A CONVERSATION WITH ERICA

A CONVERSATION WITH ERICA

I have known Erica since we were kids. I still remember the day she showed me her first nail art projects, and I couldn't believe this person so lovable and discreet was hiding so much talent inside of her. I knew her artistic and professional journey was destined to be successful, because her thoughtfulness, kindness, accuracy and honesty can only reward her hard work and dreams. Today Erica is here to talk about herself and her experience.

What prompted you to become interested in nail art?

Since I was a child I have had a passion for nails, nail polish and drawing. As a teenager I started experimenting with nail polishes, and I participated for fun in a Pupa photo contest dedicated to nail art. I proposed the carnival theme inspired by Venice, ranking in first position. At the time, I was taking care of my long, natural nails, and I always received a lot of compliments. From this experience I understood that I have a gift for miniature drawings. 

What are the strengths and weaknesses of this sector?

In my opinion, a strong point of this sector is the fact that it is extended to many people: many women request manicure services. Many prefer to go to the beauty center, rather than doing their nails at home, both for a matter of time, and to have a final result that can last longer. A weakness, however, is being able to keep up to date on nail art practices; many refresher courses are not valid, while others are too expensive and this leads to too many self-taught people who try to work professionally and who, unfortunately, can cause damage to customers and discredit colleagues (I have heard from some that the gel we use ruins the nails, while in reality it is not harmful but it must be applied well).

Could you explain the importance of mixing nail art and nail techniques?

The nail technician practice is not fundamental, it works more on the structure of the nail, it is an added value. There are nail technicians and nail artists and they don't necessarily have to know how to do each other's work; some people are very prepared to work on the structure of the nail without knowing how to intervene on the decorative part. In the beauty center where I worked, out of 5 manicurists, I was the only one to perform nail art works especially during holidays such as Christmas, Easter or other special occasions. Being passionate about my work, I trained to be able to work on both fronts.

How did you manage to become a professional nail artist as a self-taught?

I started doing a lot, a lot of practice on myself and on people I knew; I photographed my creations and posted them on social media. Those photographs were used as a portfolio when I showed up in beauty centers with my resume, and I always took care to always present myself with my nails done. Even when I went to Cosmoprof in Bologna my nails were well cared for and I received a lot of compliments. My hands have also been my advertisement in everyday situations such as grocery shopping, when people asked me who had done my nails and I proudly replied that I was the artist and invited them to come and visit me at the beauty center where I used to work. 

In your experience, what are the expectations and trust of customers?

To build customer loyalty, first of all, you need to demonstrate that your nails last the promised time. They also need to be able to see that the nails remain healthy, that the products applied are valid, and that you offer a competitive price. Having a wide variety of colors to create with is definitely an advantage, many customers complain about the lack of choice. Therefore, in conclusion, professionalism, speed, availability of colors and price are important. 

What jobs are you most satisfied with?

I remember a client of mine, very whimsical and surprised at how I could bear it, who every month asked for a different theme that coincided with the activities she would have carried out during the period. For example, once the theme was spring and I created nails on a fuchsia base with cherry blossoms, and the symbol, on a single nail, of happiness in Japanese; another theme was inspired by Mirò, of which my client had to see an exhibition, and so I reproduced on two nails two miniatures of two paintings by the artist. Raffaella's requests made me happy, and encouraged me to put my manual skills into play.

Are there, in your opinion, nail art trends that you define as unpleasant under an aesthetic and artistic level?

Yes. Lately on Instagram I often see nail artists apply fresh material on the natural nail, such as pieces of strawberry or even pasta, and cover everything with gel so that it is incorporated.

What do you think is the trend that never goes out of fashion?

Definitely the French manicure. A few years ago it was an everyday custom, but it always remains evergreen despite the passage of time. The same goes for the red lacquered nail.

What are the most common mistakes that beginners make?

Undoubtedly, nail preparation is one of the first mistakes. Without good preparation, the gel does not hold. The gel blasting must also be done with precision, both to give a good visual impact and to create an elongation; novice it is difficult to make it homogeneous. Good gel blasting practice is acquired with time and experience.

Do you have a dream or a special project related to your business?

I am currently in a standby phase having a toddler and expecting my second baby. In the meantime, I keep practicing on myself. When the children will be older, I would like to be able to open my own business with a friend, or continue collaborations in different beauty centers in order to keep on cultivating my passion-profession. It is a constantly evolving sector, and there are always many things and trends to know and learn. 

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