#NowTrending: Big hug graffiti nails by Laura Cord

Scratch chats to Essex nail tech, Laura Cord of Laura Cord Nail Artist, about her journey into the nail industry and how she created this uplifting graffiti nail design.

I have always been a creative person with a passion for art and design. At college, I successfully completed an art and design course, alongside a beauty course, and the two combined helped me begin a career in something I love. Following a qualification in Nail Enhancements, I started my first job in a local salon, which is the best starting platform for anyone wanting to pursue a career further and become a businesswoman in their own right.

I became a mum in 2009, which is when I started to work from home and build my own client base, offering beauty treatments and nails. Fast forward to 2017, with an additional two children, I was now a fully fledged working mum. My goal was to become successful, and not only provide for my children’s future, but to teach them a valuable work ethic.

I started my Instagram in 2017, which solely concentrated on my love of nails and hand painted art, which was always my first love. Instagram, being the main platform for the majority of business growth, has really helped me be able to showcase my work and progress.

I stock IBD and INK London, and have a fantastic colour selection to play with. INK London has really stood out for me in recent years, their iLac gel polish colours are so pigmented. I use their brushes and ‘additions’ glitters, and have to say the art gels are amazing.

How to

The inspiration for my big hug nails came from a card with the wording “Sending Big Hugs”. In what has been the toughest year for us all, I found myself consoling someone close to me. I found myself sending a card to make them feel better, and the ‘Big Hug’ trend began. To create this, I started with a white base. I used a sponge to dab the gel colours in the background. I used the following INK London products to produce the bubble writing:

• I-16
• I-8
• I-104
• 1-11
• 1-23
• 1-59
• White Lines gel paint
• Black Knight gel paint
• Purple gel paint
• Blue gel paint
• Yellow gel paint from the neon range

I absolutely love working in the nail industry, it gives me the chance to share my passion with others and get into my creative zone. It’s a happy space for me to be. It’s flexible – being a nail tech is something I can do whilst working in my mummy role, too. Every day is different, no client is the same and I get to work with some amazing people. Clients have become friends. Fellow industry professionals have become friends and supporters, pushing each other forward, in something we all enjoy.

The highlight of my career has definitely been successfully establishing my own business, my own client base and creating unique nail designs that have become a ‘must have’ request.

My future plans for when the world is right again are to progress with my designs. I would love to become a brand ambassador and teach my creations to others.

Follow Laura’s nail journey on Instagram, here.