The sharp smell of nail polish fills the air, as sophomore Elena Zapiain’s eyes glance over her materials. She steadies her hand before she glides a brush over one nail, the task almost meditative in its precision. Her eyes flick between her work and the customer sitting in front of her, and only after one last glossy touch, do they both lean back to admire her creation.

Zapiain’s interest was first struck by nail art when she was in fifth grade. What started by playing around with nail polishes over the years built into more complicated designs and materials.

“To be honest, I taught myself about nails, and then also got a little from TikTok, YouTube, and going into actual nail salons to see what they do,” Zapiain said.

While not running an official business, Zapiain dedicates a large portion of her time to manicures, normally doing nails two to three times a week, with a few consistent customers. During the previous prom season she had appointments almost every day.

“My nail style is very abstract,” Zapiain said. “I do one girl’s nails who has all this 3D stuff, a different design on every nail, and they’re as long as they can be. So, those ones are very, very abstract, and they’re a bunch of different colors.”

There are different types of manicures, ranging based on their materials. Zapiain specializes in Gel X, a popular alternative to acrylic nails. The process of completing a set includes prepping the nail, applying nail extensions and gel, creating nail art, and then sealing it off with a glossy top coat.

“It’s 50/50 where I get my inspiration from, some of the designs I come up with on my own, or I take a collage on Pinterest and turn that into nails,” Zapiain said. “When I do other people’s nails, a lot of them come in with an inspo-picture.”

While today’s nail art is trademarked for its vibrant colors and extravagant designs, Zapiain’s love for it has grown out of the relaxing relationship she’s formed with the process.

“I have my whole routine,” Zapiain said. “It’s very comforting, and it’s almost grounding. You can put what’s in your mind onto something physical. It feels like ‘I know how to do this, and I know I’m good at it’.”

Zapiain charges around $20 for her nails, and typically sessions last around an hour. For some customers requesting more elaborate designs, like fellow band member freshman Lucy Cottam, manicures could last up to four hours.

“I like to get very bold nails with lots of bright designs,” Cottam said. “I think it brings outfits together and makes you more interesting. It makes me feel unique.”

With the long period of time spent in the chair, conversationalist skills are vital to nail technicians. Zapiain has taught herself some tricks to prevent interactions from becoming stagnant, such as using compliments to spark a conversation, or connecting through extracurriculars.

“Elena always puts her best into making sure each nail set looks good. She is easy to talk to and it’s not awkward like if I were to go to a normal salon,” junior Fiona Sobocinski said.

According to PR Newswire, 92 percent of girls between the age of nine and 17 years old use nail products, due to its abundance of options and versatile styles. Zapiain has no shortage of customers from that demographic.

“I am so impressed with her creativity and ability to take inspiration and bring it to life,” Elena’s mother Maegan Zapiain said. “She hasn’t done much to ‘promote’ her business; her happy clients have spread the word.”

Outside of nail art, Elena is a member of the Bowie Band and Guard, playing the French horn and mellophone. Next year, she’s set to be a section leader of the mellophones. Bowie Band is a close knit community, and consequently many of her customers are gained through it.

“I love getting my nails done because I love hanging out and talking with her but also she’s amazing at nails,” Sobocinski said. “So, not only do I get to spend time with a friend but I always get gorgeous nails out of it.”

As creative nails have gained popularity, they have been hailed as an outlet and expression of people’s creativity, with many celebrities such as Olympian Sha’Carri Richardson and socialite Hailey Bieber taking ‘statement nails’ to the public eye.

“I feel like it’s a very individual thing, everyone has their own way to do nails,” Elena said. “They’re very detailed and if you have a vision, you can change it to your specific style.”

Elena’s creative endeavors are not only limited to nails, she also experiments with jewelry and floral design, even going as far to have handmade every piece of jewelry she wore for this past homecoming dance.

“Elena has always been creative, but not in the traditional sense of painting and drawing,” Maegan said.      “When she has a vision or design that she wants to make in her mind, she has always been able to create it, even if it means using unconventional materials and techniques. She has also been a great floral designer and jewelry maker, but nail art has been a great outlet to make unique designs while also spending time with friends.”

Elena spoke of the connection built with the Bowie community by giving manicures, as it has become a defining trait for her within band and to her customers.

“Most of my friends in band all get our nails done by Elena so it connects us,” Sobocinski said. “We always get to talk about which nails we want and we all show each other our nails once we get them all done. It’s super fun and it’s a unique way that all of us connect.”

All of Elena’s nail appointments are done in her room, where all of supplies necessary for the job can also be found. This includes UV lights, nail brushes, nail gel, and the nail polish itself.

“She’s my best friend, so it’s fun because I get to hang out with her while she does my nails, and she’s so talented,” Cottam said. “She gives us drinks and she plays music or we watch TV, and her room is a very fun space to be in. It’s a fun environment to be in.”

While still a sophomore, Elena already has aspirations to major in psychology in college, with a possible cosmetology degree on the side to pursue nail artistry.

“I’m not sure where she’ll end up professionally, but continuing to do nails in college could always be a fun side hustle,” Maegan said. “I hope that she always has a chance to have an outlet for passion and creativity in her life.”