Ask Alisha: New Year Motivation for Nail Technicians & Real Advice Shared by Industry Leaders Worldwide
ASK ALISHA
ARTICLE BY ALISHA RIMANDO | PUBLISHED IN 2026
As the new year begins, nail technicians everywhere start thinking about growth creatively, professionally, and personally. For this ASK ALISHA feature, the focus isn’t on one single voice or one conversation, but on something even more special: personal advice sent directly from industry leaders around the world, created just for our nail community.
For this project, Alisha Rimando reached out individually to respected educators, competitors, and artists across the global nail industry, asking one simple question: What should nail technicians focus on in the new year? What came back was a collection of thoughtful, honest video messages recorded specifically for our nail friends filled with encouragement, perspective, and inspiration drawn from real-life experience.
You’ll hear wisdom and motivation from voices like Michelle Soto, David Fowler, Dafne Fernandez, Zrinka Vuksan Balancha, Jenny Bui, Veronica Luviano, Lisa Boone, Alex Fox, Jenni Nippard, Damon Ho, and more. Each sharing insight shaped by years behind the nail table, on competition floors, and in education spaces worldwide.
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Rather than quick tips or trend-driven sound bites, these messages speak to bigger themes that matter long-term: confidence, preparation, balance, growth, and believing in your value as a professional. This heartfelt advice provides a wide range of global perspective, allowing each nail technician to interpret and apply it in a way that fits their own career, goals, and season of life.
Short video clips from these industry leaders will be released across GlossaryLive social channels throughout early January, giving you moments of motivation you can revisit anytime. The full-length feature airs on the Nails From A to Z podcast, where listeners can experience the complete collection of voices and perspectives.
And this is only the beginning. Education and inspiration don’t happen in one post or one episode, they build all year long. Keep visiting GlossaryLive.com, following our socials, and tuning into the podcast to stay connected, inspired, and motivated as you continue to grow in 2026 and throughout your entire nail career.
Holiday Nail Inspiration at GlossaryLive
WHAT'S INSIDE GLOSSARYLIVE
ARTICLE BY ALISHA RIMANDO | PUBLISHED IN 2025
he holiday season is the perfect time to elevate your nail services, refresh your menu, and give clients festive designs they’ll adore. GlossaryLive has curated a lineup of seasonal tutorials created by world-class educators, offering inspiration you can take straight to the salon. Here are some holiday highlights you won’t want to miss.
Chocolate Peppermint Winter Mani & Pedi – Alisha Rimando
GlossaryLive founder and world champion nail artist Alisha Rimando brings a delicious twist to your winter service menu. Known for her decades of innovation in nail education and luxury spa techniques, Alisha shows you how to transform a basic manicure and pedicure into a seasonal delight. Her tutorial teaches you to create a homemade, detoxifying chocolate-peppermint mask using simple ingredients from your kitchen—adding value, aroma, and relaxation to an everyday service. Pair it with peppermint-infused hot cocoa for a memorable client experience and an easy holiday upsell.
Holiday Masterclass Series – Kirsty Meakin
International champion, global educator, and fan-favorite artist Kirsty Meakin brings three festive looks to GlossaryLive in a special Masterclass series.
Peppermint Twist delivers bold candy-swirl detailing for clients who love classic red-and-white holiday style.
Snowflake features delicate, hand-painted winter motifs perfect for elegant sets.
Christmas Cookie brings sweet, sugar-cookie charm to the nail table with icing-style detailing clients can’t resist.
Kirsty’s clear, fun, highly technical teaching style makes even intricate designs achievable for techs at every level.
Chrome Cable Knit – April Ryan
Celebrity nail artist, international competitor and founder of Red Iguana, April Ryan, brings luxury and texture together with her chrome cable-knit design. April is known for her sculpting mastery and flawless, camera-ready finishes. This look uses carved gel to create a raised sweater pattern, topped with gold chrome for a cozy-meets-glam winter effect—perfect for premium holiday sets and social-media-worthy photos.
Bambi Art – Melinda Tamas
Award-winning artist Melinda Tamas delivers adorable hand-painted Bambi-inspired artwork that clients instantly fall in love with. Soft, whimsical, and perfect for winter events, this design showcases Melinda’s precision and charm. Add a red nose for a subtle Rudolph twist that makes the look even more festive.
With these expert-led tutorials, GlossaryLive gives you all the inspiration you need to refresh your seasonal menu, delight clients, and boost your holiday earnings.
See all of these tutorials and more this season on GlossaryLive.com—where inspiration meets education.
PBTP - Veronica Luviano
Nails From A to Z
Veronica Luviano
Veronica Luviano’s journey in the nail industry is nothing short of inspiring. From starting as a nail technician in 2013 to becoming an internationally recognized champion and the owner of an award winning salon in Dallas, TX, Veronica has built an incredible career through passion, perseverance, and innovation.
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Artist of the Month: Margarita Yutsaytis – From Banking to Nail Art Brilliance
ARTIST OF THE MONTH
ARTICLE BY ALISHA RIMANDO | PUBLISHED IN 2025
Margarita Yutsaytis as our Artist of the Month. With 10 years in the nail industry, Margarita has become known for her exceptional skill in nail sculpting, manicures, and an endless variety of intricate nail designs.
Margarita’s journey didn’t begin in a studio—it started in a bank. Although she had loved drawing and experimenting with colors since childhood, life initially steered her toward economics. But everything changed when her mother suggested she take a manicure course, simply so she could do her mom’s nails. That spark lit a passion that couldn’t be ignored.
