MENU
SEARCHJulie Kandalec is the real deal in the nail world. She has done just about everything as a celebrity manicurist including fashion week, editorial and advertising campaigns and red carpet. Here she gives her top tips on working with celebrities as well as some of her favorite (and not so favorite) moments in her 20 year journey.
Julie Kandalec backstage at NYFW
Julie Kandalec is one of MODERN’s and NAILS favorite nail artists. Not only is the very beautiful and talented manicurist a staple at fashion week, but is a celebrity go-to for red carpet events, openings and just about any and everything in the A-List world. Mariah Carey, Camila Cabello, Emma Roberts,Hailee Steinfeld are just some of her celeb clients, and essie,Chanel,Dior Beauty,Urban Decay,Coca-Cola and Victoria’s Secret have used her for advertising campaigns and promotion materials. Her tasteful finishes have been seen at the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Grammys, and within top publications including Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar and of course MODERN! She is one busy woman!
Julie Kandalec and Viola Davis
In order to share all that she has learned, Kandalec has opened a Masterclass Nail Academy, a hands-on curated education experience designed to help all professionals up their nail game. She is touring the WORLD teaching the latest in application, trend and technique with the tag line: “Every client deserves to be treated like a celebrity.” This spring she is headed to Bali and Cambodia to teach, targeting nails pros at hotels and resorts.
MODERN tracked her down to ask Kandalec for her insider scoop on working with celebrities.
5 Tips for working with celebrities:
Having flexibility and adaptability with your schedule is key - and a necessity. No more 9-5 hours, and it’s not Monday-Friday.
Know how to do everything -hard gel, gel polish, acrylic, etc. Many celebrities wear acrylic or hard gel. And although it seems obvious, know how to polish PERFECTLY!
Be ahead of the trends - celebs are the ones who set the trends so it’s pertinent to be able to recognize and forecast trends ahead of that curve.
Be FAST! Celebs have a crazy schedule and simply don’t have the time to have a relaxing 3-hour appointment. But be prepared for what’s needed. One client needed five hours for a complicated, full re-do including removal, fill, the whole works.
Be able to work everywhere but at a nail station. Recently I was working with a well-known vocalist and was balancing my monomer on a nail file bridged between my knees!
Julie Kandalec and Kaley cuoco
Julie Kandalec and Mel B
We wanted to know more. Kandalec shared her three greatest, and not so greatest, moments throughout her twenty years working with nails:
FAVORITE CELEB EXPERIENCE (so far): “essie sent me to do the nails for Anna Faris for an awards show. She was just so lovely. Not only was the experience great, but she actually took the time to write a thank you note to essie! It was something tangible in a sometimes otherwise thankless job.”
A letter written by Anna Faris sent to essie, thanking them for sending Julie Kandalec to do her nails
GREATEST DISAPPOINTMENT: “Let’s just call it a great learning experience,” Kandalec says. “I was booked to do the nails of a very famous woman who is known for her super creative nail art. I got great direction, and came totally prepared, bringing everything including crystals, glitter, 3D stones, full line of acrylic and hard gel and regular gel – and so much more. My kit normally weighs 40 pounds and this one came in at 60!
The celeb arrived around three hours late, walking in from her own nail appointment with her nails completely done – stilettos with extreme nail art. When the art director offered for me to do her nails, she said ‘NO – You are not doing my nails.’ It wasn’t even a ‘no thank you,’ just a flat-out no – and not delivered pleasantly.
It was disappointing because I was excited to create a great and unusual design. Although I still got paid for the ½ day, it still made me disheartened. I’ve heard worse stories, so I’m glad this was not a horror story, just a dream not realized.”
FAVORITE TRAVEL EXPERIENCES FOR WORK: “I’ve had a lot of great location shoots, but the three that come to mind immediately are:
Shooting the Valentino campaign in Rome. It was a great job!
Shooting the Gigi Hadid Elle cover in Rio De Janeiro. Another fantastic experience.
