NAIL TECH TALK: Kelly Hamby of Diamond Nail Design
By Callie Iley | 15 May 2021 | Feature, Tech Talk
Scratch chats to Kelly Hamby of Diamond Nail Design about mental health and how to spread positivity…
I trained in Level 2 and 3 Beauty Therapy at York College and it was there that I found my passion for nails. Since then, I’ve trained at various venues over the years, including with Sweet Squared for CND and The Beauty Academy Leeds. During lockdown, I decided to update some of my basic skills and expand on my nail knowledge even further by completing various online workshops and courses, including ones with Glitterbels and Nailchemy.
I absolutely love all things nails, particularly how trends are continuously changing and new ideas are always popping up. The industry never stands still, so it never gets boring. I have always been artistic and nails have given me an outlet for this. Whether I’m creating new designs or adapting other trends, the nail sector is one that I am extremely passionate about.
Another thing that has me hooked on nails is how the nail tech community is so supportive and inclusive. Everyone I have come across in person has been amazing, and even those I haven’t met, have supported me and my business from afar. It really is a wonderful community.
I love Devin Strebler as her 90s artwork is insane and continuously inspiring me. I also admire Annabel Maginnis and Rachel Skilbeck – both ladies have a heart of gold and would do anything to help anyone.
Mindful about mental health
As much as social media is an amazing tool and platform to promote yourself and business, it does contribute a lot toward mental health issues. My family and I have suffered in the past with our mental health, so to me it’s a subject close to my heart. I believe if spreading positivity can help remind just one person that it’s okay to have bad days – we all do – it’s what you do after that counts, then I’ve achieved something. But if not, then my inbox is always open to anyone that needs it. 
My favourite nails to create must be anything hand painted, especially character nails. I love to watch the progress of a character nail come together and the intricacy of the work involved.
I usually keep my own nails short and simple with just one colour, as I am a real plain Jane – but over lockdown, they got into a bad state. Between my newborn baby girl and my eldest and trying to fit all my lovely clients in again immediately after lockdown, I had no time to sort them!
The hardest thing I have ever had to overcome whilst being a nail tech has most definitely been the lockdowns. I know that is something that a lot of people have had to overcome, not just us nail techs. I personally found lockdown extremely hard. Not just the financial side, because we had to close, but mentally.
I had more time on my hands to sit and scroll through social media, which then led me to start comparing myself to other techs and their businesses. I would question my work, my progress, and my business. It wasn’t healthy, so I really had to sit back, stop what I was doing, and give myself a talking to. I had to remind myself that we are all at different stages in life, have different work schedules or even different opportunities that have taken our careers to where they are today.
What I would say to anyone finding themselves comparing their work to others is that we are all unique and just doing the best that we can with the cards we have been dealt. Most importantly, always remember that social media isn’t always real! Followers do not equal clients. Take care of yourself and make sure you take breaks from social media, any time that you find yourself struggling.