We talked to star manicurist, makeup artist, and Global Colour Ambassador for butterLONDON, Katie Hughes. She covers fall nail trends, at-home manicure tips, her favorite celebrity she’s manicured (you might be surprised!), and more. For the full story featured in JENESEQUA Issue 10, download our app in the iTunes store.
JNSQ: You started your career as a nail technician before expanding into makeup. What made you want to get involved with nails in particular?
KH: I’d always had an interest in beauty but my Mum encouraged me to go into it professionally – I suspect partly because she wanted me to do her nails for her! At home in Southport I started as an apprentice in a nail salon, but quickly I knew I had to move to London for bigger opportunities. I worked at SPACENK as a sales consultant/makeup artist, which is a great way to hone your craft, as lots of the work is very hands on. At the same time I assisted makeup artists, watching them and doing the nails – every artist has an assistant for this, so it came very naturally to me! I branched out into makeup as I love making people feel more confident and there’s always something new and exiting to learn. Nails, however, is something I love to do and will continue to practice along with makeup.
JNSQ: What nail trends to you predict for fall 2012? (We talked to Hughes for our pre-fall issue – it looks like she was right!)
KH: Texture, but even more elaborate than last season. The velvet nail and flocking (a touchable, fuzzy nail) will both be big, as well as 3D and layering. Metallics and glitters will be the on-trend colors. Glitter varnishes are so much thicker – before you put the topcoat on you can actually feel the polish, like gravel. The long, pointed talon shape of Lana Del Rey and Rihanna will stay popular too.
JNSQ: Did you anticipate the past years’ rise in nail art?
KH: Not to the extent it has! When WAH Nails started a few years back I knew that there would be people who would try and push the concept further, like The Illustrated Nail. You can tell from her designs that she’s an illustrator; there’s real skill and flare in her work. Because it’s such a huge trend now it lets me be more adventurous and do crazy things from time to time. But at the end of the day I’m more of a classic nail technician! I love creating that perfect nail for a shoot; I love a color blocked tip.
JNSQ: Do you have any tips for giving a manicure at home?
-Hold the lacquer bottle between your thumb and forefinger so you have optimum control while painting. It’s the perfect angle so you don’t over-flood the brush with product.
-Cap the free edge, which is where you skim the outside of the nail before you paint the rest. It wraps the lacquer under and around the nail so it doesn’t chip as easily.
-To tidy, take an old concealer brush, dip it in remover, and use that to clean the edges.
-Always file in one direction, going back and forth weakens the nail. butterLONDON’s Horsepower Nail Fertilizer is really good for keeping nails strong.
-Run your fingers under a cold tap to set the polish quicker; anything you can do to get them cold helps. Put down that hairdryer ladies!
JNSQ: Who has been your most memorable client?
KH: Naomi Campbell – she couldn’t have been nicer! Although she had three people on her at once and everything was really rushed, she was totally unfazed. Not even a hint of diva.
JNSQ: What’s in your desert island beauty bag? Three items only…
-Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector – makes your skin glow like no other.
-butterLONDON Trout Pout Nail Lacquer – a great cantaloupe pinky peach.
-Laura Mercier brow pencil.
JNSQ: What makes butterLONDON different from other nail brands?
KH: butterLONDON promotes the 3 FREE ideology, which means all their lacquers are free from formaldehyde, parabens, toluene and DBP; and they were one of the first to start selling 3 FREE in the United States. We also custom-blend colors backstage with designers, so if there’s not a shade in the collection that they want to use for a shoot or fashion show we’ll create it for them right then and there… That’s really fun for me and also advising the designer on what I think is an honor.
JNSQ: Do you have a favorite shade from the new butterLONDON collection?
KH: Definitely “shag;” it’s a fabulous rust shade. I used it last season in London for Craig Lawrence… I topped it off with matte topcoat and pressed my fingerprint in to it when nearly dry to create texture. His collection was full of texture so it worked well.
For the full interview, download here to see Katie’s favorite beauty icons, most inspirational makeup artists, and more.
Author: Alice White Walker Photo: Super Gorgeous
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