Nails, Power, and the Battle Against Cancer

Perfect nails are no longer just an accessory to match the outfit – they’ve become a fashion statement in their own right. This summer, nail designer and entrepreneur Magdalena Swiderska invited four Norwegian influencers to create their own signature shades. Ewa Trela, Helene Drage, Cookie Rose and Maria Wos each developed a shade of nail polish named after themselves in a collection called FEMinfluence, with part of the proceeds donated to the Norwegian Breast Cancer Association.

Magdalena Swiderska is both Norwegian and Nordic champion in nail design, runs training for nail technicians, and is the distributor of Slowianka Nail Trends in Norway. She also has a masters degree in political science.  When asked about that she laughs:

“I was born in the 80s, and in my generation, pursuing higher education was just expected. So for me, graduating with a degree didn’t feel like anything extraordinary, it was just the norm. But when I moved to Norway, things were different. I would tell people, “I do nails, but I also have a master’s degree in political science,” and they found that combination surprising. To them, beauty work was somehow seen as something less. But for me, it’s very intentional, it’s part of a bigger plan, she says, as she takes time out of her busy schedule to meet with Styletalk at Muse, the salon she runs in Oslo.

“One of my goals, which I’ve been working toward for years, is to change how people think about nails and nail technicians. There’s still this stereotype that if you choose this path, it’s because you don’t want to achieve much in life. I want to prove otherwise.”

The idea for FEMinfluence was born after she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

“Triple negative. The most aggressive kind. If you catch it early, you can treat it, but it spreads quickly to your bones or brain and then becomes deadly. Out of the five main breast cancer types, this one is the worst,” Magdalena explains as she meets with Styletalk at Muse, the nail salon she runs in Oslo. She admits that at the time she was diagnosed, checking her breasts had been the last thing on her mind. And if she had tried, she might not have felt it right away, as she had silicone implants which makes self-examination harder. Luckily, her then-boyfriend felt the little lump on the side of her breast.

“At first, we didn’t think it was serious. I have a child, and I had breastfed him for two years, so I thought maybe it was just some kind of leftover tissue or something like that. You don’t immediately think it’s cancer,” says Magdalena. She is naturally calm and was not too worried, but contacted her GP for a checkup.

“He also said it was probably nothing serious, but referred me for a check. At the clinic, the doctor was very kind. She reassured me, “Probably it’s nothing,” even though I think they already suspected. So they did a biopsy right away. Then the mammography and ultrasound.”

Finally, Magdalena was diagnosed with Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). It is a more aggressive form of breast cancer, tends to grow and spread faster, and has fewer targeted treatment options than other types, primarily relying on chemotherapy. 

“ I still didn’t believe it, it was surreal. My first reaction was to argue. I said, “That’s impossible. I just ran 10 kilometers on the treadmill. I’m perfectly healthy—what are you talking about?” and I even asked, “Are you sure this is my test?” They just looked at each other, then at me, like, “Okay, let her digest this.” And it was fine, until they told me I was going to have chemo after the surgery. I asked, “Does that mean I’m going to lose my hair?” She said yes. And that’s when it hit me, I just started to cry and I couldn’t stop.

“The breast was one thing, but the hair was worse. I wasn’t someone with perfect model hair. I just had normal hair. But it was my hair. And losing it was the symptom I associated with cancer, the one everyone recognizes. That’s when it hit me: “This is real!”

Soon as she was diagnosed, everything happened fast.

“I cannot praise the Norwegian doctors enough. I really think that Norway saved my life” says Magdalena.

“From diagnosis to surgery was about ten days. We had the conversation around November 21st or 22nd, and by December 4th, I had already gone through surgery. That it shows how serious it was. This type of cancer is so aggressive, it can spread fast, through the lymph nodes or through the blood. We’re talking days. That’s why I had to do the full combination: surgery, chemo, everything. And here’s the thing, when they checked the tissue from my surgery, they discovered another lump had already started forming, just in those couple of weeks.

So, she had surgery. She just had the cancer and some extra tissue removed, but saved the breast. But the implants were removed, and instead they did a breast lift. And then, it was the chemotherapy. And just as predicted, she lost the hair right on the day they had warned her it would happen.

“I went to my hairdresser and had it all shaved off. And yes, it is a shock to see yourself in the mirror, completely bald. Not to mention everyone you meet who probably thinks, “wow cancer”. But, I have to say I am so grateful how everybody around me accepted it all so gracefully. They were gentle and helpful, not too much, only enough for me to feel how much they cared. Also my six year old son just looked at me and said: “Mom, I think you look even better without hair” then kissed my head and went to play. And that was it.”

In addition to the chemo she had to have radiation and there were several side effects, like insomnia, plus having her body plunge into menopause.

The struggle have brought a lot of fear, as well as resilience, the need to reorganize her life and spread awareness. She wanted to channel those emotions into something that could inspire others, use her platform to talk to particularly young women who never think of checking their breasts for cancer.

“I wanted to turn the shitty story of mine into something meaningful, she says. The result was FEMInfluence – a gorgeous box with a collection of 5 nail polish colours, built on the message “Some colors speak louder than words.”

At the launch this fall, Magdalena used the stage to highlight the importance of self-examination and early detection.

“I’ve never felt stronger than when I stood on stage surrounded by women who supported me. FEMinfluence is not just a collection – it’s a symbol of how we can stand together, inspire each other, and create something lasting,” she said.

Since the pandemic, nail trends have exploded, fueled by TikTok, Instagram, and new waves of nail art that range from playful to luxurious. For NLP Life Coach Cookie Rose, long red nails have long been a personal trademark. So when she was given the opportunity to design her own polish to go into Magdalena’s FEMInfluence-collection, her choice was obvious: a bold, classic red.

“It’s timeless, a little retro, and perfectly in tune with the vintage-glam style I love,” says Cookie Rose to Styletalk. As a lifestyle coach, she is focused on health, how we live, what we eat, how we manage stress and ways to find balance in our lives. At the same time, she has a strong interest in style and beauty. With FEMinfluence, she sees an opportunity to bring these passions together.

“This is about so much more than style. It’s about women supporting women, and about raising awareness around breast cancer. Beyond the pride of seeing my name on a polish bottle, this project gives me great joy,” she adds.

Now, Magdalena hopes the collaboration with influencers will spread awareness about breast cancer and the importance of self-checks.

“In this way, every bottle of polish becomes both a personal statement – and a small contribution to a bigger cause,” says Magdalena.

All photos: Daniel Zega