Nail Tech Talk: Meet Kamila Borowiec, Scratch Stars Polish & Paint Artist of the Year 2023
By Rebecca Hitchon | 05 September 2023 | Feature, Tech Talk
Scratch Stars Polish & Paint Artist of the Year 2023 & runner-up in the first-ever World’s Star Nail Artist (WSNA) competition, Kamila Borowiec, shares her industry journey, future goals and experience of juggling both competitions…
After Kamila’s nail technician moved to another country, she struggled to find the same quality of work and artistic flair elsewhere. Via courses and tending to her own nails and friends’ and family members’, she realised a love for the craft, but it it wasn’t until she moved to the UK that she fully pursued nails. “After a few years in the UK, my English had improved and from watching Kirsty Meakin’s YouTube videos day and night, I felt inspired and confident to embark on a permanent nail career,” Kamila tells Scratch. “I had balanced nail clients and office work for about three years and was drained. I decided to quit my full-time job and focus on nails. It was the best decision ever!”
Kamila and Kirsty Meakin at the Scratch Stars Party 2023.
From being a Kirsty Meakin fan to training with the esteemed nail artist & Scratch Stars Social Media Star of the Year 2023, Kamila is now a Kirsty Meakin ambassador. She juggles this alongside treating clients, creating content, managing her social media, providing online and in-person nail courses, and attending training each year for continuing professional development (CPD). “My life is pretty intense, but I wouldn’t have it any other way because I love what I do,” Kamila enthuses. “Evenings are usually when I produce content, as that’s when I feel the most creative. As a Kirsty Meakin ambassador, I ensure content is ready for product launches and fashion designs using the products to provide inspiration.”
As if she didn’t have enough on her plate, earlier this year Kamila chose not just to enter the Scratch Stars Awards but new competition for 2023, World’s Star Nail Artist, powered by Scratch. “I felt like this year was my year, and I was ready to work hard,” she says. “Having said that, I had no idea how tough and time-consuming WSNA would be. All free time I had was spent trialling different mediums and techniques.”
Three of Kamila’s WSNA challenge entries.
However, the talented tech reveals that her hard work and dedication was worthwhile. “Winning a Scratch Star made me very emotional, as I had never won one and wanted to so badly – it has always been a dream of mine,” she comments. “The win has made me hungrier for further career achievements. I would like to compete more and judge a nail competition, grow my social media platforms to inspire and help people, and offer nail courses abroad and for large groups. I am currently working on an exciting project to offer a huge selection of online nail courses.
The nail design Kamila created during the Scratch Stars Judging Day, in a bid to be named Polish & Paint Artist of the Year. “The look I created was soft; I painted a woman in nature enjoying wine and fruits and smelling lavender,” she says.
“I am very proud of what I achieved in the World’s Star Nail Artist, because the standard of the competition was very high and all contestants produced incredible pieces,” Kamila continues. “Placing second is a massive achievement and I feel like a winner. Getting through each round was like living a dream, and encouraged me to push harder to produce something new.”
Kamila’s favourite WSNA entry: for the Wild Card Challenge Four, where she created this figurine of herself in 48 hours. “This was me fighting for a place in the final. The figurine had to include items from my previous challenges to make it recognisable,” she comments.
After the Scratch Stars Party, where she was announced as the Polish & Paint Artist of the Year 2023 & World’s Star Nail Artist runner-up, Kamila reveals that she was on a winning high for a week. “My main focus was resting after both competitions. Strangely, I have missed the WSNA challenges and not known what to do with myself, so I have been filling my time by creating social media content,” she smiles.