Nail Life Gallery | Anneke van der Sar: Into the Unknown, Finding Her Path in Nail Art

Anneke Van Der Sar has spent the past 34 years carving out her own path in the nail industry. She was mainly working in beauty before she entered the nail industry in 1992. For Anneke, stepping into the nail industry meant starting from scratch.

Back then, the nail industry was not yet well established. She had never even been exposed to the most basic professional nail techniques. Entering this entirely new field felt like venturing into uncharted territory without a map.

Her curiosity was sparked by a newspaper advertisement about nails, which became the unexpected beginning of her journey. The field was unfamiliar to both her and the region she lived in, but she decided to give it a try. That small step into the unknown eventually changed the course of her career.

In the third episode of Nail Life Gallery, Anneke shares with MelodySusie how she found her own way into the unknown industry.

Watch Anneke's full interview below to hear more about her story.

“I've Never Seen That World”

Unlike those who meticulously plan their future careers to adapt to changing times, Anneke's career began with a chance encounter with a newspaper advertisement. When she saw the words "nail art" mentioned in the newspaper, she was deeply drawn to this unfamiliar and novel field.

"I've never seen that world."

“Let's see, and go there and get the information.”

This spontaneous idea sparked her interest in studying nail art.

Anneke recalled that she became completely fascinated with the field when she attended her first nail art seminar.

When she realized that this was a brand-new field, she didn't back down. Instead, she felt even more motivated to learn.

From Beginner to Teacher: Anneke’s Unexpected Start

From that moment on, Anneke embarked on an unfamiliar journey into the world of nails.

As a complete beginner in the field, she began her learning at a nail school. Two weeks later, the school surprised her with the news that she had been invited to take on a teaching role.

“I was like, no, because I've been here at this school just for two weeks. That's crazy. I thought it was crazy.”

Although the offer caught her off guard, the school's encouragement helped Anneke set aside her doubts and take another step into the nail industry.

✦ “There's Only One Salon in a Big Area. Maybe I Can Be the Next One.”

As her hard work and abilities gradually earned the team’s recognition, the company (the school) began to entrust her with more responsibilities and opportunities.

Anneke realized that there was only one nail salon in her hometown, yet Anneke had already begun to consider a bold idea.

"Maybe I can be the next one, or you know, be involved in this business."

She began traveling around the world on business trips for the company, handling product promotion and technical training, and gaining experience through each new assignment.

From an educator to a nail product distributor, that is how she started to develop herself further in the industry she was passionate about.

✦ A Challenge She Wouldn't Call a Challenge

While some parents might hesitate to support their children in pursuing an unconventional career, this wasn’t the case for Anneke.

Her family and friends gave her the freedom and confidence to explore this new path and see where it might take her.

"They're like, 'Okay, let her go.' They were very supportive because nobody knew about that business, so everything I was telling them was new for them too."

With their support and faith in her, she believes that she can conquer all challenges.

Anneke’s entry into the industry was not entirely smooth sailing. The very first technique she learnt was acrylic nails, which she described as one of the most difficult techniques for beginners to master.

"You need to practice minimum like 1000 nails before you have a little bit of experience."

That was one of the major challenges Anneke faced, though she wouldn't necessarily call it a challenge. Instead, she saw it as something to work through. It's the same mindset she hopes her students will adopt when facing challenges of their own.

Essential Qualities of Nail Technicians

For every nail technician, extensive practice is an essential part of becoming a true professional.

Anneke draws a simple comparison with hairdressing: watching someone cut hair may make it look easy, but once you pick up the tools yourself, you quickly realize how much technique it takes.

Nails are no different.

To Anneke, nail technicians are much like athletes. Becoming stronger and better at your craft takes consistent practice, dedication, and countless hours of hands-on experience.

"Ask them how many hours they practiced before? A lot of hours."

The Reels Anneke posted on social media have drawn praise for the intricate craftsmanship of her handmade nail art. Anneke mentioned that creating these designs by hand requires not only a great deal of time but also tremendous effort.

"I said we have no machine who can make nails for you. We are just people working on a person, so it's all handmade profession."

The difference between a professional nail artist and a painter lies in the fact that nail artists must create intricate line drawings on a “canvas” as small as a fingernail.

More than having ample patience, love for detail, refinement, and the art of handcrafting.

The heart of being a nail technician goes beyond the nail itself. You also need to know your customers' canvas of soul. It lies in caring for the person behind them.

A nail appointment can be a rare moment of peace in a busy life, a chance for clients to relax and feel cared for. It is a nail technician's role to build this connection with not only a caring heart, but also basic knowledge of nail health, product chemistry, and allergic reactions.

When people place their hands in yours, they also give you their trust.

Facing the Unknown on the Competition Stage

Anneke's journey took her even further, leading her to judge nail competitions around the world, including major events such as Nailympia.

As an international nail competition judge, Anneke has seen how much dedication goes into preparing for a competition. A main takeaway from her judging experience and journey as an international educator is that regular appointments with clients are one of the best ways to practice and refine their techniques.

Over time, this shared journey can bring nail technicians and their clients closer.

Even when a technician steps away from the salon to compete or judge an event, clients may reach out to ask when she’ll be back. This mutual understanding and support is a special part of the meaningful, long-term relationships built in the nail industry.

But practice is only part of the preparation.

Anneke has seen how even well-prepared competitors can overlook something essential: understanding the rules before stepping onto the competition stage.

With international competitions, language differences can lead to misunderstandings, especially when rules are translated. She encourages competitors to take the time to read and understand every requirement, and to ask the organizers for clarification whenever something is unclear.

If you don't understand it, we will help you with that.

For Anneke, preparation means not only practicing your technique, but also making sure you understand what is expected of you.

Find Her Own Way to Success in the Unknown Journey

Looking back, Anneke never entered the nail industry with a carefully planned career path.

Her journey began with a simple newspaper advertisement and a sense of curiosity. With the trust and opportunities offered by her colleagues, family, and friends, she gradually turned an unfamiliar field into a lifelong career.

Her story is a reminder that you don’t need to have everything figured out before you begin. Sometimes, all it takes is the courage to take the first step and see where it leads.

Looking ahead, the path may still be unknown, but she is ready to embrace whatever comes next, just as she always has.

Every nail life tells a story.

Stay tuned for the next episode of Nail Life Gallery, where we'll meet another artist and discover the story behind their nail life.