New(ish) in the Studio - Summer 2025
One of the biggest things I have noticed since starting to do nails is that, so many times, I’ll buy a new product or color and think, “clients are going to love this”…only to never end up using it. Part of that, I think, is because people don’t know about everything that’s available, and it’s vaguely difficult to communicate what new products are in or how we can use them to create cool sets of nails—especially if the only time those products are mentioned is in the five-to-ten minutes that we discuss what they’re going to do with their nails that day.
To that end, I want to start updating here about new things I get in the nail room so that my clients know what’s available to them. Here are some of the newest things I’ve gotten in this summer:
1) A new airbrush, a bunch of new paint colors and a bunch of new stencils.
If you’ve come to see me before, you might be thinking, “I thought she always had an airbrush”—and you would be correct. BUT, for my birthday this year, my brother gifted me a new one—the Iwata HP-B Plus—and I am, in a word, obsessed. My first airbrush was an Iwata Neo, and it got the job done for what I mostly needed it for, but it didn’t allow for smaller or more precise lines and detail work. If you wanted a gradient french, an aura nail or a quick ombre, that airbrush could handle it, but for more intricate and layered designs using stencils, it fell short, simply because the nozzle didn’t allow a small enough spray radius.
This new one, though. It’s great. I still need to practice more to really learn the ins and outs, but pictured above are just a few quick trials with it. I used some stencils from What’s Up Beauty and Golden High Flow Acrylic Paint (no aerosolized gel + acetone here!), and for just a few thrown-together ideas, I’m really impressed with what it can do. I’m excited to create some really unique sets of nails. For the next few months, if you tell me ‘do whatever you want’ at your appointment, it’ll probably involve the airbrush.
2) Metal Halloween charms
These have been a hit in the past, and I was running low, so a restock was in order. I found these a couple years ago on Daily Charme, and I really like the quality. Plus, if your nails are medium-length, we can combine the skull charm with the ribcage charm and you can have almost a whole skelly right there on your hand. SPOOKY!
3) DVOK’s “Chilling” collection
I was *heavily* influenced to buy this collection after seeing a few other nail artists posting about it. Most of the magnetic/cateye gels I’ve used and bought have a gray/silver base, but these have a champagne gold base that felt really unique. Plus, just look at how ethereal they all look when they’re next to each other. They’re so pretty!! No regrets.
4) Kokoist Jelly Top
I love little 3D accents, and I’m always game to try the newest product to do them. Kokoist is a heavy hitter in my studio, so I knew if they were putting out something to do 3D elements I wouldn’t be disappointed. I’ve used it a few times since getting it, and I really like it. It does sself-level, but it’s slower to do so than hard gel (which is what I used to use), so I don’t have to flash-cure each little swoop or blob in between—I can do a full nail at once and then send you to the lamp. We all love a time-saver.
5) Pearl embellishments
I’m not sure if I didn’t have these before or if I had just run out and forgot to restock, but let’s just say I won’t be needing to mix pearl chrome powder into top coat to make DIY pearls anytime soon.
6) Sheer red shades from Rozy
I tihnk we’ve all partaken in the “well, I’m paying for shipping, might as well make it worth it” purchases, and admittedly, these were that when I bought the DVOK Chilling collection, but they’re SO PRETTY. It doesn’t show well in the above photo, but these reds are sheer, yet very pigmented, so they look super juicy (for lack of a better word) on your nails. I imagine they’ll get their time in the sun come fall and winter.
Ok, that’s it for now!
As always, if you see something out in the wild that you a) don’t know if I have or b) NEED me to have for your next set of nails, feel free to let me know about it! I’m happy to make sure I’ve got what we need to help you get the nails you’re dreaming about.
