I am so excited to reveal our new Loren’s World interview with one of the country’s top nail stylists! My daughter Amber and I have had the pleasure of working with Elle while in NYC over the last few years and she has created some truly amazing nail art not only for us, but for some of the most incredible celebrities and publications throughout her career. I’m talking Jennifer to Beyonce and Vogue to Vanity Fair. Enjoy our Q&A below, where Elle shares with us some of spring’s hottest nails trends, how she broke into the industry and more.
Celebrity Nail Artist Elle Sits Down with Loren’s World
1. Tell us a little bit about your journey to where you are now in your career. My father is a chemist who manufactures nail supplies which is how I started doing nails. From a young age I would do all my friends nails for fun! I later met Oribe at the International Beauty Show in ’97 or ’98 and started doing nails for all his artists and I’d get my hair done. After that, Jennifer Lopez spotted my pink and white acrylics on one of the girls and my just career took off; I am truly grateful to have had so many years with Jennifer and still work with her to this day! I am lucky to have worked with some of the biggest A-listers because of Jennifer. From Angelina Jolie to Zooey Deschanel. I have basically worked with almost everyone. It’s fun because every day is different – some days I’m shooting a cover or ad campaign, consulting for a brand on a new direction, forecasting color trends and some days I just enjoy working in my home salon with friends.
2. What inspires your nail art? Do clients usually come to you with ideas or vice versa, a mix of both? My nail art comes from many different things… I get inspiration from almost anything. Your eye color, or the pattern your wearing that day – that drives me. I love doing Amber’s [Ridinger] nails she has such a great vision and it helps me improve my a game! Jennifer also has a great eye and helps me improve on what sometimes I don’t see. That’s why it’s imperative to keep growing and educating in this industry. It sets you apart from the rest!
3. And for yourself? What’s your favorite polish to wear on your own tips and toes? I love gels currently at the moment because it allows me to have flawless nails while doing everyone else’s! I never experienced that until gels were perfected and brought back to light, no pun intended! I am a simple girl and I always wear some sort of nude or dark and while I love nail art, I haven’t incorporated it into my own life just yet. It can distract my ideas or client’s ideas for their personal nail art. Plus, if my hands are on video I would prefer to keep the attention on my subject.
4. Spring nail trends! Tell us the top 3 we should try for 2013. Spring is for a pop of color like cobalt blues or pale lilacs. Florals and textured pastels have made a big punch for trend!
5. What advice would you give to other women looking to break into the beauty industry? Women who want to break into this industry should stay current on new products and trends, as well as education for technical innovations. This industry moves fast and constantly evolves. I look up to Loren for that advice! Honestly, she is so savvy with it (Editor’s note: thank you baby!).
