SoNailicious

Nail designs, nail art, reviews and how-tos

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
  • NAIL ART
  • NAIL CARE
  • BEAUTY
  • NAIL POLISH
    • Reviews & Swatches
    • Top 5
  • TUTORIALS
  • TRENDS
  • FEATURES
    • 28 days of SoNailicious Nails
    • Expert Advice
    • INTERVIEWS
    • Let’s Talk!
    • Ask SoNailicious
    • Giveaways & Comp
  • NEWS
    • Announcements & Events
    • Launches 2019
    • Launches 2018
    • Launches 2017
    • Launches 2016
    • Launches 2015
    • Launches 2014
    • Launches 2013
  • GALLERY
  • BOOK
  • BOUTIQUE
  • RSS
  • Facebook
  • twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

Nail File: Chelsea Bagan of Trophy Wife Nail Art

by Maria @SoNailicious

on March 18, 2014

Categories: Features, InterviewsFiled Under: Features, Interviews

Lilac and Gold Nails
Drippy Nails
Geomteric Nails by Trophy Wife Nail Art
Watermelon Nails
Chelsea Bagan's Nail Art book
Tropicana Nails
Pineapple nails
Wedding Nails
Third Eye Nails
Trophy Wife Nails

Chelsea Bagan aka Trophy Wife Nail Art has largely contributed to popularization of nail art in Australia. A self taught nail artist and now the owner of one of the most popular nail salons in Melbourne, she generated a lot of buzz in the industry with her funky and original nail designs. Today Chelsea shares some of her nail secrets and a few helpful tips for anyone wants to make it big as a nail artist.

So read on lovelies, and make sure you scroll through the gallery (above) to see amazing Chelsea’s work!

NAIL FILE: Chelsea Bagan of Trophy Wife Nail Art

1. Country: Australia

2. Why nails? I have always been obsessed with getting my nails done, and there was a  time in Melbourne where I felt too shy to ask local technicians for what I wanted, as it seemed even a plain coloured feature nail was too bizarre! So I started painting them myself, and found a whole new world of options!

3. How did you get into the industry? After about a year of doing nails for just myself and a friend as a hobby, I started getting interest from friends of friends and from strangers wherever I went, so I began taking bookings from home and traveling to clients houses. I was still working another full time retail job at the time, but I was just so passionate about painting nails that eventually it became my full time thing!

4. Highlights of your career:

  • I released a nail art tutorial book called “The Hand Book: A Guide to Nail Art” with a friend Anna Ross
  • Did a residency at WAH Nails in London (This was amazing after being such a long term fan)
  • I released two Trophy Wife nail polish colours for Kester Black (This was truly surreal to see the Trophy Wife logo on the bottle)
  • A feature on “The Design Files” – it really helped push my brand out there for people to see.
  • The opening of my first physical salon was a great moment
  • A stop animation style video tutorial series for Maybelline New York
  • A feature on the Vogue website!
  • Teaching workshops at Megan Mortons ‘The School’
  • A campaign for BONDS

5. Nail care product you can’t live without right now is... CND SolarOil – I love! So nice on the cuticles.

6. Favourite nail polish brand? Kester Black is a really great Australian nail polish which is 5 free and cruelty free. And their colours are amazing!

7. Is it true, you should file your nail in one direction only? Yes Mam!

8. Your favourite top coat? At the moment I’m loving Seche Vite – Its so fast drying I cannot even believe

9. Favourite colours? Lilac and gold! (see the gallery above).

10. Favorite pattern/nail art trend? I’m loving marbling techniques at the moment!

11. What’s your best tip for painting your other hand? I always say you should paint with your bad hand first, that way you don’t damage the good one ;)

12. The most adventurous/most challenging nail art you have ever created? The other day I painted Mount Killamanjaro for a client who was going to climb it! It can sometimes be really hard to turn realistic things into cartoon style paintings. But I really loved the result.

13. The most interesting campaign you have ever worked on and why? I worked on a stop animation video campaign for Maybelline New York. It was really interesting to be a part of that style of filming, as I could only paint such small patches between photos to make it look realistic in the final edit.

14. How do you get inspired for your nail art? Inspiration comes from everywhere, probably mostly from art or fashion. Lots of clothing prints give me inspiration. Tumblr is great for inspiration too.

15. One piece of advice would you give someone wanting to become a professional nail artist? Practice heaps! And invest in Pilates, I spend lots of hours crouched over peoples hands, so its great to learn how to hold your body so you don’t get achy.

Five Fast Nail Questions:

  1. White or Black? White
  2. Pineapple or leopard print? Pineapple
  3. Matte or glossy? Matte
  4. Nail icon? Madeline Poole – She is the best!
  5. When in doubt do … Geometric!

Chelsea Bagan was interviewed  by Maria Vlezko in March 2014. All images – provided by Chelsea.

Did you enjoy this post?
Then stay in touch by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter or follow us via Bloglovin for daily updates.

Tags: Australia, Melbourne, nail art salon, nail artist
SHARE:
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
 | COMMENTS
4
< PREVIOUS
NEXT >

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

  • koala nail art, artists for climate challengeYour Invitation to Join The #Artists4Earth Nail Art Challenge!
  • how to take nail photosExpert Advice: How to Take Great Nail Photos
  • 10 best nail growth products10 Best Nail Growth Products According to You!
  • win mavala nail strengthenerGrow Strong Nails With Mavala: GIVEAWAY x 3 Winners!

Tagged With: Australia, Melbourne, nail art salon, nail artist

SUBSCRIBE
TO THE SONAILICIOUS NEWSLETTER

Get all the nail news delivered straight to your inbox!

Join over 28,000 nail art warriors!

