Why Shropshire model Emily's future really is in the palm of her hands
The hands have it for Shropshire model Emily Grimson. She has appeared in countless adverts, but will never get spotted in the street as her face is never seen.
Emily, 25, from Bridgnorth, is one of Britain's most successful hand models.
That role comes with pressures – she moisturises up to 10 times a day and was forced to scrap plans to buy a kitten for fear of being scratched.
Her jobs include showing off electrical items like tablets and fridges as well as work for the prestigious clients that include the Disney Channel.
Emily said: "I do have a strict routine. My hands have to look their best. I moisturise them about 10 times a day, regardless of the weather. And it is important that my nails don't snap."
Emily says: "I do have a strict routine to keep my hands looking their best.
"I moisturise them about 10 times a day and always use SPF to protect them, even when the sun isn't shining.
"I exfoliate them once a week and always wear a strengthener to keep my nails from snapping.
"Sometimes I ask other people to open bottles or packets for me when I have a big job coming up as I don't want to risk any scratches or breakages.
The work can be hard, with plenty of travelling. But at up to £100-an-hour it is also potentially lucrative, and while Emily may not be as well-known for her modelling as Cara Delevingne or Kate Moss, her pristine hands are in high demand from some of the biggest advertisers every day.
Her high-earning hands have featured in product videos for Bosch, adverts on the Disney Channel and advertorials in the Sunday Times Style magazine.
The brunette, a former Miss Shropshire finalist, has striking looks and has plenty of regular modelling assignments too, having been taken on by BMA agency in London.
But it is her hands that are really in demand.
Emily, who has appeared on stage a number of times in productions at Bridgnorth's Theatre on the Steps, has only been modelling for a year but has already built a lucrative full-time career making anything from £100 a day to £100 an hour depending on the job.
Emily said: "I used to write the beauty pages for a bridal magazine but everyone would mention how lovely my hands are.
"I started hand modelling around about May last year and have been doing it full time since autumn.
"Work can vary; sometimes I work for one client for a couple of weeks, sometimes I do odd days here and there for various different brands and products – no week or month is the same.
"I love it, you can make anything from £100 a day to £100 an hour, and if you film a commercial, you may even be paid a buyout fee."
Emily, who is signed with BMA Models, was encouraged to give hand modelling a shot after a nail technician complemented her hands while giving her a manicure.
Since signing up for the modelling agency last year, Emily has modelled everything from designer bags to electrical appliances like fridges and tablet computers.
