Six women on their go-to manicure designs

Hillary Heng, case worker, 23

Credit: Her World; Nails by: @Qquirkynails

1/7

“Being in a people-centric role, I have to meet clients (families and individuals) and partners (officers from other statutory boards or organisations). As part of my job, I try to bring that empathetic touch and think from the standpoint of where my clients are coming from. My playful nails have served as conversation starters with my clients.

The designs that I choose are inspired by what I see. Most recently, I went for a hotpot-themed set. Manicured nails aren't just the finishing touch to your outfit, my bimonthly nail appointments have also allowed me to decompress and stay focused on the present.”

 

 

Sya Sya, brow expert, 26

Credit: Her World; Nails by @beauteshaa

2/7

“I’ve always loved the colour pink but it was something that I hid growing up as I was afraid of getting judged (for being too girly). As I started getting older, in my teenage years, I would incorporate the hue in small ways like with my earrings, phone case and on my nails.

When I was 19-years-old, I landed a job with a cosmetics company that only allowed me to have red nails. When I left the job a few years later, I started experimenting with my nails more. When I joined my current company Benefit Cosmetics as a brow tech, I could finally get the pink nails that I always wanted (pink also happens to be Benefit’s brand colour). When I started getting more compliments from my clients and co-workers on my manicure designs, I started becoming more experimental.

I am particularly inspired by Barbie and her wardrobe. I love her positive disposition and the message that she stands for: you can be anything and there are no limits to what you can do.”

Ishvareye, researcher, 27

Credit: Her World; Nails by: @Qquirkynails

3/7

“Getting a fresh new set of nails signals a new era for me. Every time I get my nails done, it’s a fresh start for me. It’s just like when girls get a new haircut. When I look back and think of core memories, I’ll be reminded of the nails that I was wearing at that point in time. It anchors my memories.

One of the most memorable sets of nails I’ve gotten was to commemorate my trip to Greece. It was my first proper vacation, that I paid for with my own money. It was a trip that I wanted to go to since I was in primary school because I was so inspired by all of the books I read.

And when the movie Barbie came out, it was such a cultural reset. Everyone was partaking in this ‘girlhood’ culture, so my girlfriends and I went out to get pink nails.”

Tatiyana Emylia, copywriter, 24

Credit: Her World; Nails by: @Qquirkynails

4/7

"What I love the most about getting my nails done is expressing how I'm feeling at the time or whatever era I feel I’m in. I also get inspired by things I see, such as music videos. I remember this specific set of nails I had that was inspired by tattoos from an Instagram page I came across. I usually keep my nails long because it makes me feel more confident, especially when I’m trying to prove a point."

Calester Kang, undergraduate, 24

Credit: Her World; Nails by: @Qquirkynails

5/7

“I used to study fashion design, so this artistic side of me is reflected in my outfits and how I do my nails. It’s a way to express my creative side. I like to choose nail colours that would pair well with my clothes. This is why I gravitate towards neutral and oftentimes darker colours. I really like American social media personality Emma Chamberlain’s manicure designs because her nail colours are usually darker, cooler and more edgy.”

Maria Chan, personal trainer, 43

Credit: Her World; Nails by: @Qquirkynails

6/7

"My love for red nails started when I was a child. I fondly remember stealing my mum’s red nail polish when I was young. She had beautiful long fingernails that were always painted red. Even the piano that she plays beautiful pieces on still has red marks (from her nail polish) till today.

I teach and train. So the colour red is significant to me. It symbolises the blood flow from your head down to your toes and it also represents the heart. Heart embodies love. So these three (points) combined to me are inferno.”

Credits:

Photography: Lawrence Teo

Art Direction: Adeline Eng

Hair and Makeup: Aung Apichai (Using Kevin.Murphy) and Benedict Choo (Using Chanel Beauty)

A correction was made on April 13, 2024: There was a misprint in the credits for print version of this article. The nails for Hillary, Ishvareye, Maria, Calester and Tatiyana were done by Christer Kang from @Qquirkynails, not @beauteshaa.