Nail art is no joke. Creating flawless and intricate shapes and designs is not a skill that is bestowed on everyone (sorry). And, while there are definitely tutorials and tricks (hello, nail tape) to fake a complicated nail art design, it takes a modern-day, nail-centric Picasso to whip up a complex masterpiece out of thin air.

That's why we were so fascinated and enthralled by the inaugural essies Nail Art Awards. To have the opportunity to watch nail pros create wearable art was beyond inspiring. Heck, the prizing alone - a $20,000 partnership with essie, the super-cool role as essie "nail art ambassador" and a backstage gig at New York Fashion Week - made us wish we paid more attention in art class. So, you can imagine our excitement when we were given the opportunity to sit down with the winner of this spectacular grand prize, YouTube nail extraordinaire Harli Hall (aka Harli G).

Get the rundown on Harli G's journey to nail stardom, the inspo (and tutorial) behind her contest-winning nail look, her hopes for the future and her non-negotiable makeup essentials. Warning: This may make you rethink everything and go for a career in nail art.

Makeup.com: How did you first get into nail art?

Harli G: I got into nail art back in junior high school. I took an orchestra class, but instead of actually attending class, my friends and I would sneak into a back room and paint each other's nails.

Makeup.com: What is your favorite essie shade?

Harli G: My favorite essie shade is Ole Caliente. It is the perfect orangey red color! It works well with every skin tone and pretty much everything I wear!

Makeup.com: Tell us about your inspiration for this nail art?

Harli G: The nail design I've chosen to do for the contest is a modern floral look. I really like floral nail designs, but I wanted to do a different take on it. So, (the look) is not something you typically see - it's a little more modern.

Also, when I'm in need of some inspiration one of my go-to sites is the essie nail art page. They have amazing of-the-moment looks!

Makeup.com: Can you give us a step-by-step tutorial to create this look at home? Harli G:

Step 1: Apply a coat of ' First Base ' (base coat).

Step 2: Apply one layer of ' Blanc ' (white nail polish).

Step 3: Create petals using ' Licorice ' (black nail polish).

Step 4: Add a thick, pink stripe in each of the petal shapes. I used using ' Go Ginza '.

Steps 5, 6, 7: Repeat Step 4 with ' Butler Please' (a cornflower blue polish), ' Play Date' (lavender polish) and ' Find Me an Oasis ' (an icy blue polish).

Step 8: Finish with a layer of ' Gel-Setter'.

Makeup.com: What are the must-have beauty products that you cannot live without?

This is a tough question to answer because there are so many products I have used for years and years. My top favorites are Lush 'Grease Lightning' Tea Tree Cleanser, 'Fresh Farmacy' Facial Soap, the Clarisonic Mia2, Chella 'Tantalizing Taupe Eyebrow Color', Tarte Pure Maricuja Oil (such a multitasker) and the Emite Eyebrow Curler.

Makeup.com: Who's been a major beauty and/or style inspiration for you?

Harli G: I am really inspired by Chloe Grace Moretz's fashion sense. I love that she doesn't really have just one particular style that she sticks to. It's really cool to me that she can wear the most mature pieces, but adds something here and there to give the look some edge and youth.

Ingrid Nilsen is another huge icon for me. Her overall style is very classic and simple, but she manages to still somehow keep her look interesting.

Makeup.com: If we were to go through your purse right now, what would we find?

Harli G: Right now, I am carrying a messenger cross-body bag by Coach. The thing is tiny, so I can't fit much in it! I use a pop-up pouch wallet with this particular purse. I also have a nail file, mini cuticle oil, Sharpie, roller perfume and L'Oréal Paris Le Matte Lip Pen in She's So Matte. It's packed!

Makeup.com: Walk us through your morning beauty routine. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

Harli G: In the summer I like to keep my beauty routine simple. I wash my face with a Clarisonic facial brush. Makeup-wise, all I do is fill in my eyebrows with a brow pencil and curl my lashes. I also apply Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Brightening and Smoothing Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 right before I run out the door because it has some added SPF!

Makeup.com: Tell us about some of your personal goals/aspirations.

Harli G: A long-term goal of mine is to open up my own nail salon here in my hometown that focuses primarily on natural nail care. I have also been spending a lot of time focusing on my YouTube channel. I am very passionate about nail care and nail art so I would love to grow my channel and share my passions with other people who have similar interests.