While veteran nail techs are invaluable resources because of their experience, there’s a new crop of talented young artists who are turning the nail industry upside down. So, we decided to scout some of the best 20-something nail pros for our first-ever 30 Under 30 awards. Get to know one of our winners, Cassandra Navarro!
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Cassandra Navarro
Age: 29
Salon: Exclusive Spa (Booth Renter)
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Santa Rosa, California-based nail artist Cassandra Navarro moved out on her own at 16 years old after graduating high school. “I quickly realized how expensive it is to survive, so I took my love for nails and enrolled in beauty school—I haven’t looked back,” says Navarro. The first nail look she created was an encapsulated French glitter set. “At the start of my career, I gravitated toward this technique, because it was never offered to me,” she says. “Also, there’s nothing more sparkly and blingy than a custom chunky glitter mix.” Now, Navarro enjoys practicing hand painting and experimenting with brands like LeChat, Valentino Beauty Pure, Elegant Glass and Young Nails—which she “can’t live without.” “With so many nail art products on the market, it’s amazing how a few strategic lines, dots and strokes can create a masterpiece—not to mention the feeling you get when you create something you didn’t know you were capable of,” says Navarro, who sources her inspiration from nail artist Mindy Hardy.
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—by Angelina Lewis
