Amanda Coldwell from All That Glimmers named SA’s best nail technician 2025

Nothing could have prepared All That Glimmers owner Amanda for the global pandemic, but thanks to the nail technician’s community she has gone from strength to strength. Read about her recent achievement here.

Eight weeks after opening her Tanunda nail salon, Amanda Coldwell’s dreams crumbled as the Covid-19 pandemic forced her new venture into lockdown.

“It was a really, really hard blow – mentally (and) financially,” Ms Coldwell said.

“When I came back clients were still swarming through the doors, but it was really hard with having to navigate things like QR code check ins and all that stuff.”

The owner of All That Glimmers said finding the “momentum to get back into it” was a challenge after her expectations of being in business completely changed.

“I thought that I had it all planned out, and didn’t even consider a pandemic,” she said.

Amanda Coldwell from All That Glimmers in Tanunda has been voted SA’s best nail technician for 2025. Picture: Matt Loxton

It was her community of fellow nail technicians and passion for her craft that helped the 38-year-old out of her rut, with clients quickly booking out her calendar.

“I love what I do (and) I love the way that I get to spend my days making people feel special,” Ms Coldwell said.

“Every day I walk through the doors of my salon, and I just feel this overwhelming sense of pride (in what) I’ve achieved (and that I’ve made it) the other side of this all really well.”

Not only is Ms Coldwell constantly booked out she also has an ever-growing waitlist of clients eager to work with her.

“There’s a huge demand for services like nails and beauty in the Barossa, and there’s not enough service providers to provide the services. so when people lock down a good nail technician, they tend to stick with them,” Ms Coldwell said.

Amanda Coldwell from All That Glimmers in Tanunda has been voted SA’s best nail technician for 2025. Picture: Matt Loxton

The mum of two has recently been voted South Australia’s best nail technician for 2025, with Ms Coldwell citing her people-first approach as a key contributor to her success.

“I find that in the beauty industry, there’s a lot of emphasis on turning over clients, which generally comes with a lower quality of work that’s deemed as acceptable,” the Nuriootpa local said.

“I am the complete opposite. I would rather take my time with the client (and) make them feel like they’re the most important person in the world while they’re in my chair.”

TOP FIVE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN NAIL TECHNICIANS

1. Amanda Coldwell from All That Glimmers, Tanunda

2. Jess from Nailed Barossa, Nuriootpa

3. Alana Davis Nail Artist and Educator, Victor Harbor

4. Gettin Nailed, Wallaroo Plain

5. Brookside Nails By Kerry, Mawson Lakes