Serious nail styling. Go extreme or go home!
Stepping into the world of nails at the tender age of 12, Michelle Soto was spoiled for a year as her aunty used her to hand model for practice purposes. Later, after moving to Puerto Rico, Michelle made a point of manicuring her nails, mimicking what she’d picked up from her aunt. “My nails became a talking point and people asked me to do theirs, but I always said, ‘No, I only do them for myself’,” Michelle reflects. “However, after some consideration, I accepted my father’s proposal of going to nail school. Getting certified before I would groom anyone’s nails was really important to me. At that time in my life, being certified yet still not thinking it would end up becoming my career, was my mindset.”
On deciding to train in nails, Michelle enrolled at the Pierrette Academy in Puerto Rico, which later changed its name to Ema’s Beauty Academy. “I was offered to work at a well-known salon from the owner of the academy herself,” smiles Michelle. “I agreed and worked in it for a year, then I made the bold move to open my own salon; I was just 16 at the time.” Michelle continued to run nail salons for a number of years before changing her path to work more recently full-time with V Beauty Pure LLC in the USA. “I’ve tried many products throughout the years and one of my favorites is V beauty Pure,” she asserts.
With the onset of the global pandemic changing Michelle’s career course, she highlights, “Not being able to work for some time pushed me in a different direction; I had so much time to think about what I was doing and if it was the right pathway for me. I then changed my life completely. I‘ve always wanted to dedicate myself to teaching full-time while helping others achieve their goals, but I was always too busy to commit. The pandemic gave me the opportunity to make the jump.”Living by the principle to always give any endeavor her best shot, no matter what the circumstances, Michelle instils, “One must always be reliable, consistent and never forget to be humble in this life. In these challenging times, take this opportunity to focus in on yourself and your craft. Get prepared with all the knowledge and tools that will help you grow for when you are able to start working again and most importantly, keep posting content on social media platforms, don’t give up!”
Citing her recipe for attaining great nail skills is to never stop practicing or getting educated, Michelle acknowledges that, “Consistency and knowledge are key!”
Appreciating that ‘Rome was not built in a day’, Michelle stays grounded and focused while optimistic about the future. “My advice to beginners is to keep an open mind, have lots of patience, make sure you practice and don’t give up! Always be reliable, consistent and never forget to be humble!” Moving onwards and upwards, Michelle is excited for a future with her goal being to coach students, “To hit the salon floor fully experienced and knowledgeable. Capable and ready to service!”
The light handling of a striper brush can create a very stylish nail design. Choose your palette of colors, using a very light pink as the base, then a few quick slicks of the striper brush brings this design to life quickly. Add an accent with the addition of some carefully placed crystals to complete the design.
Want to see your nail art featured on Tag That Trend? Our team is excited to see your work and get you published. Contact us for details.
Create mystery and a little drama on the nails using this easy, yet effective technique. Start by layering gel polish with a magnetic gel polish, then manipulate the polish with a magnet. Next use a tool stamping to add a design feature across it in dark polish. This design is in fact hidden and only appears as the nails move and the light catches them. It’s a great look for parties and other sophisticated celebrations.
After prepping the nail & applying product, shape the nail with 180-grit file & buffer, then prepare the surface for color.
Choose a magnetic gel polish color & apply it over the black gel polish.
Using a magnetic stick, move the gel polish to create different lines, leaving parts of the nails empty, so the black polish is visible looking across the surface of the nail. Cure for 60-seconds in an LED lamp.
Using a stamping plate of your choice, apply black stamping gel or nail polish & stamp the design across the nail: cure for 60-seconds or let nail polish air-dry
When the nail is dry, apply top coat. Use a shiny or matte finish and enjoy the hidden lines as they reveal themselves as they catch the light. Depending on the angle you view the nail, the lines will appear and disappear as the nails move.
Want to see your nail art featured on Tag That Trend? Our team is excited to see your work and get you published. Contact us for details.
Nestled within a magnificent four-storey Victorian townhouse on Elmbank Street, House of NAF! will retain the legendary NAF! Salon. Celebrating its eight-year anniversary in 2023, the salon will continue to offer unparalleled nail services with a team of talented professionals.
In addition to the salon, House of NAF! will expand the offering of NAF! School, an educational initiative focused on empowering young individuals in the area. NAF! School provides a unique opportunity for aspiring nail technicians, offering a qualification program called 'Nail Your Future'. This initiative aims to equip young people with valuable skills and set them on a path to success in the beauty industry. GlossaryLive takes a tour of this new nail salon experience.
Want to see your salon featured in an episode of Salon Stopover? We are looking for fabulous salons & unique services to showcase from around the globe. Contact us for details.
Michele Soto takes you step by step through creating three unique butterfly looks. From simplistic painted techniques to challenging sulptured shapes, this masterclass will inspire creativity at all skill levels.
Do you have questions for the artist? GlossaryLive will present a LIVE interview with this artist. Email your questions to be featured during the Q&A session.
Michele Soto takes you step by step through creating three unique butterfly looks. From simplistic painted techniques to challenging sulptured shapes, this masterclass will inspire creativity at all skill levels.
Do you have questions for the artist? GlossaryLive will present a LIVE interview with this artist. Email your questions to be featured during the Q&A session.
Michele Soto takes you step by step through creating three unique butterfly looks. From simplistic painted techniques to challenging sulptured shapes, this masterclass will inspire creativity at all skill levels.
Do you have questions for the artist? GlossaryLive will present a LIVE interview with this artist. Email your questions to be featured during the Q&A session.
