World leading manufacturer of fashion nails, KISS Nails recently teamed up with American fashion model, and winner of reality TV show Love Island Amaya Espinal to feature Espinal as the brand’s glow-up consultant. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Espinal to hear all about the brand, her background, The Amaya Edit, and more.
Thank you for joining us. You have quite an interesting background. Please tell us about yourself.
I’m a first-generation Dominican girl from New York who has always had a passion for beauty, self-expression, and just being authentically me. Being born and raised in New York exposed me to so many different styles, cultures and forms of creativity. With time, I found my way of expressing myself through fashion and my favorite outlet has always been my nails. They’re an extension of my personality. Whether it’s my style, my nails, or the way I carry myself, I’ve always believed that how you present yourself is a form of art. I love connecting with people, having fun, and showing others that confidence really does come from within.
How did it all start for you to partner with KISS Nails?
Honestly, it started way before any official conversation ever happened! I have been using KISS Nails since I was about 12 or 13 years old. It’s crazy how something as simple as doing your nails can help elevate your mood and help someone build their confidence. KISS Nails definitely helped build my confidence just by simply making me feel 12-year-old Amaya feel pretty. They were my go-to then and they never stopped being my go-to. When the opportunity came to partner with them, it just felt like a full circle moment. I wasn’t someone who had to be convinced to love the brand. I was already that girl. It felt less like a business deal and more like finally getting to shout out something I had genuinely loved my whole life.
What sets KISS Nails apart from other nail brands who is the target customer?
KISS makes looking and feeling your best so accessible. KISS is inclusive and is meant for everyone. Not everyone has the time or the budget for the salon, and KISS removes that barrier completely. You can get a gorgeous, long-lasting manicure from home that can last up to two weeks, with designs that would cost you so much more to recreate at a salon. Their range is incredible too, from classic and clean to bold and statement-making, there really is something for everyone. As for who their customer is, I really think it’s for everyone! Whether you’re someone who never has time for the salon or someone who just loves having options, KISS meets you where you are. That’s what I’ve always loved about them.
Tell us about The Amaya Edit.
The Amaya Edit is genuinely me in nail form. When I sat down to curate it, I thought about all the different parts of my personality. I love being able to change up my style, some days I’m girly, some days I like to keep my nails simple and some days I love to be extra with the designs, more edgy. The collection reflects that range. There are classic French sets for the days when you want something polished and understated, and then there are the bigger, bolder styles with 3D effects for when you really want to make a statement. One of my personal favorites from the edit is the Rose Knot. Pink is my favorite color and there is something about that set that just elevates every outfit. It’s part of the LUXE collection that’s available at Walmart, which I love because it makes something elevated feel totally within reach for everyone.
Being involved in the beauty and wellness industry for so many years do you have any top tips you could share with us?
My biggest tip is to make self-care feel personal to you. It doesn’t have to be a 12-step routine or an expensive product lineup. For me, it starts with a mirror moment every morning. An affirmation is the perfect way to start my day on a positive note. Growing up, I learned early that you have to give yourself your own flowers. Beyond that, protect your skin with SPF, keep a good lip gloss on you at all times, and never underestimate the power of having your nails done. There is something about a great manicure that just makes you feel like you have it together, even on the days when you maybe don’t.
Anything else we should know?
Anything and everything I do comes from a real place. Every brand I work with reflects my personal brand and what I believe in. KISS Nails help me grow my confidence in some way, some form. By an early age elevating my look applying the nails help me make sure my crown in seated straight on my head and not tilted. I do not align myself with things I do not genuinely believe in, and KISS Nails has been a part of my life since I was a little girl dreaming big in New York. Getting to bring The Amaya Edit to life and share it with people who have supported me means everything. I want anyone who picks up one of these sets to feel exactly how I feel when I put them on: confident, expressive, and completely themselves.
Treat yourself and go to https://www.kissusa.com/pages/kiss-nails
