When people walk into Nailed That!, they often see the tropical salon, the calming atmosphere, the beauty treatments, and the smiles.
They see the finished picture.
But behind every business… there’s usually a story that people don’t see.
And for a long time, mine was something I kept very private.
Over the years, I’ve lived through anxiety, OCD, chronic depression, an eating disorder, postnatal depression, and at one point, a complete mental breakdown.
There were times in my life where simply getting through the day felt exhausting.
Times where my mind never seemed to switch off.
Times where I felt completely overwhelmed while still trying to appear okay on the outside.
And I know now that so many women quietly carry those same feelings every single day.
The pressure to hold everything together.
The guilt that comes with resting.
The constant overthinking.
The emotional exhaustion of always trying to be everything for everyone else.
For years, I believed self care was just about taking time out or doing something relaxing.
But through therapy, healing, and learning more about myself, I slowly began to realise something much deeper.
SELF CARE ISN'T JUST BEAUTY.
True self care is about mental health, boundaries, healing, rest, and learning to love yourself over and over again as life changes.
And honestly… that understanding became a huge part of why Nailed That! was created.
Yes, I’ve always loved the creativity of beauty.
The nails.
The treatments.
The artistry.
The confidence beauty can give someone.
But more than that, I wanted to create a safe space.
A place where women could walk through the door and feel calm.
Feel comfortable.
Feel listened to.
Feel supported.
And for just a little while… feel able to breathe.
Because over the years, I’ve realised that the conversations that happen in the salon chair often go far beyond beauty treatments.
Women open up about stress, anxiety, relationships, motherhood, burnout, confidence, grief, pressure, and the things they’ve been silently carrying for far too long.
And those conversations matter.
Sometimes a beauty appointment isn’t just about beauty at all.
Sometimes it’s about human connection.
Sometimes it’s about feeling seen.
Sometimes it’s about having one hour where you don’t have to hold everything together.
That’s why I created Beyond The Beauty.
A space where I want to talk more openly about mental health, healing, self care, and the things that exist beyond appearance.
Not as a therapist.
Not as someone who has all the answers.
But simply as a woman who has lived through difficult experiences, learned from them, and wants others to feel a little less alone.
Because behind so many smiles are silent battles people never speak about.
And if sharing my story helps even one person feel seen, understood, or comforted in some small way… then it’s worth sharing.
At Nailed That!, beauty will always be part of what we do.
But kindness, connection, and wellbeing will always be at the heart of it too.
Cat x
Award-Winning Home Salon | Aston Clinton
