‘Someone wanted dead bugs encapsulated into their nails’: Belfast nail tech making her mark as work featured on RuPaul’s Drag Race

Sinéad Convery (26), who studies Fashion and Textiles at Ulster University, started the business from home during lockdown. Since then, it’s gone from strength to strength — with the nails even making an appearance on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.

“I used to paint press-ons just for myself because I liked doing nail art. When lockdown hit, I just decided to start a business selling them because nobody could go to nail salons — I’ve been doing them ever since,” she says.

Sinéad obtained her own studio on the Malone Road a year ago and has since been taking in-person clients alongside making press-ons. Her intricate designs are elaborate and colourful, often incorporating three-dimensional elements.

“I’ve always been really interested in nails. I’d seen loads on Pinterest and Instagram but I could never find any unique press-on nails to buy in stores,” she says. “All of my clients are wanting that kind of [distinctive] nail art. I don’t really have that many customers who go for plain things, which is great because it makes my job so fun. It’s nice with my clients because we’re both brainstorming these creative ideas.”

Sinéad has ready-made sets available on her site, but customers can also request their own bespoke design. Each set of press-ons can take up to two hours to complete, while in-person clients can take three.

She was delighted to find out that her nails had been used on an episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK last year. She had no idea they were going to be used on the show until drag queen Black Peppa tagged her in an Instagram post.

“I watched the episode on telly and was like oh my gosh, I see my nails,” she says.

Sinéad said her reputation for detailed and dramatic nail art has earned her some peculiar requests.

“The maddest request I’ve ever had was someone wanting soil and dead bugs encapsulated into their nails.

“I would have been happy enough to do it but I’m not going to go and collect bugs! To be fair, the inspiration photo looked really cool.”

While Sinéad didn’t quite have the materials for that particular design, she’s usually open to anything. She enjoys the process of creating ornate sets, and particularly likes adding airbrushed details as well as chrome embellishments.

“I love doing anything airbrushed and chrome, they’re incorporated into most of the sets I do, as well as 3D elements,” she says.

“Anything bright, textured and sparkly is my thing.”

Sinéad explained that her love of nail art began when she was 16. She came across nail artists from other parts of the world who were creating the kind of nail art she now does at Dazey Nails, saying, “it was the first time I’d seen really detailed and fun nail art.”

Soon after, she got a nail kit and started doing her own nails at home.

“There’s so many creative nail techs out there and so much inspiration.”

She also spoke about how she balances Dazey Nails with her university career, and her plans for the future.

“I’m full-time working over the summer and then I’ll go back to part-time when I’m studying again. I’ll be going into final year in September.”

While she says being self-employed during university has been good in some ways because she can choose her own schedule, she feels she hasn’t been able to give her business everything she’s got and has had to turn down some opportunities.

“It’s been fine doing it alongside my studies because I can pick my hours, it’s actually quite handy — but I haven’t been able to give it my all because I’ve had university.

“I’m excited to finish and be able to do more.”

When she graduates next year, Sinéad has big plans to continue her work in both fashion and nails. She has space in her nail studio where she could have a sewing machine, and she is aiming to do more editorial and commission-based work.

“Press-ons are great for editorial and shoot work because really intricate nails aren’t very functional sometimes. They look really good for a photoshoot but you’re not going to want to wear them day-to-day,” she says.

Additionally, custom-made press-ons can be more cost-effective and better for the environment than the store-bought versions, which can only be used once.

“They’re reusable as well, you can keep them for ages,” she explains.

“It’s more sustainable. Store-bought press-ons are flimsy because they aren’t cured, but anything you buy from a nail tech is reinforced with hard gel.”

Sinéad admitted that it’s taken her some time to be proud of herself and all she’s achieved with Dazey Nails.

“It’s the same with any profession that’s primarily made up of women — it is kind of looked at as ‘she’s just a nail tech,” she says.

“It’s so much more than that. It took me a while to stop thinking ‘oh, I just do nails,’ like it’s nothing. It’s a very valid career choice.”

Overall, she says people have reacted well to the business and she thoroughly enjoys what she does — especially the relationships she has been able to build with her clients.

“The reaction has been great. I have such a lovely client base and I look forward to every appointment. Now I have my regulars — it’s a really nice, social job. I’ve met so many lovely women through it.”

Sinéad’s press-ons are available to buy on dazeynails.com, which ships worldwide. She takes bookings for in-person clients via her Instagram page, @dazeynailsstudio