Olena Halstian: "If you want peaks - develop constantly"

The heroine of the new BOMOND VIP fashion interview was Olena Halstian - a licensed manicurist and instructor, a woman with a Ukrainian heart in Los Angeles, winner of international awards, championship titles and Grand Prix in the Nail industry. We talked about the path from the first steps in the profession to international recognition, about the modern image of Ukrainian women, high standards of skill and continuous development in the field of beauty. Separately, the topics of professional philosophy, the role of discipline, creativity in Nail art and the challenges that accompany the path to the top were touched. Don't stop at what you already know. The industry is moving forward, and you should move with it," says Ms. Olena. The new Digital Cover is about ambition, perseverance, love for your work and the inner fire that helps move forward regardless of the circumstances.

Aesthetic, well-groomed manicure has long been an integral part of the image of a modern woman, both in everyday life and in special moments. It's not just about appearance, but also about mood, state, attention to yourself, and at the same time - about the true art of details. Ms. Elena, please tell us what was the beginning of your professional path to the role of a licensed master and manicure instructor?

Manicure really has long gone beyond just "well-groomed nails" - it's a mood, it's attention to yourself, it's a detail that completes the image. It was this feeling that brought me to the profession.

It all started with a decree, as in most craftsmen (smiles). She underwent basic training, but learned the most through observation. I looked at other masters - how they work, how they hold the hand, how the result is obtained - and I wanted the same. I tried a lot, made mistakes, reworked. From the very beginning, I set myself clear goals - not "it will come out anyway", but exactly as I want. This approach is still with me.

Worked in a studio in Mykolaiv. When the full-scale war began, they left with their family for the United States and had to start all over again. It is illegal to work in America without a license, so I passed the exam and got an official license. A new challenge — but the approach is the same: a clear goal and without self-indulgence.

If you, as an artist, were to depict a portrait of a modern woman, what would this image be like on the canvas? What traits, values and inner state would be inherent in this woman in your vision?

If I painted a portrait of a modern woman, it would be an image both gentle and strong. Soft shades, but a confident look. A woman who follows trends, takes care of herself, knows her worth - but does it not for someone, but for herself.

She knows how to take care of herself - both outside and inside. Because a well-groomed woman is not about vanity, it's about self-respect.

And if we talk about a Ukrainian woman, then one more feature is added to all this: incredible strength. That power that you can't paint with a brush is just felt. Ukrainian women have proven to the whole world that you can be gentle and unbreakable at the same time. For me, this is the image of a real modern woman.

Your professional path deserves special attention, because you are the owner of numerous awards, championship titles, Grand Prix and international awards. Behind such achievements are always years of hard work, discipline and faith in one's own business. Tell us, please, what inner philosophy you have formed along the way and what was the key to this level of skill for you?

To be honest, I never formulated it as a philosophy — it just lives in me (smiles). Maybe that's my dad's upbringing. When I did something well, he didn't say “well done” — he asked: “Why not the best of all?” At first it was annoying, and then I realized that this was the most valuable lesson in my life.

That's why I never stop at “good enough”. There is a bit of excitement - I wonder if I can do even better? Can I be more accurate, cleaner, more confident? This internal dialogue does not turn off.

And discipline - without it there are no titles. GTB CUP gold, Grand Prix, Nailvision silver, IBA award — behind each award there are hours of practice, self-criticism and rejection of self-indulgence. The key to skill, for me, is very simple: never ask “is it good enough?” Ask, "Can it be better?"

The nail industry today is extremely dynamic: trends, techniques, approaches are changing, a large number of masters appear. At the same time, such values as technical perfection, a sense of aesthetics, and a balance between classics and creativity remain timeless. What qualities, in your opinion, determine the real high level of the master today?

The nail industry is really changing very quickly — and that's why the bar “just a good master” is no longer enough. For me, the real high level is when you go to the championship and you are evaluated by dozens of cool masters from all over the world - and recognized. This is a real confirmation of the level.

But there is another indicator that is very important to me — when people want to learn from you. Adopt your approach, your technique, your vision.

And at the heart of everything are two principles. The first is continuous training and practice. The industry does not stand still, and the master who stopped is already lagging behind. Second, don't hurt the customer. It sounds simple, but it's the foundation. Impeccable technique, cleanliness, safety - without this, no aesthetics make sense.

If we talk about modern trends, what directions or styles in nail design, in your opinion, will be the most relevant in the near future? Is the classic out of time, and how does it transform in a new vision of Nail art?

Trends come and go, but there is one thing that remains out of time - it's the jacket. One hundred percent (smiles). It transforms, acquires new shapes and shades, but never goes out of fashion. And that's why every master should be able to do it flawlessly. If there are difficulties with the jacket, I know the solution: my author's FrenchLine course with schemes for the perfect jacket on any shape of nails.

From what is now very popular among my clients — complex reverse stamps and watercolor design. These are techniques that require real skill, and I do them with pleasure. Watercolor is my love in general: gentle, airy, feminine. Like painting on nails.

Your professional path includes not only practice, but also judging at prestigious championships and cooperation with leading brands of the industry. What advice would you give to those who are just starting their journey in the Nail industry? What should I pay attention to at the start in order not just to master the profession, but to reach real peaks in it?

The first piece of advice is not to look up to others. Everyone has their own path: someone wants to constantly grow, learn, move forward — and someone just needs to work with customers, and this is also normal. The main thing is to honestly tell yourself what you want.

If you want the top, develop constantly. Don't stop at what you already know. The industry is moving forward, and you have to move with it.

And one more thing I highly recommend: celebrate your every achievement. I passed the exam, mastered a new technique, and received praise from a client - a reward for herself. It supports the inner fire and reminds you why you are doing all this.

Today you are building your career in Los Angeles, a city of great competition, large-scale opportunities and at the same time high standards of the beauty industry. At the same time, you are a Ukrainian woman who adequately represents your professional level abroad. What message would you like to leave today to Ukrainians, women who, for various reasons, are building their lives outside Ukraine?

Los Angeles is a city of great opportunities and great competition. But the first thing I felt here was support. Ukrainian women abroad hold on to each other, help, inspire, believe in each other. For this, I want to sincerely thank each of them.

Most of us ended up here because of the war. It's painful, it's not easy to start all over again in a foreign country. But we didn't break. We build, work, grow — and at the same time remain ourselves, remain Ukrainians.

And I believe that one day we will all meet in a free, whole, peaceful Ukraine. It's not just a dream — it's something we keep moving forward for.

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