What if 14 February was also an opportunity to celebrate love for ourselves and for those we admire? In 2022, Manucurist has chosen to break the mould a little by honouring hearts, it's true, but also the audacity of each individual. A collaboration, and therefore a limited edition collection, between Manucurist and Thea Jewelry. And if the entrepreneurs get on so well, it's also because they have embarked on the same long journey of self-confidence and self-love to make their dreams come true.
Happy Valentines Day! On 14 February, we're taking the opportunity to do something good for ourselves. By that, we mean a trip to the restaurant, sushi snuggled up under the duvet, a night out with friends, as a couple or a good book tucked away on your own. To celebrate this big self love and care day, Manucurist has teamed up with sought-after brand Thea Jewelry to unveil a cool, romantic and customisable nail art collaboration. Yes, the set Flash De Toi consists of a green varnish Pomegranate (pomegranate red) and 3 sheets of nail art stickers by Thea Jewelry. These little marvels, to be stuck on our nails to send messages of love and encouragement to those who want to read them, are available in the Thea alphabet in pink, white and yellow gold, as well as in a range of symbols to match our perfect pomegranate red. It's a fun workshop, dedicated to loving yourself and the people who make our lives so much better, to be organised at home on your own or with someone else!
And if this collaboration between Gaëlle Lebrat Personnazfounder of Manucurist, and Emilie DuchêneIt's because they both share the same definition of balance. To undertake, motivate, create or even just get up every morning, you have to believe in yourself and, above all, you have to love yourself. Joint interview of these two entrepreneurs, who began by taming each other personally to find the right balance to get started.
How did your paths cross?
Gaëlle: Emilie has interviewed for her Instagram account #emilievousinspire. We didn't know each other but I appreciated her direct and spontaneous approach to subjects like entrepreneurship. We've been together ever since! We've had a lot of fun together, without taking ourselves too seriously.
Émilie: I fell in love with Gaelle when I met her virtually on my Instagram channel. It was by chance but I really wanted to find out more about her vision and her business. I found myself face to face with a woman I quickly fell in love with. Great values, generous, accessible, funny... She could have been Belgian!
On 14 February 2022, we celebrate love. What do you think of the idea that we first have to learn to love each other before we can take the plunge and do business with others?
Gaëlle: Self-acceptance is a huge issue because, for me, it came with time. At almost 49, I feel much better about myself than I did at 20. I've got to know myself and accept myself as I am. I think Emilie was more precocious than I was!
Émilie: I'd say that I never really encountered this problem of confidence until I was 35, and I was actually quite comfortable in my shoes. I did run into a few complications in the five years that followed: loss of confidence, self-doubt, loss of self-esteem. I really had to work on that and rebuild myself. Today, I sometimes feel fragile, but I'm in tune with myself.
Woman, entrepreneur, mother... Loving yourself also means letting yourself fall apart. How do you deal with these moments of doubt?
Gaëlle: I tend to tick the intuition box, so I've been doing it for a long time... The normal breakdown! It's a release valve for me, a way of letting myself go, letting go of stress and tension. I often break down and it does me a world of good!
Émilie: I store up a lot so you have to push me very hard for me to crack! My technique, when I feel it's going to happen, is to really take some time for myself because I'm very tired. I go away for a few days and give myself a break.
How do you manage it all?
Gaëlle: You do what you can! Personally, I apply the 20/80 rule: I can't do everything, so I concentrate on my priorities and move forward. You have to accept that you're not perfect, because letting go of your guilt is the key to fulfilling all your roles.
How would you define this collaboration around Valentine's Day?
Emilie: Very "us". A Valentine's Day that's not cheesy, but really cool and stylish. We celebrate a moment for ourselves together, taking time for ourselves and putting down a mantra, a word or a name that makes us feel good.
If you could write a note to yourself with these pretty stickers. What would it be?
Gaëlle: Love
Émilie: Blessed
And if you could each share an encouraging thought to celebrate 14 February, what would it be?
Gaëlle: Keep up the good work.
Émilie: You're impressive, I'm proud of you.
The entire Flash de Toi collection is at find out more here!
