Marie-Louise Coster on Japanese nail art, exciting opportunities and Nails Next Top Nail Artist

Tell us about your training…

I originally had a Saturday job in a beauty salon from the age of 16. I did a bit of ‘in-house’ training there but my proper training was at Brunel Technical College in Bristol in the late 90s. This provided me with my NVQ 2 and 3 in Beauty Therapy and every year since completing this I have undertaken at least two training courses a year.  This year so far I have concentrated on learning IBX and Footlogix – two great treatments that provide brilliant results.

What is your all-time favourite nail product?

Orly Cutique. It’s the best cuticle remover I have ever used and I love the way it whitens and brightens the nail plate.

Who do you admire in the industry?

Liza Smith without question! She has had the most wonderful career and has done such a variety of things, from business owner to educator to session manicurist. She still works hard within the industry in so many ways.  I respect her views enormously because she is still actually doing the job and not just talking about it.  I was lucky enough to work with her in Paris this year which was a real bucket list moment.

What designs do you love to create?

Literally anything! I particularly like to create nail art out of things and crafts that aren’t obviously for nail art. Anything goes!

What treatment or nail technique are you planning to add to your services? 

I want to learn Japanese painting and 3D work.

What are your next steps?

I hope to get further in the Nails Next Top Nail Artist Ccompetition, to do some more nail art training and hopefully do more and more session work. I have been extremely fortunate with the opportunities I have had this year.

What is the most exciting thing about the UK nail industry?

The opportunities of both what you can create and where your career can go, they are both endless!

If you weren’t doing nails, what would you be doing?

I always wanted to be a Religious Studies teacher so perhaps I would be doing that, but after 25 years I can’t imagine having ever done anything else.