Maricruz Garcia went from not knowing what area of cosmetology she wanted to pursue, to offering highly specialized nail services in her own luxury studio.
When Garcia first got her cosmetology license, she wasn’t sure where she’d land in the industry. She explored lashes and hair before moving on to nails.
She jumped at available education at the salon where she worked, taking classes in what would become a career-defining passion. “I went to a nail salon that had a program where they bring you in, train you, and help you grow,” she says. “That was really the beginning of everything.”
Garcia pursued more advanced education to master her craft, building her expertise through international training in London, followed by certification as an educator under Russian manicure specialist Natalie Zheltovski of Nail Art House.
Today, Garcia owns the Dolche Atelier nail studio in Las Vegas, best known for Russian manicures, and its education arm Dolche Bliss.
Why Clients Fell Hard for Russian Manicures
Russian manicures blew up on social media around 2023, but the specialized technique was well known in professional circles long before that, especially among Eastern European nail artists.
The highly detailed dry manicure method focuses on refined cuticle work. The result: a cleaner finish and ideal foundation for polish, preventing chipping and extending its wear time.
Once clients experience a Russian mani for the first time, Garcia says, they’re hooked.
“They’re noticing that if they can get their nails done and not have to come back for another month or so, that’s better than having to be somewhere every two weeks,” she says.
“You’re able to get such a good quality service for a longer period of time.”
As a master of Russian manicures, Garcia finds herself routinely correcting common misinformation about their safety. “It’s not the tool or service that’s unsafe,” she explains. “Anything can be unsafe in untrained hands.
“With good precision, anatomy knowledge, and proper training, a Russian manicure can be done correctly."
Turning Specialized Skills Into Business Growth
Garcia is passionate about teaching nail artists how to deliver Russian manicures and master other skills safely and properly. Through Dolche Bliss, she offers group classes and one-on-one training.
She’ll be teaching both Russian and Gel-X techniques at the upcoming Be+Well | Beauty and Wellness Show in Las Vegas (formerly the International Beauty Show) in sessions she designed to be practical, actionable, and inspirational.
If her students take one thing away from her classes, she hopes it’s the knowledge that technical expertise opens the door to opportunities that extend beyond the service itself.
“It’s not just about understanding how to do the nails, but how that connects to business growth,” Garcia explains.
“It allows you to position yourself a little higher than others in the industry and, in turn, attract clients who are willing to pay a higher ticket. It’s really about understanding how both sides merge.”
For those just entering the industry, Garcia’s advice comes back to skill over visibility. “Focus on mastering your technique versus chasing trends,” she says.
“A lot of people now try to grow a bigger following or go viral on social media. Yes, you might gain followers, but that doesn’t always translate into revenue or clients sitting in your chair.”
Maricruz Garcia is teaching "Russian vs Structured Manicure: Creating Clean, Sculpted, Client-Ready Nails" and "Stop the Lift: Master Your Gel-X Prep, Fit & Application" at the Be+Well | Beauty and Wellness Show – Las Vegas (formerly International Beauty Show), taking place June 27-29. Registration is here; use promo code EDSALON20 for 20% off education.