Congratulations to Nathan for being the winner of the title of Beauty Boss of the Month, after being nominated by Louisa from @thats.handy!

After congratulating Nathan on being a winner, we had an in-depth chat about what Buff Bar Bristol is all about...

How did you get into Nails?

Actually my nan used to pay me 50p to do her nails when I was young and then painting my own nails was probably the first thing that I did that helped me to express my gender identity when I was about 10-11. At this time it was a fairly rebellious thing for me to do.

I first started a nail course in college but I didn't enjoy it at first. I went on to doing other things, like completing a BA in contemporary arts, I got a first ;), then running a small cake business with a friend, before going back to college and studying nails again on a course through the job centre and I haven't looked back since then. By that point I had an idea in my head around what I wanted Buff Bar to look like. Straight after the course I got some work experience working for other people before deciding to go it alone.

What was the most surprising part of the job?

Everything! I had no business experience and had never worked for myself or by myself before. I learnt a lot of essentials on my year long course but it has still been one big learning curve getting my head around marketing, PR, social media and lots of other aspects! One of the most important things I have learned is having advocacy over my voice, my business voice and what that stands for and looks like, and remembering that I can turn things down if I don't think I have the capacity, or if they simply don't work for me or align with my values.

What challenges have you faced since starting your career? 

Definitely remembering that I can say yes to jobs that fulfil me and my business goals and no to the things that don't. But also I think the hardest challenge was learning to take time out for myself. I come from a working class background with that ethos of "carry on and suck it up" and I've learnt that I just don't believe in that. I would rather work smart than hard. That's not to say that I don't work hard because I do, but it's about finding that balance to thrive instead of survive. I have curated the way I work in a very specific way so that it works for me and is sustainable.

What has been your favourite client request?

I get asked this a lot and it is hard to say because I get total autonomy to the client! I very rarely do the same thing twice. Although I do have a real love for anything weird, alien looking, lots of texture and dimension and I really love a challenge. I love it when clients bring in a reference photo or an outfit for me to use as inspiration and I get to be really creative then!

So anything that is a bit weird I'm up for, or an unusual request, someone once asked me for the Volvo logo on her thumb because she really loved the car.

What are your favourite techniques?

I just love anything that I can run with and be creative, anything with dimension and lots of texture and layers!

How do you feel you contribute to the nail industry? 

In many ways, I have always been outspoken when I don't think something's right and I feel like I have naturally brought that into my work and the industry. I try to lead by example and show that you can speak up and that everyone has a voice. Whether it's sharing knowledge, talking about pressing issues or putting a spotlight on things that need to be spoken about. The nail industry still lacks diversity and inclusion. It takes time and I definitely see myself as an advocate. I'm not an expert, but I can definitely see blind spots and I try to be vocal about them and voice my opinions.

As a queer, working class, disabled, neurodivergent person of colour, I have close connections with lots of communities that are often marginalised, I am having lots of conversations outside of work, about lots of different things that we are all navigating and I feel like it gives me a wide perspective of where I think the industry is lacking, and also where it is doing well.

It is really important to me to feel represented in the industry. There are lots of companies and brands that are really trying to bridge that gap but I still see examples of industry leaders and leading events or publications, not representing people like myself. It is hard not to be disappointed as it can feel like it is not achievable for people like myself when we are not visually represented at the top and I just feel like we can do better. It doesn't need to be a fight, but it does need to be a conversation. There are lots of talented people in the industry and I don't see why those people aren't represented.

As a queer, neurodiverse, POC, what is important for you in terms of owning a small beauty business?

At the moment I am working on a scholarship scheme. It is called In Your Hands and I mentor newbie nail techs from marginalised backgrounds. The plan is the take on 2-5 mentee's and teach them everything that I know from working in the industry. We get them certified, licenced and get them set up with products and help them to get started in the industry. It is important to me because I feel like this is what I needed when I started out in the industry and it is important to highlight the difference in marginalised communities because they may be experiencing additional difficulties on top of the struggles of training and starting a business. We have a few brands interested in donating products, funds and training, and I just want to make it a supportive environment where I can give my mentee's everything they need to get started and build healthy relationships within the community.

To learn more, I have an Instagram page @inyourhandsproject where I post information and updates. I struggle to keep this all updated sometimes as I am running it completely by myself around my full-time job but I'm sure it will all come in time. 

Talk us through your average day…

There is no average day, I never know what is round the corner but I wouldn't have it any other way. Although I wake up early, anywhere between 6-7am, I actually don't start work until 11am. I usually cycle to work and I like to spend some time decompressing before my first client. I limit myself to a maximum of 2 clients a day (I have reduced this from 8, and this is mainly due to my accessibility requirements) but lots of my appointments can be up to 3 and a half hours long. I also try to have an hour between clients to be able to move around and stretch my body and to rest my mind. Something magic happens between a Nail Tech and their client and it is important for me to take a moment for myself between clients. Then at the end of the day I come home and feed my dog, Colin and then I do lots of admin at night. I find night-time admin works best for me as I can focus for longer without any interruptions and helps me to prepare for the next day.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I have a background in art and fashion, so a lot of my inspiration comes from fashion, music and sculpture, and I love anything other worldly. I get so much inspiration from my friends and also lots of the big queer icons. Lee Bowery is my hero, I am besotted with people like Divine, Skunk Anansie, Grace Jones, Bjork and basically anyone with that exists on the edge of many things.

I'm definitely moving more towards conceptual pieces with my nail art and I'm excited to explore this more. I'm actually in the process of curating an exhibition that bridges the gap between sculpture and nail art and incorporates lots of ASMR, Foley and sound art. I would love to see nail art put into the gallery space to really see how far we can push this as an art form. I feel like nail art can be really underrated in the art world and there's an opportunity to bridge that gap.

I recently had a friend get in touch who works in Foley and sound art; she had seen some of my work and she asked if she could use images of my work, make them into illustrations and use them as signage for the WEIRD SENSATION FEELS GOOD: The World of ASMR exhibition at the design museum. It was an amazing experience to be back in that community again, linking my nail world with that world. I will forever be so proud that my work was displayed in the design museum.

What advice or tips would you give others?

Save all of your receipts!!

Don't spend all your money at once and have someone you can check in with when it comes to big purchases.

A critical friend in the industry is a great asset to be able to bounce ideas off, someone who will be completely honest.

Don't overdo it, have regular breaks.

Don't let people take advantage; get paid for your work and get paid on time!

Ask for what you deserve, don't undervalue your work.

And you just never know! I talk about my work all the time, not because I'm egotistical, but because I'm passionate and you just never know where these conversations will take you. I am always reaching out to other nail techs, even just to go for a coffee! It doesn't always work out but you could end up with a great business associate or a wonderful friend!

What are your hopes/plans for the future?

My new studio! It is going to be a more accessible, calmer space for me to work and clients to visit. Also My dog (Colin) is going to love having me around more often.

I would like to build up In Your Hands to be something that can continue beyond me. I would love for other people to be able to do similar things and support each other.

I'm really excited about my exhibition. I have never curated a full exhibition by myself before so it is going to be wild! I want it to be big.

Something that is really important for me and my future is working in a way that I am really listening to my body and not being consumed by money but being comfortable and happy and healthy.

There are a few influential people that I would love to meet and do their nails! I would love to do M.I.A's nails, Grace Jones' nails, Bjork's nails, Vivienne Westwood’s nails, I would just love to collaborate with those people!