Iram Shelton on 2024 nail art trends, raising your status & working with OPI
By Helena Biggs | 01 January 2024 | Feature, Tech Talk
Luxury nail artist & lifestyle content creator, Iram Shelton, has amassed a huge social media following, owing to her enviable travel stories and stylish nail posts. A star resident at the Bulgari Hotel London Spa, she offers luxury manicures to clients in the capital, and was appointed as global ambassador for OPI in July 2023.
“I had a fascination with beauty and nails from a very young age,” Iram shares. “I started doing nails as a hobby, alongside working full-time as a stockbroker, because I couldn’t find anyone to tend to mine in the way that I wanted. I just wanted healthy nails, so decided to attain a qualification and start an Instagram profile, showcasing designs I had created on my nails.”
Iram was then asked by family and friends if she would do their nails and word spread, so she started offering nail services from her home until lockdown. While she couldn’t work during the pandemic, she continued to post online and saw her social media profile grow exponentially.
The manicurist started working with OPI in 2020. “I love that OPI is a professional brand, but also caters to those that love to polish their own nails and experiment with colour,” she says. “I think that’s what attracted me to OPI, as I love being able to showcase designs for my clients and share options that they can recreate at home.”
Nails by Iram Shelton
“Nails allow for self-expression and I hope that one day, nails will be valued at the top of the beauty sector, and that people of colour will be given the support and opportunity to shine.”
“OPI is a great example of a brand that is diverse on the outside, behind-the-scenes and with its ambassadors.”
Let’s talk trends
Iram tends to wear a nude gel colour on her nails in order to keep a clean canvas for content creation. “My go-to shape is square, with soft rounded corners, and I keep my nails short for a classy finish that’s easy to maintain. My favourite OPI shades are Baby Take a Vow, Bubble Bath, Chick Flick Cherry and Shore is Something.
OPI Nature Strong in Shore Is Something
“I love nail art but keep styles minimal and wearable. I create designs that I would personally wear, offering something chic and fun to elevate a nail look. The nail trends I predict for 2024 are metallic hues, animal prints and a return to nail lacquer. Nudes, reds and the French manicure will continue to be in demand.”
Nails by Iram Shelton
Iram’s 5 top tips for raising your profile
- Embrace your own style: be yourself and don’t follow the crowd. Use work to inspire, but don’t imitate others.
- Use your social media platforms to showcase your work and post regularly, as it will attract clients.
- Never stop learning and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
- Be your own cheerleader, because if you don’t believe in yourself, you can’t expect others to believe in you.
- Be reliable. If someone asks you to do something or meet a deadline, get it done. The industry is small and people talk, so always remain professional and don’t be flaky!
OPI products are available via www.opi.com