FAQ
The essentials: what and how we teach, what you get, and how access, payment and support work. Don’t see your question? Message us — we’ll answer personally.
Why ZANAILS
What is ZANAILS Academy and who is it for?
ZANAILS Academy is the online nail-art school of Zulfiia Anikanova. It isn’t a video library or a course marketplace: Zulfiia personally reviews your work, and there’s a skill diagnostic, a personal growth map, a community and a verifiable diploma. It’s for nail artists who want to grow — from confident first steps to advanced architecture and nail repair.
How is this different from free videos online?
A video shows you how someone else did it. Here Zulfiia — an international championship judge — personally reviews your own work: your hand, your technique, your materials. Add a skill diagnostic, a personal Master Path and a living community, and you get a system that takes you from where you are to confident work — not just a pile of clips.
How are you different from other online manicure schools?
A single author and curator — Zulfiia, personally. Every practical assignment gets judge-level human review, not auto-grading. You get measurable skill growth (a diagnostic and a Master Path), a living community with contests, and a diploma you can verify by its number.
Who teaches, and why can I trust her?
Zulfiia Anikanova — 25 years in the profession and around 20 years teaching, an international manicure championship judge, and one of the most sought-after artists in Canada. Behind her: four of her own studios across four capitals — Donetsk, Kyiv, Stockholm and Ottawa.
What do I get besides video lessons?
Personal review of your work from Zulfiia, a skill diagnostic and a Master Path, a direct chat with her and your cohort, access to the community (a work gallery, a monthly contest, an annual Grand Prix) and a verifiable diploma on completion.
What if I get stuck — will I get help?
Yes. You’re not alone with the videos: you get personal feedback on your practical work, and you can ask Zulfiia and the community in chat. Supporting your growth is the point of the academy — not just selling access.
Can I see students’ work and reviews?
Yes. Real student work and reviews of Zulfiia are on her Instagram, @zanailsart. On the site itself, you can see the live standard of work in the public student gallery and the open monthly contest.
Who it’s for
Is it suitable if I’m just starting out?
Yes. There are programs that build from the basics — technique, form architecture, materials. The skill diagnostic shows where to start so you don’t skip the essentials.
Is it suitable if I already work as a nail artist?
Yes. For working pros there’s architecture, reinforcement, extensions, nail repair and breakdowns of difficult cases — it’s about leveling up and confidence, not repeating the basics.
Do you teach Russian manicure?
Yes — it’s one of our core areas. Zulfiia works in and teaches Russian (combined) manicure and Japanese manicure, as well as form architecture, reinforcement, extensions and nail repair.
Where should I start?
Start with the skill diagnostic — it shows your strengths and growth points and suggests a suitable course. If you’re unsure which to pick, message us and we’ll help you choose.
Format, language & access
What languages is it taught in, and where can I study from?
Teaching is in Russian, English and French. The online academy is available worldwide; you choose your dashboard language separately from the language of a specific course.
Can I take in-person manicure courses in Ottawa?
Yes. Besides the online academy, there’s in-person training in the Ottawa–Gatineau region — one-on-one or in a small group — plus a travelling format across Canada on request.
In-person or online? How much do live courses cost?
Both. Online — self-paced courses from any country. Live training: one-on-one from CAD 700 per day, small group from CAD 500 per seat; a comprehensive 40–80-hour program is priced individually after a consultation. Applying commits you to nothing.
What’s included in a course?
Video lessons and learning materials; where applicable, personal review of practical work, chat and a diploma. The exact contents are always listed on each course page.
How long does course access last?
By default 90 days from the moment it’s granted (a specific course may differ; the exact date is always shown under “Courses”); within that period you can revisit lessons as many times as you like. Your diploma and achievements stay with you for good and aren’t tied to the access period.
At what pace do I take a course?
Your own. These are self-paced courses — you study when it suits you and revisit lessons as much as you need within the access period.
Can I download the video lessons?
Video lessons are for viewing in your account — they can’t be downloaded, which protects the author’s materials. PDF lesson materials, however, can be opened in the browser and downloaded.
Diploma & results
Is the diploma real? How is it verified?
Yes. On completion you receive a diploma that can be verified publicly by its unique number — the link shows the course, date and status. It is not a government DEP Esthétique diploma (those are issued only by accredited vocational-training centres in Quebec) — we’re upfront about that: the value is in real skill and a judge’s personal feedback, not a piece of paper.
Do you guarantee results?
Honestly, no — your growth depends on your practice and consistency. But we give you what video can’t: personal review of your work, a growth system and feedback, so your progress is real.
Plans & levels of support
What are course plans?
Some courses come in several levels of support — plans. For example: self-paced access to the video and theory; a level with personal reviews of your work and course chat; and a premium level with an in-depth breakdown of every piece. You choose how much support you need and pay accordingly. Courses without plans have a single price.
How do the levels differ?
The base level usually includes video lessons, theory, a skill diagnostic and a diploma on completion. Higher levels add personal reviews of your work by Zulfiia, course chat, resubmissions and a deeper breakdown. Exactly what each plan includes is shown clearly on the course’s plan page before you buy.
How do I choose a plan?
If you’re happy to work on your own, the base level is enough. If you want personal feedback and reviews of your own work, choose a level with support. Later, if you’d like more guidance, you can move up to a higher plan. Not sure? Message us and we’ll help you decide.
Can I move up to a higher plan after buying?
Yes, if the course is sold in plans. You pay the difference in price and get the expanded support — access is extended under the new plan. It’s done right on the course’s plan page. Payment and refund terms are set out in the Refund Policy and Terms.
Payment, refunds & data
How much does it cost and how do I pay?
The price is shown on each course page. Payment is by card online through Stripe; all prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD), tax included. After payment, access opens and your receipt is available under “Orders & receipts.”
Can I get a refund?
A course is a digital product with immediate access, so once access is opened, sales are considered final (s. 54.9 of Quebec’s Consumer Protection Act). That said, we review every case in good faith: if you haven’t opened any lessons yet, we generally meet you halfway. You submit a request right from your account; full terms are in the Refund Policy.
How do you protect my data?
We don’t sell personal data and we operate under Quebec’s Law 25; a privacy officer is appointed, and you can request access, correction or deletion at any time. Details are in the Privacy Policy.
How can I reach you?
Email [email protected], Instagram @zanailsart, phone +1 819 598 5871 (also on WhatsApp and Telegram), and the feedback form on the site.
Detailed step-by-step guides for your account, access and receipts live in the Help Centre inside your account.