#NowTrending: Stunning smoky amethyst nails by Natasha Barker
By Callie Iley | 17 November 2020 | Feature, Tech Talk
Scratch chats with Natasha Barker of Niche Nail Beauty about her passion for education and love for the nail industry, and explores how she created this dazzling amethyst design…
I’ve been in the nail industry since 2002. My career started when I took the CND™ Liquid & Powder Beginner course when I was just 17 years old. Fast forward 10 years to 2012, and many CND™ classes later, and I was given the opportunity to attend CND™ bootcamp to become an education ambassador. Having started in my parents’ spare room many years ago, to renting space in a hairdressers, I continued to build my reputation and clients, allowing me to then open up my own salon, Niche Nails & Beauty in 2014. It was truly a dream come true!
My favourite products to use are CND™ SHELLAC™, Light Elegance, Lecenté & Yours Cosmetics. My signature style is a soft almond enhancement with negative space nail art, or a super sparkly reverse French.
To create these smokey amethyst nails, I started by first sculpting soft almond enhancements using Light Elegance Lexy Line Gels. Using CND™ SHELLAC™, I used a small amount of the shades Plum Paisley, Beckoning Begonia and It’s Now Oar Never, roughly placed around the outside of the nail. Without curing, using a detail brush and isopropyl alcohol, I gently ‘blotted’ the areas with the SHELLAC™, allowing the product to spread in a watercolour/marble pattern.
Next, I teased the product gently, keeping the centre of the nail with less product. I cured, then used a detail brush to apply a rough stroke of CND™ SHELLAC™ in Cream Puff across the nail and blend out using isopropyl alcohol again, creating a smoky effect on top on the previously cured colours. After curing, I roughly placed small pieces of gold leaf, using a brush to ensure it is laid flat on the nail. Apply CND™ Original Top Coat to finish.
Having been in the nail industry for a while, it has been amazing to watch it evolve into the incredible industry it is today.
I love the passion and creativity we have as nail techs, and the support we all have for each other and our businesses is so inspirational.
The highlight of my career so far, has to be winning Nail Salon of the Year 2019 at the Pro Beauty awards, and being a finalist again this year. I’m hoping we can hold on to the title for 2020 – and then I wish to continue to expand my business and to focus on teaching. Having had time off from teaching to have a baby, and then due to Covid-19, I’m eager to get back into education! I’d love to expand my professional visibility online, to allow me to pass on my knowledge and passion for our amazing industry.
Follow Natasha’s nail journey on Instagram, here.