A perfectly icy set of nails from MODERN SALON 100 2025 Honoree Julie Cantu @insatiablenails
Happy holiday season! November and December are among our favorite months for nail art, thanks to all the gorgeous, glittery, seasonal masterpieces from nail artists across the community.
We want to share some of the prettiest winter and holiday nails from our MODERN SALON 100 2025 honorees (ICYMI) who go above and beyond to spread holiday cheer to their clients in their own unique ways. We love these members of the nail community for their dedication to their craft and passion for uplifting the beauty industry, and we hope you enjoy learning more about them and their work below. Don’t forget to give each artist a follow to fill your feed with more beautiful nails.
As a specialist in medical pedicures and toenail restoration, and owner of Klassy Koats Spa, Britney provides relief and confidence to an underserved category of nail clients.
“Specializing in medical nail care gave me both confidence and credibility,” she shares. “Now I have a waitlist of clients who specifically seek out my expertise, proving there’s real demand for specialized services when you commit to excellence.”
Britney doesn’t just cover up unsightly, unhealthy or uncomfortable foot problems; she solves them. As she often points out, pedicures are not just for spring and summer – proper foot care is for year-round. This sparkling snow color looks great on top of this client’s safely restored and protected toenails.
Brystal levels up this emerald green color, a holiday classic, with incredible depth and shine. And spot those subtle snowflakes that add to the winter magic!
As a solopreneur, Brystal highly values her creative and professional freedom. She shares that the best business decision she made was “running my own private studio. Creating a positive, supportive space has boosted my creativity, strengthened client relationships, and allowed my business to thrive.”
Wicked is a theatrical favorite among many nail fans, and with the release of the feature films this year and last, the franchise has almost become synonymous with the holiday season. We adore Gabrielle’s elegant take on Glinda’s pink and Elphaba’s green themes, enhanced beautifully with magnet gel polish.
Gabrielle proves that sometimes, all we need is a little encouragement to chase a dream. She credits her former salon owners with encouraging her to take the leap into going into business for herself: “I was extremely nervous to take the next step in my career, but the owners of the salon pushed me to do so because they knew it would be a good business move for me,” she explains. “I am so thankful I did and am extremely blessed with the clientele that I have.”
A nail tutorial queen, Julie’s content is mesmerizing to watch (and we get a little laugh when she claps back at nail haters with her talent!). The technique for these enchanting, icy nails is genius. They really look like they’d be cold to the touch!
Julie especially loves how the perfect nails can top off a look. “Nails do so much more than so many think,” she explains. “The detail and precision that can go into a set is amazing. They definitely put together an outfit. It’s that finishing touch, like the cherry on top of a sundae.”
Fun fact, besides amazing nail sets, Maria also does fine-line tattoos! So, you know her precision, artistry, and attention to detail are on point. Her talent is on full display with these holiday-themed beauties, including the precise pearl placement.
Over her career, Maria has learned to stop comparing herself to other artists. “The beauty of this industry is that everyone has their own niche, style, and audience,” she says. “Instead of viewing others as competition, I’ve learned to respect the hustle it takes to run a business. That mindset shift has not only made me a better artist, but also a more confident and grounded business owner.”
We think Maria has found a pretty cool niche, delivering spectacular art in both nail and tattoo form.
Max certainly created a cozy winter vibe with these adorable polar bears in sweaters and hats, and the gold-and-green glitter ombre is to die for. If you explore Max’s page, you’re sure to be impressed and inspired by his incredible works of art.
Max highly values the trust his clients place in him, and he has worked hard to earn it and build his business. “One of the decisions that had the greatest impact was promoting my work on social media. By sharing photos of my nail designs, I was able to attract more clients and build a trustworthy reputation in the community,” he shares. “I also invest time and money into learning new techniques, such as nail art. This allowed me to offer a wider range of services, attract new clients, and keep my regular clients coming back.”
This blue, wintry set created by Naomi is perfectly icy and elegant. The gem design on the accent nail feels like luxury. We especially love that Naomi shares her love of being a nail professional with others through education, which helped her revitalize her career.
“With persistence, I built my skills and confidence, ultimately shifting my focus from just providing services to educating others,” Naomi explains. “Now, as a nail educator, I inspire aspiring technicians to explore their creativity beyond the basics. This journey taught me the value of resilience and the joy of sharing knowledge with others in the beauty industry.”
What we love about Nethan is how he goes all out on every set he creates. He brings the bling, the techniques, and the detail, and this bright and shiny holiday set is no different. In addition to his nail designs, we were inspired by how he overcame the fear of starting to educate and share his craft.
“Even with years of salon experience, stepping on stage in front of a big crowd of industry peers was intimidating,” he shares. “I overcame it by spending weeks perfecting my lesson plan, practicing my speaking flow, and reminding myself that I was there to share what I love, not to prove myself. Once I started teaching, the passion took over, and the positive feedback from attendees showed me I was capable of more than I thought.”
The gems in Valeria’s set remind us of glittering snow. That little extra sparkle embodies the energy that this young artist brings to the nail industry. Valeria, who began doing nails at 14, has grown up in the industry and values camaraderie above all when it comes to other artists.
“I enjoy making friends with fellow nail techs and helping each other or educating one another on things we learn as we go, rather than feeling in competition. I always say that there are enough clients to go around, and we all have our own style that attracts our own people, so there’s no need to feel threatened by someone you should be inspired by.”
Originally posted on NAILS Magazine