TECH TALK: Cassandra White of Cass Creations

Scratch chats with Cassandra White of Cass Creations about her experiences within the industry and how nails have helped her through difficult times within her life.

I’ve been doing my own nails on and off for 10 years now, mixing between doing them myself, and going to salons. However, when lockdown hit, I knew my nails would suffer from their lack of “me time”. I knew it was time to reinvest in my kit.

I had a lot of time on my hands to actually sit down and become qualified through an online class, due to lockdown, which motivated me to finally do it. I knew the basics anyway, such as hygiene, PPE, nail anatomy, application and removal. As I’d invested a lot, I figured I might as well try and make something of it to make it worthwhile. I’ve since then taken part in various workshops, either via Instagram with other nail techs, or Zoom to expand on my nail art skills. I love it!

I offer my services on a mobile basis, allowing me to work around my son who is autistic, and I have a small client base already. I am also a part time wedding photographer, so I shall be adding nails to my wedding packages.

But… Why nails? I’ve always found nails really therapeutic; I suffer from PTSD and severe anxiety, and it just helps me zone out and calm down. The nail family is also something special, they make you feel right at home. I’ve made so many friends. I love it so much, it’s such a welcoming, accepting community. If I have an issue, I know I can ask anyone for help! Nails for me is my therapy.

I’m a part time photographer, as previously mentioned, however due to physical issues, I can’t always go out and photograph. Nails became an alternative way for me to find that that therapeutic feeling for me instead of photography. Due to my limitations and home life, nails aren’t something I’d be able to take on full time. Nails for me is a great therapy so my little set up is perfect for my life. As I struggle sitting for long periods of time, it becomes an issue after a while, so full time would be really difficult. Finding the right chair is a must! I have a tiny little set up in my living room, which I had created during lockdown, as my little nail space, where I sit and spend countless hours joining in with online courses, workshops or using my own brain. I’m not even exaggerating when I say countless hours – the time flies when you’re finally in a calm little bubble!

There are many limitations within this industry as someone with both physical and mental disabilities. Suffering from physical disabilities, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, as well as anxiety and PTSD, has not made my nail journey easy. Over the years, I’ve tried many brands, and a while later it was out the window. Either I couldn’t hold the brushes comfortably, the lids were too small, or the application wouldn’t go right.

At one point, I invested in a brand but ended up having to sell all of the products two days after its arrival. Due to having I have Hypermobile fingers, that are also suffering with constant pain, I couldn’t hold their bottles properly, or with much comfort, which made application hard and messy. Finding the right size, shape, and feel is really important, as some nail sets can take a fairly long time. This means that for me, being able to have a confident grip with my tools, is key. Sometimes this isn’t the brands foremost thought, as some disabilities are ultimately just not considered, often because they’re not known about enough. There isn’t enough awareness for disabled people in a lot of industries, especially invisible illnesses. Raising awareness for the fact we do exist within the beauty industry would be amazing.

Despite my struggles, I finally found a brand that ticks all my boxes – Magpie. My obsession started with me buying a few glitters, but now I nearly have the whole collection… It’s an addiction! The brushes on Magpie bottles are curved, which makes application onto the nail easier. Moreover, the bottle lids are just the right size, so my hand doesn’t get stuck in place, it’s just fantastic. I’ve completed 3 of their workshops, I learnt so much, and they were all such a laugh.

I think a great way to make the industry more inclusive would be with tester kits. Obviously, things can’t be returned – that would be a major health and safety issue – but some form of small tester, so you can get an idea of how the bottles would fit and feel, would be so amazing. This would help so much for people with disabilities like mine, because you find yourself investing a good £100 to set yourself up, just to find the brand isn’t right for you. This can happen multiple times, with the same results. It’s so frustrating and makes you feel as if you should give up entirely.

I’d love to invest in an E-File, but I know it’s something I’d need to try before I buy. Nowhere I’ve found offers this. I need the right one for my hands as it can severely affect how I work – it’s just another example of how it can be really difficult navigating the industry with these issues, at times.

I know most people would wonder why I chose a profession that involves so much hands-on work if I struggle so much. To that I’d say, why can’t I? Why should we still be limited by what we can and can’t do because we have an illness or illnesses that’s already taking, controlling and effecting our lives so much. I’ve found comfort within the industry, through such a kind and open-minded community, and the peace that doing nails offers my mind.

Follow Cassandra’s nail journey on Instagram here.