Hunched over a glossy white desk, advertising sophomore Grace Joh meticulously molds a cotton-candy blue lollipop on a pale yellow press-on nail. Despite the complexity of the design, she spends only an hour on the entire set. Inspired by the “My Little Pony” character Pinkie Pie, this piece is one of many 3D nail art sets in her thriving business portfolio.
“My clients always say, ‘Oh, my god I feel so pretty with these nails,’” Joh said. “That’s the biggest compliment for me because my whole idea when I’m doing nails is ‘I have to make this beautiful.’”
Joh said she originally aimed for a career in robotics, but an internship with the marketing department at Circuit of the Americas in high school shifted her focus. Joh applies skills learned in class to promote her nail art business. Joh garnered 19,300 followers on Instagram through reels that feature her process of completing a nail set from start to finish in her dorm room.
Joh said her nail art journey began after an unsatisfactory experience at a local nail salon. Determined to offer a better, affordable alternative, Joh practiced on herself and experimented with new designs daily. Joh said she attracted a loyal client base after turning to TikTok for information about curing gel and improving nail retention rates.
“Her nail designs very much appeal to college students … because she adds charm,” Tai Cerulli, Joh’s best friend, said. “She adds … personality (into her work). If you went to a nail salon, it would lack that personality.”
Joh said she uses her creative prowess to design nail art for SPARK Magazine, a UT fashion publication, including a set of nails inspired by Marie Antoinette. Instead of searching for nail specific inspiration, Joh said she researched textures and fabrics from the era to emulate whimsical and lacy themes.
“She always comes up with something spontaneously,” Cerulli, an international relations and global studies and Plan II sophomore, said. “I really don’t think she has any trouble coming up with ideas. She’ll just know immediately what to do.”
Looking ahead, Joh said she plans to continue expanding her business and aims to contribute to larger publications.
“Somehow nails (have) become a big part of my life,” Joh said. “I did not expect this to happen at all, but I’m really glad it did. The amount of people I’ve met through this, and … I get to have a creative outlet.”
