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BRITT HIGGINS HAS SPENT 13 YEARS REFINING HER SKILLS IN NAIL ART AS WELL AS MASTERING THE ART OF RUNNING A BUSINESS. THE PROUD OWNER OF CONNECTICUT’S #1 RATED NAIL SALON, NAIL BAR COLLECTIVE, TOLD US WHAT NAIL TRENDS SHE SEES FOR FALL, WITH SOME ADVICE ON HOW TO BUILD A TREATMENT MENU THAT CATERS TO ALL POTENTIAL CLIENTS.

“There are five of us working under The Nail Bar Collective,” Britt began. “After opening in 2017, we moved to a bigger space in 2022 and rebranded the salon from Britts Nail Bar to a more inclusive name. I’ve been painting nails since 2010 and am so proud to have a salon where we can celebrate one another, and I can maintain a mentorship role to the artists who call my salon home.” Britt has years of experience owning and running a nail salon that provides space for artists to thrive. Her entrepreneurial spirit motivated her to launch, but it is her natural intuition for trends and styles that allows her to identify essential treatments that should be on every salon menu. “Structured gel manicures are a must. Clients are obsessed with how long they can grow their natural nails and not have to have them removed each visit like a traditional gel manicure. Soft Gel extensions are a big one. These allow you to give clients length without having to sculpt or use tips and overlay product. The consistency of shape is a bonus!”

Nail art is exactly that – art. Staying creative can be difficult, especially with trends changing so often. Britt gave some advice on staying inspired: “Focus on getting inspiration outside of the nails world. This is a great way to get out of your own

Length

“Clients will be rocking shorter lengths. People are enjoying a more practical length recently!””

Shape

“I've seen a few celebrities wearing the duck/flared nail look recently, so I’m dreading being asked to do that shape soon!”

Colors

“Darker nudes will continue to be a big hit, but with a twist. Think glazed chocolate donut.”

Designs

“We’ll see more 3D embellishments for sure.” head and try something you haven't seen on nails before. Fabrics, nature, book covers, and album covers are some of my favorite items to draw inspiration from!” Another way to stay creative in this line of work, Britt said, is to layer techniques, putting unexpected things together: “Even if it winds up not looking too cute, you can learn something or have another lightbulb moment. It's all about playing around.”

What tools does Britt use to execute these looks?

“I was recently gifted a Gelish GoFile IQ E-File and I am so impressed with it – especially because it is a wireless device. For a corded, workhorse of an e-file I love the Saeshin Strong 210. I use and love Gelish lamps, especially the Gelish 18G Unplugged Portable LED Lamp model, and have been using them for my entire nail career.

“I love ordering diamond bits from Nail Master Dallas (very budget-friendly and I replace them often). My favorite gel brush is the My Nail Stuff Flat #00 Application Brush.”

In terms of products: “Luminary Nail Systems builder gel. I'm obsessed with the color 'Balance' but occasionally use clear. The consistency, retention, flexibility and strength are what keep this my numberone product. The other thing is a little bit vaguer, but nail art supplies from my favorite company, Profiles There are very few services where I'm not reaching for one of their liners, foil gel, stamping polish etc. As someone known for nail art, they carry all the things I need to create amazing looks!”

Britt gave some advice on how to refine your nail artistry: “The boring answer is: practice, practice, practice! Most people are not great when they first start out; its natural! Don’t get hung up on comparing yourself to other artists.” Finally: “If you want to be great at hand painting or character art, practice drawing on paper first. If an artist wants to branch out from single color or minimalist art, try layering different easy techniques. Think foil, blooming gel, pigments, color blocking/abstract… push yourself and get your name out there. The rest will fall into place!” Find Britt on Instagram as @britts_nail_bar