Gwen Campbell-Smith of MXJ International Hair Systems has never thought she’d see a day without “doing nails,” though from childhood she had a passion for decorating. She remembers her mother’s recommendation that she buy anything that had blue or silver tips. She got hooked and never looked back. “My natural colors all year round were red and purple, so by the time I hit my teens, I was obsessed,” she says.
As a teen, Gwen joined forces with long-time nail artist friend Troy Aufhauser of Karlskorn Nails to create their very own nail brand, German Silver Nails. Now, they are known in the industry as the “Cat’s Meow” due to the brand’s impact on current nail trends. Over the years, German Silver Nails has morphed from specializing in custom nail art to become one of the largest branded nail brands in the beauty industry.
About 10 years ago, after maxing out on her credit cards, Gwen realized that all of her nail costs were going to be going toward paying to buy a “100 percent” nail contract. She knew that if she were to branch out into owned nail studio, which was the ideal direction she wanted to take, it would cost double, at minimum. So, she started a nail contract business for clients, but three years later it was over for her. She opened MXJ Nails in 2016 with the inspiration of deciding not to go it alone. That quickly changed when she saw the opportunities brought by a student I was working with during her first few days at MXJ. After taking an internship with them and watching how quickly the client experience was being turned around, she knew what she was doing.
A year later she decided to create a totally independent business model. In 2018, she decided to open MiBash, a nail salon that operates with open lines of communication and an open welcoming policy. The “Silent Night” nail art event to sell MAC in-house nail polish inspired her idea to open an open museum-style, ambient store for all things nail. MiBash not only sells MAC. We’ve partnered with them on more special events and support to bring these artists together, giving them a place to shine their teeth at an affordable price.
French manicures
What: French manicures
Style: Two-step style
To Choose: Gather about six gel of pink glitter and silver acrylic nail polish
How: Paint entire bottom nail with pink and coat it with silver polish. Next, paint one edge of same nail with pink. Then, cut it down to the base and paint on the top coat with gel. Apply a little more gel, coating area outside of nail with glitter and finish with polish.
How Much: Starts at $20 for a short session
How Much More: $30 for hour and a half
What: Valued nails, hand paints and full-service manicures
What: Complete manicure and much more
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