Competition Insider

Nailympics

NAILS Magazine — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 11:48:53 PDT

Hello everyone!

After I had finished back-to-back competitions in Orlando and then in Las Vegas I thought I was done competing for the year, but then I heard about the Nailympics in Long beach California at the end of June. I thought why not try it out and try my luck. So I packed my stuff and headed to California.

The Nailympics were much different from the Nailpro competitions I was used to doing. It was fun, different, and art-based which I liked. There were a total of eight competitions.

I chose to do the Soak-Off Gel Manicure category, which was fun because we had to decorate our table and were judged on table presentation as well as our work. I also participated in the Fantasy Nail Art competition and I was able to enter my Day of The Dead Fantasy piece from the Las Vegas competition. I also competed in the nail embellishment competition which I loved.

There was a lot of amazing artist from all over the world at the Nailympics. There were a lot of competitors from Italy and Europe, and a few Americans. It was a very fun group. Lysa Comfort, the organizer, was so awesome and there for us if we needed anything.

In the end I placed second place for Fantasy Nail Art novice level, second place for Nail Embellishment nail art novice level, and third place for soak off gel manicure novice level.

I was also there with three other girls from team Nubar, Jamie Rena Melchor, Shannon McCown, and Classic Mully. Everyone on the team did amazing. It was a fun competition and it was nice to experience a different type of competition and something I will totally do again next year.

— Amanda

IBS Las Vegas: Dia De Los Muertos

NAILS Magazine — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 17:30:32 PDT

Hi everyone!

The IBS Las Vegas show was lots of fun and was my favorite competition.

I had been preparing for this all year. The Fantasy Nail Art theme for the competition was "The Day of the Dead," and I tell you everyone embraced this theme and went above and beyond with it.

This competition piece had me up at late hours, but it truly was my favorite because I used a lot of techniques I learned in my research and old techniques I have always known. I wanted my piece to be as authentic as possible and true to the day of the dead ceremony.

I used my friend Ashley as my model. She is heavily tattooed just like I am.This worked because Day of the Dead is huge in the tattoo community. Her make up and costume stood out and was different than the rest of the competitors. I took 4th place in the novice level, which for my first year isn't bad.

— Amanda

Premiere Orlando Competitions

NAILS Magazine — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 16:50:11 PDT

Wow what a busy show season!!

I competed in three competitions in Orlando, the Soak Off Gel Manicure (a timed competition), 3-D Nail Art with “Everything Is Bigger in Texas” theme, and Fantasy Nail Competition with the theme “Dog Show.”

I spent months and hundreds of hours preparing for these competitions. I learned that there is always someone who may be better so you have to practice and step up your game to try harder and go further than your competition.

There was a lot of tough competition in Orlando and I knew I had to try harder and push my abilities to the next level. I had a fourth place win in the novice level for the fantasy competition, which for me was pretty awesome.

It was my first fantasy competition and I placed in the top five. I didn’t place in the top 10 for either of the other competitions I did, but like I said, the competition was really tough.

Check back I will have updates from the IBS Las Vegas show as well as the nailympics

Thanks

[Above: Amanda’s Dog Show themed entry for Orlando’s Fantasy Nail Competition]

— Amanda

Your Creative Nail Eye

NAILS Magazine — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:07:50 PDT

With about five weeks left till my next competition I had an “ah-ha” moment. Let me explain. For my 3-D competition this year the category is “Everything Is Bigger In Texas.” I was pretty set on my design and had even started constructing some of the pieces.

But then last week I went to San Antonio, Texas, to visit my family. And while sitting at dinner and watching all the people walking around with piñata's and beaded necklaces, all laughing and having a great time, I had my “ah-ha” moment and decided to trash what I already started and go in a totally different direction.

It wasn’t until sitting at dinner that my creative nail eye opened up and I was able to think way outside the box. It was really exciting. I was looking at things and breaking them down in my mind and figuring out how I could duplicate what I was seeing on a smaller scale. I was going through the steps out loud as my family was looking at me like I was nuts.

My creative nail eye has been there for the two fantasy competitions I have already been working on. But with this 3-D competition I had good ideas but they were basic — ideas that other competitors could easily do as well. My new idea path though, I believe is really going to be original and awesome.

My point of this blog is that themes for competitions are very basic and leave the door open to a lot of different interpretations. When you think of an idea to work on for the competition, really think about it. Don’t just go for the first thing that pops into your head. Think outside the box and how you can take your ideas to the next level and have your work stand out.

I’m really looking forward to finally showing everyone what I have been working for all these months.

Stay tuned for my next installment.

