Priya Sharma — Nails & Manicure Editor
“Salon-worthy nails aren’t about talent or fancy tools. They’re about the right steps, a little patience, and someone in your corner. That’s me.”
Hey there, I’m Priya — Prettovia’s resident nail-art whisperer. I’m the friend who shows up with a fresh, intricate manicure and, before you can even finish saying “how did you DO that,” is already pulling up a chair to teach you. Consider this whole section me pulling up a chair for you.
How I got here
My nail-art journey began in the least glamorous place imaginable: a very long, very boring internship. Stuck at a desk with too much nervous energy and not enough to do, I bought a cheap dotting tool on a whim and started teaching myself little designs during breaks. It was equal parts stress relief and stubbornness — I was determined to make my hands look like the manicures I saw online.
What started as a way to pass the time turned into a genuine skill, and eventually, a genuine mission. Because the more I learned, the more I realized how many people believe that beautiful nails are only for professionals or for people blessed with impossibly steady hands. I’m here to tell you that’s just not true. I taught myself, at a desk, one wobbly dot at a time — and if I can get good, so can you.
My “nail lab”
These days, my Chicago apartment doubles as what I lovingly call my “nail lab.” It’s where I test trending designs, put at-home gel and dip systems through their paces, and hunt down drugstore-friendly tools that punch way above their price. Then I break every look down into foolproof, beginner-safe steps — because a tutorial isn’t worth much if it skips the part where you actually learn how.
What I cover
At Prettovia, I lead all things nails. That means at-home gel and dip application, nail art for beginners, recreations of viral trends (aura nails, chrome, modern French twists — you name it), nail care and prep that keeps your natural nails healthy, and the budget tools that make it all possible. I have a particular soft spot for designs that look impressively complicated but are secretly beginner-easy. Those are the best kind.
My promise to you
Patience, precision, and zero judgment. I’ll never make you feel like you’re “not artistic enough” or “too clumsy” for pretty nails. I’ve been the beginner, I remember every mistake, and I’ll walk you through each step like the friend I wish I’d had when I started.
A few things to know about me: I’m based in Chicago. My motto is simple — if I can do it after a 10-hour workday, so can you. I’m a little (a lot) obsessed with sparkle. And I firmly believe your kitchen table can absolutely become a salon.