Not many years ago, Cecily Gomez was practicing nail art on her own nails and posting the results on Instagram. The social network turned a hobby into a blossoming Houston business with 14,000 followers, multiple features in Ebony, and a celebrity client. She thinks of herself as an artist whose medium is part of the body. 

Gomez pays close attention to detail. As would most artists, she sketches ideas and designs prior to executing them, and very unlike most nail salons, every set of nails that Gomez designs is unique to the individual. Her most popular requests from her clients are leopard and tie-dye printed nails. The most coveted length is the “stiletto” which we are currently seeing on many celebrities from Lorde, to Beyoncé, to Lana Del Rey.

Instagram continues to be Gomez's gallery and portfolio. It's also how R&B artist Fantasia Barrino found her and became a client. Gel polish manicures start at $35 with additional costs per nail for art and embellishments. 

Should you decide to do your own nails, Gomez recommends the following DOs and DON’Ts:

• Do apply a base coat prior to polish application. This will prevent unnecessary nail staining.
• Don’t leave excess nail polish around the nail.
• Do keep a small eyeliner brush on hand. This will come in handy to quickly clean any minor polish mishaps.
• Don’t polish too close to the cuticle, which can cause nail polish to lift or chip. By painting slightly above the cuticle, you will extend the longevity of your manicure.