Q&A with Celebrity Nail Tech Julie Kandalec
Julie Kandalec is widely known for her timeless, artistic and innovative nails across New York City and beyond. For the past 20 years, she has been able to cultivate an in-depth artistic expertise in the beauty industry, earning coverage in a multitude of press pieces in Cosmopolitan, Allure, Refinery29, and PopSugar (to name a few!)
World-renowned celebrities like Viola Davis consider Julie to be their go-to manicurist, especially for awards shows like the Golden Globes and the Oscars, where Viola won both awards for Fences. She has also been sought-after by Ariana Grande, Camila Cabello, Emma Roberts, Emilia Clarke and Hailee Steinfeld who frequent her expert manicure services. Julie is also seen seasonally backstage as essie's lead artist at NY Fashion week, and spent nearly 5 years as Paintbox's Creative Director.
In 2017, Julie launched her successful beauty and travel blog and brand, Julie Off Duty.
Join Julie online on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Q&A:
Q: How did you get your first big break working with celebrities?
Julie: I was in LA visiting a friend while building my portfolio and there was a cover shoot with the Pussycat Dolls. I knew the manicurist on the job and she needed an assistant. I was in town with my kit, so I worked on it with her.
Q: Who was your first and who was your favourite celebrity to work on?
Julie: The first celebrity I worked on was Eve. My favourite… it’s so hard to say! I love Emilia Clarke because she’s so down to earth. Viola Davis is so strong and Anna Faris could seriously be my BFF!
Q: You travel all over the world for your job. What’s your favourite destination?
Julie: I have been to the Hawaiian islands 6 times and could go over and over again. Maldives as well- I’ve been twice. And the Amalfi Coast is my new obsession. Everything has this chic yet relaxed, non-touristy vibe there.
Q: What are your favourite nail designs?
Julie: At the moment, I am obsessed with the embroidery design popular in Korea and Japan. I have always loved texture and detail and this design show both in a really beautiful way.
Q: What are the must-have products you will never be without when you’re traveling to a nail appointment?
Julie: It sounds so simple, but if I’m doing gel, I triple check that I have 99% isopropyl alcohol, my LED lamp and its cords and a very long extension cord. Also, I always bring a light source of some kind, plus an extension cord for that too! Next, I always have several art brushes and at minimum, some sort of studs and unique glitters. Lastly, lots of 100/180 grit files in case I have to remove someone’s enhancements quickly- or I’ll bring my e-file. The rest (cotton, polish, tools) I can usually find in a drugstore if needed.
Q: Has there ever been a strange time or location that you have been called for an appointment?
Julie: Actually, next week I am holding for an overnight job and they are shooting at night time. So, the call time will probably be around 10PM. I am a night owl, so this is actually ideal for me. Ha ha!
Q: Do you have a favourite experience you’ve had with a celebrity client that you can share?
Julie: Yes! Anna Faris hand wrote a letter to essie after I gave her a mani/pedi for the SAG awards one year saying how happy she was and how much she liked me!
Q: Do you ever have to meet celebrities and complete secrecy?
Julie: Yes, I’ve had to sign a multi-million dollar non-disclosure agreement!
Q: When you are on location, do you stay longer to enjoy the area or do you have to get onto the next job?
Julie: I always make it a priority to stay and enjoy where I travel to or go a day or two early to see the area. I’ll research what the local nail and beauty trends are and write about it like I did recently in Brazil while shooting with Elle magazine.
Q: Are you on call or are your jobs always organized beforehand?
Julie: Both. But, more and more common being the latter! I like to know when I have to go to work. Being on call is so difficult.
Q: If you didn’t get into nails, what other career could you see yourself doing?
Julie: Something in dance. I always wanted to be a backup dancer on tour with an artist!
Q: Is there a celebrity that you were nervous to do a service for?
Julie: I was really nervous to do Kim Cattrall. It was very soon after I moved to New York and I love Sex and the City so much!
Q: Is there a celebrity who you aspire to service one day?
Julie: Charlize Theron, Jennifer Lawrence and Trisha Yearwood. Maybe even Trisha’s husband Garth Brooks, whom I’ve loved for years!
Q: Do you see yourself in the years to come continuing down this career path or do you have other avenues in mind?
Julie: Yes, I am a beauty lifer! I do have other plans in mind, but they are top secret for the time being. I love giving back through beauty though.
Q: Where have you not been to yet but still want to travel to?
Julie: The list is soooo long! Egypt, Switzerland, Lake Louise, Bali and Tahiti are tops. Oh, and Prague!
Q: What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment so far?
Julie: Doing Viola Davis’ manicure was definitely incredible for me, as that’s when she won the Oscar for Fences. Also, I’d always wanted to work backstage at Fashion week and I am proud to say that I’m on my 11th season leading shows at NY Fashion week for essie.
Q: Are you working on anything exciting currently?
Julie: I just committed to spending two weeks in Jamaica to teach nails to under resourced youths with an organization called Tradeworks. Additionally, I’m spending a lot of time on my beauty and travel blog, Julie Off Duty and on my YouTube channel.
