A fly, fresh manicure is the biggest beauty essentials known for forever. Sometimes you can tell what type of a person someone is just by looking at their nails. Long, short, coffin, or almond-shaped, each shape and set seems to come along with its own personality. You can change your look just by switching up your nails. NBGA had the chance to talk to an innovator and entrepreneurial artist when it comes to nails: Tyler Phoenix. Great name.
Her social media presence has been circulating on everyone’s feeds, making her success very organic, her talent speaks for itself. The London based artist discussed with me how she came to love nails and art, her upcoming collaborations, and manifesting success.
WERE YOU ALWAYS AN ART KID OR DID YOU BEGIN LATER ON IN LIFE?
I’ve always been into art from as young as I can remember. I remember when I was about 7or 8 I use to make up my own fonts and write that way during English class, I always got told off for it so I would try to switch it up again. I remember also being obsessed with the sailor moon anime but my favourite was sailor Mars (she’s an Aries too) I always drew her character in the back on my books when I didn’t want to carry on with the class haha, I guess from there it just stemmed into drawing other things I had a love for.”
WHAT HAS BEING A YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR TAUGHT YOU SO FAR ESPECIALLY DURING A PANDEMIC
Honestly, it’s the time that I’ve been asking for. I always said ‘I wish I had more time to do this’ and here I am with the most time I’ve had off unwillingly. I’m still learning to allow myself to let go of control and to learn to walk in faith. I had such a daily routine with work, lifestyle, physical and mental health that if something was not in its place, I would get a bit of anxiety about it. Everything is so temporary and unreliable anyway but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad thing. I looked at it as a way to reflect and move forward in a new direction. With that came gratitude and humility, a lot of self-reflection, and managing finances, I see everything as an investment now which helps with my incisiveness!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING NAIL ART AND HOW DID YOU BEGIN ON THIS JOURNEY?
I thought about this the other day and it’s been about 10 years now! My auntie had a nail salon and my two older sisters use to intern there, she taught them everything and with time they adapted their own techniques and passed it down to me after finishing my hair and beauty course in college.
YOU HAVE AN UPCOMING COLLABORATION WITH DESIGNER MOWALOLA, IF YOU CAN SHARE, WHAT WAS THE PROCESS LIKE? WERE YOU CONTACTED BY PERSONALLY?
I first met Mowa assisting for Sylvie MacMillan Nails for London Fashion Week and from there I think your work just circulates around social media. She had contacted me directly about a 1-1 manicure session and from there everything else flourished.
WHEN DID YOU GET THE IDEA TO START DOING PRESS-ONS?
I wasn’t even thinking about press-ons during the pandemic until my friend from AZ messaged me about doing her a custom George Condo set. I loved them so much so I posted them on my socials. Not long after that, I was flooded with DMs asking about custom press ons, so I just had to say yes!
WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE TO YOU AND WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MANIFEST FOR YOURSELF IN THIS NEW YEAR?
Success for me means so many different things. Success for me is the freedom to live your life fully, the ability to do what you love every day, being in a position to give back, or simply just not giving up! For the upcoming year, I see myself getting into property, being able to open up space, possibly getting into furniture because that is my second love! Other than that of course more opportunities, more growth, and financial freedom.
Thank you, Tyler! You can follow Tyler on Instagram, and her website tylerphoenix.design to purchase a set of runway-ready press-ons.
