A time was had at the Smokies Nail Show!

Hey y’all! Welcome back to another amazing blog post. This week we shall dive into the Smokies Nail Show, or more formally named, Nail Tech Event of the Smokies. This is a super awesome event for nail techs as it is the largest nail only show. Located in Gatlinburg, TN, it is the very thing you can treat yourself to as a nail technician. So ready to hear about my weekend? Lets go!

Before we get going, we have to do our nails first, and I wanted to really step outside the box. So for once I went with a theme, because I wanted to match my outfit. I was there representing Magic Gel and wanted to really do something special. So I went with a paint splatter theme. I made sure it had my usual 3D elements, and were nice and long.

So as you can see, I really went all out for Magic Gel this year. Now we can leave and head on up to Gatlinburg, I went ahead and left after I finished my nails that night at 3am because I wanted to get into town before there was any traffic. Driving through Gatlinburg is literally not fun for me with all the people that cross the street and the stop and go cars. So I was determined to be there early. I knew I would take a nap when I got there, and would join Darcy’s class after I got up.

Once I arrived it was about 8 am, and I went ahead and checked into the room. It was absolutely beautiful, I had the master bedroom and it had a spa tub, and its own balcony. I mean stunning hunny! Just stunning! I gave a quick heads up to the team, who assumed I would be coming and I was like huh nooo, I want sleep lol but I didn’t want to disappoint so I got dressed and left anyway. And yes I was nervous at how tired I was going to be. But I didn’t want to let Darcy down. Even if I was just sitting in the back of the room, support is support hunny.

It was only Saturday so it was show set up day. Bill and Vitali were setting up the booth while Darcy and educator Laura were having classes. I was still waiting on Caty the other educator but I sat with Sara Dee a good friend of mine who was also working the booth. Through that class I also got to meet two of her ambassadors, which was super awesome. I’m not gonna lie, I was nodding off quite a bit so I had to stand up and walk around outside. I saw a few friends and decided to not go down the hall, I heard it was a huge early check in line, and honestly I knew I was gonna be bombarded with photos of my nails. I’ve already posted them on social media and every year people want photos, so my sleepy butt stayed put. lol

Eventually I had to leave my cave of joy and go out as Darcy’s class was over, and I wanted to see how the booth was going. I ran into my good friend Paula, who has a book, go read it! And saw all the lovely folks in line. Not gonna lie it was and always is amazing to see everyone. I’m just glad I got my energy up for it. Sleep deprived brain was setting in. Not much happened the rest of the hours because it was still class time, and it wasn’t until after booth set up was done, that we decided to have a dinner and walk round town after.

Let’s talk about dinner lol So it was just Darcy and I and we checked in and held the table while everyone else came over. So Jennie and her friend Linda showed up and we all were talking while the waitress comes over, and she noticed my nails and said oh my gawd I have to tell everyone about your nails and she literally did. Everyone arrives at dinner and another waitress comes over and says I heard I had to come see your nails lol it was so funny. After a while, we are eating and talking and a third person comes over and says we were talking in the kitchen and I had to come see your nails. It was hella hilarious, but by then, the group was used to it, and kept their conversations going. I would love to tell you that was it, but no after a while a fourth lady walks up the stairs and says wow I saw your nails and just had to stop by, I was engaging but lawd my energy was dying. Luckily Sara Dee took over and they conversed about nails. That was it for dinner and everyone was pretty much tired. I know I was, BUT I needed to get some moonshine in my system before heading to bed.

The night was cute, a few of us headed out and did the moonshine tasting and walked around town, but after, I had to leave the group and go to bed, and it was still 10pm. I have now been up for 24 hours.

Welcome to day 2! It’s the day of the nail show! Time to get dressed, and get ready, so I wore an all paint splatter outfit, as that was the theme for the nails! Don’t I just look festive, teehee. By the way, I got glow sticks to hand out to people. I will save you the trouble and let you know it was a fun idea, but they are useless in a well lit auditorium…So eh, I meant well.

But yes, time to head out, have a group breakfast, and make our way to the show. Luckily the line was outside for a min so I got to sneak through. I felt like a celebrity, trying to hide his outfit before the main public got to see it. Before the show started I joined the VIP line and gave out the glow sticks and said hey to a couple of people and friends. That was super fun. And then I came inside and watched the show unfold. I will say it was an amazing show. I got to walk around and spread the word about Magic Gel, I felt like a mormon for nails! So many people were excited to see my nails, I was in so many photos and loved meeting so many new people, they were really fun.

Throughout the day it was pretty much the same thing. I circled the floor, and kept meeting new people, every now and again I would visit the booth and stay put for a bit and talk to people about Magic Gel. My nails brought over people which was nice and appreciated. But I gotta telly this funny moment that happened. Because I forgot, but the group never let it go, so now I have to share it with y’all.

So basically I am talking to someone about Magic Gel at the booth, and I so happen to look to my left and see Bill leave the register, and then I see Laura the educator also get into what I see is the group is forming a line. And so I say oh are we taking a group picture and they say yes, so im like ok hold on one second and ill be right back, as I look for the person who is taking the picture they are like she is right here, and I’m like cool, you wanted a picture right, and she says yes, just you, and I am like huh JUST me? And she said yea you, and I’m like well dang why did y’all get in line a line? And now that I’m realizing the moment, I’m really blowing it up, and I say, well dang all of you all thought she was here for you and really it was me! HA! I definitely had fun with the moment for sure, but it was all jokes. But because the day was so busy, I forgot all about that moment but the group loveddd it and had fun with it the rest of the day. I told them, I’m like their Mariah Carey for nails. Folks come for me and stay for y’all lol it was cute.

Once the show was over, we all took down the booth and headed out for a great dinner, I helped ya know, a bit. I forgot to get a dinner picture but we created this super fun video and I would love to share it with you.

Eventually we all returned to the room, and after taking off my nails, oh yes absolutely, Sara comes back in and says she saw a bear, and we all rush outside to go see, cause how cool is to to see wild bears? So cool!

Eventually, it was time to sleep and drive out in the morning, and the weekend came to a close. I will say I definitely had the best weekend I have ever had at the show. I didn’t do many touristy things this go around, but I really enjoyed being with my friends. And that meant a lot to me. It’s hard separating myself and spend time with everyone individually, but I tried to give everyone my time so we could catch up. Next time I would like a day or two to kind of make it a vacation as well and enjoy some things, that and partake in some shopping in town and on the show floor to support my friends.

Before I go, I want to give a huge shout out to Darcy Olin, for having me at the show. She is so wonderful and truly the best nail bestie anyone could ever wish for. I am so grateful and thankful for her. I encourage you all to spend all your good hard earned money on Magic Gel. She is amazing, her brand is amazing, and her customer service is exceptional.