Today we’d like to introduce you to Angel Ascarate
Hi Angel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My beginning started much earlier than most people, I remember being 7 years old and spending most of my time at my mom’s nail salon. There, she allowed me to paint other little girls’ nails, which sparked my love for the craft. As I got older, I worked hard in the family business, learning the ropes and refining my skills.
When I was in high school, I got the opportunity to attend college early to pursue dentistry, while continuing to work part-time doing nails. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I was inspired to learn more about nails in other parts of the world and that’s how I got introduced to builder gel and gel extensions.
After finishing my degree in biology, I moved to Texas in 2022 and decided to dive into the nail world full-time. I continued working in commission-based nail salons, but I quickly realized that the lack of freedom to connect with my clients and educate them was limiting my potential. I was passionate about nail art but at that time, it wasn’t in the best interest of the salon. I wanted to create an environment that allowed me to build those relationships and be able to provide high-quality nail art to my clients. This desire led me to start my nail studio to redefine the industry by focusing on quality, education, and empowering clients to maintain beautiful, healthy natural nails.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would say it hasn’t been the smoothest road, but each obstacle has shaped me into the person that I am today. One of the biggest struggles early on was balancing my college education and my passion for nails. While I was going to school for dentistry and still working part-time doing nails, it was hard to split my focus between the two. At times, I felt torn between following a more traditional career path or pursuing my creative passion full-time.
Another challenge that I think we all faced was during the pandemic. Like everyone, I faced uncertainty after my salon closed down and had to adapt quickly. In despair, I still wanted to use the time I had to improve my work doing nails. I learned new techniques and began investing in the right tools, which was both exciting and overwhelming.
When I decided to make the move to Texas to do nails full-time, the transition was a bit daunting. I had to relearn the nail industry in a new state and rebuild my client base while also navigating a new environment. I was determined to adapt quickly and learn more about what worked for clients here instead of in my former state. But through all these struggles, I’ve learned to stay determined, trust myself, and keep pushing forward. Every challenge has made me more confident in what I do, and it has shaped the way I approach my business today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Nail Tenshi Studio focuses on three things: growing your natural nails, providing intricate, high-quality nail art, and educating my clients about maintaining healthy nails. My dedication to nail health is very important to me and I make my client’s feedback on my work my top priority. I work together with my clients to ensure they can grow and maintain their strong natural nails while achieving long retention for themselves.
I specialize in builder gel and gel-x, which allow me to create strong, durable nails while still providing the flexibility for stunning nail art. No matter how hard the design may seem, I pride myself on being able to recreate whatever my clients envision. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, and I love taking on the challenge of any nail art design that comes my way. Just recently, I was able to recreate the cat eye heart magnet design that I struggled with in the past. I spent hours away from my salon, bending paper clips until I was finally able to accomplish the design.
I’m also a huge fan of pop culture and animated media, which are huge influences on my work. I draw inspiration from art across the world, and constantly try new things to expand my artistic ceiling. Whether it’s a complex custom design or a simple yet elegant look, I’m always up for a challenge and love bringing your ideas to life. Ultimately, what I aim for my clients is that when they come to me they are not just getting a nail service done. They are getting custom personalized care that prioritizes their nail health while being in a comfortable space chatting with a familiar friend.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
While only being here for 3 years, I have fallen in love quickly with the city and its diverse culture and people. Being lucky to be in this profession that allows me to meet many people from different backgrounds has truly been a blessing I never take for granted. I love building connections with my clients, and they introduced me to many things that have become some of my favorite hobbies now. I am a huge foodie and this city has some of the best food I’ve had in my life. Even though I have only been here for a short amount of time, It has become home and I truly can’t see myself ever living anywhere else.
I don’t have anything I dislike about the city since I haven’t been here for that long. I want to explore more of this wonderful city and open my eyes to all the things it has to offer. The city is always expanding and I am proud to say I live here to all the people that I meet along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tenshistudio.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nailtenshi
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Nail-Tenshi-Studio-61559637518234/
