A Welsh woman has become an unlikely influence after her incredibly detailed nail art captured the eye of a number of big brands.
Abi Markey, 28, from Rhondda, South Wales, has posted her nail creations online where they’ve been liked over 30,000 times on Instagram – and they feature cute Easter designs like Maltesers bunnies and Creme Eggs.
The creative’s salon, NaileditBeauty, has since been nominated for an industry award with Abi selected as one of the top five finalists in the Nail Art Specialist of the Year category at The Gel Bottle Awards, reports WalesOnline.
And, she’s also been nominated for Nail Technician of the Year at the Welsh Hair and Beauty awards in Cardiff city stadium.
The young nail artist has worked in the beauty industry since she was 19 and was thrilled to be recognised after she had to shut during the pandemic.
Abi shared her designs on Instagram, but adds that social media can dampen your spirits sometimes.
She said: “You think you’re not good enough but to be recognised by such a big brand means the world to me, and to be in the top five it means that all my hard work that I put in is being appreciated.”
Abi’s salon is built in her former garden shed attached to her home.
And, she claims she never runs out of inspiration.
She said: “My ideas come from everywhere, it could be clothing it could be a theme, it could be food.
“I like to do themed nails and nails about TV shows like Friends, Love Island or I’m a Celebrity. I like to create nails out of things that are trending. I get inspiration from everything and anything.”
Her instagram page has a following of 48,000 loyal fans – and she’s been shared by big names like ASOS and Missguided.
Abi’s nomination category recognises exceptional creative flair in nail art skills, including impressive technical and artistic skills, and high quality and original work.
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And, she claims she was surprised by the news.
Abi said: “I was so shocked to be nominated for the Gel Bottle awards because Gel Bottle is huge. I’ve used them for four years, they’re a major brand, Kim Kardashian has her nails done with The Gel Bottle and all the big celebrities.
“I was so shocked and to be in the top five as well for just nail artists, there’s so many talented girls and boys on Instagram with nail art so I was super excited and buzzing for the awards next week.”
Voting closed on Sunday December 12 and the winners will be announced via a live virtual ceremony on Monday, December 20 at 8pm on The Gel Bottle’s Instagram page.