Making customized press-on nails takes an incredible amount of willpower and talent, and sophomore Olivia Chen is no exception. Only in her second year of high school, she’s an academic weapon by day, and a diligent nail artist by night. Whether you’re looking for a simple french-tip or an exact replica of a summer set you saw online, Chen is the one to call to ensure you’re getting exactly what you want. Here, I’m joined by her to answer questions about her nail making process.
How long have you been making nails?
I’ve been making nails for about a year. I started in December of 2024.
What made you decide to start making nails?
I started making nails because I wanted to get my nails done without paying hundreds of dollars every time.
Where do you get your materials from?
I usually get my materials from Amazon or San Jose Nail Store. I buy my packaging from Daiso.
How long does it typically take you to make a set?
It depends on the set and the complexity of it. If the set requires a lot of nail art, it could take up to six hours while a simple french-tip set would take 40 minutes at most.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I usually get inspired by TikTok or Pinterest. Inspiration usually strikes while I’m scrolling on TikTok and I see another creator’s nail sets.
What is your favorite set that you’ve made?
My favorite set I’ve made is my pink winter/christmas nails.
What is your favorite nail trend? Why?
My favorite nail trend to make would be the sweater nails that went viral on TikTok. I think the 3-D aspect of it is so detailed and fun to make. My favorite trend to wear is definitely just basic cat-eye gel.
What would you tell others who want to start designing nails?
I would say to be patient and it takes a lot of practice to get good.
What should I do if I want to order from you?
Well, you can either find me at school or text me to let you know you want nails, preferably one and a half weeks in advance (there’s a small fee if you don’t). Then, I’ll bring you nail tips to try on so that you can let me know what sizes you are. After that, you send me your design and, once I finish, I’ll tell you the price. I think sometimes people are skeptical about getting the price after I finish the nails, but I never know how much time each set will take, and that is usually how I set my prices.
