GlossaryLive Life on the Free Edge Kimi Change

Kimi Chang

UPGRADE TO PREMIUM TO WATCH THIS VIDEO

Upgrade your account to access this Premium
video and so much more educational content.

Kimi Chang

Kimi Chang is the CEO of Shanghai Chiyan Abrasives Co and the host of the first Nailympia China to be held in August 2024 in Hangzhou. Not a typical abrasives company – the team at Chiyan is all about bringing a modern twist to everything it produces. From production and research to development, sales, and service, Chiyan is proud to work from one of the coolest native factories around, specializing in crafting top-quality products like sanding bands, carbide bits, ceramic bits, diamond bits, sanding caps, and more! Talking to Alex Fox in Shanghai, Kimi Chang explains the company’s direction, vision and dedication to quality and expanding its relationships around the global nail industry.
Due to limited space for subtitles, here's a better idea of the mission that Kimi Chang is putting in motion to establish strong business relations with China and other countries worldwide across the nail industry.
``The nail industry in China is not as competent as it could be. There is no consistent standard. Every company has their own standard, but no standard as a country, as a whole. The nail techs who use the products don’t understand the products well enough, they don’t know how the products work, when they choose products, they choose from price only. There is little to no professionalism.
``There is no company who is willing to take up the responsibility. So I wish for my company to step in and help to raise the standards. I want to do this job, I want to standardise the nail industry in China so it progresses well.
``I know it’s not easy to do and there will be lots of work behind it, but I hope my company will connect Western nail techs with Chinese nails techs and together they can work towards progress.
``So we can do this systematically, and agree consistently. So we can work from the top to the bottom and from the bottom to the top, right across the industry.
``At Nailymnpia Germany 2023 I got to experience the competition floor firsthand. I saw the concentration on the competition floor and the artistic mentality of each competitor. Then, after they got their recognition from the judges and being placed, I felt their excitement, happiness and honour. These feelings are what I want to bring to China for the Chinese nail techs. Because there is nothing similar in China, there is no ‘sense of value of identity’. Nail techs work very hard for their craft and they are never recognised for their hard work. They are considered as innovators and artists, but their hard work is always undervalued.
``When I saw all the emotions on the competition arena, I wanted to bring those emotions to China. I want to give them a place to show off what they can do and get the judges, the world's best nail artists around the globe, to approve and recognise their work. Most people don’t know how much work goes into making a set of nails. It can take 4-5 hours for a set of perfect nails. So I want to create a platform for them, for everyone to be involved.
``The whole world can benefit from one standard competition - from Nailympia. Every country around the globe can be involved and show off their specific skills and craft.
There is no one who is the best, every country has their nail industry to showcase to the world. Beauty is different from country to country - in every culture. The Chinese want to show the rest of the world what beautiful nails Chinese nail artists can create.
Thank you very much for your ‘appearance’ in our lives Alex Fox and the persistence and drive you have for Nailympia.``

RELATED VIDEOS

MORE TO EXPLORE

GlossaryLive Master Class John Hauk Back-fill

Back-Fill

master class

John Hauk

As the expert behind Cruise with the Nail Stars, Cincinnati based nail artist and educator John Hauk has led a successful and eclectic nail career. With over 29 years experience as an educator and compeitior, John has accumulated over 300 awards and achieved #1 competitor of the year twice after winning the Nail Pro team cups. Currently an international judge and owner of Royalty Beauty salon, he continues to collaborate with world renown artists to bring nail education and fun to the open seas.

UPGRADE TO PREMIUM TO WATCH THIS VIDEO

Upgrade your account to access this Premium
video and so much more educational content.

Back-Fill

Since back-fills are one of the most performed services in the salon, John Hauk provides a clear and straightforward tour of the process. John performs the procedure on a client with 3-5 weeks of growth on an acrylic (liquid & powder) sculptured nail. Guiding through the steps of carefully filing away the existing product to prepare the nail for a new application. This lesson help strengthen your skill and understanding of the service and provide tips and tricks from an industry veteran will 30 years of salon experience.

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.

RELATED VIDEOS

MORE TO EXPLORE

GlossaryLive Master Class John Hauk Rebalance

Rebalance

master class

John Hauk

As the expert behind Cruise with the Nail Stars, Cincinnati based nail artist and educator John Hauk has led a successful and eclectic nail career. With over 29 years experience as an educator and compeitior, John has accumulated over 300 awards and achieved #1 competitor of the year twice after winning the Nail Pro team cups. Currently an international judge and owner of Royalty Beauty salon, he continues to collaborate with world renown artists to bring nail education and fun to the open seas.

