NAILED IT. Writer Lindsay Quinnies has been enamored with local nail artist Selena's work from the very beginning.

If there’s one person who knows how to keep my nails as interesting as my ever-changing moods, it’s my nail artist, Selena Ho, at Lenaland Studios in Eau Claire. She’s more than just a nail tech: She’s a talented artist with perseverance and heart, and an incredible friend. Even after my first, coincidental encounter with Selena, I knew she had something unique to offer.

After that, I struggled to find open spaces on her original shop’s calendar, sometimes letting my nails grow past a reasonable point, just to get an appointment with Selena. It was worth it. 

Selena has been drawn to colors and creativity, dabbling in drawing and sewing, since she was a kid. Childhood and adolescent dreams of becoming a fashion designer or pursuing art school ultimately ended in a completely different tune: She abandoned the idea of pursuing art at all.

Nail art started just as a way to make a living for herself, and she went to work in a family friend’s shop. But soon into the gig, that forbidden passion for art she thought she’d lost came flooding back. “I found myself drowning into it,” she said, her love for art reignited once more.

That love story led Selena to open her own space, Lenaland: a sanctuary where she truly feels at home, hand-crafting unique designs that reflect her artistic vibe and allowing her to do things her own way.

While Selena’s art today looks seamless, “It was definitely a journey to figure out my own style, having failed so many times,” she said.

“When I first started, I was thinking nail art as only drawing (like characters, flowers, etc.) on nails, but it also includes many elements to create the whole of nail art: shape, durability, art work. I focus 60% on the shape, 40% on the artwork,” always striving for perfection in both, she explained.

Challenges? Plenty. Like the early days when clients would request designs she wasn’t prepared for. But instead of panicking, she learned to think on her feet, constantly updating her skills via classes, social media, and practice, practice, practice.

The biggest challenge of all ended up marking her greatest milestone to date: Going solo, investing everything she had into her art, and opening her own studio.

When it comes to nail art trends, Selena stays in the loop of what’s current and gaining popularity. From aura paintings to 3D jelly flowers, her repertoire is as diverse as it is stunning. Even shaping trends are on her radar, with almond-shaped nails the most requested, she said. Anytime I come to her with some new crazy idea or trend, she’s not only receptive but totally pulls it off, which has resulted in countless compliments and opportunities to show off unapologetically.

But what truly sets Selena apart is her relationship with clients. She listens, advises, and isn’t afraid to steer clients toward what will make their nails pop. “I always introduce new trends and styles, not repeating the same look over and over,” she said. Selena’s goal is to make clients feel at home, cared for, and heard, even on her own rare moody days.

“We respect and love clients and hope clients understand we do put effort in our relationship,” she said. As an avid customer, I can attest to this sentiment. 

In her world, nails are more than just a canvas – they’re a form of self-expression. And she’s mastered it with grace, creativity, and a whole lot of heart.

Interested in Lenaland Studio’s work? Learn more and schedule an appointment on Selena’s website or reach out at selena.hho.96@gmail.com or (715) 497-9081 • Keep up with Selena's work on Instagram • Lenaland Studio is located at 1232 Menomonie St., Suite D, Eau Claire