HomeMeet the nail techs we’re dying to get an appointment with. This time we’re chatting to the talented Alex Philamond aka @put.it.in.nudetral an award-winning luxury manicurist.
1. Tell us about yourself
I'm a mobile manicurist offering luxury house calls to the lovely folks of Surrey and South London! I've been working as a full-time manicurist for just over a year since qualifying 18 months ago. Before that I was a Primary School teacher! It was a very fulfilling job and one that I'm so proud to say I did for eight years. But my job as a manicurist fulfils me in different ways and I've never been happier.
2. How did you get into the industry?
Instagram! I fell down the social media rabbit hole — following luxury manicurists who showcased treatments using high-end products and I instantly knew it was something I wanted to do. However, I noticed there was nothing similar in my local area. There was a gap in the market for a gender-inclusive, luxury house call nail service that catered to men, women, and anyone in-between!
3. What do you specialise in?
My tagline is ‘tailor-made manicures to suit your subtlety’. No two treatments are the same — clients can choose from custom colours I mix, and I finish every manicure by layering fragrance for a completely bespoke and sensorial experience. I love perfumery and enjoy incorporating different elements of fragrance into my nail treatments — from hand washing to the spritz at the end! This makes a Put It In Nudetral appointment unique for each of my clients.
4. What was your education journey into becoming a nail tech?
I trained with Natalie Beeley at TGB's London Academy and, without it sounding like a cliche, my future was totally rewritten. It gave me the skillset and the qualifications to leave a working situation I was unhappy in and become my own boss, which has been life changing.
I enjoyed learning everything there was to know about nails — from prep and gel polish to nail art and E-file technique. I use elements from each of the modules I took every single day! TGB Academy laid the most fantastic foundation, and I would encourage anyone starting a career in the nail industry to consider the Full GelBottle Course.
5. Who’s your inspiration?
I'm enormously inspired by WAH Nails alumni like Anoushka, Kaddy and Sadie J, who are dominating the industry. WAH Nails was such a pivotal period in pop culture for the British manicure, putting so many incredible nail art trends and the techs behind them on the map. WAH has left an amazing legacy and I owe an immense amount of my love for nails to Sharmadean Reid.
6. Have you had to overcome any obstacles to get to where you are today?
Owning a business, particularly in the first year, is a long line of obstacles from pricing services to learning how to set boundaries. It’s all a learning curve!
Last Christmas, I had to manage a financial loss due to clients cancelling last minute. I now follow a strict deposit and cancellation policy to ensure my business is safeguarded.
7. What’s been your ‘pinch me’ moment?
Winning my TGB award is absolutely at the top of the list! Last year I won The GelBottle's 'Inspirational Industry Newcomer' award in the annual TGB Awards. This allowed me to work with TGB at future events, which had always been an aspiration of mine. Events are a fantastic chance to network and meet brilliant people, including other techs you are working alongside.
8. What is your favourite nail trend?
I’ve been keeping an eye out on the trends coming from Japan and Korea. I predict they will set the tone for what will be popular in the UK in the next six months.
'Nuance nails' are my current favourite. You layer different products like sheer syrup colours, reflective glitter, chrome and 3D embellishment, to create an abstract nail look with dimension and depth.
9. What advice would you give someone starting out in the industry?
Invest in in-person education where you can. Virtual training has its place but there's nothing quite like learning amongst peers in a classroom setting. Community is so important in this industry, and it’s been invaluable to learn from fellow nail technicians and educators — bouncing ideas off each other and troubleshooting. Don’t forget to ask lots of questions!
10. How would you like to see the industry change?
I believe there needs to be a dramatic shift in how we price nail services. High-quality treatments that preserve nail health and last for 3-4 weeks deserve fair payment.
Price transparency in the USA and Australia shows how under-priced the nail industry is in the UK. We all need to be on board and work together to prove we are worthy of payments that reflect our expertise and craft — just like other beauty professionals, such as facialists and aestheticians.
11. What have you learnt along the way that would be valuable to pass on?
Remember that every nail expert was once a beginner. It’s so easy to compare your day one to someone else’s day one hundred. Write your own blueprint that maps out your signature style and what works for you — if you don't want to ever paint a French, you don't have to. If you only want to offer XXL extensions, you can. Authenticity is everything.
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