Manicurist Julie Kandalec Launches Nail Art Book

By: Nora Martinez

For centuries, nails have been an extension of one’s creativity. Nail art continues to be one of the most popular accessories for everyday looks, red carpet ensembles, and subtle statements on magazine covers.

One of Hollywood’s favorite nail artists, Julie Kandalec, is known for her unique designs featured everywhere from Essie campaigns to New York Fashion Week runways. She has worked with everyone from Gigi Hadid to Emilia Clark.

Aside from her role as a coveted celebrity manicurist, Julie was formerly creative director of Paintbox and is now Founder of Masterclass Nail Academy. In honor of National Nail Polish Day and her mother’s passing, Julie is launching her first self-published nail art book on June 1. 

This 42-page metallic-gold inked book is for both professional and nail art enthusiasts. It contains pages of educational information like color theory and color combinations that can spark the creativity of any nail aficionados. 

Julie shares, “As nail salons begin to re-open, saving time is vital. My hope for my Nail Art Design Book is for every nail art lover to use this as a daily diary of nail art that inspires them, to show what they are obsessed with, want to wear on their own nails, or on their clients. I hope that it makes designing nail art more exciting and easier and that you find ways to connect with other nail art lovers through collaboration.”

The book features clear illustrations of Julie’s favorite tools of the trade, and 27 pages of blank nails to sketch or paint in, in three shapes – almond, oval, and square. Julie shares she hopes the book serves as a source of inspiration and collaboration for professionals and consumers alike.

“My hope for my Nail Art Design Book is for every nail art lover to use this as a daily diary of nail art that inspires them, to show what trends and colors they are obsessed with, want to wear on their own nails or create for a client. I hope this sketchbook makes designing nail art more exciting and easier and that you find ways to connect with other nail art lovers through collaboration” said Kandalec.

In each sale of this book, 10 percent will be donated to Trade-Works Foundation. This 501c3 non-profit organization brings beauty professionals to teach skills to under-resourced youth in Jamaica and around the globe.

According to the World Bank, there are 121 million children without education worldwide. Trade-Works foundation is building a bridge to give under-resourced youth the skills and opportunity to launch a successful career in the beauty industry. 

Julie’s nail art design book sparks creativity and allows under-resourced to chase their dreams. You can purchase a copy of Julie’s book on here or on Instagram at @julieknailsnyc.