Thanks

— Amanda

Amanda’s Acrylic Practice

NAILS Magazine — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:09:12 PDT

While preparing for my fast approaching nail competitions in June, I have come across some unconventional items to help me prepare and construct my competition pieces. I have been watching a lot of YouTube videos by Sam Biddle; in one of them she uses a plastic sleeve protector to make and smooth out pieces of acrylic. This technique has really helped me with the construction of some of my pieces.

I found these plastic sheets in the art department at Wal-Mart. They are see-through and flexible and work well to draw out shapes and construct pieces on top with acrylic, because it doesn't stick and everything comes off easily. I have also been using different size straws to make a number of different elements in my competition pieces.

You have to keep an open mind and think outside the box when it comes to competing in 3-D and Fantasy nail competitions. If you have an idea, try it out. It’s all about trial and error and finding what works for you. I know some of these techniques have been used for years, but for new competitors I want to give you all the suggestions I can to help you succeed this competition season.

Another thing that has really helped me focus on my competitions is I have made a work space in my garage. I was working on my pieces in the salon in my down time, and in between clients and I just wasn’t getting enough done.

People would walk by and ask what I’m doing and want to see my work. The salon excitement was really distracting me, so now I work on small items at the salon and I work on the bulk of my competition pieces at home. I go out in my garage, turn on Pandora radio, and work out there for hours with no distractions and I seem to get a lot done.

Now it's time to get back to work.

Only two months left until my competition entries are due. Please keep an eye out for my next blog.

Thanks for reading

— Amanda

Finding Motivation and Inspiration

NAILS Magazine — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:32:52 PDT

I had the pleasure of having a fellow nail tech spend the past weekend with me and most of our time was spent working on our entries for 3-D and Fantasy Nail Art. It was a great way to get motivated and I think we both made a lot of progress. It was also great to have a friend to laugh and chat with while we were working. I just don’t understand why my husband isn’t the least bit interested in my projects ;)

I have to give him credit for being a good sport about it though.

I am excited about some of the categories and then there are a couple that are a stretch for me to even want to focus on. No one promised I would always like every theme so I try to look at ones I consider less favorable as a creative challenge.

OK, who am I trying to fool — I force myself to research those “undesirable” themes. It is a challenge but I enjoy trying to figure out how to make something work for the goal I have in mind.

I hope those of you who are on the fence about giving one of the art categories a try, go ahead and jump feet first. You just might be pleasantly surprised to discover talents you never knew you had. Also be sure to find a mentor to help you with any questions you might have. They can certainly help you avoid a lot of frustration and offer support and encouragement. Of course, even before that you need to be sure to read the rules for each category you plan to enter and direct any questions about anything you are unsure of to the competition staff.

I look forward to seeing both familiar and new faces in the competition area this June.

— Tammi Merritt

Fantasy Nail Theme Research

NAILS Magazine — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:38:18 PST

I have been doing research online to help give me a starting direction for the upcoming competitions I will be entering in June.

It looks like I will be entering 3-D Nail Art for Premiere, Orlando (Everything is Bigger in Texas theme), and the Fantasy Nail Art competition (Dog Show theme).

The following weekend is IBS, Las Vegas where I will be competing in 3-D Nail Art (Breaking the Code) and Fantasy Nail Art (Day of the Dead) as well. Needless to say I have a lot to get ready for, since this is my first time competing in the 3-D and Fantasy categories.

In my research to get ready, I have turned to the internet for ideas and techniques.

YouTube has been a huge help; there are some great videos that have really given me some good ideas and techniques.

Sam Biddle has a Two-Step Fantasy video (part 1 & part 2) which has some great ideas for making human like figures out of acrylic — a huge help for my fantasy competition ideas.

Doing research on Google has helped a lot. I have watched dog show video clips to get ideas. Fortunately, Day of the Dead is a subject I’m familiar with, but I still did some reading up on the subject to get inspired with ideas and thoughts.

Research is crucial for all of us newcomers. Knowing more about a subject can only help you in the end. Nail competitions are about skill, detail, and originality.

The more you know about your theme the better your design will be. Sometimes we assume we know the subject enough, which I thought I did until I started reading about Day of the Dead, for example.

After my research, my ideas and the path for my design have totally changed, because I learned things about the subject I didn’t know. Now I’m ready to get started on my designs. I know it’s February and competitions aren’t until June, but this way I have time to work out bugs in my designs and I’m not rushing last minute to finish my nails right before the competition.

I hope this is helpful. Look for my blog updates about constructing my designs, and what I run into as they progress into what I hope are winning competition nails for myself and my Team.

My first attempt at sculpting a dog out of acrylic.

