This Women's History Month, Nailpro is celebrating by sharing the stories of five women in the nail industry that we consider to be trailblazers.
Thuy Nguyen (@thuybnguyen) is a manicurist who has created nail looks for Elizabeth Olsen, Jenna Ortega, Lily Collins and more. Below, she shares her story, including what advice she would give to other women nail techs who are looking to be just as much of a trailblazer.
Q&A:
Nailpro: How/when did you get started in the nail industry?
Thuy Nguyen (TN): Professionally, it was the summer after I graduated high school. After certification, I found a job at a local nail salon and started working immediately. I wanted to utilize all of summer to work and save money for college. When I started doing nails, it was really just a fun job to pay for college so that I could pay my way through, but now it has grown into something even more magical than I could have ever imagined!
Nailpro: What makes you passionate about nails?
TN: Art. Art has always captivated me. I love to play with different textures and mediums from different facets of life and incorporate that into creating fun nails, like taking broken pieces of glass and encapsulating that into gels using bubbles to texturize manicures or even old newspaper that could be cut into small pieces with slightly burned edges for nail art!
Nailpro: What is one of your favorite memories in the nail industry?
TN: Some of my favorite memories would have to be all the places I get to travel to and create my art. The people I get to meet, the friends made and the time spent in different cities are opportunities I would not have otherwise. Traveling seasons you, it changes your palette and it gives you perspective.
Nailpro: What advice do you have for any women in the nail industry who are looking to make waves in the way that you have?
TN: I believe that first and foremost, you must focus on you and your craft. Practicing in areas that you are not confident in helps to fine tune your skills. It is important that the skills you develop match your expectations and no one else’s. I took my time learning how to do everything. At my own pace and through those sessions were where I was able to identify my preferences in products and equipment. Then spending enough time with those specific products and equipment helped me to drive my career in the most comfortable direction for me. All to say, do what feels good, and do it at your own pace.
Nailpro: What are any goals and aspirations you have for your career going forward?
TN: This is a hard question because my goals and aspirations evolve every year, but what I will say is that I would love to collaborate with another artist on a special project. Of what? I don’t know. I just love to collaborate. No two people are alike and the beauty in that is unlimited.