#TeamTalk: Get to know the Dream Nails team – part 2
By Guest Writer | 28 September 2020 | Feature, Tech Talk
Discover who’s behind the handiwork at the Dream Nails chain of salons with an insight into its staff members…
Lisa Le – Manager, Dream Nails Royal Wharf
How did you get into nails? My interest started when I was in secondary school. I always came to school with the long acrylic enhancements with crazy airbrush designs (even though I wasn’t allowed) and my love for nails grew from there. Once I had left school, I skipped Sixth Form and headed straight to beauty school.
How long have you been with Dream Nails? Just over a year. I can’t believe how quick time has flown!
What do you enjoy about working in the nail industry? I enjoy the creativity of it. I love how we can all express ourselves through our choice of nail style, colour and design.
What’s your favourite nail service to do? L&P acrylic nails, as I can sculpt the client’s nails to any shape or length and get creative with different powders, glitters, crystals and sequins.
How do you wear your own nails? As much as I love long L&P acrylics, I personally cannot work with them on my own hands. I constantly file into my own nails, which means it loses the shape within a couple days and as a perfectionist, it drives me insane! So short and square is my go-to, with a white, French or nude finish.
What is your career highlight? I’ve been in the nail industry for 10 years and there are so many to mention! But if I have to narrow it down, I’d have to say working at Fashion Week for various shows in 2014/15 was amazing. Such a crazy yet fun experience!
What’s your ultimate career goal? It is genuinely to be happy within my work. I really enjoy what I do and honestly, I can see myself doing this for the rest of my life. I’m not sure what my next steps would be but I want to be one of the biggest and best nail techs around.
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced? Suffering from Carpal Tunnel has been my biggest struggle. There have been times where the pain is tingling through my hands/wrists while doing a set of nails but I would never let my clients down. No pain could stop me doing producing the best set of nails.
If you could have one famous client, who would it be and why? Khloe Kardashian – I love her style and her nails definitely speak for themselves!
Fun fact: I love to sing! I auditioned for X Factor when I was younger but clearly didn’t get far enough. My love for nails definitely comes first!
Zeljana Ivankovic (Zeli) – Dream Nails Royal Wharf
How did you get into nails? I have had a passion for nails from a very young age. I would always ask my mum to buy me long press-on nails and I was always told no. After high school, I went to college and completed my beauty course. I started taking nails seriously around four years ago after my son was born, as it enabled me to work from home and be with him.
How long have you been with Dream Nails? For two months, and hopefully many more to come.
What do you enjoy about working in the nail industry? I love the creativity and the challenge that comes with it. Every set of nails is a creative escape that lets your imagination run wild. I also love meeting new people. No day is the same!
What’s your favourite nail treatment to do? L&P acrylic nails as there are no boundaries when it comes to length, shape and design.
How do you wear your own nails? Extra long, tapered square or stiletto with lots of different designs and bling.
What is your career/work highlight? My biggest highlight of being a nail tech is getting into doing personalised press-on nails.
What’s the main goal with your career? I would love to have my own brand of gel and L&P acrylic one day and be a celeb nail tech.
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced? I truly believe that biggest challenge I face daily is that most clients don’t have the correct and healthy understanding of the nail industry and don’t realise the level of knowledge and skill that is required to do nails.
If you could have one famous client, who would it be and why? Cardi B, as I love her style and personality and I know that she would go all-out and let me express my creativity.
Fun fact: I put Coca-Cola in my red wine. Let the judging commence.
Trang Nguyen – Manager, Dream Nails Blackwall Reach
How did you get into nails? I helped out at my cousin’s salon as a receptionist on the weekend. I loved watching staff doing nail arts so I started practicing myself.
How long have you been with Dream Nails? One year.
What do you enjoy about working in the nail industry?I like to see and talk to different people!
What’s your favourite nail treatment to do? SNS dipping powder and Apres nails.
How do you wear your nails? Short and plain, no colour.
What’s the main goal with your career? Become a well-known nail technician.
What’s been the biggest career challenge you’ve faced? I like doing nail art but my hands are not steady so I have to do a lot of practice.
If you could have one famous client, who would it be and why? Adele. Maybe I could hear her singing while doing her nails!
Fun fact: I always hold my breath when doing acrylic nails.
Sabrina Orecchio – Dream Nails Blackwall Reach
How did you get into nails? I started my journey into beauty and nails while I was finishing my studies in high school.
How long have you been with Dream Nails? Two months.
Why do you enjoy the nail industry? Doing nails is my passion and it’s more like a hobby to me; I love to make clients feel good and have them leave with a beautiful manicure.
What’s your favourite nail treatment to do? Definitely sculpted nails extensions with a little nail art.
How do you wear your nails? I’m quite classic, I usually wear medium length with dark colours but it is mood dependent.
What is your ethos? Understanding client needs. Technique is really important but I really believe having a good approach towards people is super important.
What’s your main career goal? Open my own beauty salon or manage one.
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced? I worked in salons around the world such as Italy, Australia and Spain and all of them work in a different way, so I guess my biggest challenge has been adapting to all of them by learning different techniques.
If you could work on the nails of a celebrity, who would it be? Lady Gaga or Nicky Minaj.
Fun fact: I have a camera in my flat to speak to my dog during the day.
Get to know the team members in the Wanstead and Loughton Dream Nails branches by clicking here.