TECH TALK: Hannah Leahy of Hannah Leahy Nails
By Callie Iley | 27 December 2020 | Feature, Tech Talk
Scratch chats with Magpie Beauty brand ambassador, Hannah Leahy of Hannah Leahy Nails, about her life as both nail tech and mother, and her love for Magpie products.
My name is Hannah and I live in a small town in Ceredigion, Wales. I am a mum of four and work part-time at home around my husband’s shifts and juggling the children. I used to be a Childminder, but decided I wanted a career change, so in 2016, I did my first gel manicure course alongside a few other beauty treatments. I didn’t really expect to love the nail side of my business so much, but here I am! I also trained with the amazing Sophie Hudd to rebrand to the Magpie Beauty Gel system a few years ago and have never looked back.
I first discovered Magpie glitters during my first gel manicure course, as the educator used them. So, I placed an order, and I was hooked – as were my clients! I ordered the full gel system as soon as it was released.
In October 2018, alongside some other insanely talented techs, I was pretty gob smacked to receive a message from Sarah Shakespeare asking if I’d like to become an ambassador. I gratefully accepted as I absolutely love the Magpie products! I’ve been so fortunate to also make some amazing friends through being an ambassador and using the brand!
I think my favourite nail art style has to be a sheer mani with some delicate nail art. It seems to be my go to style every time I redo my nails!
I’m a sucker for simple classy designs, and sometimes I like to go a bit on the unusual side.
I am only trained in gel manicure so I only use this system. I have amazing results with clients growing their natural nails using Give Me Strength! I love a natural nail journey, and helping my clients in achieving long healthy natural nails is so amazing.
I don’t have the biggest following on social media but I think the lockdown really helped people connect and grow a bigger following. Instagram could be a full-time job in itself, but a few tips would be try to be original, genuine and true to yourself. Interacting with other accounts and people that inspire you is really important.
Be mindful and show a mutual respect to other nail technicians by tagging other accounts that have inspired you. This helps build healthy connections with others. There’s a lot of pressure surrounding social media, so maybe the advice I should probably take myself is to remember your clients walking away from your salon happy, with a beautiful set of nails. Using amazing, high quality products is far more important than likes and follows.
It’s so difficult to decide my top five Magpie products, because I love so many! My first has to be Give Me Strength. I use it with every manicure and it’s my absolute must have. I’m a sucker for foils or gold leaf over my favourite gel colour, Come What May. I think I used it in all my own nail designs on myself… My clients are far more colourful than I am!
My favourite glitter is probably Faith – it’s such a gorgeous holographic glitter. I absolutely adore the Gel Paints for nail art. They are so amazing alongside the nail art brushes for all your nail art needs. I think I listed way over the five now, but it’s so hard to pick just five!
I had started taking bookings for nail art 1-2-1 workshops just before lockdown, which unfortunately had to be cancelled however, I had started them up again and they have been going really well. I really enjoy them! The possibilities are just endless and there’s always more to learn.
My main aim right now is to just keep the balance between juggling four kids and family life with work.
One day maybe I will push my career a bit further but with a toddler running around I don’t want to miss a thing. They grow up too fast!
The Magpie team are all incredibly talented and there are so many talented Magpie technicians! I’m inspired by so many, it’s hard to pick just a few individuals. I was a little star struck meeting Anona and Sophie when I completed training with the incredibly talented ladies.
I am so grateful for the support and friendship since first becoming part of the team from my fellow ambassador Kathleen Ryan. She’s an incredible nail tech and friend, as is Nicola Cooper who is a long standing Magpie tech who offers constant support and advice.
My advice for any new nail tech is work hard and keep learning! Push yourself to keep improving so you can provide the best service possible to your clients.