Julie Kandalec
About
Julie Kandalec is a New York–based celebrity nail artist, educator and creative visionary with more than 25 years of experience in the professional nail industry. From major beauty campaigns to backstage at New York Fashion Week, Julie is the nail professional that editors, designers and A-list celebrities trust to bring their dream nails to life. With a career spanning editorial, education and brand development, Julie is dedicated to raising the standard in beauty—proving that true success stems from both artistry and professionalism.
As the founding Creative Director of Paintbox nail art studio, Julie helped make chic, fashion-forward manicures accessible to a mainstream audience, setting new trends and standards in modern nail design. She later founded the Julie K Nail Academy, where she continues to mentor artists around the world—equipping beauty professionals with the technical skills, business insight and confidence to build successful, sustainable careers.
Julie’s artistry and innovative thinking have made her a frequent collaborator for leading brands and celebrity clients alike. She has served as a brand ambassador for KISS since 2023 and has worked on campaigns for Gucci, Chanel, CND, Maybelline, Lemme and countless others to create campaign nails seen across global media. In film, most recently she worked closely with actress Emily Blunt to design the iconic ’90s-inspired manicure for The Smashing Machine (2025).
Her celebrity clientele includes Jessica Chastain, Camila Cabello, Viola Davis, Anya Taylor-Joy, P!nk and Chloë Grace Moretz. Julie’s work and expert insights are featured regularly in Allure, Cosmopolitan, Forbes, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, Vogue and WWD, and her “handiwork” has appeared on countless red carpets—holding SAG Awards, Golden Globes, Emmys and more than one Oscar.
