Pro Spotlight

OPI Pro Spotlight: @anouskaanastasia

Meet Anouska Anastasia @anouskaanastasia, the self-taught London nail artist who’s turning tiny art into a BIG deal.

From bite-sized gingerbread houses to massive brand collabs (Nike, Gymshark, Depop), her 3D creations are blowing up across TikTok and Instagram. She shares her tips for other artists, her fave color combos, and the one tool that took her art to the next level.

Rapid Fire:

1. Where are you based: London

2. Years as a nail artist: 11 years

3. Current nails: short, clean, square, wearing OPI x Hello Kitty 'Let’s be Friends Forever'

4. Favorite OPI shade: Gelato on My Mind®

5. Bold or neutral: Bold!

6. Short or long nails: Long

7. Favorite nail art style: 3D

8. Favorite fall nail trend: dark gold chrome

9. Favorite thing about being a nail pro: creativity 

10. Signature nail style: ‘Make it Mini!’ Shrinking products into adorable nail charm miniatures

OPI: What inspired you to venture into the world of miniature 3D nail art?

Anouska: I always love to push my own boundaries and see what is possible. 3D felt like the natural progression from the intricate 2D nail art that I was doing. 

OPI: What’s the most challenging item you have ever miniaturized for a set of nails? 

Anouska: The Christmas gingerbread house in 2023. It was the first time I involved electricals in a creation, as I made the house light up. 

OPI: Are there winter holiday miniature trends that you’re excited to try?

Anouska: Everyone’s decorating their homes, so best believe I’ll be bringing that to life on my nails!

OPI: What advice do you have for other artists looking to master their own signature 3D style? 

Anouska: You need to go through lots of trial and error to discover what works for you. Each 3D creation involves new techniques and it’s not one size fits all. 

OPI: What is one tool that changed the game for your work? 

Anouska: Thin nail art brushes have been a game-changer for my technique. Back when I started, I used to have to trim brushes myself. 

OPI: What are your tips for nail artists who want to build an authentic social following?

Anouska: Sounds cheesy, but be yourself. Develop your own unique style that makes people come back for more. Engaging voice-overs are important to show off personality when all the viewer can see is your hands. 

OPI: What’s the creative process like when working with a major brand?

Anouska: It’s less creative than when I get to freestyle. It’s about creating an exact replica in miniature, and paying extra attention to the minor details that the consumer may not even notice in the full-size product. 

OPI: How do you integrate Fall and pre-holiday shades into your work? 

Anouska: I’m mostly known for using pastels, whatever the season, but am partial to incorporating a rich chocolate brown into a pastel design. Chocolate brown and Gelato on My Mind is my favorite combo. Any shimmery shades that come out during the holiday season are also fun to play with.

OPI: If you could choose any three OPI shades to use as the base for a miniature creation, which ones would you choose? 

Anouska: Put it in Neutral. It’s a classic shade that flatters every skin tone. Alpine Snow®. I love this as a base to all my art because it makes colors POP! Love Is In The Bare. This is the classic pinky neutral I always use on myself.

Head to Instagram to follow Anouska Anastasia (@anouskaanastasia).