-I get inspiration from the vibe of the look.
I don't know how it's going to look at the end,
but I like to create some fun designs and go all-out.
-I'm Tina Tozzi and, today, I'm getting celebrity nail art.
I'm leveling up today
because I think that my entire life has led to this moment.
I've been getting my nails done for a very long time
and I'm really ready to finally have that like
"stop you in the street" set of nails.
I think nail art is probably my favorite form of art.
I think my interest in nail art stemmed
from loving to physically paint my own nails as a kid.
It truly began on my 13th birthday,
when I was gifted my first-ever set of acrylic nails,
which was the culmination
of watching a lot of "Dennis the Menace" as a kid
and there was this kind of nasty character
who antagonized everyone by like tapping her nails
across the countertops
and, on my 13th birthday, that wish was fulfilled
and I've been tapping on countertops ever since.
I borderline throw function out the window
with my nails, as it is.
I mean, they would be yay long,
just things dangling, attached to one another,
chains connected.
[ Needle scratches record ] It would be completely out of hand.
-Hi. My name is Yoko and I'm a nail artist based in L.A.
What inspired me to get into the nail industry is
because I used to love getting my nails done.
When I was little, I used
to paint my own nails with markers.
I felt cute.
So it just makes me happy.
So I'm certified in Swarovski nail art education.
So I like using crystals
and also I love using an airbrush machine
to create different nail designs.
I've worked with celebrities, such as Miley Cyrus
and Issa Rae, and also, Moschino fashion show.
-I don't know. I was hoping
to let you do your thing,
whatever you're feeling like inspired by.
-I was thinking to do maybe galaxy, spacey kind of nails
-Okay. -with dark background
and sparkles.
-Yeah, that sounds perfect. Yeah.
And if there's any way to do like a fade into that dark
because I want to keep them for as long as possible,
so, as they grow out, the top... -Okay.
-...could, you know, be like more see-through
and then get darker. -Okay.
-Otherwise, that sounds like a perfect plan.
-Okay. Let's get started! -Great.
-You ready? -Yes!
The only thing I'm a little bit nervous about today
is the fact that my natural nails are a bit weak.
They're a little bit more sensitive
than I'd like for them to be.
[ Mellow hip hop plays ]
[ Ethereal tune plays ]
-I start by cleaning her nails with alcohol,
pushing her cuticles with a pusher.
Then, I use a drill machine,
getting rid of all the dead skin on the side walls.
♪♪
After that, I'm dusting off and cleaning up the nail beds.
♪♪
Now, they are ready for gel extensions.
I measure each nail to fit the size for gel extensions.
I apply pre-primer and primer on her nail beds.
Then, I prep the nail tips by buffing each side
and apply primer on top.
Next step would be to apply gel on her nails.
Every time I apply a new product,
I will have Tina's hands put in a nail lamp.
After applying each nail,
put the whole hand into the lamp and cure completely.
Once they're completely dry.
gently file around the cuticle area to make them smooth.
Then, dust off and clean the surface of the nail beds.
Then, I shape the nails into a coffin shape.
Now, they are ready for colors.
So, clean the nails one more time, with alcohol.
First, I start off with black.
Then, I will apply stencils and airbrush with white gel.
Then, after I look at the nails, I decide what to add.
I will add stars to make it look more dramatic.
♪♪
Then, I will use a sparkle stencil.
♪♪
On top, I chose star crystals.
Then, I will apply small crystals randomly on her nails.
I will finalize the look with piercing her pinky nails.
I will drill the holes.
♪♪
Then, I will bend the hoops to pierce the nails.
♪♪
In order for the charms to stay on her nails,
I will apply gel around the charms to secure.
To finish it off, I will shape them one more time, gently.
I will polish them
and apply moisturizing cuticle oil and hand lotion
to finish up her final look.
Okay, all done!
♪♪
-I absolutely feel like my best self with these nails on.
I feel like I should become a hand model now.
Please contact my agent for booking inquiries.
[ Upbeat hip hop plays ]
♪♪
These pierced rings on my nails are throwing me
and I keep thinking they're [ Laughing ] rhinestones falling
off the sides of my nails.
-Working with Tina was really fun.
She loves nail art
and I like working with clients who enjoy the nail designs.
-Yoko was incredible, kind, gentle,
just really easy to work with and really fun to talk to.
She has such great stories and I'm envious
of all the incredible celebrity hands that she's touched.
And, now, mine live alongside those.
-Gellacs are good because they are quick to apply
and mostly shaped already.
It took two and a half hours to do Tina's nails.
It seems like it takes a lot of patience,
but I get so lost, creating designs,
that sometimes I don't think of time,
[ Laughs ] but it's totally worth it.
-I'm definitely going to be extra careful with these nails.
They are a treasure to me.
-The trick to keep the nail art is
not to do dishes, not to do cleaning,
not to open cans.
No, I'm just kidding.
You can wear gloves when you have to do them,
but, be gentle.
I recommend Tina to use cuticle oils
to have the skin moisturized.
If any charm falls off, she can use glue to reapply.
-What I was mostly thinking about,
while I was sitting with Yoko, getting my nails done, was,
"How was it to do Miley's nails,
how was it to do Violet Chachki's nails,
how was it to do Issa Rae's nails,
and how am I stacking up with the competition, here?"
-I'm happy with Tina's nails.
I didn't know what I was going to do until I got here today
and I was inspired by a galaxy theme.
-It was really inspiring to watch Yoko's creative process
because she sort of just freestyled it.
I am moving in two weeks, which, admittedly,
these nails may not be prime for lifting boxes,
but I'm just going to have
to tip the movers a little extra.
-Thank you for watching Refinery29.
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