GET

OUR BOOK >


30 EASY NAIL ART DESIGNS

by Maria Vlezko

Book
the little book of nail art, nail art sketch book

NOW ON YOUTUBE!

THE MOST RECENT VIDEO:

Watch more SoNailicious tutorials

WHAT'S POPULAR

  • how to apply nail stickers How to Apply Nail Stickers Like a Pro: 8 Best Tips
  • 12 Heart Nails to Try This Valentine's Day 12 Incredible Heart Nails to Try This Valentine’s Day
  • gel nails at home dos and donts Expert Advice: Do’s and Don’ts of Gel Nails At Home
  • how to store nail polish, nail polish racks How To Store Nail Polish: 6 Do’s and Don’ts
  • how to apply jamberry, jamberry nails application tips 10 Tips for Perfect Application of Jamberry Nail Wraps

Brushes

FOLLOW
SONAILICIOUS

  • RSS
  • Facebook
  • twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Bloglovin

ADVERTISE
ON SONAILICIOUS
Find out more >


NAIL NEWS, TUTORIALS & MORE!
SIGN UP


@SO_NAILICIOUS ON INSTAGRAM

BROWSE SONAILICIOUS BY:

Brand

OPI Dior Chanel Orly Essie Kester Black Dance Legend Sally Hansen Diorific Sea Siren Cirque Colors Mavala Ulta3 Bio Sculpture Marc Jacobs YSL Mint Polish Picture Polish SoNailicious Boutique Say It WIth Polish Hello Darling Christian Louboutin Dolce & Gabbana NailsInc Estee Lauder Maybelline NY Ciate Revitanail Revlon Clarins Tom Ford Illamasqua Napoleon Perdis Jurlique Fendi Burberry Faby Guerlain Kat Von D Jamberry Lancome Bourjois Emily De Molly Femme Fatale Australis Fing'rs NARS Platinum Severina Jacqueline Burchell Arcane Lacquer Kenzo FOA MAC Givenchy NCLA Nails Inc Manicare Essence Max Factor Sinful Colors Seche Vite Butter London Gloss n Sparkle Alanna Renee Shades of Phoenix The Body Shop Barry M Glam by Manicare Bloom Cosmetics Burts Bees Nailtiques Blackmores Swisse Korres Isadora Rimmel Jessica Cosmetics Incoco Glam Polish FUN Lacquer Tommy G GT Cosmetics FNUG Illesteva Julep Limecrime Armani KB Shimmer Inglot Niyo & Co The Jojoba Company Lillalab Kiko Cosmetics Pupa L'Oreal Dazzle Dry Formula X Gucci Anya Hindmarch Rocknailstar Louis Vuitton Smith & Cult Opallac Young Nails

Colour

blue pink Black Green Glitter Red Gold Purple White Yellow Silver Pastel black and white Nude Ombre Orange Teal Duochrome Mint Textured Nails Brown Grey Dark Red black and gold Holographic Shimmer Matte Lilac Neon Turquoise Red and Gold Coral Chameleon Burgundy blue and gold Emerald gold and black Rose Gold Metallic Bronze Taupe Gunmetal black and orange Red and Black Red and White Black and Silver Blue and Red Navy Silver and Blue Red and Green White and Blue Gold and Brown Green and Gold Marsala White and Gold Chrome Khaki Peach Radiant Orchid Plum Mauve

Product

SoNailicious Recommends Nail Polish Striping Tape Nail Stickers Studs Cuticle Care Top Coat Nail Stencils Nail Care Indie Nail Polish Gel Nails Top 10 Nail Wraps Strong Nails Lipstick Nail Foil Nail Strengthener Dotting Tool Base Coat Makeup Budget Nail Polish Cruelty Free Nail Polish Storage Caption Polish Tools Thermal Polish Anti Ageing Apps Vegan Toxin Free 5 Free Nail Polish hand cream Caviar Nails Nail Decals Rings Skin Care Nail File Product Reviews 7 Free Nail Polish Ridge Filler Nail Buff Concealer Collistar Fimo Nail Art Book Acrylic Nails Vitamins 3-Free Nail Polish Hand Care The Little Book of Nail Art

Occasion

Easy Nail Art Summer Nails Freehand Nail Art Nail Art Ideas Christmas Spring SoNailicious Takes a Trip Halloween Spring nails Short Nails Valentine's Day Nail Designs MBFWA Fall Floral Nails Cute Nails Elegant Nails NAFW French Manicure Nail Art Tips Negative Space Fashion Nails Fall nails Evening Nails Holiday Collection Easter Nail Art Workshop Instagram Tips Matte Nails Winter Nails Manicure Tips Polka Dot New Years Beauty Expo Celebrity Nails Party Nails NAFW Fall 2015 nail art challenge Half Moon Nails Nail Care Tips NYFW Gradient Cuticles Travelling Makeup Tips Marble Nails Sales Australian Fashion Week Gift Ideas Easy Makeup Ideas Leopard Print Chevron Ruffian Nails St Patricks Day Australia Day 3D nails Art Deco wedding Glitter Gradient Birthday Nails Golden Globes Aztec Nails Beauty Tips Beauty Trends Foil Nails Gothic Nails Long nails Girly Nails Nail Shapes Autumn Career Tips Art Nouveau PFW LFW Game of Thrones Prom Met Gala MFW Vitality Show Bridal Cannes Baroque Summer Nails Kawaii
  • ABOUT
  • PRESS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CONTENT CREATION
  • Masterclasses
  • SALON
  • COPYRIGHT
  • Contact
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Bloglovin
All Rights Reserved. © 2012 - 2023 SoNailicious®So Nailicious is a registered trademark of SoNailicious Pty Ltd.