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Skincare, Good Beauty

Tips To Toes: A Homage to Nail Culture

TheLiberalLeo founding_member

Copyright | Goodfeed, 2022

Hello, Paws and Claws

Long gone are the times when long nails were considered unprofessional and, dare I say, ghetto. There was a time when I was scared to grow my nails out, fearing that my nails would be interpreted as unfit, unclean, or that long nails would prohibit me from being able to accomplish everyday tasks– like picking a penny off the ground. By the time I was in middle school I was hooked, I was running to my local nail salon with my girlfriends, bragging about what new nail design I was getting for the week.

In the last couple of years, there has been a resurgence in the love of nail art, and now, calling it “art” is a total understatement. Today, nail design is a talent so sought after that celebrities are paying top dollar to fly out their favorite nail technician for private manicures– a service just as crucial as their hair styling. If you ask Siri who kicked off the long nail game it actually says Kylie Jenner, but for those of us who have been part of the nail game for a while, we know it has been championed by cultural black icons such as Donna Summer or Flo Jo– rocking her iconic long nails as she passed over the finish line at the 1988 Olympics.

Tony Duffy | Getty Images Tony Duffy | Getty Images
Donna Summer Donna Summer

From New York to California, nails are continuing to be part of everyone’s ensemble. From extra long nail art including acrylics and press-ons to more conservative french‘s with a classic pale pink base.

We use nails as an extension of our style. From Lizzo to Rosalia and their love of blinged-out nails, we are watching nail art become just as important as any accessory that we carry or any hairstyle that we rock. Below, we feature an array of artists that are elevating and challenging what we ever imagined was possible on a half an inch surface. Long or short, square or almond, fly nails are nothing more than an extension of our flyness and we don't see this trend slowing down any time soon.

Here is a list of some of the most iconic nail artists from the east to the west coast:

Britney Tokyo

You can’t talk about nail art without mentioning Britney Tokyo. Based out of LA, Tokyo has soared to exponential heights from her nail art that has been seen on the likes of Kourtney Kardashian, Dixie and Charlie D’Amelio, and even Harry Styles! Her designs are bold, colorful, and sometimes downright weird. She draws inspiration from all over including music and food. Her designs are 100% for someone who is trying to make a statement.

@BritneyTokyo @BritneyTokyo
@BritneyTokyo @BritneyTokyo

Eloisa Marie Perez

Born from that hustle culture, Perez’s story is nothing short of inspirational. She dropped out of high school after saving $253 and ordered her first nail kit. She has grown her celebrity clientele from the ground up using the power of social media and now works directly with Cardi B and Blac Chyna. Her technical strength is shaping and for anyone who knows anything about nails, that is by far the most challenging technique to master.

@marienailz @marienailz
@marienailz @marienailz

Coca Michelle

Megan Thee Stallion and Rosalia’s nail artist? Say no more. Those ladies are just some of the many celebrities that are lucky enough to work with Coca Michelle. Her specialty? Just being amazingly talented and creative – freestyling and letting the creative process dictate how her designs turn out. She has received a ton of notoriety for the anime nail styles we have seen on Thee Stallion and we’re pumped to see what else she comes up with next.

@cocamichelle @cocamichelle
@cocoamichelle @cocoamichelle

#nailart #manicure