Shadders caught up with Ama Quashie the Genius behind the company Nails By Ama. Nails by Ama offers a tailored personal service for today’s modern woman, where multitasking is critical to success. A one-on-one experience that fits around your schedule, whether it be after work or at the weekend, at the location of your choice be it your home or office. The very definition of a bespoke beauty experience, Nails By Ama is ideal for both personal and corporate appointments. Catering for team building events, fashion shoots, home & office visits, promotions, weddings, press launches and much more.  Ama prides herself in using premium nail care brands Essie & OPI in all manicure/ pedicure services, as well as revolutionary gel line ‘Gelish’.  With the nail industry a buzz about gels, Gelish stands out amongst its competitors. As it performs like a gel, applies like a varnish – making it glossy, colourful, smear and chip free for an amazing 3 weeks. Gelish can be painted onto the natural nail or sculpted onto fake tips for extra length, acting as a protective layer that promotes nail growth, a healthy alternative to acrylics.

Ama is also part of a select group of technician’s who specialise in ‘Minx’, a new and glamorous way for women to extend fashion to their very fingertips. The latest must have accessory for celebrities, being worn by Victoria Beckham, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Beyoncè to name but a few. High-end and high shine, a Minx hand or foot instantly stands out in the crowd!

I asked Ama a few insider type questions about her work and her lifestyle, what is important to her, what she loves and where she is going. Enjoy the read!

Shadders: Please tell our audience a bit about your cultural background. Tell us a little about you, what is your background & where do you come from?

Ama: I was born and bred in London, but my mother is Scottish and my father is Ghanaian.

Shadders: In brief please share with us the history that lies within Nails by Ama?

Ama: Nails By Ama came about when I noticed a turn in attitudes towards nail maintenance and trends. Clients no longer wanted to be sat in a nail bar for hours to then be rushed through, have a very impersonal and actually damage their nails in the process. I then devised Nails By Ama to fill this gap in the market as we go to the client at a time and location convenient to them and only use products that promote natural nail care, so that means no pesky acrylics what so ever.

Shadders: What do you like most about your job?

Ama: I like the versatility of my job and the great people I meet - one day I can be on a shoot with some amazingly creative and innovative people, then the next be sat down with one of my favourite regular clients – me doing her nails while she passes down some pearls of wisdom. I really do meet some great people and that’s the aspect I love the most.

Shadders: I see you use Minx products, Tell us about the advantages of Minx products for hands and feet

Ama: Minx is environmentally friendly and doesn’t damage the nail bed at all which is great. Aesthetically you will never get a shinier metallic finish then Minx, no varnish could ever come close! My personal favourite Minx design is Gold Lightening – your nails look as though they have been dipped in gold, it’s simply fabulous.

Shadders: Have you Minxed any men yet lol?

Ama: I actually have! LOL! I minxed a new music artist, he had a photo shoot recently and wanted something edgy and unconventional so I put Minxillusion (a new holographic minx design) on his baby finger’s and thumb’s.

Shadders: Out of all of your treatments which one is the most decadent?

Ama: I know we’ve literally just been banging on about it, but Minx is definitely the most decadent treatment. Clients say once you’ve been minxed you don’t go back.

Shadders: What would you be doing if you weren’t in nails?

Ama: I have a degree in Media so would probably have focussed more on that.

Shadders: Can you give us a preview of hot trends for 2011?

Ama: The trends for 2011 will be metallics, matte and greige hues -Greige is a neutral shade; a cross between gray, brown, and beige which was made popular by Chanel on the runways.

Shadders: What advice would you give anyone training to become a nail tech?

Ama: Learn as much as you can through courses and researching into new products/treatments but it is equally important to also embrace your creativity. Don’t be afraid to play around with colours and designs as there are no real rules in nail design.

Shadders: What chemicals should people avoid at all cost in their nail products?

Ama: The obvious chemicals to avoid would be nail polish or polish removers that have acetone, sulfonamide, or formaldehyde in them as they tend to dry out the nail, leaving it brittle. But most nail technicians (including myself) do actually use acetone on clients to remove varnish as it is the quickest and best cleanser. The key is to not use them too frequently and rehydrate and moisturise the nail bed after using a strong cleanser. A good cuticle oil will do this, my favourite is Essie’s Apricot cuticle oil.

Shadders: Who do you admire in the World of Nails?

Ama: I admire Kimmie Kyes – she is Rihanna’s nail technician and always pushes the boundaries, her nails are fierce.

Shadders: How do you use the Internet in conjunction with your nail business?

Ama: Before Nails By Ama I didn’t have facebook or twitter accounts but having an online presence is key to business now, so I had to get over my natural resistance to social networks, jump on board and embrace them as they undeniably build awareness around NBA and are fantastic for networking.

Shadders: If you could change one thing about the industry what would it be?

Ama: I honestly don’t know – I know, I’d make NBA the number one go to for fabulous nails lol.

Ama Specialises in:
Manicure
Pedicure
Gelish
Minx

Available for:
Home/ office visits
Events
Promotions
Television & film
Photo Shoots
Minx Parties
Wedding

For Bookings:
Email: info@nailsbyama.co.uk, Website , Facebook and  Twitter

Thanks to Ama for been interviewed by Shadders and sharing your work with us. Be sure to keep up with the latest news on her Nail Website and Facebook. Stay tuned for more interesting interviews with other fun & fearless members of the Artisan world.

Meet the Beautiful Ama Quashie, she is definitely practising what she preaches ….Lovely Nails!!!!