Indigo Nails
In April, the 2018 Irish National Nail Tech was crowned – Katarzynska Kruzynska! We decided to catch up with her to hear all about her career so far and what the win really means to her…
The National Nail Tournament is well established in Ireland now, and it's fair to say that each and every category is fought over by an increasing number of incredibly talented and ambitious nail techs, all hungry for the trophies on offer. The biggest prize of all is of course the title of Irish National Nail Tech; every winner so far has said what a boost the title gives them both personally and professionally.
This year's winner is Katarzynska Kruzynska, an extremely talented and dedicated nail tech, salon owner and trainer, who is originally from Poland but has been living and working in Ireland since 2008. We caught up with Katarzynska to find out what the win means to her…
Hi Katarzynska – congratulations on the win! Were you
surprised to win?
YES! I was shocked! I was utterly speechless to hear my name announced as Overall Winner of Winners, I didn't even know how to respond! The standard was so high throughout this Nail Tournament, and it's growing stronger each year. Many times over the years the points for this prestigious title have been so insanely close it was too difficult to predict who it could have been, which is why I was took by compete surprise!
What does the win mean to you?
I cannot express in words the true value of this title to me... really I can't. The title “Winner of Winners”, the overall winner, is something so special to me because it means, finally, all my hard work, efforts and dedication have paid off. This work is what makes me, so to receive this title is the cherry on top of my cake!
Do you like competing?
I think that competitions are the perfect way to test my own skills and to improve myself. I have competed in many competitions around Ireland and across the UK in the last few years, competing in multiple different categories. I'm delighted to say on every occasion I have succeeded and returned with different awards, making me so very proud and happy! It goes to show that dreams do become reality if you put your mind to it and dedicate the hard work and effort required. Never give up!
What advice would you give techs about competing? Would
you recommend it?
Oh absolutely I would recommend it, for everyone, regardless of skill level or competency, try it! Give it a go. You never know what may happen! Competing is not just for the gold at the end, it is something much more It's a chance to push yourself – pushing yourself personally, mentally and physically, by developing your own skills, techniques and methods, thus improving your overall work. Don't be too hard on yourself, just try your best and learn from feedback or mistakes. Be sure to practise, because it is different than salon work and timing can be the biggest issue for some people. With my students we practise this. Also, don't be afraid to ask for help. I know that there are many questions about competition work, styles, acceptances etc, but I am always here, and there is a world out there full of others to get help from too! We are all human, so don't be afraid to
reach out for help and guidance.
What's your opinion of the nail scene in Ireland at the
moment?
The nail scene in Ireland has come such a long way. There was a very closed-minded approach to nails many years ago, whereas now it is a staple in the beauty routine and most couldn't imagine going without their nails done! The talent grows stronger and more fierce every year. My students grow and develop and they have incredible opportunities in today's world for profound success in the nail industry.
You have a very close link with Indigo Nails – can you tell me
a bit about it?
I have been working with Indigo for the last four years. Having their products every single day is a great pleasure. The work becomes faster, easier, more comfortable, and they provide unlimited possibilities for creation. In 2015 I received an invitation to join the Indigo Young Team – then I learned that you can improve on the already perfect! Hard work, determination (and stubbornness) allowed me to reach a tremendous goal and receive an honoured title of Indigo Instructor/Educator.
Tell me about your business in Co Sligo.
When I became an Indigo Instructor/Educator, I opened an Indigo Training
Centre in Sligo. We provide a wide range of nail services and training opportunities here. We are the Irish ambassadors and official distributors for all Indigo products in Ireland. We are a close team and want everyone to feel they can come and talk to/with us as nothing is too big or too small! We are very committed to providing the best customer experience from every aspect, be it training, shopping, customer query or a nail salon treatment, we wish for each person to feel special and that they know they can talk with us. I am honoured every day knowing that I can pass on and share my knowledge with my students, and show them how fascinating and amazing the nail art world truly is!
What excites you about nails?
What excites me most is teaching and training. Watching a student grow and light up is the most enjoyable thing you can do! Seeing the excitement in their eyes like I have in mine is a wonderful thing! I teach both technical and artistic skills, working with both acrylic and gel methods. They are equally fun for me and I just love to experiment and discover new ways and techniques. The best way for me to relax is creating new, unique and innovative designs.
So what's in store for Indigo this year?
Indigo is one of the top leading brands of nails worldwide. It is an amazing
place to be, you never know what will happen! There's always something new and exciting coming down the line, and always when you least expect it! Indigo is constantly creating new colours and palettes, which keeps everything current and on top with fashions and styles. The new “We are the Colors” collection released for spring/summer this year is fantastic, with amazing full coverage and fantastic results every time! And not forgetting the incredible “Wedding Collection” released this year too. I cannot wait for the NEW autumn/winter collection! I'm really excited!
Indigo is always growing and expending. We are delighted to have opened a number of salons this year so far, with more to come in the future! We are continuously breaking moulds with new designs, techniques and innovations. Training and development is very important to us, and our own team regularly train, improving skills so that we are the best we can be to provide the most comprehensive courses and education to all students of Indigo. For example, our exclusive new Wedding Collection course, it's just so original and creative! The incredible designs and looks that can be created are so avant-garde and inspiring that you feel you never want to put your brushes down!
We hold stunning events throughout the year, demonstrating our products, techniques, designs and marvellous Indigo finishes to everyone. We will be hosting a very special Wedding Collection event in Cork in August, which I'm sure will amaze everyone who attends. Tickets can be found on our website www.indigonails.ie
