Seize your telephone (simply kidding – I do know you are already on it), open IG, seek for #blkgirlnailfies and browse the 6,000+ posts. The limitless photographs and “nailfies” of attractive black and tan pores and skin, impeccably groomed palms, and MoMA-worthy nail artwork… all due to @BlkGirlNailfies.
@BlkGirlNailfies was based in 2020 by three nail-obsessed creatives: Hana Javelle, Tyra A. Seals and Imani Aldridge— as a spot to share photos of nails of all totally different shapes and lengths, with shades and designs which might be equal elements distinctive, fashionable, and attention-grabbing. Three years later, @BlkGirlNailfies has expanded their attain to almost 8,000 followers, however they’ve confirmed to be a lot extra than simply one other nailspo or mani pattern account. In the end, @BlkGirlNailfies is a group devoted to re-centering black ladies within the nail world, and if you take a look at their engagement and the responses to their posts, it is clear that this sort of for us, by us, house is precisely what so many individuals have longed for it.
One of these group additionally performs an important position within the struggle in opposition to cultural appropriation. Regardless of an ongoing dialog about the necessity to higher acknowledge black ladies and femmes as pioneers within the nail house, information retailers and influencers are nonetheless white celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Kylie Jenner because the “makers” or “innovators” behind widespread types like chrome nails and acrylic lengthy units. The presence, development and continued recognition of accounts like @BlkGirlNailfies are important to altering this whitewashed narrative.
I used to be fortunate sufficient to take a seat down with the three founders of @BlkGirlNailfies to debate all this and extra. Forward, Javelle, Seals, and Aldridge replicate on the way it began, the way it’s going, what they’re cooking up for the longer term, and why the top objective is — and at all times might be — extra illustration and celebration of black ladies.
It has been a couple of years because you began the @BlkGirlNailfies account. What have been your expectations going into the challenge and the way does that match actuality?
Tyra A. Seals: I believe I can communicate for all of us once I say we did not anticipate the preliminary curiosity. In fact, we did not suppose anybody would care, however we did not suppose @BlkGirlNailfies would get hundreds of followers in a single day and so many press options and issues like that so shortly.
It was clear that individuals have been instantly all in favour of what we have been doing – to disrupt this very white notion of nail colour and nail artwork because it was proven via social media. @BlkGirlNailfies represents the truth that we black ladies created this tradition and we’re those driving it. We additionally wished to create comfort for black ladies and femmes who need to get their nails performed and see themselves and see sure designs of their very own with out having to take action a lot work as a result of the visible is not there. I believe we have had success with that given how shortly our group has grown.
Discuss to me about this group you’ve got constructed over the previous three years.
Hana Javelle: I believe the black ladies’s nail group has been round perpetually — every time we discuss to different black ladies, it is like, “Yeah, I’ve a transparent reminiscence of going to the nail salon with my mother or my aunt” or whoever – however we simply put it on-line. It is also a simple group to narrate to – nails and nail artwork are universally cherished and when you go to our web page it is clear that that is what we’re all about, that is what we stand for.
Why did you all select to make use of Instagram to launch @BlkGirlNailfies as a substitute of, say, Twitter or Pinterest?
Imani Aldridge: After we first began out, beginning this group on IG made probably the most sense as a result of it is a platform that focuses totally on imagery, be it within the type of a photograph or a video. At the moment, TikTok was not as outstanding as it’s now, however we’re undoubtedly trying ahead to increasing our group throughout totally different media and platforms.
You all have totally different jobs and tasks – was it laborious to make this account occur on high of all the pieces else?
Javelle: I really feel prefer it’s by no means been tense or like, “Oh, I’ve to do that factor,” as a result of it is second nature. I liken it to being an athlete – going to your exercises and warmups would not be that massive or tense as a result of it is simply a part of the gig. This account is an extension of ourselves, an extension of how we seem on this world and the way we seem in society. It is a type of self-expression, so none of it has felt tense.
I believe it is also one of many advantages of group constructing. We’re all denim women and all of us need to improve the extent of illustration on social media, so when there is a shared curiosity and everybody invests equally, it appears much less of a chore. In fact there’s logistics. Everybody has their days to put up and we break up sourcing and content material, however it all felt very streamlined, in order that was a blessing in itself.
