favourite nail product? 

A recent find, but Navy’s Doris Manicure Multi-Tool for perfect nail prep – I can’t live without it. That, and CND™ SolarOil™.

Who do you admire in the industry? 

Anna Lee for really raising the flag for Asian nail techs in the UK, helping change the mindset of many and pushing me in the early years of my career.

Sharmadean Reid for everything she did with WAH! Nails (which inspired me to enter the industry) and the way she’s completely pivoted to merge tech and beauty with Beautystack.

Marian Newman because she’s a nail icon, Liza Smith for her business acumen, Tammy from NAF! Salon for being a total boss and Rebecca Crawforth for everything she’s doing with Navy Pro Tools. Plus, so many incredibly talented nail artists.

What designs do you love to create? 

I love creating bright, bold, designs but also soft, floral and lacy designs and negative space designs. I just love creating designs that are expressive, have a deeper meaning and reflects my clients’ individual personalities. That’s what excites me the most.

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

Neon yellow. For me, it is a really positive colour: happy, bright and summer loving colour!

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

I’ll be adding CND Brisa Gel and Light Elegance gel to my service menu and have been considering adding the Apres Gel-X system. I really want to learn more advanced massage techniques for hands and feet, possibly reflexology too, to really enhance the spa mani/pedi experience. I’ll be going on the Nail Safari training in November so who knows what new techniques I might pick up there!

What are your next steps? 

I’m really focused on going back to basics and making sure everything that I do is correct. From the way I run my business to my treatment practices. I want to improve my business processes and refine my treatments, ensuring the client experience is the very best. I’ve shied away from enhancements for so long but I’m ready to bite the bullet and become more confident in this offering. I’d love to achieve master status in an enhancement medium and even compete in an enhancement competition.

For Nails by Mets, I’ll continue to build it as a premium mobile nail service and pop-up nail bar provider!

Tell us about an average day in your nail life… 

Honestly, no two days are the same! I usually wake up around 7am, get myself and my daughter ready for school, check social media and emails for anything important and then do the school run. During the day I’ll either be working at a pop-up Nails by Mets event, driving around London visiting private clients or even working on set for a photo or video shoot. Lunch is usually on the go or on set. I update my Instagram stories throughout the day to show people what I’m up to but if I’m not physically doing nails, then I’m working on the business: social media, marketing, chasing up leads, finances, everything. I often have evening clients, so my working day can sometimes end around 11pm.

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

That it’s constantly evolving: new products, new techniques, new knowledge! There are always opportunities to learn more.

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

I love travel, so I’d be a travel blogger – does that count?