This month’s Nail Tech Spotlight is on Isabelle (Izzy) Longmore @orphic_nails_and_education a bold set specialist and nail art enthusiast with a big heart for helping other nail techs grow.
Izzy discovered HONA by chance, but it didn’t take long for the values to pull her in. She loves that HONA is built around safer services, strong results, and real support. “You have any issues? They will help you endlessly until it is resolved.”
And January couldn’t be a better time to spotlight her, because it’s the month so many nail techs decide to upskill and refresh their service menu. Izzy runs masterclasses and 1-2-1s designed to help nail techs level up fast, with practical guidance that actually sticks. As she puts it, “A 1-2-1 nail art masterclass or group one is worth every penny… you will notice instant results.”
Keep reading to get to know Izzy, her work, and the education mindset that’s helping nail techs step into the new year with more confidence.
Q&A WITH IZZY
Q: Why did you decide to start teaching masterclasses and 1-2-1s?
A: When I started doing nails it felt like no where local did classes for nail art face to face, it was all online videos. Which as good as they can be, for someone like me I do better with some one being there who can see what I may be doing wrong or struggling with and then we can trouble shoot there and then.
After about two years of watching videos and quick tutorials a local salon hosted a nail art master class day, so I was all over it. In one hour I learnt 5 simple things that I didn't see online (or just hadn't found the right videos without paying lol) That class changed everything ! My nail art went from ok to wow in one hour. I loved that feeling and felt everyone should have access to this either via detailed step by step videos or face to face classes. It's still very new to me to teach so I like to focus on new nail techs as these few tips I learnt changed everything instantly. If I can help nail techs get off the ground running I feel they won't have to waste 2 years guessing like I did!
There's little i will spend money on as I simply don't have it to spend .... but a 1-2-1 nail art masterclass or group one is worth every penny. Do one even for an hour or so and you will notice instant results.
Q: What nail trends do you think we’ll see everywhere in February?
A: As You may see from my Instagram my work never seems to follow trends. My clients always have big and bold sets as that's what I specialise in.
Buuuttttt that said I have noticed with a few of my clients they are steering towards cleaner simpler looks for the new year. I think the start of the year always prompts people to go simple, clean and classic ready for a fresh start. I'm thinking
Simple Frenches with a pearl chrome or sheer pastels and nudes , quite possibly even darker deeper shades if we aren't leaning full throttle in to
valentines nails.
Q: How did you first discover HONA, and what made you want to work with the system?
A: completely by accident looking for a more "aesthetic" bottle for the shelves. I was sick of the Solon I worked at their gels were always cured shut because other stuff members didn't clean up any product around the lid. And they were stored by a window ...
i found HONA and saw the lid covering the bottle top and was like YES problem solved. It wasn't until a month later I looked in to HONA's values and Ethos and loved it! I was hooked and then a few months later I met the lovely Morgan at an Event in Manchester who put me forward to collaborate with HONA and a new collection.
From then on my relationship and love for HONA was solidified. I know what works well for me and my clients and I know that HONA really does support the little guy. Not only do their products offer a safer service for all but the Brand and the people themselves at HONA have been hands down the best in every department.
I don't say this lightly or just because ... From day one HONA have been one of the best in the industry which has made working with their systems so much easier. You have any issues? They will help you endlessly until it is resolved.
Q: What’s one mindset shift that helped you grow as a nail tech/mentor?
As a nail tech I developed a "not every one likes tea" mentally. Broken down this means, you can offer the best service and have the best art with the strongest retention and be the loveliest of people but not every one "likes tea" you will come across people who you just don't gel with and that's ok. The sooner I embraced I am who I am and refused to shrink to fit in a box not made for me the easier work and life became.
I started to attract my people, I had less problem clients and interactions became a breeze.
As a mentor, I leant in to the same sort of thing. I am the little guy always have been, never fit in or did well in school... and I mean it I'm not jus saying it, I hated education as everything felt so academic and made me feel so stupid as I was undiagnosed ADHD and didn't know I needed learning support. I noticed in education that most educators hold themselves to a highly professional standard which is fabulous! But would put me off right away as a student, I would feel like I was in high school again being spoken at not spoken to. No disrespect I'm fully aware it's a me problem. So in mentoring and education I still ensure my students learn everything they need too but approach it at a more laid back relatable level where there's structure but room to adapt on command.
and like i mentioned above , not every one will like that approach (or tea) and that's ok. I'm here for the ones who need that extra helping hand not the money.
Q: If you could go back and tell “newbie you” one thing, what would it be?
A: Perfect your prep and structure, a good canvas makes it easier to paint on.
You do not want to be the bomb at nail art but constantly have retention issues or shapes that just don't compliment the art.
Still do the nail art but focus more on the retention and structure once that's down the rest becomes less stressful.
Also Matt top coat before final details, makes all the difference in crispy lines in art.
Summary
If there’s one thing Izzy proves, it’s that growth doesn’t have to feel intimidating or “perfect” to be powerful.
Whether you’re feeling that January reset energy, looking to tighten up your prep and structure, or ready to push your nail art to the next level, her approach is a reminder that the right support changes everything. Sometimes it’s one class, one tip, or one small shift that takes you from guessing to getting it.
