We recently connected with Karyna Kyliushyk and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Karyna, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience comes from rebuilding – three times, in three countries. Each time I’ve moved (from Ukraine to Switzerland to the United States), I’ve had to start my nail artistry career completely from scratch: no clients, no reputation, no network. Each time, I’ve wondered if I could do it again. And each time, I’ve proven to myself that when you love your craft deeply, you can create something beautiful anywhere.
I started my career in Kyiv, working from home and building my clientele one appointment at a time. There was no established salon backing me – just my skills and determination. When I moved to Switzerland, everything disappeared overnight. I arrived in a country where I didn’t speak the language fluently and no one knew my work. Those early weeks were filled with uncertainty, but within months, my appointment book was full. I learned that resilience means adapting without compromising your standards.
The pattern repeated in the United States. New country, new market, starting over again. But this time, I was also developing teaching programs, instructing students in three languages (Ukrainian, English, and russian), and competing internationally. When I won 1st place at Nailympia San Antonio 2025, it validated everything: all the rebuilding, all the starting over, all the moments of uncertainty.
Today, when I train my students, I share this lesson: resilience isn’t about never falling. It’s about knowing that your skills, passion, and willingness to adapt will carry you through whatever comes next. I’ve proven to myself three times that I can build something beautiful from nothing. That’s the foundation of true resilience.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a nail artist, educator, and founder of Nails Aura Studio & Academy – a multilingual training platform teaching nail professionals the technical skills, creative confidence to build thriving careers. I’ve practiced in three countries (Ukraine, Switzerland, USA) and trained over 100 students.
Most nail education focuses only on technical execution. My methodology adds two crucial dimensions: creative expression (helping students develop their unique artistic voice) and professional psychology (confidence, client communication, business strategies). I teach from lived experience – I’ve rebuilt my career from zero three times internationally, which taught me resilience and the absolute importance of loving the work.
My graduates aren’t just certified technicians. They’re confident professionals who understand their worth, can communicate with clients, have developed a personal style, and can navigate the challenges of independent practice or salon work.
I recently won 1st place at Nailympia San Antonio 2025 for “The Joy of Nails.” I’m expanding the academy with specialized courses in advanced nail art and professional development. I’m also creating educational articles about modern nail techniques for industry publications, working to elevate professional standards in beauty.
Nail artistry deserves skilled, confident, ethical professionals. My brand exists to help create that – whether through individual client work, education, or industry contributions.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, three qualities made the difference: adaptability, technical mastery, and genuine curiosity.
1. Adaptability
I’ve rebuilt my career from zero three times in different countries. Each market had different preferences and standards. True adaptability means core skills stay constant while application evolves.
For early-career professionals: Work with clients outside your comfort zone. Learn complementary skills. Stay versatile while authentic.
2. Technical Mastery
Technical excellence opens doors everywhere. When I arrived in Switzerland knowing no one, my work spoke for me. When I won 1st place at Nailympia, it was years of perfecting craft. Master anatomy, safety protocols, product chemistry, and client psychology.
For early-career professionals: Invest in fundamentals before trends. Study anatomy. Practice basics until second nature. Seek feedback constantly.
3. Genuine Curiosity
Curiosity kept me growing. I view other nail artists as colleagues, not competitors – I’m genuinely curious about their approaches. This builds collaborative relationships and faster learning.
For early-career professionals: Ask “why” and “how.” Follow professionals you admire. Attend events to learn.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes, I’m absolutely open to collaboration. My work is at the intersection of nail artistry, education, and international beauty standards, so I’m especially interested in partnering with:
– beauty schools and academies that want to elevate their nail programs,
– brands in the nail and professional beauty space looking to create advanced education, step‑by‑step content, or competition‑level designs,
– magazines and media platforms seeking expert tutorials, educational articles, or creative nail features,
– organizers of competitions, conferences, and industry events who are looking for educators, judges, or speakers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nailsaura.academy/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nail_aura_karina/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karyna-kyliushyk/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
