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Certain little rituals become quietly important when you live with Lupus.
For me, getting my nails done every month has become one of them.
It might sound small, but there is something about looking down at fresh nails that makes me feel a little more like myself again. They do not cure the fatigue, the pain or the frustration of a flare, but they do give me one of those tiny dopamine hits that can make a difficult week feel a little lighter.
When you live with chronic illness, the big things can often feel out of your control. That is why I have learnt to lean into the smaller things instead: clean sheets, a favourite perfume, an iced coffee, a cosy knit and, increasingly, fresh nails.
So, of course, I was excited to be invited back to an event with
Umia Beauty’s AI nail machine, especially knowing how easy it is to book and how affordable it is with a discount code, made the experience feel accessible and stress-free.
This was not my first rodeo with Umia Beauty. I had previously taken part in their scavenger hunt across central London, which you can read about here: Umia Scavenger Hunt: Fun Ways to Create Custom Nail Looks
I was instantly captivated by the concept! The variety of styles from the artist community sparked my imagination and encouraged me to envision my own designs. It was such a joyful reminder that beauty is a deeply personal form of self-expression. However, there was just one challenge.
I hadn’t managed to pamper my nails before the scavenger hunt, and I arrived feeling a bit self-conscious about my hands. They were overdue for some attention, with chipped and grown-out nails. However, I’m excited to dive in and make the most of the experience!
As anyone living with Lupus knows, there are times when even the smallest maintenance tasks can fall by the wayside. When you are dealing with fatigue, pain, or simply trying to get through the week, getting your nails redone does not always make it to the top of the list.
I remember feeling quite ashamed, which sounds silly now, but I think many women will understand. You want to enjoy the experience, pose for photos, and admire the designs, but instead, all you can see are the things you wish you had the energy to fix.
The beautiful AI-generated nail art deserved better than my chipped polish and grown-out manicure, and I never quite felt able to do the designs justice.
When the invitation for Umia’s latest event arrived, I was excited because I knew how clever and innovative the AI nail technology was, and I wanted to experience it properly this time.
And this time, everything felt different.
Before the event, @colour_me_manicured had already prepared beautiful milky nails for me. A soft, glossy nude-white base that instantly made me feel more polished, more confident and much more excited about what was to come.
Just having that done beforehand transformed my mindset; I felt more confident and ready to fully enjoy the experience.
Instead of worrying about hiding my hands, I felt excited. My nails were finally ready for their moment.
Stepping into the event space with the glowing pink “Dream Nails” sign above us, I knew this was going to be more than just another beauty event. The room was full of flowers, women chatting and laughing, and the soft buzz of creativity.
It felt playful, feminine and quietly magical.
Inside, there was a flower crown station, glasses of fizz and, of course, the Umia AI nail machine itself waiting to create something beautiful.
There was something unexpectedly lovely about the whole atmosphere. Sitting there surrounded by flowers, watching people create their own crowns and chatting to other women about beauty and self-care felt quietly healing.
Chronic illness can be incredibly isolating and, sometimes, you do not realise how much you have missed simply being in a room full of people creating, laughing and enjoying themselves until you are there.
The flower crown station was a beautiful reminder to embrace creativity and joy. Sitting there, crafting something lovely with my hands felt wonderfully childlike. Chronic illness can often steal those moments of play, but for one afternoon, I rediscovered the joy of making simply for the sake of joy itself.
The Tiny Floral Design That Felt Like Spring
When it came to the design itself, I knew I wanted something soft, feminine and spring-like.
The design I chose from Jark Nails could not have been more perfect.
A soft, milky nude base scattered with tiny, painterly florals in pink, yellow, blue, and green made the design feel fresh and spring-like, like pressed flowers set into porcelain.
The soft, milky base created by @colour_me_manicured made the perfect canvas for the design. The tiny florals sat delicately across the tips and corners of each nail, looking delicate without feeling too sweet, feminine without being overly girly and exactly the sort of manicure that feels quietly special every time you catch sight of your hands.
The kind of nails that make even replying to emails, typing on your laptop or holding your morning coffee feel a little prettier.
I loved that they felt elegant rather than overdone. Soft enough to wear every day, but still interesting enough that I kept finding myself staring at them.
They were spring-like without feeling childish, and feminine without feeling too obvious. The sort of nails that make people stop you and ask where you had them done.
After my last experience with Umia, where my chipped, grown-out nails meant I never quite felt able to appreciate the final result, this felt like redemption.