UPGRADE TO PREMIUM TO WATCH THIS VIDEO

Upgrade your account to access this Premium
video and so much more educational content.

Rebalance

The tip & overlay service has reached its 3-5-week milestone, and at this point the growth is noticeable enough to see through the nail, revealing the natural nail in the space between the pink application and the white tip. In this demonstration, John Hauk showcases the meticulous process of removing and refining the nail using an efile. This technique enables the artit to create a fresh smile line. This service offers the advantage of renewing the nails without the need for complete product removal or the application of a new nail tip.

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.

RELATED VIDEOS

MORE TO EXPLORE

GlossaryLive Master Class Angela Wilden Q&A

Q&A with Angela Wilden

master class

Angela Wilden

This Master Class covers the stages necessary when creating and completing an extreme nail design. Award-winning nail artist and international master educator, Angela Wilden of Luxembourg, reveals her pathway from the design and application of the nail design to the filing, shaping and refining right up to, and including, the decoration of the nails in readiness for a photoshoot or fashion show.

COMING SOON

This video has not been released.

Q&A with Angela Wilden

Alex Fox and Angela Wilden discuss the application ideas and techniqes that Angela has found useful in her journey to becoming an award-winnng extreme nail designing artist and expert in this nail art genre.

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.

RELATED VIDEOS

MORE TO EXPLORE

Hazel Dixon | Artist of the Month

ARTIST OF THE MONTH

Hazel Dixon

An international nail champion, educator, product developer, expert, judge and artist, Hazel Dixon has her finger in every nail pie imaginable, but where did it all start?

Article by Alex Fox | Published in 2023

Known worldwide as an award-winning Fantasy Nail Art champion, Hazel was up to her neck in nappies, AKA diapers, when she was drawn into the world of nails. Seduced by the creative edge that nail styling presents, as well as the ability to stay at home with her three young children, Hazel swiftly immersed herself in everything nails. “I was drawn to the idea of doing nails when I saw an airbrushed set sporting the Nike logo. I’d never seen anything like it before,” Hazel recalls. Her interest sparked and creative taste buds tickled, Hazel looked directly into courses as, she confesses, “I felt it couldn’t be that hard, but boy was I in for a shock!”

Attracted to a schedule of working evenings and weekends around her family, Hazel quickly realized it was more a calling than a quick-fix solution. “I love nails,” she chuckles. “I can explore my creative edge while transforming nails into tiny pieces of art. The buzz I get when I’ve finished a set, and see the client’s face light up, renders me speechless, it’s such a powerful, positive feeling.” Boasting a wide repertoire of nail skills, Hazel admits her strengths lie in both structure as well as all nail art genres including extreme techniques. Entering the world of nails in 2006, she took her initial training with CND and has since taken over 73 different classes with an array of brands including Akzentz, NSI, EzFlow, Crystal Nails, Brillbird, as well as completing an NVQ 3 in nails, and untold trainings with a host of award-winning educators across the world. Hazel cites, “Great education, lots of patience, an immense amount of practice and fantastic ongoing support from educators,” as the secret to her ongoing success.

Keen to share her entrepreneurial spirit, the highly decorated trophy and medal winner, Hazel, hung up her competition brushes in 2021 and picked up the mentor mantle. With her own nail brand (HD Professional Systems) and academy to run, alongside her salon, Hazel stood down from the competition circuit in order to use her expertise to support others moving in that spectrum. Working one day a week in her salon, Purely Nailz, Hazel’s philosophy steers her into keeping on top of her salon skills while innovating and raising industry standards. She explains, “The HD Nail Artist Academy has several locations up and down the UK where the 10-strong educator team presents a full array of ABT accredited courses plus workshops from total beginners to the most advanced techniques.” Located in the patchwork of pines and heathland that make up Thetford Forest in Norfolk, Hazel’s trinity comprising salon, academy and warehouse is a hive of activity and a thriving family business. “My academy offers something for everyone. Over the past few years I’ve written over 100 classes and workshops, presenting an array of training that best suits individual needs. I offer both in-house and online training, however, it’s my belief that complete beginners should only be taught in-house due to the science that must be covered. I feel it’s so important the educator be beside the student every step of the way.”

