If you love what you do, it usually follows that you are good at it.

It is no different for Toni Honey, who has been a nail technician for ten years and has now been shortlisted for a national award.

Running her own business, Honey Therapy, from Frinton, she admits she’s always been creative.

“I love being able to express artwork on nails,” says Toni, 31.

“I have always had a passion for beauty and knew I wanted to work in beauty since the age of 13.

“In the ten years since I started, the industry has changed massively.”

Toni, who is originally from Basildon, studied at Thurrock College and then at beauty school, on Canvey, before specialising in Shellac nails at Braintree College.

She says: “I trained with the same person who trained Amy Childs, from Towie.

“After that, things just ballooned. Nail art is a blossoming industry and there are so many opportunities out there for the right people.”

She advises others interested in beauty and nail art to get straight to college to get their qualifications.

Toni, who studied art at school, says: “You have to have artistic flair and a passion for detail.

“You also have to be good with people, because you are there to make them feel good about themselves.

“Then get to college and keep practicing. I am self-taught because I kept working on the skills before I was trained.”

Toni, who is married with a three-year-old daughter, is a finalist in the Nail Technician of the Year category of the annual awards run by the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology.

She entered after her husband encouraged her to have faith in her work, although she had never entered competitions before.

“I was working when the email saying I was a finalist came through,” says Toni.

“I would be over the moon if I won – I’d probably pass out!”

Toni admits people in the nail industry have to keep up to date with new techniques and technologies to ensure they offer clients the best and most up to date service.

She says: “When I first started, it was all about acryllic nail and enhancements.

“Gel systems changed everything for me and now everyone wants to stay as natural as possible.

“It’s all about going on courses and keeping up with the fashions.

“I absolutely love what I do. It’s very social and I have made friends out of clients. It feels good to be making people happy.”