Finally, I had the sort of manicure worthy of all those close-up photos.
The Little Nail Dopamine Hit I Did Not Know I Needed
More than anything, they became my latest little source of dopamine. There is something oddly powerful about looking down at my hands and seeing something pretty when the rest of me feels exhausted. Every time I catch sight of those tiny painted flowers against the soft, milky base, I feel a little brighter, a little more put together, and a little more like myself.
They do not fix the flare-ups, the fatigue, or the challenges my body continues to face. But they remind me that even on the hard days, I am still allowed to experience beauty. I am still allowed softness. I am still allowed tiny moments of joy.
Living with Lupus has taught me not to underestimate the power of small dopamine hits—fresh nails, a new lip gloss, freshly washed hair, a cosy knit. These might seem like tiny things, but when your body feels unpredictable, they can serve as a quiet way to reclaim a bit of yourself.
Perhaps that is why getting my nails done every month has become such an important part of my self-care ritual. It is not really about the nails at all; it is about carving out one small moment each month that is just for me. It’s a tiny act of rebellion against all the ways chronic illness tries to make life smaller—a reminder that I am still me.
Beauty Artist Community Designs
What I love about Umia Beauty is the incredible variety of styles available. Whether you’re into soft neutrals, playful florals, or bold prints, there’s something to match every mood.
This diversity is thanks to the Umia Beauty Artist Community, where nail artists contribute designs for the AI nail machine. For this event, I was captivated by a delicate floral design by Jark Nails, featuring tiny painterly flowers in soft colours that felt feminine and joyful.
The milky base by @colour_me_manicured provided an elegant canvas, giving the manicure a polished look. The collaboration between these artists resulted in soft, elegant nails that bring a little joy every time you glance at your hands.
Meet the Featured Umia Beauty Artists
Part of what makes Umia Beauty feel so exciting is discovering the artists behind the designs.
Jark Nails is a nail artist based in Bolton, United Kingdom, known for delicate, feminine designs that feel almost like tiny works of art. Their style is soft, romantic and beautifully detailed, with lots of florals, painterly finishes and dreamy colour palettes. The floral design I chose instantly stood out because it felt elegant and spring-like without being overly sweet.
You can see more of Jark Nails’ work here.
Swak Nails, based in Glasgow, is known for bold, trend-led nail art with a playful edge. Their designs often feature graphic prints, statement colours, chrome finishes and fashion-inspired details, making them perfect if you prefer something a little more striking.
You can see more of Swak Nails’ work here.
One of the best things about the Umia Beauty Artist Community is the wide range of styles available. Whether you love soft florals like me or something bolder and more fashion-forward, it is worth browsing the artists’ Instagram pages before your appointment to find a design that feels like you.
“Would I Dive into the Umia Experience Again?”
Absolutely! What I absolutely adore about Umia is how it turns nail art into a fun and effortless experience. No more grappling with how to express a design when your creativity takes a dip, or endlessly scrolling through ideas that just don’t click. Instead, you can pick a gorgeous option and let the technology do its thing!
As someone who loves all things beauty but occasionally feels overwhelmed by complicated appointments, this approach strikes the perfect balance. It’s all about embracing creativity without the stress, and that makes it all the more enjoyable!
How to Book Umia Beauty
If you would like to try Umia Beauty for yourself, booking is incredibly simple.
Book your appointment by
Step 1. Click the link in Umia Beauty’s bio: Dream Nails Black Wall Reach site
Step 2. Scroll down to ’book now’
Step 3. Search for Umia and select the corresponding service
(Don’t forget to book for soakoff/manicure/BIAB if you would like preparation steps done by the lovely team at @dream.nails_x )
Step 4. Download the Umia Beauty App at http://umia.beauty/umiaapp and find your desired style. Select Dream Nails at Checkout.
Don’t forget you can use my affiliate code WHNA01 to receive 10% off your booking.
Whether you are booking for a special occasion, a little treat before summer or simply because you need one of those tiny self-care moments, I honestly do not think you will regret it.
Have you tried Umia Beauty yet, or would you? I would love to know which design you would choose from the Umia Beauty Artist Community: soft florals like mine, something bold and graphic or perhaps a chrome finish.
Leave me a comment below and let me know your dream design.
And if you enjoy honest, editorial takes on beauty, style and living well with Lupus, make sure you sign up to my mailing list. You will be the first to hear about new posts, exclusive giveaways, beauty finds and little moments of joy like this one.
