Pro Spotlight
OPI Pro Spotlight: @nailzzbysteph
The verdict is in. This lawyer-turned-nail artist is guilty of criminally good sets.
Meet Stephany Torres aka @nailzzbysteph, an inspiring young nail pro who has been featured in the likes of Vogue, NailPro, and Glamour. She dishes on her most memorable career moment, how she grew her social following, and the importance of mentorship in the industry.
OPI: Your story of becoming a nail tech is so inspiring! Can you tell us about the biggest highlights of your journey?
Stephany: From a young age, I always loved art, beauty, and creative expression. As I grew up, I slowly lost and let go of my creative talents in order to focus on my education and career, since it was important for me to build stability as a first-generation daughter of immigrants. Many people don't know this, but I ordered my first ever nail kit in 2020 in order to do my own nails for my undergraduate graduation from UCLA. I practiced for months to get it right, because nails were always something I loved, and knew they had to be a part of my big day. The crazy part is, that what was meant to be a hobby, quickly became one of the most transformative decisions of my life. Before doing nails, I was on my way to becoming a lawyer and even worked full-time at a law firm post-graduation. I was doing nails on the side and sharing my journey online for a couple of years, before making the huge decision to pivot careers and pursue this full-time. I remember being at my corporate job constantly thinking about nails and my business until I realized it was MORE THAN JUST NAILS. It was art, creative expression, and internally fulfilling just as much as it was beauty and business. It was healing and reigniting my inner artsy child, connecting, storytelling, and making women feel beautiful. But above all... it made me HAPPY.
"It has now been a year since I made this career-changing decision and became a full-time Nail Artist and I can happily say this has been the best decision of my life. I was brave enough to follow my heart and put in the work, and now I get to do what I love every single day!"
OPI: You've been featured in commercials and magazines around the world! What's been the most memorable moment for you so far?
Stephany: One of the most memorable moments was definitely the FIRST time I was ever featured in a magazine, and I had no idea. I remember I received a message on Instagram saying "Your nails are being displayed on a magazine!!!!" I was only a beginner and doing nails as a hobby, so this was surreal to me. The magazine was a Quinceañera magazine, one of which I remember cutting pictures out of when I was 15 and planning my personal Quinceañera. I shed a tear and realized that I had now become inspo for young girls, many of who were just like me when I was a teenage girl. It was truly one of the FIRST of many full-circle moments of my career. Since then I have been featured in Vogue, NailPro, and Glamour.
OPI: What's your favorite shade from our new OPI'm Dreaming spring nail polish collection?
Stephany: My current favorite shade is "Hands In The Clouds," because it is versatile! You can use it for a pearly French, shells, or a dreamy cloud design.
SHOP OPI'M DREAMING
OPI: How do you create your stunning 3D nail art? Can you share more about the various textures you use in your designs?
Stephany: 3D nail art is one of the best ways to add texture and dimension to any set! I typically use a hard gel or sculpting gel with a silicone tool to create my 3D art.
OPI: Is there one pivotal moment in your career where you thought, "Wow, I can really do this!"?
Stephany: I feel like I have constant moments in my career that remind me that this is exactly what I am meant to be doing. One that stands out to me is when I was able to finally become financially free through my nail business and give back to my family as a first-generation Latina from a low-income background. It felt surreal being able to have a lucrative career through my art after feeling like the only route to success was a traditional corporate career.
OPI: You've grown an impressive following on social media! What advice would you give to others looking to do the same?
Stephany: My biggest advice is to find your voice, share, and connect. Show up as yourself—authentic, raw, and vulnerable. I grew my social media platforms because I have shared every single moment of my journey online: the good, the bad, and the in-betweens. The pictures of my nails were not so perfect in the beginning, but now I look back on them and am fueled by my growth. We are a society that thrives in community and social connection, and using a platform to share your story and document the process, while also connecting with people, can quite literally change the course of your life like it did for me. So appreciate the journey. Follow your gut. Be INTENTIONAL. And don't be afraid to post because of what people will say!
OPI: Which techniques do you recommend and use most when creating detailed linework nail art?
Stephany: Linework is all about using light pressure when pulling your brush. Another crucial tip is to make sure you are giving yourself stability. Whether that means using your pinky or elbow as support, make sure you have a stable position to allow your linework to be steady and consistent.
OPI: Is there a bucket list item that you'd love to do/achieve in your career in the coming years?
Stephany: Yes, of course, the goal is to always continue growing and following my big dreams! I would love to do editorial nails and work more on set with brands to pitch and incorporate nail art into their marketing. Hands, nails, and nail art are so much bigger than we deem, and I would love to use them as a way to expand the storytelling aspect of branding. Down the line, I would also love to launch my own products, and eventually open up my own nail school!
OPI: How does your ideation process work when brainstorming nail art looks for clients? Do they come in with ideas, or do they let you just do your thing?
Stephany: I am a very visual person, so I absolutely love brainstorming and styling nail looks for my clients! Many of them trust my vision, so they give me a general idea of the vibe they are going for and I create a look for them. Sometimes it starts with a vision board and other times with just colors or a physical element. I either draw it out on my whiteboard in my studio or use a digital drawing app to create it. This is one of my favorite parts of the process!
OPI: Is there a specific spring nail art look that you're loving to do this season?
Stephany: I am looking forward to all of the garden/fairy nail art sets this season! Last year some of my most viral sets were my garden/fairy freestyles and I can't wait to let the creativity flow.
OPI: We see that you're teaching nail art classes! What can nail techs expect when taking one of your classes?
Stephany: I absolutely love teaching everything I know to other nail techs! Knowledge is power, and I have perfectly curated nail classes that encompass my five years of experience into a full day. Much of what I have learned has been through trial and error, so this is my way of giving someone what I wish I had had when I first started. Nail techs can expect a day of one-on-one in-person direct mentorship with me, and two follow-up virtual sessions to check on their progress. Many of my students have now gone on to become successful Nail Artists and I am extremely proud!
Head to @nailzzbysteph on Instagram to see more of her amazing work!
