Nail Tech Spotlight Saima Rafique
This month, we’re so excited to shine a light on one of our talented HONA community members, Saima Rafique of @waiza_nailstudio. Known for her clean prep, luxury finishes and beautifully detailed nail art, Saima has built a style that feels instantly recognisable as her own. From feminine, elegant designs to eye-catching sets inspired by fashion, jewellery, makeup and everyday moments, her work is a gorgeous reflection of creativity, confidence and care.
For Saima, nails are about more than just the final look. Her focus on thorough prep, client trust and long-lasting retention has helped her create sets that not only look beautiful, but wear beautifully too. Being part of the HONA community has also supported her growth creatively and professionally, surrounding her with inspiration, education and like-minded nail techs who continue to uplift one another. In this month’s Spotlight, Saima shares more about finding her signature style, the prep step she never skips, and what being part of the HONA community means to her.
Q&A With Saima
Q: What’s one thing you’re really proud of in your nail career so far?
A: One thing I’m really proud of is building my confidence and creating a style that people instantly recognise as my work. I’ve worked hard to improve my skills, especially when it comes to clean prep, luxury finishes, and detailed nail art. Seeing my clients trust me and leave feeling confident and happy is honestly the biggest achievement for me. I’m also proud that I’ve been able to inspire others through my work and nail content online.
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Q: Where do you usually find inspiration for your nail art?
A: I find inspiration from everywhere — fashion, luxury textures, jewellery, makeup, nature, and even emotions or moods. I love creating nails that feel feminine, elegant, and eye-catching. Social media is also a huge inspiration, but I always try to add my own twist and make designs feel unique to my style.
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Q: What’s one prep step you never skip when it comes to getting great retention?
A: One prep step I never skip is making sure the cuticle area is perfectly clean and properly prepped before application. I really focus on removing invisible cuticle and making sure the nail plate is fully ready because I believe prep is the foundation of long-lasting retention.
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Q: What has being part of the HONA community taught you or helped you with?
A: Being part of the HONA community has really helped me grow creatively and professionally. I love how supportive and inspiring the community is, and it’s motivated me to keep improving my work and pushing myself creatively. HONA products have also helped me achieve the clean, luxury finish I always aim for in my sets.
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Q: What do you enjoy most about being part of the HONA community?
A: What I enjoy most is the sense of community and inspiration. It’s amazing being surrounded by so many talented artists who genuinely support and uplift each other. I also love how passionate the brand is about education, creativity, and helping nail techs grow.
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Summary
Saima Rafique of @waiza_nailstudio has built a signature style centred around clean prep, luxury finishes and beautifully detailed nail art that feels instantly recognisable as her own. Drawing inspiration from fashion, jewellery, makeup and everyday moments, she creates feminine, elegant sets that balance creativity with precision. For Saima, great nails start with great prep, with a strong focus on cuticle work and creating the perfect foundation for long-lasting retention. Through the HONA community, she has continued to grow creatively and professionally, finding inspiration, education and support from a network of like-minded nail techs who encourage each other to keep evolving.
