An Ephemeral Work of Art for Your Fingertips

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Manicurists like Fleury Rose transform fingernails into tiny works of art. Photo: Fleury Rose

Manicurists like Fleury Rose transform fingernails into tiny works of art. Photo: Jordan Galloway

Current cold spell aside, the gloves will be off for good in a few weeks, just in time to rock the newest nail art trend–intricate designs and tiny artworks that make a canvas out of the area above our cuticles. Manicurists like Fleury Rose create ornate nail designs with everything from paint, stones and metal pieces to pigment additives to alter the color and texture of fingernails.

Rose, originally from Connecticut, now lives in Bushwick and got into nail design after moving here six years ago. She started doing her own nails and then her friends,’ which grew into a side business hosting nail parties. She now creates nail designs for famous names like Alessandra Ambrosio, Florence Welch, Kate Upton, Rooney Mara and Tyra Banks–but don’t worry, we regular folk can still have Rose work her nail magic at Tomahawk Salon in Bushwick. Rose does nails by appointment only on Saturdays and Sundays at the salon where her custom nail art costs $45 per hour plus an additional $10 for a manicure.

Cat scratch fever says it all. Photo: Fleury Rose

Cat scratch fever says it all. Photo: Fleury Rose

“I’d watch videos with chicks like Lil’ Kim and Foxy Brown when I was a teenager, and then try to do my nails like what they rocked,” says Rose of her early interest in nail art. “My favorite nail trends for spring are metallic accents, two-tone nails (particularly black and white) and pale nails. For the more extreme trends, expect to see cat nails, blood drips and nails inspired by fine art.”

“People are also moving away from doing an accent nail [a single nail on each hand painted in a different color than the rest] and opting to do full hand designs,” Rose says. “As far as shape, short, rounded nails are most popular, but if you are going to add length, go with an almond shaped nail.”

Nails inspired by fine art, like these reminiscent of works by Piet Mondrian, are some of spring's more extreme trends. Photo: Fleury Rose

Nails inspired by fine art, like these reminiscent of works by Piet Mondrian, are some of spring’s more extreme trends. Photo: Fleury Rose

Rose met Chantal Savaresse, the owner of Tomahawk Salon, at a nail party and she gave her yellow spider nails (she says the design was inspired by what a badass Savaresse is). Like its owner, Tomahawk is a chill, creative spot with a great vibe. It’s located in The Loom, an art collective and indoor shopping center on Flushing Avenue that houses about 20 shops, galleries and small businesses, as well as the Bushwick Food Coop.

When she’s not working, Rose likes to draw and paint–she’s experimenting with using nail polish like watercolors–and is working on a second edit of a comic called The Man-Handlers Guy-d Book, though she’s equally obsessed with drawing sassy ladies and her dog, Yoshi, who accompanies her to Tomahawk most days.

“I love [Bushwick] because there are so many artists, and creative people here,” Rose says. “It is really inspiring to be around so many young business owners and entrepreneurs. I’d love to do more traveling this year, but I try not to look too far forward in the future because it gives me anxiety. Focusing on today is important.”

 

 

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