What’s the business about: Whether you’re hankering after a set of natural nails boasting a flawless, iridescent manicure that could steal the show at Coperni, or you lean towards something a bit more intricate – like extensions adorned with lace-slash-embroidery for that extra dose of feminine flair and subtle dimension – this nail business is your go-to. Just a heads-up: don’t expect cutesy anime and cartoon designs. They’re in the business of chic sophistication, not cartoon capers.

Who’s behind it: Nanako is the alias of Katrina Lee, the brains (and hands) behind this business. “Nanako was what my mum wanted to name me, but my dad thought it would be better suited as a nickname,” she shares. Lee first dipped her fingers into the press-on nails business during the peak of the Covid-19 lockdown. Destiny took a favourable turn when a friend – a seasoned nail artist she connected with on Instagram – recognised the untapped talent in her work and took Lee under her wing. When asked about the most challenging request she’s faced, Lee says: “Nothing makes my knees buckle as much as someone expecting an exact replica of a nail design they found online. I recall a set I did when I first started out – it was a set of nails fully embellished with crystals.” 

What’s the business about: Dive into Wacky Studios’ Instagram feed, and you’ll witness a chrome nails and silver line phenomenon. But this home-based nail studio doesn’t just serve up chrome designs. Picture this: custom chunky 3D nail designs stealing the show, complete with lifelike bows. Perfect for riding the coquette-core wave currently making waves in the fashion scene. 

Who’s behind it: Wacky Studios, founded by Hannah Nguyen two years ago, has a backstory that’s a blend of accidental brilliance and sheer convenience. Hannah shares: “I had this awful habit of chewing my nails, and it made me super self-conscious, especially around friends. Then one day, I discovered that adding nail extensions and crafting art on them actually stopped me from munching on them. It dawned on me that I could do it myself – a more pocket-friendly alternative than trotting to a salon for gel extensions.”

What’s the business about: If you’re in the market for claws that scream artistic and funky, then Peaches Only deserves a prime spot on your radar. Picture this: a bubble nail creation that demanded surgical precision – each droplet painstakingly applied and cured one by one. Or how about some “cray cray nails,” a riot of hearts, gems, stars and smiley faces. Talk about nailing that personality.

Who’s behind it: Independent nail technician Annette Cheng has been running her show from a studio in Bugis for over a year now. This creative dynamo had a brief stint at a neighbourhood nail parlour post-graduation, but life took her down a different career path that “didn’t allow me to have manicures.” However, nail art was always at the back of her head. As Cheng confesses: “My social media feed was full of nail art content, and it always kept me thinking of ways I could tweak those designs in my own style. Fast forward 10 years, and I finally decided to break out of my comfort zone and dive headfirst into the fabulous world of being a nail technician.”

What’s the business about: Turning art and random objects into nail masterpieces is practically the calling card for I Nail For Fung. The National Gallery Singapore was so impressed that it tapped the studio to recreate a 1996 Wu Guanzhong piece – yes, on nails. And if that’s not quirky enough, it has also tackled requests like turning a birthday dress and even a random rock a customer found on the ground into miniature nail wonders.

Who’s behind it: Deshawna Ng has been practising for more than three and a half years, diving into the craft midway through university after stumbling upon and purchasing a nail kit online. In her own words, “When it came, I immediately called my friend over to try the products out. Obviously, it turned out really ugly, but that made me want to perfect the craft even more. So, I called more friends over and bought better products. I started to post my progress online, and that’s how it all started.”   

Where to find it: On its website or @inailforfung on Instagram

What’s the business about: With a portfolio packed with chrome nails and edgy Y2K-inspired designs, it’s no wonder that QquirkyNails is a hit among the Gen Z crowd. But it doesn’t stop there – there are also designs that are unapologetically audacious. Among them are kitten claws and rotten teeth, as well as capturing the essence of a quintessentially Singaporean breakfast with kaya toast, kopi, and fried eggs. 

Who’s behind it: Christer Ng has been on the nail art scene for more than a year now. What started as a casual experiment with nails as a hobbyist quickly morphed into a full-blown business adventure. This self-taught nail whizz says: “I picked up the skill by basically stalking others and watching how they do it. Then, of course, I’d play around on myself and my friends to nail down the perfection.” 

What’s the business about: Shnaillss has been silently slaying the game with its artistry for a solid two years now. The standouts? Press-ons that boast gem-like finishes, mimicking the grains, lines, and sheen reminiscent of stones like jasper and agate found in the lap of Mother Nature.

Who’s behind it: As far back as she can remember, Shnaillss founder Sharon Lynn Thesali has always been fascinated with nails. “I was either in kindergarten or primary school when I found a little bottle of clear nail polish hiding in the back of my mom’s makeup shelf. I remember sitting on top of the table, and every day, I would secretly put on a layer of clear polish on my nails – looking back, my mom probably knew what I was up to! From the age of three, my interest in nails grew even more.” The self-taught artist honed her skills by delving into accounts like CutePolish and, for the most part, drawing inspiration from Japanese nail artists.

What’s the business about: Nestled in the bohemian enclave of Pearl’s Hill Terrace, Nails and Daggers dishes out statement designs that play with mesmerising textures, vivid colours, and intricate patterns. Nothing is off-limits here, as the portfolio boasts chrome nails crowned by dramatic, ornamental designs. Think chunky metallic accents, abstract swirls of colour, and, the piece de resistance, a plethora of pearls and rhinestones.

What’s the business about: A specialist in hand-drawn nail art, Daisyynail has turned nails into a canvas for everything from a quirky set of hand-drawn cartoon frogs on every nail (which took over three and a half hours to complete) to elevating classic French tips with a Daisyynail twist. The latter may come with added details like a heart in the centre or a bit of extra glam using gemstones and pearls for that perfect nail accessory.

Who’s behind it: Su Zhiwei has been creating nail art professionally since 2019. Her journey into nail art began when she found it expensive to maintain her own nail routine. She purchased affordable materials from Taobao and Shopee, experimenting on herself and her friends. As her skills improved, she opened her home-based practice to the public, initially charging a very affordable rate of $7 for classic manicures and $30 for extensions. Today, prices start from $45 for a classic gel manicure and overlay.

What’s the business about: Head to Nailified by Zee for masterfully painted gel nail manicures featuring quirky hand-painted characters—whether it’s cats rendered in a graphic style or a meticulously designed set of nails themed around the animated series Totally Spies!. A glimpse at its Instagram feed also reveals impressively precise renditions of anime characters. The salon has also delved into visual art-themed nails, as seen in a painterly manicure inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s iconic The Starry Night.

Who’s behind it: Zess Tan usually draws inspiration from nail technicians in the West who specialise in character art. Additionally, she also keeps up with Chinese nail trends on Xiao Hong Shu – such as blush nails or cat-eye French tips – at her clients’ requests.

What’s the business about: Whether you’re into chrome, matte, metallic, cat eye, or opalescent finishes for your nails, Nails by Eunice has got it all. Its unique selling point? Combining dreamy 3D details – think glossy water-like droplets and intricate line work – with a variety of textured bases.

Who’s behind it: Eunice Neo Xiao Xuan started her practice last year after honing her skills for two years. Her studio is based in Hougang.