Working from home, Margarita built her skills, saved her earnings, and eventually rented her own space. As her client base grew, so did her reputation—not only as a talented nail artist but also as an educator. She began teaching individual lessons, then small group courses, and soon found herself speaking at nail marathons. Six months ago, Margarita entered the world of nail competitions, including Nailympia USA, where she connected with inspiring artists from around the globe.
Her artistry is fueled by inspiration found in unexpected places—street graffiti, hair color trends, fashion photography, and the vibrant beauty of birds and flowers from her travels. Each influence becomes a creative spark for unique shapes, colors, and textures in her designs.
Now, Margarita is sharing her artistry in a special three-part Hand-Painted Nail Design MasterClass on GlossaryLive.com. This exclusive series teaches layered painting techniques for tropical leaves, floral designs, and advanced tropical flowers, using transparent color layering to achieve breathtaking realism.
For Margarita, nail artistry is about more than beauty—it’s about connection, creativity, and freedom. She thrives on seeing the excitement in her clients’ eyes and the pride in her students’ accomplishments. “When my students succeed, I feel just as happy,” she says.
From a career in banking to becoming an internationally recognized educator and competitor, Margarita’s journey is proof that passion can truly transform a life—and inspire others to chase their dreams.
Visit GlossaryLive.com to celebrate, Margarita’s incredible journey and explore the artistry that defines her legacy.
FRENCH GRADUATION
FRENCH GRADUATION [French graj-oo-ey-shuhn]
What it is: AKA French Fade, Baby boomer. This nail art technique fades any color french nail tip into a natural pink color as it reaches the nail plate.
How to use it: This faded French manicured look can be acheived using nail polish or gel polish for easy removal, or with hard gels, acrygels, or liquid and powder to create a permanent look on for nail enhancements.
How to apply it: Usually the pink color is applied on the nail bed area and faded towards the tip. Then the white or colored french product is applied to the tip and faded up to cover the smile line and create a soft u-shaped graduation between the two .
How to remove it: Removal will depend on what products were used to perform the nail art look. Refer to manufacturer’s instructions to remove nail products.
VIDEOS RELATED TO THIS TERM
FRENCH FADE
FRENCH FADE [French fayd]
What it is: AKA French graduation, Baby boomer. This nail art technique fades any color french nail tip into a natural pink color as it reaches the nail plate.
How to use it: This faded French manicured look can be acheived using nail polish or gel polish for easy removal, or with hard gels, acrygels, or liquid and powder to create a permanent look on for nail enhancements.
How to apply it: Usually the pink color is applied on the nail bed area and faded towards the tip. Then the white or colored french product is applied to the tip and faded up to cover the smile line and create a soft u-shaped graduation between the two .
How to remove it: Removal will depend on what products were used to perform the nail art look. Refer to manufacturer’s instructions to remove nail products.
VERTICAL OMBRE
VERTICAL OMBRE [vur-ti-kuhl om-brey]
What it is: A nail art technique with two or more colors that fade one color into another. There are no rules to define how many colors can be used.
How to appply it: Apply colors from cuticle to free edge and fade them together where they meet on the nail.polish, paints or colored acrylics to create this faded look.
VIDEOS RELATED TO THIS TERM
EPONYCHIUM
EPONYCHIUM [ep-uh-nik-ee-uhm]
What it is:A thick layer of hardened living tissue that borders the base of the nail plate, directly under the surface of the proximal nail fold that forms a seal to protect the nail matrix.
How to use it:Often mistaken for the cuticle, the eponychium is the living tissue while the cuticle is the non-living tissue.
VIDEOS RELATED TO THIS TERM
Inlaid Rose Blossom
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Kirsty Meakin
In this XXtreme Nail Art tutorial, Kirsty takes viewers through the meticulous process of creating an inlaid rose blossom, crafted from layers of acrygel and gel polish. The design is carefully structured in multiple layers, then encapsulated within the nail, giving it a mesmerizing depth and dimension.
Kirsty’s expertise shines as she guides you step-by-step through this complex yet captivating technique, sharing valuable tips and tricks along the way. The final result is nothing short of astonishing—a delicate rose that seems to bloom from within the nail, showcasing Kirsty’s incredible skill and creativity.
Whether you’re an experienced nail artist or just starting out, this video offers a chance to learn from one of the best in the industry and add a show-stopping design to your repertoire. Don’t miss the opportunity to be inspired by Kirsty Meakin’s artistry and passion for nails!
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Frankenstein's Bride
Frankenstein's Bride
Sarah Kay Abbott
Need some spooky inspiration this Halloween? Let award winning nail artist, Sarah-Kay Abbott, help you craft the perfect haunting masterpiece with her hand-painted Frankenstein’s Bride design. Sarah, a passionate and award-winning nail artist, began her journey as a beautician and pursued a HND in Beauty Therapy, where her love for nails blossomed.
Sarah’s true passion lies in freehand nail art. She loves the creativity it allows and the calming effect it has on her. By staying on top of the latest industry trends, she ensures her clients always leave satisfied. Her dedication to her craft has made her a standout in the nail art world. Follow Sarah’s step-by-step guide to see her unique take on a spooky love story. Her design is sure to inspire your Halloween nail game. Get ready to bring the fright to your fingertips!
PRODUCTS USED
- Gel polish
- Gel paints
- Top Coat
- Cure Lamp
STEPS
Use gel polish & gel paints to sketch out the base layer of Frankenstein then cure in the lamp (the time may vary depending on your chosen brand. Refer back to their guidelines)
Continue to build on the small details as you bring Frankenstein’s facial features out then cure again. You can cure in between layers so that you do not disrupt previous work.
Using one stroke paints, paint on all of your flowers & leaves. Allow the paint to dry before you seal it in with topcoat.
To finish off, use black spider gel at the tip of the nail to add that little bit extra & cure.
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