Carla Foster

To inquire about upcoming in-person training with Carla,

contact her at:  carlafosternails@gmail.com

 

Instagram: @carlapatra

 

What led you to become a Nail Tech? I earned my nail certification in 1992 at Marvel College in Red Deer. Initially training as a hairstylist, I never intended to become a nail technician. It was quite by accident that it turned into my full-time profession. At first, I didn't love it, but as I was that person who just happened to be pretty good at it right from the get-go.  The salons I worked for continued to book nail clients for me despite my objections and about five years into my career, I discovered I actually did have a passion for nails and have not looked back since.

What do you enjoy most about being a Educator for Fuzion? I appreciate that Fuzion keeps up with industry trends! Working with a company that creates products technicians desire at the right time, and when they're current, is a huge win!

Who inspires you and why? Several individuals in the industry have truly inspired me. My first and most notable "art" inspiration was Liliya Sereditskaya, closely followed by Anna Neroznak. Other nail "heroes" include Elaine Watson, Pauline Feinauer, and Kirsty Meaken for their dedication to the industry and for inspiring technicians to enjoy their work and just have so much fun.

What is your ideal work environment? I already work in the most desirable environment! Surrounded by the finest, premium nail products in the industry - at a nail supply store-, for the most incredible human being on the planet - my bestest friend... I consider myself the luckiest nail technician in many ways!

Proudest career moment? My proudest career achievements include winning first place in Pink and White in the junior division of the "Strut Your Stuff" international nail competition and the "Best of Stuff" grand prize for Nail Art. Being featured in the Nail Tech Spotlight of "NAILS" magazine, as well as earning a two-page spread in Nail Pro magazine, were significant accomplishments, along with competing two years in a row in the NAILS magazine cover competition. I never made the cover, but I was honored as an "noteworthy mention", with my entry featured in the first two pages of the magazine both times.

Certifying my incredibly talented daughter in 2018 stands as my proudest career moment. Her skills amaze me every day.

What does being a role model mean to you? Being a role model/mentor is an honour.  To me, it means that the years of experience I have gained in this industry is something incredibly valuable that I can share with my fellow technicians!  I am a nail "nerd" and I have so much accumulated knowledge that I can promise there is not a problem out there I haven't encountered and can absolutely help troubleshoot!  I LOVE challenges and I love helping my industry cohorts overcome obstacles and just become more and more amazing than they already are!  I don't "gate keep"!  If I have some tidbit of knowledge or trick or technique that will help you, I WILL TELL YOU!!  I have a great respect for my industry and believe wholeheartedly the adage "blowing out someone else's candle doesn't make yours burn brighter".  This entire industry succeeds when we are all on the same page!

What advice would you give your 10 year old self?  The advice I would give my 10 year old self?  Learn Dungeons and Dragons now so that when you're 50 years old, you won't be completely lost during a campaign trying desperately to figure it out HAHA! Also invest now! you're never too young to prepare for the future.

Favourite Beauty Product? My Favorite beauty product is Kenra Volume hairspray.  Best hairspray EVER! I literally get anxiety thinking about what I will do if they ever discontinue it!

Favourite Colour? I don't really have one favorite color.  If you were to go by my nail color swatches, pink and blue would tie, but I also really love purples and reds.  It's easier to choose the color I like the least, and that would probably be orange.  It's just so mundane. 

Hidden Talent? As for hidden talent, I'm sure I have a legit one that I will think of in the middle of the night while in a dead sleep but for now the best I can give is that my (incredibly talented) daughter says it's my insane ability to roll natural ones in D&D...yep, I can't believe I made that reference again either ;)