Rachel Messick | Nail Artist

Rachel Messick is a licensed manicurist and the owner of Vacation Nail Collective, where her private studio is located. She also founded Vacation Nail Shop, which sells a product line. Her work includes commercial campaigns, editorial shoots, celebrity clients and digital media. Celestine Agency, based in Los Angeles and New York, represents her for commercial, editorial and red carpet inquiries.

Gel manicures are the main service. Each gel overlay is built on the client's natural nails, and the type of gel is chosen after a discussion of nail type, daily lifestyle and what the client wants from the set: soft, semi-hard or hard. Every appointment begins with a detailed dry manicure, followed by an exfoliating scrub and a light hydration step.

Clients can book up to two weeks ahead, and prospective and returning clients both use the same scheduling system. When no opening suits them, they can join a waitlist. Because Rachel's schedule can shift with celebrity, commercial and editorial bookings, appointments may occasionally be moved; the studio contacts clients as early as possible and reschedules at a time that works for both sides.

Rachel teaches alongside her client work. She runs certification courses, compact group sessions, and private lessons for nail technicians who already hold a license. Classes take place at the Orange studio and also as hosted events at salons, schools, distributors and industry gatherings. Her blog covers nail art tutorials, product reviews and swatches, studio technique posts, and Dress Up posts.

The business describes its work as technically grounded and thoughtful in its approach to nail art.