— Amanda

Meet Amanda

NAILS Magazine — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:27:25 PST

Hi!

My name is Amanda Lenher and I’m from Las Vegas.

I am an educator for Nubar and currently work at Posare Salon in Las Vegas.

I have been out of cosmetology school for about a year and three months.

When I was in school, I was the go-to nail girl. But I opted to do a full cosmetology degree because I have an equal love for hair as well and I currently do both at the salon.

While I was in school we had a Design Team, which was the school’s competition team. And one day they were having try outs and I wanted it bad. This is when I first got introduced to the preparation it takes for a competition.

Since I have been out of school I have been busy. I have worked to make a name for myself in this industry and I have been published in NAILS Magazine as well as other magazines in the last year. I wanted to compete in the nail competitions at the IBS Las Vegas show last year but the cost per competition is what stopped me.

Not too long ago I interviewed for a workshop article on how to prepare for a competition and that same day Michelle Aab from Nubar contacted me about being an educator for them and coming to Long Beach and competing in the soak-off gel nail art competition. Here I was going down another path and another journey and into a competition category that terrified me — hand painted with gel polish. OMG I can’t even paint a stick figure.

Competition day came and I was so beyond nervous, but I went into the competition with a clear head and no expectations. I said to myself, “this is my first time competing and at least I’m here doing it. And I will finish. I won’t give up. And whatever happens, happens.”

When they called my number as a top 10 finalist I wanted to cry. I was so blown away that I placed in the top 10. Even 10^th would have been fine with me just as long as I placed. I was extra happy too knowing it was in a skill that wasn’t my strong point. Now I know I can do it and it makes me want to do more to build up my skills. I ended up placing 6^th, what an amazing feeling.

So keep an eye out for my updates and travels for my next round of competitions as a newbie in the competition world.

— Amanda

Roxy Gets Butterflies for ISSE Long Beach

NAILS Magazine — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:14:47 PST

ISSE Long Beach is around the corner and the nervous excitement begins.

I get butterflies every time I hear the music as I get ready to enter those double doors of yet another beauty paradise, lol.

I also get butterflies thinking about the competition and how I will do.

But it is truly rewarding to see the many familiar faces at the competition that recognize me regardless of winning or not — that makes me a winner in my book.

I wanted to enter the gel nail art competition. The theme was “Party Time.” And even though I do a wide variety of gel art, when I thought about it I started to feel overwhelmed.

I couldn’t think of a good design, so to just keep it simple I’ll enter the French Manicure competition.

I’ll be using Orly’s Gel FX, which cures super-fast in the LED lamp, which makes me feel a little better time wise since the competition is only 30 minutes long.

My hand model canceled on me last minute but I was blessed enough to find another one.

I am so excited so please come by and check out the competitors if you want to try it. I will be at the Orly booth during the show so if you want to see how to do a fast French that might encourage you to compete more, please come and say Hi. J

Wish me luck and let’s hope these butterflies don’t tickle too much, LOL.

See you all there!! Good luck to everyone!

— Roxy

Shelly's "Fantasy"-tastic 2012

NAILS Magazine — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:17:43 PST

Hello everyone and get ready for the 2012 competition year! I cannot believe that ISSE, Long Beach is about a month away and I also cannot believe that I have decided to enter my first Fantasy Nail Art competition in over ten years while I am at the show working for Nubar. I am all for setting goals and challenging myself to perform better year after year, but I must admit, I am starting to wonder if I bit off more that I can chew with this entry.

First, let me say that I have a whole new respect for anyone who has ever entered a Fantasy Nail Art competition. To say this is a lot of work would be the understatement of the year. Anyone reading this that has ever done Fantasy Nail Art, I applaud you and your efforts. With that said, I have a question for you; when do you sleep?

I have been hard at work on my Fantasy design and I feel like I am running out of time to do anything else but the Fantasy Nail Art. I see so many competitors post on social networking sites about all the fun they are having over the holidays and all I can think is, “Are you crazy? STOP baking cookies, shopping, and spreading holiday cheer and get back to preparing for the 2012 competition year!”

When do my fellow competitors sleep? Are they robots or just100% naturally talented? I don’t know how they do it. They are true professionals and I feel so inadequate in their shadows, but once again I am preparing to step up my game and compete against the best nail artists the nail industry has to offer. 2012 is going to be an AWESOME year and I cannot wait to see everyone at the upcoming competitions.

Wish me Luck and Happy New Competition Year!

Photo: Mythology-themed Fantasy Nail Art by Catherine Wong at IBS Las Vegas 2011. Hand Model is Gina Silvestro.

— Shelly