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Zayauna Liddell

Nail Artist

Zayauna Liddell is a licensed nail technician, educator, and beauty entrepreneur. She is best known as the founder of Nails By Zay, a thriving nail brand based in Pittsburgh, PA. With over seven years of hands-on experience, Zayauna began her journey in high school, turning a passion for nail artistry into a full-fledged business. In 2021, she opened her own salon, establishing a go-to destination for trendsetting nail designs and professional services. Beyond the salon, Zayauna is the creator of a growing nail product line that caters to both everyday consumers and professional nail techs. Her innovative style, attention to detail, and commitment to quality have earned her a loyal following of over 140,000 supporters across social media platforms, where she shares tutorials, nail trends, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into her business and creative process.

Professional Achievements

  • Seasoned nail artist whose work has graced the runways of New York Fashion Week, where she brought bold, editorial nail designs to life for top designers
  • Backstage experience at NYFW
  • Nails By Zay has grown into a trusted name online, with viral content that consistently educates, inspires, and connects with a global beauty audience

Certifications & Organizations

  • Licensed Nail Technician

Favorite Piece of Advice

Start where you are, with what you have. Consistency and passion will take you further than perfect conditions ever will. Invest in your craft, keep learning, and never be afraid to stand out. Your brand is built one client, one post, and one opportunity at a time, so treat every moment like it matters.

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Forum Comments (3)

What are the best nail shapes?
For nail shapes, my clients most frequently ask for almond and tapered square. Oval and almond are pretty similar. Almond is just a little bit wider than oval, oval is a little bit more narrow. Then there's regular square , which is a little bit wider than a paper square . Paper square is a little bit more narrow. Another popular type is coffin , which kind of points in like a vampire coffin shape. Another option is ballerina , which is an even skinnier coffin, which gets even more narrow, almost comes to a point. There's stiletto , which are the really pointy ones that people might call "cat paws". Finally, there's a shape called lipstick , which is shaped like a lipstick. These are a lot of the really popular ones now.
How do you take off shellac nail polish at home?
Shellac is another name for regular gel polish. You can remove gel nails at home by soaking cotton balls in acetone and wrapping them around each nail with tinfoil. Just make sure you’re using 100% acetone, because sometimes people get nail polish remover and 100% acetone confused. Nail polish remover won't soak off the gel, it’s meant for basic nail polish. I just wanted to be sure to note that because I’ve had my clients get confused before when they’ve tried to do the soak off themselves.
Easiest way to remove gel nail polish at home
You can remove gel nails at home by soaking cotton balls in acetone and wrapping them around each nail with tinfoil. Just make sure you’re using 100% acetone, because sometimes people get nail polish remover and 100% acetone confused. Nail polish remover won't soak off the gel, it’s meant for basic nail polish. I just wanted to be sure to note that because I’ve had my clients get confused before when they’ve tried to do the soak off themselves.

Co-authored Articles (8)

How to

Apply Nail Polish Neatly

Applying neat, even layers of nail polish is extremely tricky. Getting a clean and crisp nail polish line takes practice, patience, and a steady hand. If you happen to paint outside the lines, you can always clean up you...

How to Do Gel Nails at Home: Tips for the Perfect Manicure

An expert-approved walkthrough to give your nails a professional gel manicureIf you love the strength of acrylic nails but want something a little more natural-looking, gel nail polish is perfect for you. So long as you�...

How to

Do Ombre Nails

Ombré nails (just like ombré hair) are a type of manicure in which a color gradient is created. A light color on the top of the nail gradually blends into a darker color toward the tip. Getting the perfect ombré effec...

How to Repair a Split Nail

Quickly fix your broken nail to promote healing as it grows out Ouch! Just split your nail? Whether you’re worried about ruining a perfect manicure or just don’t want your nail to catch on anything, fixing a split na...

All the Different Nail Shapes to Choose From for Your Next Manicure

Plus, how to pick the right shape to flatter your hands and fingersWhether you’re getting a manicure at a salon or doing your own nails at home, there are a ton of nail shapes to choose from! We’ve compiled a complet...

16 Kinds of Nail Polish You Need to Know for Your Next Mani

From gel to acrylic, we have all the info on all the varieties!So, it’s time to get your nails done! But how do you know what style of manicure or polish to choose from? Whether you’re going to the salon or attemptin...

What Furry Nails Are & Why They Sometimes Smell

Plus, how to get this fluffy nail look all by yourselfWhile scrolling through TikTok, you may have seen the countless viral videos claiming that furry nails (also called fuzzy nails or fluffy nails) smell bad. These soft...

3 Easy Ways to Do Aura Nails At Home (With & Without an Airbrush)

A step-by-step guide with color combo ideasAura nails are the latest trending manicure. The cute multicolor nail art features a solid base color and a soft, diffuse color applied at the center of each nail. It’s named ...