Moray nail artist Shannon Mason nominated for north's nail technician of the year after first year in business
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A MORAY nail artist has been nominated for nail technician of the year at the North Scotland Hair and Beauty Industry Awards.
The award is extra special for Shannon Mason, who runs Shannon Mason Nail Artist from her home on Grantown Road in Forres, given she opened her business just 12 months ago.
On October 16, Mrs Mason (28) found out that she is one of three women to have been nominated for nail technician of the year across the north of Scotland.
She will find out whether she wins on November 29.
Mrs Mason said: “I knew the finalists were being announced on the 16th but I didn’t even tell my husband. I wasn’t expecting to get anywhere so I couldn’t believe it when I heard.
“I’ve only been in business for 12 months and I’m self-employed so it’s a pretty big achievement to get to the final three, especially since they expanded the competition.
“Normally it’s just Aberdeenshire and Moray but this year it’s the whole of the north of Scotland.
“The two other girls in the final have both been up for awards previously, whereas this is my first time.
“The awards night is supposed to be in Inverness but it’s virtual this year. I’m still looking forward to it and I will be enjoying a drink from my sitting room but with my husband and son!”
The two other finalists are Fantoosh Nails (Aberdeen) and Dilly Delight (Montrose), who are more experienced in the industry.
But they will be hard pushed to have had a better year than Shannon, who only qualified as a beauty therapist in 2018 before spending a year focusing on nails and opening in 2019.
Shannon has also been chosen as a brand ambassador for professional nail company Diamond Glitters and Gel Perfection and has appeared in Scratch – the UK’s leading nail magazine.
Even throughout the coronavirus pandemic and its enforced closures and restrictions, Shannon Mason Nail Artist has continued to go “from strength to strength”.
“It was pretty difficult,” Shannon admitted. “I have safety measures all over the place and have gone above and beyond but I wasn’t sure if people would be able to afford to get their nails done after lockdown.
“But it has just gone from strength to strength and the client base is even expanding.
“I’m almost fully booked for the rest of the year now. My clients have been fantastic.”
Shannon wished to thank her granny Margaret McLaren, who passed away while she was training, for being her biggest supporter and helping her achieve her dream.
You can vote for Shannon to win nail technician of the year at https://pro.evalato.com/1963/public-voter/1524 and check out her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/shanmasonnailsx .
