Client's gone. Gloves are off. Let's talk

 

It’s time for our next round of Nail BAbes: Gloves Are Off, the interview series where we peek behind the polish and talk shop with the artists shaping the F(VEX) universe.

Next up we have Mickey, a nail tech, salon owner, and creative powerhouse. She’s painted nails for queens from Drag Race, built a community-first salon that breaks the mold, and has Louis Vuitton on her dream client list (and honestly… we see it happening).

She went from art-director-gone-rogue to the founder of @pinkmojojax, a sanctuary salon where self-expression thrives, the energy is magnetic, and long-lasting, wild ass nail art is the norm. If you’ve ever wanted to know what it looks like when someone turns a flame rejection into a full-blown empire… this is it.

Read on to meet the brain behind the blackout-while-nailing magic and get her take on inspiration, unicorn energy, and an unapologetic creative process.

Welcome to the stage, Mickey! @wildcherryparlour

 

 

WHAT DREW YOU TO THE NAIL WORLD?

Mickey: I’ve been tagging along to my aunt’s nail appointments since I was 8 or 9 years old. I loved the smell of the monomer and getting to watch the nail techs build acrylic nails and create beautiful ’90s art... stripes, spots, and hibiscuses were the vibe. Ever since, I’ve been getting my nails done and after a not-so-great experience at a chop shop, I started doing my own nails. Now I own a salon with 10 techs!

✨ Yeah. She really said “I’ll just do it myself” and then built a literal beauty hub. Talk about origin stories!

 

 

CURRENT OBSESSIONS?

Mickey: Independent jewelry makers. I started collecting a bunch in my recent visits to NYC and Paris, and I cannot stop. Also, red tattoos. I can’t wait to get more.

 

 

HOW'D YOU GET THERE? WHAT'S YOUR JOURNEY? WHAT MAKES YOU, YOU!?

Mickey: It began when I was young, but I never planned to become a nail tech or salon owner. I had a big kid job as an Art Director for a fashion brand, but got a little sidetracked after being told that my nail tech of years wouldn’t do a flame design, even though I was willing to stay longer and pay more.

After a few Amazon orders and YouTube tutorials, I created an account for @wildcherryparlour just to post my own nails. This was at the start of the 2020 pandemic. People started asking if they could come to my house, but I didn’t want to break quarantine and didn’t have a license. So I started taking orders for press-ons.

Fast forward five years: I’ve opened two salons (closed one, kept one), and now have 10 techs (nail specialists and estheticians) under one roof. @pinkmojojax is that home where all the girls, gays, and theys can be themselves. The vibes are immaculate. Everyone supports each other, and we’ve had that positive energy for over two years.

We’ve won Best Salon in our city back-to-back. Our clients are incredible. We really care about the integrity of natural nails and have a strong passion for creative, long-lasting nail art on enhancements. We’re not like other salons, you just have to experience it to get it!

✨ This answer is like a full biopic, and we’re already crying in the first act. Shoutout to the flame design that lit the match!

 

 

WHAT PULLS YOU OUT OF A CREATIVE RUT?

Mickey: My brain is constantly going, and I surround myself with art, music, and cool people that inspire me. So I haven’t had many ruts that are long-lasting. I think the key is having community and being immersed in the culture.

📌 Memo to all: add “community as creative fuel” to daily reminders immediately.

 

 

ANYTHING ON REPEAT THESE DAYS?

Mickey: Billabong Babe by Royce Fisherman. Chardonnay. RuPaul’s Drag Race. White clothing and accessories. Positive affirmations.

TALK TO US ABOUT YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS...

Mickey: I used to have a super in-depth process where clients sent in inspirational photos... other nails, art, fabrics, nature, really anything... and I would spend two weeks drawing up mockups. Now my clients sit in my chair and we collab on the spot. It’s become second nature. I swear I black out during the process, so when I’m done, it’s almost like the show Severance, I don’t really know how I got the job done, but I did.

✨ This? This is art girl witchcraft and we support it fully.

 

YOU WAKE UP TOMORROW AS A MYTHICAL CREATURE. WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOU ARE, AND WHY?

Mickey: Am I not already? People keep calling me a unicorn. Does that count?

 

 

GIVE US YOUR COLOR COMBO OF THE MOMENT:

Mickey: All white everything. All pink everything. All black everything. Red and white combined!

DREAM CLIENT?

Mickey: Omg okay, so I’ve actually created sets for my dream clients! I’m obsessed with RuPaul’s Drag Race and I love Nymphia Wind, Plane Jane, and Kori King. I’ve been lucky enough to collab with them, but I have a bunch on my bucket list. Teyana Taylor, RuPaul, Charli XCX, Ice Spice, Amyl from Amyl and the Sniffers. And also, I want to do nails for Louis Vuitton before I die.

 

 

WHAT DID BABY MICKEY WANT TO BE WHEN SHE GREW UP?

Mickey: I actually had paleontologist, physicist, marine biologist, and chemist on my list until 16. Then I wanted to be a fashion designer/creative director when I changed from a college prep high school to a beachside public school.

 

 

TOP 4 NAIL TRENDS YOU'RE LOVING:

Mickey:

• Hand-painted detailed art inspired by master painters
• Chrome isolation
• Piercings
• Clear/3D

 

 

ANY ADVICE FOR BEGINNERS? 

Mickey: First and foremost, ask yourself: ‘Do I love doing nails?’ or ‘Do I just want money/clout?’ Because this job is not easy, it’s tedious and can be emotionally and physically taxing.

If you do love it, lock tf in and practice every day. I practiced for 6–10 hours for a year before getting my license. It was, and still is, a challenging journey. But you will meet some of the most incredible people through the love of nails, and you’ll continue to grow and evolve if your heart and mind are in sync.

Don’t be afraid to network, ask for help, and just keep going!

 

 

That's a freaking wrap!

From collecting jewelry in Paris to pulling off master-level sets on instinct, Mickey is the kind of artist who makes you want to level up just by watching her work.

Her journey from self-taught press-on queen to founder of Jacksonville’s most affirming salon space is exactly what Nail BAbes is about: unfiltered talent, undeniable energy, and nails that actually mean something.

Follow her at @wildcherryparlour and keep an eye on @pinkmojojax to catch the next wave of wild, weird, and wonderful.