14 Black Nail Artists Making an Impression within the Magnificence Trade
All of us can agree: Nails are an integral a part of Black magnificence tradition. From the prolonged acrylics Flo-Jo wore within the ’80s to Cynthia Erivo’s jewel-encrusted nails at final yr’s Met Gala, Black folks have been rocking intricate nail designs for many years. Whereas our revolutionary nail artwork has typically been deemed “unprofessional” or “ghetto” by society, it is clear our creativity continues to set developments in magnificence.
When now we have conversations concerning the impression of Black nail tradition, it is vital to debate the gifted Black nail artists who’ve been creating out-of-the-box designs for years. Under, meet 14 Black nail consultants to comply with and admire. Every of those manicurists is pushing the trade ahead with each brushstroke.
Gracie J
Gracie J considers herself a “nail ARTchitect.” She is the visionary behind the nails on TNT’s Claws, serving as the previous lead nail stylist. In case you scroll by way of her feed, you may discover an limitless array of dynamic designs like her five-part nail collection impressed by Beyoncé’s Black Is King movie. Via her platform, Gracie J additionally affords ultra-chic press-ons, so you may simply obtain her artsy nail units at residence.
Bernadette Thompson
Superstar nail artist Bernadette Thompson is an all-around pioneer. She notably created Lil Kim’s iconic cash nails (which have been on show on the Museum of Trendy Artwork) within the ’90s and created the primary Black-owned nail model. She affords high-quality polishes and nail appliqués (which embrace a package you should utilize to recreate her signature cash nails).
Gina Edwards
Superstar nail stylist Gina Edwards initially turned to nail artistry to pay for bills as she pursued her psychology diploma. Nevertheless, she finally immersed herself within the trade full-time. Her profession has led her to work with immediately’s largest names like Taraji P. Henson, Priyanka Chopra, and Mary J. Blige. Edwards has additionally been the worldwide model ambassador for Kiss merchandise for a number of years and has helped conceptualize nail artwork for numerous vogue exhibits (starting from Pyer Moss to Calvin Klein).
Lisa Logan
Lisa Logan has been a nail artist for almost three many years. Certainly one of her most notable shoppers is the one and solely Queen Bey. She’s created numerous manicures for the singer, together with one for the “Single Girls (Put a Ring on It)” video. When she’s not working together with her A-list shoppers (together with Queen Latifah and Pink), she’s working at her NYC salon, The Nail Suite.
Mimi D
Mimi D is an award-winning nail artist who usually collaborates with manufacturers, vogue designers, and celebrities. A few of her highlights embrace: working with Angela Bassett, nailing the expertise for the newest Ivy Park marketing campaign, and dealing backstage throughout quite a few vogue weeks for designers like Diane Von Furstenberg. Mimi additionally pours again into her group by sharing nail suggestions and tips through her Pinterest collection, “Fingers on with Mimi D.”
Temeka Jackson
If in case you have ever admired Saweetie or Mary J. Blige’s nails, you are accustomed to Temeka Jackson’s work. Initially from Connecticut, Jackson is L.A.-based today and always engaged on Hollywood units. She’s undoubtedly a professional at creating glamorous, customized nail units—something you may dream up, Jackson could make it occur.
Daybreak Sterling
Daybreak Sterling has been an NYC-based vogue manicurist for 10 years. She’s the wonder professional behind the nails in Telfar’s newest assortment. Sterling additionally has an in depth roster of high-profile shoppers like Alicia Keys, Zendaya, and Normani. Wanting to make use of her decade of expertise to assist aspiring nail artists, Sterling at the moment affords one-one-mentoring periods through her web site.
Aja Walton
Aja Walton is a self-taught nail artist recognized for her manicures impressed by impactful cultural moments. Her nail designs captured the eye of MTV final yr they usually commissioned her to create designs paying homage to the unforgettable albums of this era (like Drake’s Nothing Was The Identical). Walton has additionally labored been behind the scenes on campaigns for manufacturers comparable to MAC Cosmetics.
Shani Evans
Shani Evans is an editorial manicurist who has labored on nails for vogue manufacturers like Sergio Hudson. Along with working backstage, Evans is an artist at Paintbox Nails and an teacher on the American Magnificence Institute.
Lavette Cephus
Lavette Cephus is a nail professional with 15 years of expertise. Ohio-based Cephus is the founding father of Beautè Asylum Salon Suites, and her Instagram is full of the inventive nail designs she creates in her salon. Her spectacular resume additionally contains being topped the Subsequent Prime Nail Artist by Nails Journal in 2015.
Honey
Honey is without doubt one of the most revered nail artists within the trade. She has created nail artwork for a number of the most well-known girls—starting from Britney Spears to Ciara to Kate Hudson. She’s additionally labored throughout numerous initiatives within the vogue trade, spanning promoting campaigns for manufacturers like Revlon to runway exhibits like Tom Ford.
Tahsiyn Harley
Tahsiyn Harley has been working within the nail trade for almost a decade. She has labored at a number of the high salons in New York Metropolis, like Paint Field and Vainness Initiatives. Outdoors of the salon, Harley has labored on vogue exhibits for manufacturers together with Kate Spade and Badgley Mishka. Nowadays, she additionally spends time in her artwork studio, offering nail companies and hands-on nail artwork lessons.
Melissa
Melissa, often called FinesseYourClaws to her Instagram followers, is a Brooklyn-based nail artist specializing in gel nail artwork and aprés gel extensions. Her intricate and ornate designs are museum-worthy and have been featured in shoots with Moschino.
Tiny
Tiny’s feed is stuffed with the revolutionary nail artwork she creates for superstar shoppers like Metropolis Women’ JT and Monica. The versatile nail artist can convey any design to life—from Spanish tile-inspired nails to Basquiat-inspired units.
