#NOWTRENDING Tortie hearts by Vanessa Armitage
By Callie Iley | 10 November 2020 | Feature, Tech Talk
Scratch chats with Vanessa Armitage of Nailicious by Vanessa about her love for all things nails and her hopes for the future – and she reveals how to create a tortoiseshell design…
I work from home in my tiny little salon. I decided to take the leap into working and growing my business full time in July 2019, after leaving my office job, as my passion is all things nails! I qualified in 2008, and worked part time doing nails, while working in an office full time. I was trying to get by and provide for my two children, who are now old enough to look after themselves while I work odd hours. My daughter is a hairdresser and runs her own business, which is fabulous, as we both work in the beauty industry, and my son is studying at university to be a chiropractor.
It’s honestly been the best move I’ve ever made by taking my nail business to the next level.
I chose Treatwell as my booking system, as I don’t have a ‘shop front’, and have been awarded a Top Salon of 2020 by the company, which was such an achievement!
I use NSI’s Attraction Acrylic System and have done since I qualified 12 years ago. I absolutely love this brand. I do have the Glitterbels System also, and my gel polishes are predominately by The Manicure Company, as the quality and choice is fantastic – my clients love it too! I have a vast collection of glitters, foils and decals from various suppliers, and my clients love looking through the folders choosing what they want. I’ve been referred to as a magpie because I love all things sparkly and shiny.
My clients are amazingly loyal. Some have been with me over 10 years and the friendships I have made doing what I love is the best thing in the world. I’m qualified in other beauty treatments, but decided to just continue with nails, as this is where my passion lies. I get so inspired by other nail artists on Instagram, and the free tutorials that were being offered over our first lockdown blew my mind. It was really the first time I dipped my toe into more intricate nail art, and I learnt so much from all the amazing educators. Sometimes I feel a little lonely in the fact that I don’t have a nail tech bestie to bounce off like most, as I work alone, but I get by.
My goal for the future, if we can curb this situation of Covid-19, is to continue to grow my client base and work myself into a frenzy of all things foil, flakes and glitter, as well as making people happy and feeling good about themselves during the process. I would like to do further training and expand my nail art skills, but it’s an expensive process which unfortunately isn’t an option in the current climate. Hopefully in the future, things will be brighter, and I can achieve this goal.
When Callie, the editorial assistant at Scratch, asked what the highlight of my career has been so far, I honestly have to say this opportunity! I mean… I honestly did a little dance! Being asked to be included in the #NowTrending series is just so amazing.
How to: Tortie hearts
This nail design was created using products from The Manicure Company. I used the shades Free Spirit (153), Brunette Bombshell (036), Blackout (001) and Holiday Glam (207). I created a glass effect as a base and built it up from there, adding sections of colours. After creative the tortoise shell effect, I added the heart, outlining it in black, and I added foil from Magpie Beauty for some finishing touches.