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Anti-conformist. Distorted. Sharp. Lora de Sousa’s nail art often looks more just like the claws of an otherworldly creature than a fairly manicure. Long and twisted, sometimes adorned with piercings or charms, in de Sousa’s world, nails usually are not only for polish, but miniature sites of sculpture and even performance. Take this look, where nails split open to release once-contained butterflies, or this for Panconesi, where embellished nails are only the extremities of a whole hand mid-morphosis right into a jewel.

Lots of de Sousa’s looks feel like small feats of engineering, a challenge that’s integral to her process. “I like creating something along with your hands with improbable techniques and materials,” she says. “I like experimenting.” A love for creativity is evident in her work, and it extends to all areas of her life, where she is driven by her passionate fascination with art, music and history. “The three are very closely linked”, she says, “you may tell a story in music, make music an art and art a story”.

It was only 4 years ago that the Paris-based de Sousa finally began pursuing her passion for nail artistry. After moving from Portugal to France 20 years ago, starting (and quitting) a law degree, after which embarking on a ten-year stint as a make-up artist at MAC, she taught herself the way to do nails mostly by watching other artists after which experimenting on her friends. Since then, she’s hit the bottom running, working as a manicurist for Adidas x Gucci, Thierry Mugler and Louboutin previously yr alone.

Read on for more from Lora on what beauty means to her, her profession highlights plus her pick for a song that might save the human race from alien invasion.

What’s it you do and why do you do it?

Lora de Sousa: I’m a nail artist and enthusiastic about art, history and music. For instance, when I actually have some free time I wish to go to the museum, placed on my headphones and have a look at the work. I create my bubble. This enables me to grasp the artist and their story. Sometimes I find myself in front of a piece which at first glance seems easy, but looking more closely reveals the artist’s research and its complexity.

How did you get into it?

Lora de Sousa: I’m a self-taught artist. I‘m really passionate and stubborn in a way that when I actually have an idea, I actually have to materialise it. So I began 4 years ago alone by watching other artists and developing my very own techniques. The sharpness and perfection of a nail set for me are essential. I perfected myself by passing training in Russian and combi manicure (the techniques used to have clean and clear cuticles).

What’s your earliest beauty-related memory?

Lora de Sousa: It goes back to my childhood, looking at my grandmother doing her beauty routine. She had 30s-inspired looks; I’d then take her fashion magazines and draw on the photographs by adding lashes, sketching the lips, and adding nails.

What’s been your profession highlight thus far?

Lora de Sousa: Today, my profession highlight could be to have been in a position to collaborate with photographers Carlijin Jacobs, David Sims, Elizaveta Porodina, Harley Weir, Jenny Brough and lots of others. I’m grateful for his or her trust.

Which fictional character do you most relate to and why? 

Lora de Sousa: Mystique from X-Men. Regardless of the situation, she adapts.

When do you’re feeling most beautiful?

Lora de Sousa: When I actually have my nails done or when I actually have a recent tattoo.

Are you optimistic in regards to the future?

Lora de Sousa: I wish to consider that a greater world will come. I believe the trail won’t be easy, but we’ll regularly manage to vary things and pay more attention to every little thing around us: the environment, animal welfare, human beings.

What’s the long run of beauty? 

Lora de Sousa: You never know what the long run holds. We clearly live in a world where digital has a robust presence. I believe my way forward for beauty will likely be an ideal mix of digital and analogue.

You have got to interchange a part of your body with that of an animal or a mythological creature. What do you go for?

Lora de Sousa: Shiva arms, so I’m in a position to do many things at the identical time.

You encounter a hostile alien race and sound is their only mechanism for communication. What song would you play to them to encourage them to spare you and the remainder of the human race?

Lora de Sousa: “Follow Me” by Pabllo Vittar, with a dance step! Yay!

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