Nailpro
  • Facebook icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon
  • YouTube icon
  • Twitter icon
  • News
  • Industry News
  • Events
  • Nailpro Show Coverage
Topics
  • Nail Art
  • Technique
  • Health
  • Products
  • Business
  • News
  • Industry News
  • Events
  • Nailpro Show Coverage
  • Multimedia
  • Nailpro Nail Show
  • Polls
Magazine
  • Magazine
  • Subscribe
User Tools
  • Contact Us
  • Editorial Submission
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal Terms
Facebook iconInstagram iconPinterest iconYouTube iconTwitter icon
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Industry News

April Ryan Gives the Professional Nail Industry a Hand

Oct 21st, 2021

From improving education to top-of-the-line products to jump-starting the hottest nail trends, there is not an aspect of the professional nail industry that April Ryan, the inventor behind the Red Iguana brand, has not influenced.

Originally from Russia, Ryan moved to the United States and has since helped revolutionize the professional nail industry by educating on nail techniques through video tutorials, creating in-demand silicone practice hands, showcasing her talent and creativity in professional nail competitions, making hard gel and Russian manicures popular in the United States and working with laboratories to create new professional products.

Hands-On Education

For nail technicians to truly hone their craft, practice makes perfect. Ryan saw an opportunity to help nail professionals’ work thrive and created Red Iguana Practice Hands. An exact replica of Ryan’s, the hands are made from 100% quality silicone and made in the USA.

The hands are revered in the professional nail industry and have won a 2021 NAILPRO Readers’ Choice Award.

Professional Products

But, Ryan was not satisfied with just the practice stage; she wanted to help her fellow nail techs deliver top-of-the-line services to her clients during every salon appointment. She launched a line of professional nail products to do just that. Red Iguana currently offers a variety of products for gel services and nail art as well as must-have tools and accessories.

NAILPRO caught up with Ryan to learn a bit more about her major impact on the professional nail industry.

NAILPRO: What is the inspiration behind Red Iguana?

April Ryan (AR): Red Iguana is a brand that provides our customers the best nail products made from top-of-the-line ingredients. It is not always easy to find high-quality products in the U.S. market, and this is what inspired me to start my own products line. 

NAILPRO: Why did you choose to specialize in silicone practice hands?

AR: When I was a nail art video creator, I needed the perfect model for my videos. I made copies of my real hands and started to use them in the tutorials I was creating. My followers immediately wanted them, too, so I started to sell them.  

NAILPRO: How do you think nail professionals can benefit from using practice hands?

AR: Silicone hands make for the perfect model. Need to film a video, but you have no model? You have a silicone hand. Afraid to start to work with clients? Start on a super-realistic silicone hand to gain confidence. Have the urge to try some new nail art at the spur of the moment? The silicone hand is ready to go. Bottom line: Red Iguana Practice Hands give nail techs freedom. 

NAILPRO: What is next for Red Iguana? Are there any exciting product launches to keep an eye out for? 

AR: We recently launched a variety of products, including acrygels, bases, builders, top coats and French gels. In the near future, we expect art gels, gel polishes, acrylics and tools. This year will be full of new products. 

