Always learning. Always refining. Always creating
Hi, I’m Ella, the artist behind Nail Bandit, a nail technician based in Bountiful, Utah. I’ve been doing nails for about three years and have been a licensed nail technician for over a year. I’m deeply passionate about doing nails the right way, with intention, proper technique, and long-term nail health.
My love for nails started as both a creative outlet and a desire to learn how to do them by myself. I specialize in structured manicures, detailed prep, and custom nail art. I believe great nails come from strong foundations, not shortcuts, and I take pride in educating my clients along the way so they understand what’s happening with their natural nails and why certain techniques matter.
I know there’s always more to learn, whether you’re fresh out of nail school, self-taught, or just looking to expand your knowledge beyond the basics. My goal is to create tutorials that seem small but make big changes, covering everything from prep and structure to nail art, product control, retention, client care, social media growth, and the business side of being a nail tech.
I’ll be honest — I’ve failed, and I still fail sometimes. This industry isn’t easy, and building a business while mastering a craft takes patience, humility, and a lot of trial and error. There have been sets that didn’t turn out how I wanted, techniques that didn’t work, business moves that flopped, and moments where I questioned myself. But I believe those failures are some of the best teachers. One of my goals is to be open about the messy parts, share what didn’t work, and turn those mistakes into real learning experiences. For myself and for others who don’t get to see the behind the scenes reality.
On a personal level, my faith is a huge part of who I am and how I run my business. I’m building Nail Bandit as a way to glorify God, express creativity, and create something meaningful and honest. I believe in integrity, growth, and always being a student of the craft, which means I’m constantly learning, improving, and refining my skills.
When I’m not doing nails, you’ll usually find me outside soaking up the Utah mountains, spending time with my husband and family, and working on creative side projects!
This journey has been exhausting at times, and it has taken real blood, sweat, and tears to get here. There were moments I wanted to quit, times where it felt like everything was stacked against me, and times when people told me to stop or that I wasn’t cut out for this. I’m deeply grateful for how far I’ve come, humbled by how much I still have to learn, and incredibly passionate about continuing to grow, serve, and build something meaningful through Nail Bandit.
Licensed nail technician with over three years of hands-on experience and a strong foundation in proper technique, and long-term nail health.
Graduate of a professional nail apprenticeship program. Lucasicide® Certified with training in advanced sanitation and infection control. Continuously investing in ongoing education, product knowledge, and advanced techniques to refine my craft.
Structure gel, Russian manicure techniques, and detailed clean nail art.
This is for aspiring nail techs, newly licensed techs, and anyone looking to level up their technique in all aspects of the nail world. It’s especially helpful for those who feel like nail school didn’t fully prepare them for real-world of the beauty industry.
You’ll find walkthroughs, demonstrations, and discussions around prep, structure gel, retention, nail art tips and tricks, and natural nail health, along with clear explanations of nail terms and concepts commonly used in the industry. I’ll also talk through the tools, products, techniques, and real-world experiences you’ll encounter behind the table — plus client care, social media growth, and the business side of being a nail tech. Content will continue to grow based on what I’m learning and what you request and want to see, keeping everything practical, honest, and experience-based.