I invited my salon team to create nails for Cannes Film Festival

The Nail & Beauty Lounge owner, Julie McCabe, takes us behind the scenes of her Cannes Film Festival experience, where she and her salon team delivered manicures and pedicures.

The team at Poulton-le-Fylde-based salon, The Nail & Beauty Lounge, were called upon by owner, Julie McCabe, to provide the manicures and pedicures for the models of luxury jewellers, Chopard.

Julie has been a regular manicurist at Cannes Film Festival since 2018, and has been invited to take a team with her for the past two years. This year, she took her team from The Nail & Beauty Lounge.

Summary of the day

“We arrived in Nice the evening before the show and headed for our apartment in Juan-Les-Pins, which was about 20 minutes from Cannes. We organised our kit bags and arranged transport before enjoying a leisurely breakfast. At 1:30pm we took a minibus to the location, in time for security checks and the 2pm call time.

“There were two shows in the evening, at 9p.m and 10p.m, held in a unique aircraft hangar at a private airport. The location was kept top secret for as long as possible to maintain tight security. The hangar had been transformed into a magical, enchanted forest with a grass runway. We completed over 30 manicures and 30 pedicures for the models and VIPs.”

How did you find the experience?

“There was the same buzz that there always is behind-the-scenes at fashion events. You often finding yourself working in tight spaces, usually without a nail desk, so you need to adapt quickly. You’re working very close to the hairdressers, make-up artists and assistants and can find yourself in the tightest of spaces!

“I was taught by celebrity manicurist, Jenni Draper, many years ago to ‘make yourself as small as possible backstage and try and stay out of people’s way’. That advice that has always served me well at busy events.”

How did the team come up with the nail design? 

“We were part of the Neville Hair and Beauty creative team, so I liased with Elena Lavagni from the Belgravia salon to create a flattering, clean look that would suit all skin tones and not distract from the jewellery.

“We were sponsored by Essie and PersoNAILity, which provided us with products, tools and brushes. We decided on the Essie Nail Polish, Essie to the Rescue – a creamy nude that can be worn as a standalone treatment and polish, or as a protective base under colour. We finished with Essie top coat, Speed Setter, and applied Apricot Cuticle Oil on the toes.

“We used PersoNAILity tools and brushes for their precision, and its Beauty Balm for cuticles and any dry patches. It provided moisture and a sheen without being too oily – which is important when models are wearing couture gowns.”

How did you ensure the team worked well together? 

“It’s important that the team is well-briefed and reminded of backstage etiquette before big events. This ensures we’re all on the same page and clear on what’s expected of us.

“I always remind them that they are representing a top salon and working for a prestigious jewellery brand – so discretion and professionalism are key.

“We start each show with a run-through of the guidelines, show the final nail look and collect the model list. The list includes each model’s name, and each manicurist ticks them off as they’re completed. Our manicurists often tag team so that a model can have their hands and toes tended to at the same time.”

What goals do you have for your team moving forward?

“There are so many exciting projects coming up that I’m planning on getting my team involved in. I have already taken one team member on a beauty shoot in LA and one to New York Fashion Week. I’ve taken teams to Paris Haute Couture Week several times and have many exciting things in the pipeline. But it isn’t only my salon team that benefits: we extend the opportunities to others outside our salon too.”

Follow Julie McCabe on Instagram.