Have you ever Had Nails as amazing as these?
Into fashion or keen to spruce up your fingernails? IndieBloom unveils to you, Had Nails.
You've been Had
Operating out of London, UK, Had Nails stands for Holli Anna Designs, and the slogan ‘You've been Had’ followed after that.
Holli reminisces about how her interest began,
I used to do nail art before nail art was even a thing! A fond childhood memory I have is when a family friend told me a technique whilst at a wedding where you paint one colour, let it dry (this is long before gel polish was a thing!) And you cut triangles of masking tape and lay it on top then paint another colour over, once dry remove the tape and you have a cool asymmetrical print. I tried this the very next day and spent hours trying to make it perfect, it probably wasn't actually too bad but my perfectionist self removed it instantly, I remember my Mum going mad at me after spending so long on it 🤣
Holli of Had Nails
As time passed nail art was what drew Holli to become a nail technician as it allowed her to create tiny pieces of art, ‘I also love the fact there really seems to be no limitations to nail art, it's never ending with what you can do thanks to modern products and science!’
Nailed It!
The main tools needed are good nail art pens with a few strands of thickness, as it helps create those tiny lines or details which makes nail art really pop. Holli further details that ‘I love doing encapsulated acrylics which is basically putting something inside of the enhancement, most commonly things like glitter and sequins are used, but I've also done things more abstract such as weed and a clients lizards shedded skin! Anything thin or flat enough can be put inside the nails.’ 🦎
Back when I worked in WAH Nails, which was a globally known salon with a massive cult following I was able to do Teyanna Taylor’s nails which was very exciting, I was the senior nail tech at the time and one of the only members to offer acrylics which I feel has often helped my career, by offering more than one service of nails it opens more doors for you. She was very pleased with the nails :)
Teyana Taylor, pleased with her nails done by Holli
Being this creative also brings about some challenges, the biggest being not focusing on what others are doing while just focusing on herself and the business. ‘Taking the plunge to go self employed and have my own space as a single mother was scary but exciting and has paid off.’ 🙌
Hard as nails
A typical work day for Holli sees her doing the school run, making her way to the salon, ‘I always arrive at least half an hour before my first client as I like to be set up and chill ready to start the day’. With an average day involving between 3-5 clients, completing an appointment can take 3 hours. ‘If I have any gaps I will use it to make content or do my own nails.’
What’s currently trendy and popping in nail art? Holli tells us that ‘Swirls have been a massive trend the last few months, it’s so fun and freeing as a design, each set will be different and the brush just tells you where it wants to go.’ Keeping her busy right now are spooky nails, as it's Halloween season - her favourite time of year for nail art 🧛♀️🧟♀️🎃 (Do you want some Squid Game nail-inspired art? 😝)
Also adding, ‘I feel mushrooms are having a moment and may continue to be a nail art trend’ 🍄
After the first UK lockdown was lifted Had Nails acquired a space in Camden, London, though it was very start stop, start stop. Looking to the future, the plan is to continue to grow the clientele while also next year creating merchandise (not nail products, but nail related items.) Coooool!
Many thanks to again to Holli for taking the time to answer our questions while we are pleased to showcase and present her work to you. We even hope you’ve learnt some things about the world of nail art. Follow Had Nails on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and plan some bookings (just in time for Halloween).