Latest in Industry News
Nail artist Fabian Robles @thenailvato shares four things in his life that inspire his nail art.
What Inspires Nail Artist Fabian Robles?
Jun 2nd, 2023
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Professional Beauty Association announces free subscriptions to 24/7 virtual counseling as part of its full suite of new membership benefits.
The Professional Beauty Association Offers New Membership Benefits
May 30th, 2023
Emelie Westin shares her tips for handling negativity on social media.
7 Ways to Handle Negativity on Social Media
May 24th, 2023
Elise Smith welcomes Nailpro to Sky High Studio
Get to Know Sky High Studio in Glasgow, U.K.
May 24th, 2023
More in Industry News
Cover artist Abigail Tovar takes us behind the scenes of her inspiration for creating Nailpro's May/June 2023 cover.
Industry News
Go Behind the Scenes of Nailpro's May/June 2023 Cover
Cover artist Abigail Tovar takes us behind the scenes of her inspiration for creating Nailpro's May/June 2023 cover.
May 22nd, 2023
Nail artist Mallory Mazer shares eight steps to follow for taking inventory at your nail salon.
Business
8 Steps for Taking Inventory at Your Nail Salon
Nail artist Mallory Mazer shares eight steps to follow for taking inventory at your nail salon.
May 19th, 2023
Manucurist Paris has partnered with Perfect Corp to bring Manucurist Paris Green Flash nail colors to life through AR virtual try-on.
Industry News
How-To: Virtually Try On Nail Polish Colors from Manucurist Paris
Manucurist Paris has partnered with Perfect Corp, the leading artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) beauty and fashion tech solutions provider, to bring Manucurist Paris Green Flash nail colors to life through AR virtual try-on.
May 17th, 2023
OPI’s bestselling Nail Envy Strengthener is getting an upgrade with a new and improved vegan formula and six new colors.
Mani-Pedi
OPI Introduces Repair Mode and Improved Nail Envy Formula
Repair Mode with Patented Ulti-Plex Technology is the first-ever bond-building nail serum of its kind.
May 9th, 2023
nails.co.uk manually scraped Pinterest trends on the search term 'Nail trends' across all available countries to uncover the generation most likely to keep up with nail trends.
Trends
Which Generation is Most Likely to Keep Up with Nail Trends?
nails.co.uk manually scraped Pinterest trends on the search term "Nail trends" across all available countries to uncover the generation most likely to keep up with nail trends.
May 5th, 2023
Nails.co.uk analyzed 8,645,678 nail selfies on Instagram looking at the hashtags used on each post which link with 100 nail trends.
News
The Top 10 Most Instagramable Nail Trends
Nails.co.uk analyzed 8,645,678 nail selfies on Instagram looking at the hashtags used on each post which link with 100 nail trends.
May 4th, 2023
With festival season officially here, Beauty Daily by Clarins delved into Pinterest data to uncover 2023 festival nail trends.
Trends
What Are the 2023 Festival Nail Trends?
With festival season officially here, Beauty Daily by Clarins delved into Pinterest data to uncover 2023 festival nail trends.
Apr 25th, 2023
Nail technician Megan Bryant shares what she believes the next big nail trend will be for 2023.
News
What's the Next Big Nail Trend for 2023?
Nail technician Megan Bryant shares what she believes the next big nail trend will be for 2023.
Apr 24th, 2023
conducted a survey of salon-goers across the country to explore the surprising ways that people treat a simple haircut or manicure as a two-in-one therapy session.
News
What is Most Therapeutic About a Salon Visit?
StyleSeat conducted a survey of salon-goers across the country to explore the surprising ways that people treat a simple haircut or manicure as a two-in-one therapy session.
Apr 24th, 2023
Manucurist Paris shares tips for addressing sensitivity and allergies and how their Green Flash LED gel polish can help.
News
How-To: Be Careful What You Put on Your Nails
Manucurist Paris shares tips for addressing sensitivity and allergies and how their Green Flash LED gel polish can help.
Apr 20th, 2023
Know Beauty Secrets – a campaign revealing the tremendous benefits of careers in beauty and wellness – was officially announced at the Beauty Changes Lives Gala, the national non-profit’s annual event.
News
Unite As One Coalition Announces Know Beauty Secrets Campaign
Know Beauty Secrets – a campaign revealing the tremendous benefits of careers in beauty and wellness – was officially announced at the Beauty Changes Lives Gala, the national non-profit’s annual event.
Apr 20th, 2023
Boulevard and the Professional Beauty Association announce joint fundraising initiative to help pass bipartisan tax legislation in support of continued growth and investment in the beauty industry.
Business
Boulevard and the Professional Beauty Association Partner to Push for Extension of FICA Tax Tip Credit to Self-Care Businesses
Boulevard and the Professional Beauty Association announce joint fundraising initiative to help pass bipartisan tax legislation in support of continued growth and investment in the beauty industry.
Apr 18th, 2023
Follow Us
Facebook iconInstagram iconPinterest iconYouTube iconTwitter icon
Most Recent
With the recent release of Disney's The Little Mermaid, celebrities are sporting mermaidcore nail looks. Use this inspo for your clients.
4 Mermaidcore Nail Looks
Nail artist Fabian Robles @thenailvato shares four things in his life that inspire his nail art.
What Inspires Nail Artist Fabian Robles?
Sarah Ostresh, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, OPI, shares how to use these trending nail colors safely this summer.
How-To: Use Neon Nail Polishes Safely
Celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec created Storm Reid's nail look for the Cannes Film Festival.
How-To: Storm Reid's Cannes Film Festival Nails
Nail artist Asia Bloodworth shares everything you need to know about press-on nails, including proper application and removal.
Everything You Need to Know About Press-On Nails
Nailpro
Facebook iconInstagram iconPinterest iconYouTube iconTwitter icon
© 2023 Allured Business Media. All rights reserved.
  • Contact Us
  • Editorial Submission
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal Terms
  • Site Map