Julie Kandalec's Gigi Hadid Elle cover
3. Teaching for the Trade Works Foundation (a non-profit organization) in Jamaica this past summer.”
Julie Kandalec in Jamaica with students as part of the Trade Works Foundation
In this video, Julie Kandalec shares how doing nails can change your life:
Able to create a shag with gorgeous texture on anyone, Stephanie Carrillo has found her calling within the beauty industry. Now she teaches shag cutting techniques herself, inspiring countless other stylists to fall in love with creating the popular look.
When you think of Stephanie Geib, think bold color. Think beautiful dimension. Think...your hairstylist best friend. As a 2017 Honoree of the MODERN SALON 100, Geib is the perfect example of being a positive force in the beauty industry, advising that being kind to others and sharing your knowledge is the real success.
Hannah Mejia believes lasting success comes from mastering your craft, embracing lifelong education and trusting that the career you dream about is within reach. A stylist, educator and content creator, Mejia has spent 15 years building a business rooted in creativity, communication and continuous growth.
Katy Samuels has spent 14 years proving that creativity thrives when you stop searching for the "right" way and start trusting your own instincts. Known for her creative color work and signature Headband Prism technique, Samuels encourages beauty professionals to embrace mistakes, refine their craft and develop a style that's uniquely their own.
Erin Munoz has spent 17 years building a thriving business behind the chair while proving that success doesn't have to come at the expense of life outside the salon. A color specialist, content creator and salon owner, Munoz believes beauty professionals should treat their careers like businesses, embrace change and make room for both financial growth and personal fulfillment.
North Carolina-based hairstylist Tyler Plemmons wants you to know one thing: Positivity and perseverance will get you everywhere. This MODERN SALON Artist Connective Member and 2018 MODERN SALON 100 Honoree is known for beautiful balayage, gorgeous vivids, and soft pastel hair color.
For Angelica Tanta, success has always come down to one thing: practice. Originally from Romania, Tanta credits an online mentor from Ukraine—despite never meeting in person and communicating through Google Translate—with inspiring her to perfect her bridal artistry through relentless repetition.
Angela Orozco believes long-term success in the beauty industry is built on trust, consistency and genuine human connection. A stylist at The Nest Salon in Brea, California, Orozco has spent 14 years cultivating a reputation for dimensional brunettes, precision haircutting and authentic relationships that have fueled her career.
Erin Mills believes beauty professionals deserve more than a successful career. A hairstylist turned multi-salon owner, Mills has spent 17 years growing her business while helping her team create lasting impact.
For Mish Jolie (@meltedbymish), success isn't measured by how busy you are, it's measured by how fulfilled you feel. The Connecticut-based stylist, educator and MODERN SALON 100 honoree has built a career around balayage, lived-in brunettes and razor cutting.
Amanda Harsche has built her career on two simple beliefs: never stop learning and never stop connecting.
Whether it's social media, fashion, film, art, or culture, Chaz Dean advises stylists to stay aware of what's inspiring people. Take the elements that make sense for you in these five lessons learned through a life in beauty.
For Jessica Domoney, building a successful career isn't about saying yes to every opportunity, it's about protecting your time, investing in yourself and creating an experience clients won't forget.
Transformation artist Melissa Dawn has spent more than two decades building a career that's equal parts creativity and business strategy. Dawn is known for dramatic transformations, creative color and a philosophy that encourages beauty professionals to keep learning, set healthy boundaries and define success on their own terms.
In an industry with so many options and opportunities, we asked artists what made them niche down and select a specialty. Amelia Fugitt (@ameliahairmakeup) says choosing to focus on transformations has transformed her career.
In this content series, we're focusing on artists who found a niche that really speaks to them and work for their career. Henry "Tribes" Amoloja (@theweightedcape), is based in Dallas, TX, and practices sensory-friendly barbering.
In an industry with so many options and opportunities, we asked artists what made them niche down and choose a specialty. Texas-based artist Kimberly Michelle has always loved focusing on healthy hair and scalp, and headspa rituals was a natural evolution.
