We are spotlighting the winners of Nailpro’s 30 Under 30 competition for 2023, featuring 30 nail artists under 30 years of age.
Get to know Vivian Chao (@chaos.nails). She is a 24-year-old nail tech at Chaos Nails in Dallas, TX.
Q&A:
Nailpro (NP): What is a fun fact about you?
Vivian Chao (VC): I originally went to school for visual arts.
NP: How did you get your start as a nail tech?
VC: I always loved nail art since watching nail art tutorials in middle school, but it wasn’t until I saw some Celina Ryden videos that I considered it as a career and I enrolled in cosmetology school soon after.
NP: What do you love about your job?
VC: I love getting to make little works of art daily and helping my clients with a little self-care.
NP: Where do you find inspiration?
VC: I find a lot of inspiration from artworks, like paintings, pottery and tattoos and from other nail techs.
NP: What is a piece of advice you would give other nail technicians who are just getting started?
VC: It takes time to improve, so be patient with yourself and give yourself some grace.
NP: What is your favorite nail trend right now?
VC: The chrome and 3D combo is all I can think about these days.
NP: What is your favorite service to offer?
VC: I think it would have to be gel overlays. I love a good nail growth journey
NP: What is one of your proudest achievements as a nail tech?
VC: Definitely opening my own studio with my friend, Pauly. It was a big leap of faith, and it became so much more than I could have hoped for.
NP: What do you love about the nail community/industry?
VC: I love how it’s constantly evolving with new products and new techniques. There’s always something new to learn, and it never feels stagnant.
NP: What are your top goals as a nail tech?
VC: I think the day I get to do some Met Gala nails will be the day I feel like I’ve made it.
