Meet Carolina Cuteno

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carolina Cuteno and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carolina, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Honestly, it felt very natural. I’ve always been someone who needed to make things. Ever since I was a kid, I was drawing on everything—notebooks, scraps of paper, anything I could find. My parents bought me endless crayons and stickers, and I was always drawn to flowers. That’s why my dad used to call me Floresita.

Nails became another way to keep creating. I didn’t think of it as starting a business at first—it felt more like giving my creativity a home. A place where art could live on people’s hands, where conversations could happen, and where things didn’t need to be perfect to be beautiful. My Nail Girl grew from that place—about making art slowly, staying curious, and building real relationships along the way.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is very much rooted in a doodle-style approach. I work with a wide range of mediums—crayons, oil paints, watercolors, markers, colored pencils, 3D gels, and sculpted gel paints. I focus entirely on hand-painted work, and that’s something I take a lot of pride in. Every set is created by hand, with intention, and treated like a tiny canvas rather than just a nail service.

What really sets me apart is my specialization in micro art and tiny sculpted details. I love working small—delicate, detailed pieces that feel personal and almost story-like. I also use color in a way that isn’t very common in the nail world. While a lot of artists rely solely on gel, I bring in mixed media and unconventional color palettes that give my work a more artistic, expressive feel.

Inspiration for me is everywhere. I’ve had clients bring me something as simple as a napkin they picked up while traveling in another country, and I’ve turned that into a full freestyle nail set. To me, anything can be inspiration. Even just walking outside with my husband, I’ll stop and say, “Oh! That’s nail inspo.” Colors, textures, moments, places—everything has the potential to turn into art.

Professionally, I got to where I am by never quitting and always believing in myself. I’ve always known a traditional 9–5 wasn’t for me. I dreamed of being a business owner long before I knew exactly what that would look like, and I trusted that instinct without needing to prove anything to anyone.

It definitely wasn’t easy. There were a lot of bumps in the road, but those challenges shaped me. They pushed me to grow, to refine my skills, and to find my own niche instead of trying to fit into what already existed. I’m tough, and every obstacle helped me become a better artist and a stronger business owner.

Along the way, I’ve learned so much—not just about art, but about business, finances, and people. I’ve built meaningful friendships and connections that I truly value, and those relationships have been just as important as my technical growth.

What I want the world to know about me and my brand, My Nail Gurl, is that anyone can be an artist. I’ve had so many clients tell me, “I could never draw like that,” and I always say the same thing: art doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t need straight lines or flawless execution. Doodles, imperfections, and spontaneity are what make art fun, colorful, and alive. My brand takes pride in imperfection—going with the brush, trusting the process, and creating with good vibes only.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend came to town, I’d want to give them a full mix of magic, chaos, and creativity. We’d definitely hit Disneyland because I love anything that keeps my inner child alive, then balance it out with really good specialty coffee and a scalp massage because self-care is non-negotiable. I’d take them to an art gallery to get inspired by weird, beautiful things… and then completely flip the vibe by going to a demolition derby, because I love contrast and a little chaos. We’d eat amazing food, drink somewhere vibey, drive around with no real destination, laugh way too loud (I have the loudest laugh and I fully own it), people-watch, and probably stop every five minutes because I’d say, “Wait—this is nail inspo.” For me, the best experiences are about energy, creativity, movement, and fun—art doesn’t live in one place, it’s everywhere if you’re open to it.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I really want to give a huge shoutout to my husband. He’s been such an incredible example for me—not only is he a business owner, but he actually runs multiple businesses himself. Watching him succeed and handle everything has inspired me so much and really pushed me to embrace my own independence. He’s always there for me, staying up late, brainstorming ideas to make my business better. I truly couldn’t have come this far without his constant love, support, and encouragement. He absolutely deserves this recognition.

Website: https://Mynailgurl.GlossGenius.com

Instagram: mynailgurl

Yelp: My nail gurl

Image Credits
PC: Leonides Cuteno