It's time to introduce you to our brilliant Bluesky Friends of the Brand Team! Our team work hard to bring you the best nail designs, tutorials and a first look at our new products to give you a taste of all things Bluesky.
In this blog, we'll introduce you to three of the team. You can check out part two in the series to meet the rest of the team.
Meet Gina (@itsggsparkle)
How did you get started with gel manicures?
I started with hairdressing but when working in my placement at the salon I fell in love with beauty so finished my first year of hairdressing then changed my course to do the beauty side and became a fully qualified Nail Technician.
How long have you been using Bluesky?
At least 4 years, it could even be longer!
What are your must-have products that everyone should have – and why?
The Builder Gel as it gives natural nails great strength - I love to use it over natural nails to help them grow.
If you had to choose your favourite Bluesky colour, what would it be?
Blackpool! it's my favourite black gel polish; so easy to use and really well pigmented.
What’s your favourite set of nails you’ve ever created?
The simplest nails are always my favourite as they look classic and pretty. For this design I used Musk Pink and Nail Mail exclusive colours Take A Minute, Soft Crocus, Bring Me Sunshine and Stargazing.
I used a dotting tool for the middle of the flower and then different shades for the flower petals to give depth using a thin striping brush. Then I finished with a bit of glitter, because who doesn't like glitter?!
What does being part of the Bluesky team mean to you?
I absolutely love it! I love sharing my pictures over on Instagram and I love to share what good nail products are out there. I know a lot of people try gels from home and struggle with it, which is why I like to share good quality products like Bluesky so that everyone knows there are great quality products out there that can be used from home!
You can keep up to date with Gina's designs, reviews and unboxings on her YouTube channel and Instagram too!
Meet Emily (@nailed_byemily)
How did you get started with gel manicures?
I have always enjoyed doing my own nails with nail varnish growing up, and have considered completing my nail tech qualifications several times. Shortly after discovering Bluesky I took the plunge and qualified with a local academy as soon as the end of the first covid-19 restrictions allowed.
I am now a mobile Nail Technician specialising in natural nails only and nail art. This is part time alongside my university degree where I am studying Business and Management. I love how easy gel is to work with, along with the long lasting results and nail transformations you can achieve.
How long have you been using Bluesky?
I discovered Bluesky in December 2019, and have continued to use it as I have built up my clientele since August 2020. Bluesky have the best products with long lasting results. I now have over 150 colours and all the accessories!
What are your must-have products that everyone should have – and why?
I’m a firm believer that you need to find the brand that’s best for you and invest in the full system. This is not only for safety but for achieving the best results. Therefore everyone must have Bluesky’s Lamp, Base Coat, Top Coat, gel colours, and nail prep and remover solutions.
My must have Bluesky products have to be the nail art Gel Paints and newly added Brush Cleanser. I have fallen in love with nail art and these are a real game charger for every design. The Gel Paints are highly pigmented and thicker, making intricate designs so much easier.
If you had to choose your favourite Bluesky colour, what would it be?
I have gone from owning 15 Bluesky colours before qualifying to over 150 gels in my first year! I have so many favourite colours, and the most popular colours with my clients regularly changes. However my most favourite Bluesky colour has to be Nude Sunday. It’s the only colour I have gone through multiple bottles of, and was first purchased in my first ever Bluesky order. It’s the perfect natural colour and suits everybody. It’s my go to for a french or nail art base, and I love how you can easily build the coverage.
What’s your favourite set of nails you’ve ever created?
I have so many favourite sets but my most popular to date has to be abstract. I first did it using Blue Eyeshadow on my own nails, where all my clients fell in love and I spent weeks re-creating it in every colour. My favourite out of all of these has to be the set I did on my mum using Backdoor Wave. This soon became my most liked photo on Instagram!
The steps to how this can be achieved is on this Instagram tutorial. I like to apply each colour feather the top and cure in between. I find the black dots add complexity and depth to such a simple and effective design.
What does being part of the Bluesky team mean to you?
To have been made one of the first Bluesky Ambassadors still shocks me to this day. It’s such an honour and privilege to have been recognised by a brand that I love and am passionate for. Being part of the team over the last (nearly a year!) has allowed me to help and talk to so many home users and professionals. I have also been pushed out of my comfort zone, creating social media content and live tutorials.
Make sure you're following Emily on Instagram for plenty of nail inspo, fresh designs and a first look at new products.
Meet Laura (@lat.naildesigns)
How did you get started with gel manicures?
I used to paint my nails using normal nail polish until I received a gel lamp for Christmas one year, and I haven’t looked back since! Definitely one of the best presents I could have had which made creating gel manicures a real hobby of mine.
How long have you been using Bluesky?
I’ve been doing my own gel nails for around 6-7 years now. I tried many different brands before discovering Bluesky and due to the low prices, wide range of colours and longevity I have never looked back since! I started doing plain colours before moving onto French Manicures and then experimenting with different designs that I saw on Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.
What are your must-have products that everyone should have – and why?
My must-have products have to be the Primer and Hard Gel. Before using Primer I used to find that my manicure chipped quite easily but I can honestly say that since using this I have never looked back - no chip manicures lasting 2+ weeks every time!
And Hard Gel is now a no brainier for me. I use this every time I do a manicure and it instantly strengthens my nails, as well as adding extra protection to my designs - I just love it and it is so easy to use!
If you had to choose your favourite Bluesky colour, what would it be?
With there being so many colours to choose from, my Bluesky collection will never be complete and this is another reason why I fell in love with the brand! I would say I have different go-to colours for every season but if I had to choose just one colour it would be Pink Lavender. The cutest nude pink that will go with anything and if I’m ever in doubt this is what I go with because I know that I’ll love the end result.
What’s your favourite set of nails you’ve ever created?
I absolutely love trying new designs and experimenting with different tools and colours - my favourite designs include leopard print and pastel colours. However, if I had to choose just one set that I have done it would have to be my ‘dot to dot’ nails, as they include my favourite colours as well as a bit of sparkle. They’re simple and effective, and I think that these could work all year round! To create this set these are the steps that I took:
- Apply Primer, allow to air dry and then add a Base Coat (I used Ridge Filler) and cure for 30 seconds.
- Apply Move Over Mauve (D076) to index finger, Winter Glow (80611) to middle finger, Diamond White (CS61) to ring finger and Pink Gold (S06N) to little finger and thumb. Ensure to cap edges throughout. Cure for 60 seconds.
- Apply a second coat of each colour to each nail and cure again for 60 seconds.
- On middle finger, using the Bluesky liner brush, paint the tip of the nail using CS61. Cure for 60 seconds.
- Apply a second coat to the tip of middle finger and cure again for 60 seconds.
- Dip a dotting pen into black Gel Paint and add spots to the tip of middle finger and over the ring finger. Cure for 60 seconds.
- Apply Hard Gel over each nail (again, ensuring to cap) and then cure for 60 seconds.
- Apply Top Coat and cure for 60 seconds. Wipe all nails down with a Cleanser Wipe.
What does being part of the Bluesky team mean to you?
When I was asked to become a part of the Bluesky team I was over the moon. The fact that the actual brand that I used and loved, loved my designs made me so happy - especially as in my head I was ‘just a home user’. I honestly can’t thank them enough for seeing potential in me.
I have always enjoyed looking at nail designs and gaining inspiration from others which is why I set up an Instagram page in the first place. Since being a part of the Bluesky team it has definitely boosted my confidence in sharing my work and of course the wonderful products that I use in creating them!
You can follow Laura over on Instagram to see more design tutorials and nail art inspiration!