When browsing on Instagram, students can find freshman Chloe Tjahjadi’s page for her Gel-X nail extension and press-on nail business. Her page features colorful and detailed nail designs, many of which use advanced techniques like isolated chrome powder.
This technique involves applying a shiny, reflective powder — often in rich metallic colors like gold or silver — on parts of the nails to create contrast with the rest of the glossy nail. Tjahjadi also often uses 3-D gel sculpted nail art to replicate popular nail trends like orchid flowers and shells.
Tjahjadi started painting her own nails to avoid paying for professional nail art. After a while, she realized she could make money at it.
Tjahjadi and her friends learned to do fancy nails by watching YouTube tutorials. She wasn’t worried about the expense of purchasing all the materials needed for Gel-X extensions, because she found a more affordable website. She recommends heading to DTK Nail Supply, a nail products wholesaler, to purchase supplies for a good price.
Tjahjadi’s method involves first decorating a pre-shaped, clear nail, attaching it to the actual nail with an adhesive and, finally, curing it with a UV lamp.
However, it was difficult to convince her parents that the activity was worth the time investment, because a set of nails can take up to four hours to complete.
“In the beginning, getting my parents to be OK with it was a challenge. They would rather have me focus on school,” Tjahjadi said. “But now, I’m making money, and they’re OK with it because it isn’t getting me into any trouble academically.”
As she grew more skilled, she started offering nail services to her friends. After seeing others appreciate her designs, she decided to expand her outreach. In February, she launched her business on Instagram.
Now, Tjahjadi offers both press-on nails and Gel-X nail extensions, and her clients are typically other students.
Press-ons start at $20 and can go up to $30 for more complicated designs, while Gel-X nail extensions start at $30 and go up to $40 if a client requests any 3-D design.
For press-ons, clients send a picture of their hands with a coin for sizing, and Tjahjadi creates custom designs and ships them to the client. For Gel-X nail extensions, clients come to her home for appointments.
Currently, she makes around 2-3 press-on sets a week. Tjahjadi says she tries to convince clients to order press-ons instead of Gel-X because she prefers to work alone.
“[The most rewarding part is when] I do someone’s nails, and they always come up to me in school, and they’ll show me how it grows out and changes,” Tjahjadi said. “I plan on continuing to do nails after high school, but not as a job. I’ll do it on the side whenever I can. It’s like a fun project and a side hustle to make money.”
