November and December are special for countless reasons, including the transition from fall to winter and the beginning of two of the most festive holidays after the exciting return of Halloween this year. Why is NAILPRO particularly joyful for these last two months? Because of the nail artist and Nailpro educator Tina Zavala who created this issue’s cover. Zavala approached us with a concept for the September/October 2021 issue, but we had already selected the cover. Instead, we gave her the opportunity to design a nail set for November/December 2021. After a discussion and a peek at her mood board, she stunned us with her results. Like the focus on the nails, let us dig deeper and discover more about this nail artist.
November and December are special for countless reasons, including the transition from fall to winter and the beginning of two of the most festive holidays after the exciting return of Halloween this year. Why is NAILPRO particularly joyful for these last two months? Because of the nail artist and Nailpro educator Tina Zavala who created this issue’s cover. Zavala approached us with a concept for the September/October 2021 issue, but we had already selected the cover. Instead, we gave her the opportunity to design a nail set for November/December 2021. After a discussion and a peek at her mood board, she stunned us with her results. Like the focus on the nails, let us dig deeper and discover more about this nail artist.
Nailpro: How long have you been a licensed nail tech?
Tina Zavala (TZ): I have been licensed for 10 years. But, I have loved nails since I was 5 years old.
Nailpro: When did you get into nail art? For how long have you been creating?
TZ: I got into nail art long before I became licensed. My first nail art I did on myself at the age of 10. I created X’s on all of my nails using white polish and a toothpick. I got so many compliments on that design and thought it was so epic at the time. The reaction I got from other people about my art—that excitement—is what really made me want to become a licensed nail tech.
Nailpro: What do you love about doing nails and creating nail art?
TZ: What I love about doing nails and nail art is how my creativity can make people happy and make them feel more beautiful. I am here to make my clients’ nail art dreams come true. Making a positive impact in people’s lives is my goal in life.
Nailpro: What is your inspiration behind the cover?
TZ: My inspiration stems from my love of New York City as the fashion capital of the United States. It is such a special place to me because it is where I got to work my first major fashion show. The energy and vibe of the city are so magical, especially during the holidays. On each nail you will see a different image of popular places in the city decorated during the holidays. My favorite images are of Radio City Music Hall and Times Square. I decided to go with the black and white look because I wanted the nails to be the main focal point. The idea is that everything else is muted, but the nails pop, and the images of the landmarks look illuminated like the city at night.
Nailpro: How do you conceptualize your nail art?
TZ: My art derives from many places. It could be from fashion, celebrities, social media trends, TV shows, nature or other art forms. I have artistic clientele consisting of artists, musicians, models, photographers, etc. Most of the time, they will conceptualize a look or have a really creative idea, and I will make it come to life on their nails.
Nailpro: Why did you choose nail decals over hand-painted designs for this cover set?
TZ: Creating my own nail decals is a specialty of mine and an art form in of itself. I learned how to make my own decals about three years ago through research and trial and error. My clients and I love the easy and quick customization I can create on the nails by using them. In fact, I have created some of my most notable looks on Instagram with custom nail decals. I chose to use nail decals instead of painting for the cover because I wanted to show a different form of nail art that has not been done before. My goal is to encourage other nail techs and show them they can still do nail art even if hand painting is not their forte. You can still customize a look and make it epic!
Nailpro: What words of advice do you have for aspiring nail artists?
TZ: Be creative, and think outside the box. Let your creativity take you to new levels of nail art you thought you could never reach. Do not be afraid to come up with new ideas or set trends. To stand out in the beauty industry, you need to brand yourself. Develop your own unique style that fits your nail personality and shine through. It is important to set career goals and accomplish them day by day.
Related: How-To: Holiday in New York Nails
About the Artist
A nail artist based in Louisville, Kentucky, Tina Zavala is more popularly known as Popstar Nails and creates nail art inspired by fashion. Having worked in the industry for 10 years, she watches current social media trends amongst celebrities closely.
