Most nail pros dream about stocking their salons with their own line of polish and treatments. It’s safe to say that many have even thought about what the bottles would look like. But what do you need to know before you start? I asked Celine Obone, founder of beautiful polish brand Sheer Lust, her major takeaways from starting her own polish line, and where it all began. how to start your own polish line
What drove you to start Sheer Lust? What makes it different from other polish brands?
“I created Sheer Lust out of my love for fashion and stylish nails. As a former stylist and art amateur, I’m instinctively drawn towards the finer details that enhance and complete a look. For me, a distinctive nail polish hue and beautifully painted nails are just that extra touch. The key to great nail polish that leaves a lasting impression is pigmentation, which can be achieved through careful color selection and a high-quality formula. But, Sheer Lust goes beyond the norm by catering not only to aesthetic appeal and functionality, but also being mindful of the health aspect of your nails and the environment as well.”
What is your background in the industry? Have you always been drawn to beauty?
“Nail polish has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Actually, I’ll say beauty routines in general. I’ve always loved painting my nails. My nail color can actually dictate how I’ll dress for the week! The attention and care we women take in our beauty routines is a ritual I hold dear. I enjoy this aspect of femininity.” how to start your own polish line
What have you learned by creating your own line, and what were some of the obstacles you faced?
“Creating my own line has helped to further sharpen my meticulous side and made me more persistent. You have to be on the ball to achieve your vision; always triple-check! This spans from testing products to even the administrative parts of my business. No one can see your vision the way you do. So, communicating my vision clearly to my team and executing it as a group requires repetition and patience in every aspect.”
What advice do you have for others who want to follow in your footsteps?
“There’s no better teaching tool than trial and error. Be on it, be persistent!” how to start your own polish line
How do you stay inspired to continue to create your collections? Where do you look for inspiration?
“I’m always observant. Since fashion shows dictate seasonal trends, I incorporate them into the creative process. It doesn’t hurt that I love being a voyeur of the arts. Also, when I travel, I pay attention to different color schemes, cultural trends and landscapes. There’s always a story to draw from. I try to capture every aspect of my experiences and express them through my passion for nail polish. I create a story with each carefully selected nail color palette, always connecting it back to nature.”
Where do you see Sheer Lust in the next five years? Are you planning to expand beyond nail color?
“I see Sheer Lust continuing to deliver playful, healthy nail polish with added nail routine accessories. We’re also looking to develop lip and eye style palettes, channelling the same passion and enthusiasm we bring to our nail polish lines.”
How did you find your supplier and bottler, packaging vendor, etc?
“My team and I managed to locate a supplier that created formulas for other premium brands on the market. Our first priority was to have a health-focused, quality product. After that came multiple samplings of the product in different shades. We made sure to select shades that flatter every skin tone. Then, we came up with a bottle design to showcase our pigmented formula in the best light. Once our design was set, we found a company to create our bottles.”
Who are your icons? Who do you look up to and emulate?
“The first woman icon would have to be my mother. She had a huge influence on me growing up. Other influences include Angelina Jolie for her grace and Jennifer Lawrence for her fun personality and style. Bethenny Frankel is a modern icon I admire for the way she created a brand that is fun and health-conscious and turned it into an empire. She really is quite the business mogul.” how to start your own polish line
Many thanks to Celine for her candor and willingness to supply me with her current collection, the Electro-Chic collection. Keep scrolling for the swatches of this collection of metallics, swatched by Jenne Rempel. The polishes are available here, for $18.
Electric Marmalade
Summer Star
Sheer Lust Electric Aquamarine
Belle Bionic
Magnetic Flower
how to start your own polish line