Dana is a nail pro from Ohio, USA, and one of the 21 shortlist applicants for The World’s Star Nail Artist competition 2023. Get to know her, below…
What’s your background in nails?
I became interested in nails and nail art when I was around the age of seven. I bought my first collection of nail polishes at a garage sale and went on to collect decals and glitters. I started customising press-ons and, when I was 19, I attended school for several months to become a licenced technician. It was the best decision of my life!
What’s been the highlight of your career to date?
Opening my nail salon. I was working independently in a suite until I decided to expand and offer space to other techs. I now have five artists under my roof, and I am so proud to be where I am with them! Being noticed in the industry through competing and attending events has been a huge highlight in my career too.
What are your career goals and aspirations?
I’m always looking for more and love to compete and grow my business. I have a small online store that sells nail art products and other miscellaneous items, as well as my hand mixed cuticle oils. I’d love to grow my cuticle oil business into its own separate business. I am currently in the process of opening a hair salon that is connected to my nail salon, to offer a full salon experience.
What kind of nail artist are you?
I try a bit of everything, but I do love to follow the trends, and my favourite techniques are anything with fine lines, and I love a good artsy design and a challenge.
What do you love about working in the nail industry?
Everything! I love the beautiful products,the people I have met and that our industry never stops learning. Who doesn’t want to paint nails for a living? It’s more than that, but it’s such an amazing career.
How did you feel to be shortlisted in The World’s Star Nail Artist competition?
Amazing, excited, terrified and proud! I am so grateful for the opportunity to compete and as hard as it is to pack everything into a tight time frame each challenge, it’s the best way to do it for me. I don’t get away much for in-person competitions, so WSNA is allowing me to release my creativity, and have some fun doing what I truly love to do – while still living my life.
How did you find the preliminary challenge?
I read the brief probably 75 times. I found it difficult, for sure because I couldn’t wrap my head around what some of the prompts meant. I try hard to remember that we will all read these briefs differently, and that showed with this preliminary challenge. Once I had the idea in mind of optical illusions it became easier to piece it together.
What is this competition doing for your profile and skillset?
I love adding this competition to my profile, and I am excited to learn new techniques from others, and push myself to see just how far I can grow! I’m always learning!
If you could create artistic nails for anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and what design would you create?
Gwen Stefani. I love her, and I have been inspired by her style for years. I would include black and white checkered designs as well as some red somewhere, and some glitz. I think she would love the optical illusions!
What would it mean to you to win this competition?
It would mean the world to me! I feel like I have been clawing my way to the top of these online comps. It would be the ultimate reward to win WSNA, and show others not to give up; especially my daughters. They have been through competitions with me and are so supportive, along with the rest of my family and friends. It would just be awesome!
Follow Dana Cecil:
Instagram: dana_nailjunkie
Facebook: DanaNailJunkie