An artistic beautician has recreated the one of the wonders of the world, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, on a finger nail.
Extreme nail artist Katy March, 20, from Glan Conwy, made a splash at the World Skills competition at the NEC in Birmingham.
Her micro-version of the world’s largest coral reef also featured characters from Disney’s animated film, Finding Nemo.
As a result, Katy, who works at Spire Yale’s North Wales Cosmetic Suite in Abergele, came away with a highly commended award.
The accolade follows her success at the same competition last year when she wowed the judges with her interpretation of the 2004 blockbuster film Alien vs Predator.
And although advanced nail art is not something regular Spire Yale clients would necessarily be looking for, Katy says she enjoys the creative process and showing off her miniature works of art.
She said: “Nail art is all about creating miniature acrylic works of art which are fixed to a model’s nails.
“To qualify for the World Skills UK event at Birmingham you have to be at college and won or been placed in other World Skills events and supply evidence of your work.
“I had finished runner up at a World Skills event in Wakefield with nail art based on the film Predator earlier in the year and had to send in photographs of my work.
“I studied nail art and Level 2 beauty at Coleg Llandrillo and I’m currently studying body massage at Llandrillo yn Rhos College.
“I have worked at Spire Yale’s North Wales Cosmetic Suite for more than a year and go to college on a day release basis.”
She added: “I took my friend, Ellen Thomas, along as a model to Birmingham. I was allowed to prepare one hand in advance and then had two-and-a-half hours to complete the other hand and 10 minutes to dress Ellen in a costume I made especially for the competition before judging took place.
“The theme was Wonders of the World which is why I chose The Great Barrier Reef and then added a twist using characters from Finding Nemo. It was a really tough competition and to get a highly commended award was a dream come true.”
Katy says, despite her love of advance nail art, it’s not something she has been asked to do by her clients at Spire Yale’s North Wales Cosmetic Suite.
She said: “The miniature works of art are modelled from acrylic and it simply wouldn’t be practical to wear the designs every day. The competition is about showing off your skills and proving you can create something different from scratch really.
“I really enjoy working at the Spire Yale’s North Wales Cosmetic Suite. I particularly enjoy manicures and pedicures, facials and waxing. And, hopefully, once I qualify in June I will be able to offer full body massage.
“We have a team of six beauticians at Abergele and offer laser hair removal, Indian head massage and a host of other beauty treatments in really lovely and relaxing surroundings.”
According to Andrea Carri, the manager of Spire Yale’s Abergele Consulting Rooms where the North Wales Cosmetic Suite is based, the World Skills UK competitions help raise standards, esteem and levels of expertise in further education, apprenticeships and skills through competition activities and local initiatives.
She said: “I’m delighted with Katy’s success. The acrylic nail art she designs and creates are simply stunning and shows an exceptional level of skill.
“Of course our clients come to the North Wales Cosmetic Suite for top cosmetic treatments such as manicure, pedicures and other procedures and not advanced nail art. However, Katy’s skill level is demonstrated by her wonderful and intricate designs.”
“I am delighted the Katy is representing our North Wales Cosmetic Suite at events such as World Skills UK competitions and showing off the extra skills she has learnt.”