Many individuals save inspiration from Instagram after which create the same look, however they do not at all times credit score the unique influencer after they put up their very own photograph. How do you all encourage your followers to provide credit score the place it is due?
stamps: We lead by instance. Whether or not it is a TikTok, a Reel or a basic put up, we take each alternative to tag the unique creator, often the nail technician. If we run into the shopper first, we’ll perform a little digging to see if we are able to discover the artist who made the set.
I particularly adore it after we supply a set, credit score the unique nail tech, and the tech could be very appreciative and so they reply and share their tales and no matter. This account is for gathering inspiration, sure, however as black ladies, we care in regards to the black ladies who make these nails occur, so it is at all times good to rejoice them and provides them as a lot publicity as doable. We would like them to really feel supported and valued and we need to give them a platform in no matter approach we are able to so that’s at all times high of thoughts.
While you based the account in 2020, the nation was going via a interval of racial reckoning. Since then, I’ve observed that some individuals are dropping curiosity within the Black and BIPOC manufacturers they as soon as cared about. I ponder in case you have all seen a decline in curiosity or engagement?
stamps: I do not really feel like we have had massive adjustments in engagement. Nails are actually at all times related and at all times high of thoughts for many individuals – whatever the cultural or political local weather – so I really feel prefer it hasn’t modified. And remember that black ladies have at all times been sporting nails like this – it is not new or a “pattern” to us.
There was a current dialogue about nail artwork and cultural appropriation. Do your followers sometimes view black ladies because the founders of sure nail traits? If not, do you’re feeling the account is educating them?
stamps: Our followers are educated about nails and we consider they see black ladies because the originators of lengthy, intricately designed nails as a complete. A lot of our group grew up the identical approach we did by way of seeing our moms, grandmothers and aunts at all times have lovely nails, so this concept of nail artwork and dainty units isn’t a pattern in any respect.
We do attempt to put up particular posts that pay homage to black ladies like Patti LaBelle, Cunning Brown, Lil’ Kim and Missy Elliot who obtained their nails performed to remind our followers and the broader group that black ladies have been on the middle of the nail dialog for many years.
Have you ever all seen a change within the nail group from if you began to now? To your data, are there extra accounts that put illustration and group on the middle?
Javelle: We really feel just like the nail group is continually altering, largely as a result of social media, so it is laborious to pinpoint adjustments in the entire. However we do love creators like @BrownGirlHands – although the idea is as area of interest as hand modeling, it is a essential platform and standpoint within the magnificence house. In the case of magnificence and illustration, there actually is room for everybody to deliver one thing new to the desk and thrive.
What in regards to the magnificence house as a complete? What different makers or manufacturers domesticate a group round illustration and do it nicely?
Aldridge: @BlackGirlsSmellGood, @NakedBeautyPlanet, @Studio.Symone, @TheBlackBeautyClub are a few of our absolute favourite accounts – observe them!!
What recommendation would you give to black ladies in magnificence who’re making an attempt to make it as creators and produce about significant change within the magnificence business?
Javelle: One of many first issues I might prefer to say is do not attempt to go it alone. I believe, particularly in Western tradition, we now have this bizarre obsession with desirous to do all the pieces individually – and why?! You actually cannot at all times make nice issues occur alone and I believe that is the fantastic thing about this. It would not simply fall on one in every of us.
In addition to having individuals you possibly can belief and being a part of a workforce, it is also simply being genuine. I believe a giant a part of what helped us create the web page and construct and preserve this group is the truth that all the pieces we do is genuine as a result of we’re black ladies, ? We aren’t a bunch that cosplays as black ladies. I am not going to say it is easy as a result of there’s a certain quantity of intent to it but when it is simply very a lot a part of the way you seem on this world then you do not have to second guess or go to a different supply and steal issues from them. Clearly, we’re reposting individuals’s content material, however past that, I believe organically we’re maintaining a finger on the heartbeat by way of sure issues so we do not have to go looking a lot. I believe it simply comes naturally.
This interview has been edited and shortened for readability.
writer
Adria R. Walker is a storyteller from Mississippi who at present lives in western New York. With over a decade of journalism expertise and a deep appreciation for historical past, Adria goals to make clear untold or lesser-known tales.