With the voting for this year’s winning cover tech image too close to call, NAILS has done something it’s never done before: We ran two different covers for the same issue. Some of you received an issue featuring black and pink striped nails on the cover and some of you got a blue and green plaid design. In either case, you’re enjoying the handiwork of Julie Kandalec of Jenniffer & Co. in Mentor, Ohio.

The Winner:  JULIE KANDALEC, Jenniffer & Co., Mentor, Ohio Both sets of nails she did for our covers, however, use Minx. “We just started offering Minx at Jenniffer & Co. and I wanted to utilize a variety of their many designs,” she says. “I chose pink and black stripes with all the crystal and silver jewelry to let the color of the nails stand out, and I chose the bright teal/lime Minx to contrast with the model’s dark hair.

The Winner: JULIE KANDALEC, Jenniffer & Co., Mentor, Ohio

Both sets of nails she did for our covers, however, use Minx. “We just started offering Minx at Jenniffer & Co. and I wanted to utilize a variety of their many designs,” she says. “I chose pink and black stripes with all the crystal and silver jewelry to let the color of the nails stand out, and I chose the bright teal/lime Minx to contrast with the model’s dark hair.

The Winner: JULIE KANDALEC, Jenniffer & Co., Mentor, Ohio

“When doing a shoot, I am usually inspired by a polish, accessory, or wardrobe piece. I like to do something that isn’t in my portfolio yet,” says cover tech Julie Kandalec, who, despite being based in Ohio, has an impressive number of editorial and fashion credits, including work at Fashion Week in New York and Los Angeles. (Check out her portfolio at www.juliekandalec.com.) A tech for 13 years, she has made gel nails her specialty at the salon. “My clients love how light and natural they are,” she says.

Both sets of nails she did for our covers, however, use Minx. “We just started offering Minx at Jenniffer & Co. and I wanted to utilize a variety of their many designs,” she says. “I chose pink and black stripes with all the crystal and silver jewelry to let the color of the nails stand out, and I chose the bright teal/lime Minx to contrast with the model’s dark hair.

“I gave Colleen, my model, a spa manicure a few days before the shoot. If I had done it too close to the day of the shoot, the Minx would have had trouble adhering properly. The day of, I gave her a great dry ­manicure. It took me about an hour and 15 minutes for the nails. I also did her hairstyle and makeup. In all, it took me about 2.5 hours.”

1st Runner-Up:  Ayako Kukuda Ci-z International College, Tokyo

1st Runner-Up: Ayako Kukuda
Ci-z International College, Tokyo

2nd Runner-Up:  Yuiko Naito  Ci-z International College, Tokyo

2nd Runner-Up: Yuiko Naito
Ci-z International College, Tokyo

3rd Runner-Up:  Michina Koide  New York City

3rd Runner-Up: Michina Koide
New York City

Congratulations also to 1st runner-up Ayako Kukuda of Ci-z International College in -Tokyo,  2nd runner-up Yuiko Naito, also from Ci-z International College, and 3rd runner-up Michina  Koide of  New York City.

A giant thank you to all who entered and helped make this a fabulous contest yet again.

 

You Might Also Like:

Cover Tech 2013: Mining for Metals

Cover Tech 2012: An Eye for Beauty

Cover Tech 2011: Steppin' Out in Style

Cover Tech 2009: A Day At the Beach

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, Click here.