With two types of online training on the menu, Hazel is sure she’s got all bases and learning styles catered for. “Online training is packaged as pre-recorded workshops for existing techs with core, fundamental nail knowledge already in their repertoire. I also offer live Zoom training sessions, which are not accredited, but for students that prefer having the educator ‘live’ with them whilst learning.” A boost like no other, a mentoring program offers significant advantages to those who take the plunge. Mentor, Hazel advises, “Find a fellow, passionate nail tech or mentor. Surround yourself with like-minded people that will encourage, motivate and help you through the good and bad times. Having someone you can call or message that ‘gets you’, is so important. I don’t know what I’d have done without the people who keep me motivated on a daily basis.” Hazel also encourages nail pros to, “Invest your time and money wisely. Research the academy properly before taking a course, to ensure it can provide you with the skills and outcomes you’re looking to achieve, then be specific about this, don’t try to ‘learn’ too much, too quickly. Take your time and be sure you’ve successfully learned and perfected each skill before moving onto the next. Choose one that offers ongoing support, as this is so important.” Believing in a ‘practice makes perfect’ work ethic, Hazel concludes, “I don’t get time for hobbies, but I always make time for my husband and family, as well as indulging in retail therapy and dinner dates. Quality time outside of nails is essential to success, for balance as well as to relieve and relax the mind.” Hazel’s mantra sums this up nicely.

“Be happy with what you have, while working for what you want.”

Follow Hazel & Share this article!

Related videos, articles & glossary terms on GlossaryLive

GlossaryLive Master Class Angela Wilden Q&A

Q&A with Angela Wilden

master class

Angela Wilden

This Master Class covers the stages necessary when creating and completing an extreme nail design. Award-winning nail artist and international master educator, Angela Wilden of Luxembourg, reveals her pathway from the design and application of the nail design to the filing, shaping and refining right up to, and including, the decoration of the nails in readiness for a photoshoot or fashion show.

Q&A with Angela Wilden

Alex Fox and Angela Wilden discuss the application ideas and techniqes that Angela has found useful in her journey to becoming an award-winnng extreme nail designing artist and expert in this nail art genre.

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.

RELATED VIDEOS

MORE TO EXPLORE

GlossaryLive Master Class Angela Wilden Decorate & Style

Decorate & Style

master class

Angela Wilden

This Master Class covers the stages necessary when creating and completing an extreme nail design. Award-winning nail artist and international master educator, Angela Wilden of Luxembourg, reveals her pathway from the design and application of the nail design to the filing, shaping and refining right up to, and including, the decoration of the nails in readiness for a photoshoot or fashion show.

Decorate & Style

The third phaze in this Master Class trilogy exposes the techniques that Angela Wilden uses to decorate her extreme nails in order to fit her chosen theme for a photo shoot. These nails were crafted and designed as an entry in the extreme nail styling section of a poster competition.

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.

RELATED VIDEOS

MORE TO EXPLORE

GlossaryLive Master Class Angela Wilden File & Shape

File & Shape

master class

Angela Wilden

This Master Class covers the stages necessary when creating and completing an extreme nail design. Award-winning nail artist and international master educator, Angela Wilden of Luxembourg, reveals her pathway from the design and application of the nail design to the filing, shaping and refining right up to, and including, the decoration of the nails in readiness for a photoshoot or fashion show.

UPGRADE TO PREMIUM TO WATCH THIS VIDEO

Upgrade your account to access this Premium
video and so much more educational content.

File & Shape

In this Master Class Angela Wilden explains how to shape and form your extreme nails, adding cut outs while refining and smoothing the nails. Using an efile, Angela shows how to utilize the efile in order to get a great finish in preparation for the application of paints for the decoration stage. Angela also shows how to add and adhere 3D elements to the nails, such as 3D gel adornments to further style the extreme nails.

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.

RELATED VIDEOS

MORE TO EXPLORE

GlossaryLive Master Class Angela Wilden Extreme Nail

Design & Craft

master class

Angela Wilden

This Master Class covers the stages necessary when creating and completing an extreme nail design. Award-winning nail artist and international master educator, Angela Wilden of Luxembourg, reveals her pathway from the design and application of the nail design to the filing, shaping and refining right up to, and including, the decoration of the nails in readiness for a photoshoot or fashion show.

UPGRADE TO PREMIUM TO WATCH THIS VIDEO

Upgrade your account to access this Premium
video and so much more educational content.

Design & Craft

Angela Wilden focuses attention on the development of the shape of the extreme nails from conception and sketching to the preparation and placement of the nail form and application method used for the product control as the nail is crafted.

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.

RELATED VIDEOS

MORE TO EXPLORE

Electric File

UPGRADE TO PREMIUM TO WATCH THIS VIDEO

Upgrade your account to access this Premium
video and so much more educational content.

Electric File

Lifting problems can be caused by product touching the skin or applied too thick at the cuticle area. Learn how to battle and solve this problem with Dafne Fernandez, who explains how the electric file can help.

UP NEXT ON PRO TIPS

RELATED VIDEOS

MORE TO EXPLORE