I’m obsessed with Nails, Nail arts and all things nail, so I’m pretty excited to have interviewed Nail Artist and Global Nail Color Ambassador at Sally Hansen, Madeline Poole. Here is my exclusive interview with Madeline on how she got into the nail industry, what makes a good polish, the healthiest shape for nails and if we should be nipping our cuticles!

How did you get into the nail industry?
There were a lot of events that led up to my career as a manicurist. My mom was a painter, muralist and faux finisher, and I worked with her early on. She taught me a lot of techniques like wood graining and marbling. I went to college for painting and during school I worked at a poster restoration shop repairing torn lithographs. When I moved to LA a few years later, I found myself working on photo shoots as an assistant to both a prop and fashion stylist. This was when I first saw an “on-set manicurist” – a job I never knew existed before. I was pretty sold on it from day 1.

What inspires you?
I get a lot of my inspiration from fashion and textile patterns. Marni always has incredible patterns and colors, unusual colors too! I love to look at paintings and posters from the past for color combination ideas. I love paint spills, cartoons, tv glitches, Art Deco architecture, anything Kawaii, exotic birds, Memphis design furniture, poisonous frogs, sea plants, 60’s and 70’s interior design and wallpaper, rainbows, stones and crystals.

What makes a good polish?
There are a lot of factors to a good polish. One of the first things you’ll notice is the packaging and the color so this initial visual impact is important. An ergonomically shaped cap is great for handling the brush. Something that feels comfortable in the hand. Next is the consistency of the color – if using a sheer color you want it to be one that’s resistant to streaking. A full coverage color should be dense but not goopy, a smooth even and thin texture. It’s a fine balance between high pigmentation and thickness. A great example of this is Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Pink Tank. You’ll find this color delivers full coverage in two thin coats but has a thin quality so the paint doesn’t become chunky. Speaking of Sally Hansen Miracle Gel, the last couple of elements that make a good polish are in the finished product and the longevity of wear. You’ll find all of Sally Hansen’s products are designed to be used at home but still gives you a salon quality manicure. The Miracle Gel line in particular has impressive shine and a glassy finish after applying the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat part of the system. It also lasts for up to 14 days which is important when choosing a nail polish. If you’re going to spend the time painting your nails, you want it to last.

What is the best/healthiest shape we should be targeting?
For an active woman, the best nail shape to target is one with just a bit of a free edge, not too long. Long nails, though they are beautiful, are unfortunately quite difficult to maintain. I suggest filing the nails every few days and applying a strengthening treatment like Sally Hansen Miracle Cure once a week or under your regular polish.

Should we be getting our cuticles removed, if so – how often?
I recommend pushing your cuticles back with Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover and an orange stick once a week. A cuticle oil, like Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail & Cuticle Oil can be applied as often as you’d like to keep the cuticles from drying out and hardening.

What are 3 of your favorite nail shades?
Though I own a million nail polishes, I have just a few in my bathroom. I keep Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Right Said Red, a bright and classic red that I love to wear when I’m dressed up with a red lip to match. An opaque, baby pink like Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in I Pink I Can, which is a great pedicure color in the summer, and a wild card: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in New Suede Shoes, a bright dense blue. This color is great for nail art because of its high pigmentation.

What are shades we should be looking at for this coming season?
Negative space is always popular, especially for spring and summer when you can shed some layers. Applying color to the backs of the nails if you have long enough tips is a great look for spring and summer, as well as sheer layering of color. Baby blue and periwinkle shades such as Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Babe Blue, and soft blush-tone pinks like Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in I Pink I Can will be really popular, along with chrome accents, like Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Game of Chromes.

What is on your playlist?
Wow love this question! 🙂 I make playlists every few weeks with my friend Paloma Elsesser – here’s the latest: https://soundcloud.com/mashed-potatoes-505735794/mashed-potatoes-volume-1 At the moment, I’m into Abra, A. Chal, Jai Paul, Roy Woods, Murlo, NAAFI, Jeremih,Erykah Badu’s newest mix tape and many more. I also like to listen to Soulection radio on soundcloud.