Hirsch Hunty (@nailsbyhirsch) shares what inspired the look he created for Nailpro's May/June cover, how they got their start in the industry and more.
The nail community is a beautifully diverse and creative group of professionals that are capable of making tiny works of art come to life every day, even multiple times a day. We are constantly seeing new designs and concepts from the most innovative imaginations in professional nails, one being Hirsch Hunty (@nailsbyhirsch). When we sought out to find a bold and creative cover nail artist for our May/June issue in celebration of our industry's LGBTQIA+ community, we thought of Hunty.
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The nail community is a beautifully diverse and creative group of professionals that are capable of making tiny works of art come to life every day, even multiple times a day. We are constantly seeing new designs and concepts from the most innovative imaginations in professional nails, one being Hirsch Hunty (@nailsbyhirsch). When we sought out to find a bold and creative cover nail artist for our May/June issue in celebration of our industry's LGBTQIA+ community, we thought of Hunty.
Though Hunty's trend-setting nail art has been on our radar for a number of years, they were one of the nail artists chosen for our 30 Under 30 contest in 2023. One look at Hunty's Instagram, and you can see that their creativity and skill knows no limits. You name it, and they work with it — marble, texture, bling, handpainted designs and 3D art. If the cover leaves you wanting to know more, here's your opportunity to read on for a look at what inspired Hunty's cover look, how they got their start and more.
Nailpro (NP): How did you get into the nail industry?
Hirsch Hunty (HH): I began my journey in the nail industry at 18 years old after graduating from a vocational
high school in New Jersey. I took my creativity and cosmetology license and a bit of faith and
jumped right into the industry to pursue my passion with little to no practical skills in the
small town of Wilmington, North Carolina. I sought out to become not only a nail tech, but a
nail ARTIST. Learning the foundation, technique and artistry behind nails required lots of
practice and patience; I spent countless hours behind the chair perfecting my technique.
Within two years, I acquired an advance skill set I was confident in and took a leap of faith
to move to Charlotte, North Carolina, where I advanced even further as an
artist and even had the courage to branch out on my own. Today, I can proudly say that I am
an independent nail artist with an extensive repertoire and six years of experience! I am very proud of the career and platform that I’ve built over the years and can’t wait
to see what the future has in store for me!
NP: What do you consider your specialty and why?
HH: Through all aspects of nails, I consider my specialties to be sculpted acrylic extensions
and nail art. My long lasting foundation, attention to detail and precision line work make my
nails uniquely captivating! Over the years, I have learned my strength in becoming a well-rounded and versatile artist across all aspects of nails. My ability to create long, acrylic nail
extensions is exquisite, and my ability to create unique nail art by hand is what sets my
artistry apart from others in the industry! I prioritize staying up-to-date on current nail
trends and finding new techniques and products. My ability to adapt and grow allows me
the skills to continue building my artistic arsenal, perfecting my craft and reinventing my
style of nails!
NP: What is your favorite design to do?
HH: One of my signature designs, and also a trend that is still very relevant today, is negative
space nail art, which is a very versatile technique that is timeless and classic. Negative space
is my favorite design to incorporate into my nail sets and can be achieved in nail art by
leaving some of the neutral base exposed on the nail when creating a design, which will
create negative space and draw attention to the main subject of the nails – your design!
NP: Where did you get the inspiration for your creations?
HH: In my artistry, inspiration comes to me from all over, from other nail artist’s creations to
artwork, even the colors on my client’s shirt can inspire me! When I’m in dire need of
inspiration or a spark to fuel my creative juices, I look right in front of me to find my main
source of inspiration: my client! I often look into their personality and see what colors their
aura may give off and use them as my source of inspiration for my color palette and
designs.
NP: Where did you get the inspiration for this look?
HH: As a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I am honored to have been chosen to
showcase a look for the Pride Month issue of Nailpro. I wanted to create a look
that was colorful, vibrant and showcased the charisma and uniqueness of my community.
This look was curated by taking the pride flag, which represents the beauty and diversity of our community and, more
importantly, the fight for equality and inclusion for all genders, identities and sexual
orientations, and adding an artistic twist. The flag consists of six colorful stripes in the order of red, orange, yellow,
green, blue and violet; I took inspiration from the patterns of Italian fashion designer Emilio
Pucci and used the six colors to create an abstract, rainbow design for this nail set!
NP: What are you hoping for the future of the nail industry?
HH: Choosing to become a full-time nail artist has become a stigma and deemed as a short-term career or a unstable source of income for far too long. Becoming a nail artist has been
very rewarding, and when pursuing a career in the nail industry, nail artists can build a form
of art expression and therapeutic relief, client relationships that can evolve into
business/personal opportunities and brand deals that showcase their work all on a larger
platform. The best part is that nail artists are the creator’s of their own success and are
limitless in the abundance they bring to their careers. For the future of the nail industry, I
hope that our hustle and pursuit for success will continue to be seen across the entire world
and continue demanding the attention and respect that nail artists deserve!
Cover Look Tutorial
One of my personal favorite designs has been the design seen in the cover, which is in six different colors and a rainbow set. To create this rainbow patterned design, you will need your
favorite matte top coat, a liner brush, a steady hand and about six colors, varying in tints from
darkest to lightest.
Starting on an opaque nail, create a thin line down the middle of the nail to divide the nail
into two equal parts. Cure for 60 seconds.
Using your first color, create a downward arch going halfway down the nail and an upward arch
halfway up the other side of the nail. Cure for 30 secs.
Repeat step two, using your second color to create the same arch going up and down the nail. Cure for 30 seconds.
Continue repeating the steps until you use all of your colors, curing in between each color.
After using all the colors on your palette, repeat these steps starting with your first color
again, until you completely cover the nail in the design. Cure for 60 secs.
When complete, apply matte top coat, and cure for 60 seconds.
Hirsch's 5 Salon Must-Haves
Akzentz Shiny Top Coat: It has been my favorite glossy top coat for years because of its stain resistant finish.
Valentino Beauty Pure’s Nail Forms
Kreativ Nail Supply’s EMA “Tears of a Dreamer” Monomer
Wildflower’s Pigment Powders
Gold foil: Who doesn’t love a good gold accent to create that extra kick of razzle-dazzle?!
