Gemma Lloyd is based in Grey Lynn but she\u2019s become the go-to manicurist for visiting international stars, from Rita Ora to Olivia Dean. She tells Viva more about her work.<\/p>\n
\n Still riding the high from Olivia Dean\u2019s Saturday night concert? We are here at Viva and we\u2019ve made it our
\n mission to unpack every unmissable fashion and beauty moment from the Man I Need singer\u2019s sold-out Western Springs Bowl show.\n <\/p>\n
The British soul singer stepped out in a custom ensemble from Australian brand St. Agni Studio, which founder Lara Fells designed in collaboration with Dean\u2019s stylist, Simone Beyene. The deep crimson gown featured feather-like embellishments and a soft square neckline. <\/p>\n
The look was paired with Dean\u2019s signature glam (bold blush a must), long and loose natural curls and a manicure created by Auckland-based nail artist Gemma Lloyd of Studio Ten.<\/p>\n
A regular fixture backstage at Laneway doing artists\u2019 nails, Lloyd first worked with Dean when she performed at the festival in 2025. <\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the organisers from Laneway passed my details to Olivia\u2019s team and the rest is now history,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n
Dean is not the only celebrity Lloyd has worked with. She\u2019s become the go-to nail artist for international celebrities filming in New Zealand, including Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams, who star in director Taika Waititi\u2019s 2026 film Klara and the Sun, which is in cinemas from Thursday. <\/p>\n
Singer Rita Ora (who is married to Waititi) is one of Lloyd\u2019s regulars, and the nail artist worked with the cast of Disney musical franchise Zombies for Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires (2025) and for upcoming film Zombies 5: Secrets of the Sea (2027). <\/p>\n
Florence Pugh travelled to New Zealand to film new Netflix series East of Eden and meeting her was one of Lloyd\u2019s career highlights. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe most memorable moment was when Florence Pugh made me a cup of tea because she was excited that I was also from the UK and loved tea. She made me a cup of Yorkshire Gold. It was probably the best cup of tea I\u2019ve ever had,\u201d Lloyd says. <\/p>\n
Working with Dean before her Western Springs Bowl show on Saturday night, Lloyd came prepared with a fully stocked kit to ensure she had plenty of options to share with the singer. <\/p>\n
There was no time for a briefing before Dean\u2019s nail appointment, but she pulled up an inspiration photo from Pinterest to share with Lloyd before the pair discussed shades that would best suit the singer. <\/p>\n
The result? A short, square nail with a thin French tip \u2013 her first time trying this style. <\/p>\n
Photo \/ @studioten.nails <\/p>\n
\u201cOlivia said that it was her first time trying square nails, which made me a little worried in case she didn\u2019t like it! Luckily she loved the shape,\u201d Lloyd says. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe wanted a classic chic look and what we achieved definitely delivered on that. Short square is very \u2018in\u2019 at the moment and French tips will forever be a classic.\u201d<\/p>\n
For nail polish shades, the pair selected a nude Builder Gel base colour. \u201cIt complemented her skin tone perfectly,\u201d Lloyd says. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe also wanted to add a little subtle sparkle so we added some gems, which looked unreal on stage and the big screen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dean\u2019s short, squared manicure was the opposite of the style chosen by her opening act, Kaait, who selected XXL acrylic nails that made a bold statement on stage. <\/p>\n
Lloyd says nail designs are the perfect way to communicate individual style. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best thing about nails \u2013 you can be as creative as you like and express your personality through your nail colour or design,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere will always be trending shapes and designs but luckily there are so many different styles to choose from.\u201d<\/p>\n
Looking to 2027, Lloyd says a handful of designs, shades and styles will be popular across the board \u2013 with manicures running the gamut between understated, natural-looking nails and more creative, expressive nail art. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe clean, healthy nail look is definitely here to stay, but I think we\u2019ll see people experimenting more with textures, like cat-eye and pearlescent finishes, as well as interesting colour combinations and more artistic designs,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, it\u2019s about taking inspiration from trends but making them your own.\u201d<\/p>\n
Photo \/ @studioten.nails<\/p>\n
Lloyd will be backstage again for next year\u2019s Laneway festival at Western Springs Bowl on February 21. She has her fingers crossed she\u2019ll get Paramore lead singer Hayley Williams in her salon chair. <\/p>\n
\u201cI have been a fan of Paramore since I was a teenager,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n
Lloyd says she feels grateful for the experiences and opportunities she\u2019s had since starting Studio Ten in 2022, and is excited to work with celebrities in the future. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s rare to get an appointment with a celebrity beauty expert, but Lloyd\u2019s books are open to the public and she welcomes anyone keen to visit her private studio inside Kenk\u014d Studios in Auckland\u2019s Eden Terrace.<\/p>\n
Visit Studio Ten, inside Kenk\u014d Studios, 40 St Benedicts Street, Eden Terrace. Bookings at the Instagram link in bio: @studioten.nails<\/a>.<\/p>\n More beauty<\/p>\n Are you getting the most out of your sunscreen? What\u2019s worth buying from Merit now that it\u2019s available from Sephora? What\u2019s next in skincare and appearance medicine? Beauty editor Ashleigh Cometti speaks to the experts for their hot takes. <\/p>\n