Heavy on the nail art scene, Shelley Burns has become one of the go-to nail technicians to get your claws laced with cool nail art designs. To list a few, Shelley Burns have worked her talent at events such as; Adidas pop-up shop for Teyana Taylor’s sneaker release / Nexus Cook’s “25thandJune Nail Elixir” launch / Cocktails and Couture Trunk show / Coated Nail Art & Jewelry Exhibition. In addition, Shelley worked with singer & sound writer, Melky Jean for one of her miscellaneous project.

I first met, Shelley at the, “420 Pop-Up shop” nail art event at, Christina Rinaldi‘s studio in Brooklyn. I was so captivated by her vivid burst of upbeat energy that rubbed on me immediately! Within minutes , I instantly felt a cool cozy feeling that made it easy to engage in conversation about her work, and just everyday nail-art chat that us nail-addicts tend to have when you put us in a room full of talent and nail polish (O-Yeah!!).

My curious self was not going to let you guys hang without a one-on-one interview from the sassy lady herself!

Who is Shell Beezy? Where are you from orginally? 

Wow, I am so many things- but overall I’m a caregiver.  I like to think that explains me in full.  I’m originally from the Bronx & Westchester, New York. However, I’ve lived in Harlem (New York) for the past 13 yrs.

When did you start doing nails? What was the drive?  

I can date my love for my nails and nail art back to the 90s when I was in, High school.  I always had the longest nails!  My love of cats really made my long nail fetish stick out.  After high school and college, I started a family and it got lost in my everyday shuffle.  I had clear nails for almost 10 years, UGH!!  In, 2010 it came flooding back with the nail decals.  I was enamored with the ease, the beauty and how sitting down to do my nails made me feel. Maybe it’s the Acetone, but I felt so relaxed and calm. Not to mention when I was done, I could look down and relive that calm over and over. Oh yea, it was dope to look it.  I ramble, sorry.

You do a lot of nails! But if you had to pick 2 people in the entire universe to do their nails, who would it be? Why? 

Ok, I’ve thought about this and I have to pick 4 people (2 living & 2 that are no longer with us):

1. Julie Newmar (Living – she’s the original “Cat Woman”)

2. Rosalind Russell (Deceased – she was in “Gypsy” & “Auntie Mame”)

3. Love B. Scott (Living – fiercely with no equivocations)

4. Aaliyah (You know – I know that if I had the chance to paint her nails, we would’ve been great friends)

Spill the beans!! Worst nail experience?

Trying to pull a coffee table over, I lost my grip and the rest is too hard to explain, let alone talk about.  Long story short, 4 nails on one hand were broken so far down, I had to go to the hospital for painkillers and wound clean up.  It was a horrible experience.

Favorite nail polish?

UGH…do I have to choose?!?  That’s not fair

As a contributor to the nail art community, where do you see yourself in 5 years? 

Meeting many more new people, traveling outside of NY, making the Guinness book of world record and I’d like to collaborate with a Charity or start my own female empowerment movement!

What lifetime experience did you learn during your time in the nail art business, that you could share with the Cunnt Claws viewers?

Its not just nail-art per say, it’s an experience to get your nails done.  For some it’s an affirming therapy session. It is a time for you to stop and love a small part of yourself.  To be on one side of that is a lifetime experience, Every Time!

What is your biggest accomplishment(s) overall?

MY family.

My daughter.

The Man I picked to share my life with and the foundation I am helping to lay for our future.