If you ask Blanche Macdonald Nail Studio graduate Sarah Deptuck, she’s “living the dream. I’ve got a position at one of Nanaimo’s best nail studios and have awesome clients who let me do some really amazing nail sets!” Sarah’s enthusiasm seeps into every topic of conversation, whether it’s her recycled clothing project, @one_womans_trash, or her nail sets from her days spent at Nanaimo’s premier Nail Salon, The Nail Lounge, documented on her own @polish_fumes feed.
Her nail passion was born during her high school years as she slowly started getting more elaborate with her own nail designs, only to realize she loved doing it! Six months later, Sarah walked into Blanche Macdonald as a Nail Studio program student—and has never looked back.
Tell us about your time at Blanche Macdonald!
Nail school was just so much more amazing than I’d even hoped. I felt so intimidated going in. I’d done my own nails, but essentially, I knew nothing about nails. But they’ve somehow found a way to create an environment where you can learn from the instructor and each other without it being scary competitive. Everyone was there to be creative together and learn, so everyone really helped you do your absolute best art, even through criticism. It was just so expansive and formative.
Nail school was just so much more amazing than I’d even hoped. Everyone was there to be creative together and learn, so everyone really helped you do your absolute best art, even through criticism. It was just so expansive and formative.
And now you work as a Nail Tech at one of Nanaimo’s premier salons, The Nail Lounge. How has that been?
It’s been so awesome. I’ve been here just over two years. The Nail Lounge is the first place I’ve worked where I’ve felt at home with everyone. Like, we all genuinely like each other! It’s really a dream come true. The girls are fantastic, and I credit them with nearly everything I’ve learned since Blanche Macdonald. The clients are so lovely too. When I was interviewing for jobs, I did get a lot of offers, one being from The Nail Lounge, and I chose it because it seemed like the place with the most potential for growth and the best team. That’s the other good thing about graduating from Blanche. Industry people know the foundation you come out of there with, so you always get offers; it’s not having to take a job to get your foot in the industry door. I felt like I had my pick, even as a new grad.
You’ve got lots of varied nail sets with everything from bling to simple, coloured sets, but what would you say your style is?
I’d say my style is anything that you hold your breath while you do, and then when you’re done, it’s like HELL YEAH! Anything intricate, specific, or tiny, I’m in. I really like always painting new things and taking on challenges; that’s really my favourite thing to be doing on nails no matter what the request is for.
When I was interviewing for jobs, I did get a lot of offers, one being from The Nail Lounge...That’s the other good thing about graduating from Blanche. Industry people know the foundation you come out of there with, so you always get offers; it’s not having to take a job to get your foot in the industry door. I felt like I had my pick, even as a new grad.
Does that mean that you don’t often get to plan or prepare the sets you do?!
Yeah, a lot of the art I do, I’m totally winging it! Really though, how else do you learn! A client comes in wanting something specific, and you can take a minute to plan and talk about it, but then you’ve got to get started. Over time, you get to know your skills.
What do you love most about your work?
Being creative and coming up with new ideas for clients, definitely. It also is something nice to do for people, let them sit for a minute while you make something beautiful on their nails.
This industry is changing all the time. Whether it’s new products, new ways of doing things, there’s always something new to try. It’s not boring!
What is your advice for people wanting to get into Nails?
Know that you’re never done learning things! This industry is changing all the time. Whether it’s new products, new ways of doing things, there’s always something new to try. It’s not boring! But it’s a lot of work and constant learning. But really, is there a more fun thing to be learning for work!?
