The Best Results – In or Out of a Competition
Many competitors will use different products for competition than they use in their salons; however there are certain things you should look for in the product you use every day as well as in a competition.
I use the same products on my clients that I use in competition.
Let’s discuss the basics:
Tips
When tips are being used, they are the basis of your nail shape so you need a tip with a good “C” curve and upper arch; otherwise they look too flat and you loose marks. A great choice is Express Nail Tips from NSI (see below). Besides exhibiting a great “C” curve and upper arch, they are also extremely thin with a dramatic smile line.
The color of the tip you use is irrelevant as long as you overlay with a bright white powder or gel. A good point to mention here is to cut your tip to the desired length so they are consistent on both hands. Next, bevel down the extension edges super thin. When a judge looks down the barrel of the nail they do not want to see the thickness of a tip and then product. Judges only want to see product.
Nail Forms
Nail Forms are a personal choice, but I prefer a form that is firm and will maintain the “C” curve I have created until I remove it. Platinum Nail Forms from NSI are an excellent choice because they are very sticky and also include a sculpting grid for consistency from nail to nail.
Many forms are too flimsy and will bounce out of shape. This will result in you having to go back and pinch the forms again; which can make all the c curves different; taking away valuable points.
Powders
In competition (and the salon) you’ll need a white that is pure but allows enough time to produce a smile line that is crisp by not setting too quickly. Many products are very white but set too quickly. If you can’t work confidently with the product, it will not look smooth or consistent, again keeping you from valuable points.
Your pink should be translucent reflecting the light to enhance the pink of the nail plate. If the pink is too pink it will distort the color of the white. Try applying clear powder in the zone behind the smile line, taking it over all the white. Place the pink powder in the cuticle area so when you file, you do not have any pink on the white at all.
Attraction Nail Powders are available in radiant color options (the brightest whites and stunning, translucent pinks) and when used with Attraction Nail Liquid, offer the optimum set time; not too fast and not too slow.
Polish
Even though you may down to crunch time, be sure to polish. Even if it is not the best polish job you have done, you won’t get a zero. Choose a competition cream red that is bright and rich; one that will give you perfect coverage with two coats and will be ultra shiny when dry.
Sanitization
Judges are also looking at the organization and cleanliness of the competitors. Be sure to start every service with Sanitize to prove that you follow strict sanitation guidelines in the salon as well. Use a disinfectant for your implements. Judges need to see these items on your workstation.
By: Denise Wright
Her calm and collected persona has landed her 1st place finishes in 13 competitions. Because of her keen eye for detail, she is currently is an international judge and competition director in the UK. Not only does she run her own salon and nail academy, she has worked for celebrity clientele, including Pamela Anderson, and is a columnist for trade magazines.