Nail Talk with Dina Umarova
International nail master and successful businesswoman, Dina Umarova made a bold move in 2015 by bringing the globally popular gel nail polish brand, BLUESKY, to the Indian market. As the importer and distributor, Dina utilized her expertise to grow the brand’s reach and reputation, establishing its presence in premium salons and spas across the country. Through her experience, Dina identified a pressing need for well-trained and technically proficient nail artists in the industry. To address this need, she founded the BLUESKY Nail Academy in Mumbai in 2018.
In this tete-a-tete with CineBlitz, Dina shares insights about her journey in building the brand in India and establishing the nail academy.
When and why did you decide to launch the nail polish brand BLUESKY in
India?
Having observed the strong and stylish nail market in my home country of Russia, I became passionate about it and pursued certification through Russian nail schools. I then decided to enterthe nail market in India, but it wasimportant to enter with a great brand to become the best and BLUESKY was certainly my first and only choice. The brand has grown not just globally in a phenomenal way but also is the number one brand across India.
It fills me with immense pride to reflect on the fact that BLUESKY has now been a major player in the global market for 13 years and has been thriving in India for 8 years.
How has your experience been so must offer more than just exceptional far in the Indian market?
India is an extremely dynamic market as each region has varied choices and interests. With my brand of products, I am happy to share that BLUESKY is successfully catering to everyone in the nail market and clients have embraced the products really well.
With 25 colours back in 2015, we now have more than 1000 along with a host of professional gel products, tools, and accessories which I believe answers your question as well.
Growth has been possible not just because of our hard work but because the market is booming, and India has
a strong potential to be one of the biggest hubs for nails.
Has your husband, the iconic nation. Bollywood actor, Vindu Dare Singh, also been a major part ofthis journey?
Do you think the nail art business is in its prime right now or does it still have a long way to go?
While the nail industry is experiencing significant growth, there remains a need to improve our outreach to Tier 3 cities and towns. To achieve this, we must offer more than just exceptional products; we must provide people with a strong foundation. Education is the key, and that is why I established my nail academy, which currently operates in Mumbai and Gurgaon. However, we plan to expand to more cities and serve a greater number of students.
To ensure that our academy is accessible to everyone, we are organizing training seminars through out India, conducting online sessions, and traveling to cities across the nation, from the Northeast to the South, so that no one misses the opportunity to learn, grow, and become a skilled professional.
I strongly believe that education, coupled with awareness, can be highly beneficial for our diverse and talented nation.
Which courses and services does it offer?
Bluesky Nail Academy is the result of my vision to train, educate and enable individuals to become skilled artists who are self-reliant, independent, and capable of being their own boss as well as a great asset to the nail industry. Like I mentioned earlier, we are currently in 2 cities and travel Pan-India as well, as its imperative that we have artists at par with international masters.
We provide a diverse range of courses that cater to both beginners who are just starting their journey in the nail market and professional masters who are looking to enhance their skills.
Our courses include a wide variety of techniques, from Russian Manicure to Extensions, Nail Art, and Advanced International Techniques. These courses are available through both offline and online mediums throughout the year,
including weekends.
In terms of services, we are proud to have earned our clients’ love and trust. Once a customer visits us, they never go to another brand. From manicures to extensions & pedicures, we pamper your tips 8, toes in the best way possible.
How does the nail business contribute to a salon’s revenue? How receptive is the current Indian market for the growth of nail tech?
Nail business is a big plus and a great boost to increase revenue. It is not just a service that you sell to a client but an experience which gives them a reason to come back again & again.
A skilled and professional nail master is always an asset for a salon and will always offer quality services along with upselling services which definitely add money to your till! My advice would be to invest in training, invest in a good nail master and surely invest in great products. One time investment will give you brilliant results for a very long time. In India, the market runs on trust. Emotions still play a very big part. Give a client a positive experience and they will certainly trust you, come back and explore more options.
You’re doing exceptionally well and are currently reigning as the ‘Nail Art Queen of India’. Any word of advice for enthusiasts wanting to take up nail art as a career?
Keep learning; don’t think twice before investing in yourself. Upgrade your techniques and stay updated with the latest trends. Practice is extremely essential so ensure that you never give up on practice sessions. Lastly, invest only in quality products as not just your skills but the products you use also define you as a professional.
