Sunset Strip: The Top 3 and the Bottom 3

Challenge 2 sponsored by Orly, asked our Top 11 to create a wearable nail look inspired by The Sunset Strip. Contestants were allowed to use gel-polish, lacquer, acrylic paints, and embellishments only. Contestants also had to upload a tutorial to Nail Art Gallery to show us how to get the look. This week’s guest judge was Jeff Pink of Orly.

In alphabetical order, the Top 3 are:

Cate Widemire: Cate, you chose very specifically when it came to how you represented The Strip, and it paid off. The judges appreciated your overall design and uniformity in color. Your description was by far the most creative and your tutorial was professionally done.

Jonny Diep Pham: You went bold with this design and it’s a true work of art. The judges praise you for your art deco design and clean lines. Your tutorial could be better with close-ups on the nails and more detailed instructions.

Tracy Vinson:  Your color choice won the judges over. You gave us not just one, but three amazingly beautiful portraits. Furthermore, your tutorial shows how seriously you consider balance and presentation. The judges love the embellishments, but question how wearable they are.

The following techs can breathe again. They are in the middle of this week’s pack and are safe. Congratulations to:

Amber Dunson: Your design was simple, clean, and edgy. But it could have been edgier.

Dana Cecil: The colors in your design screamed Sunset Strip! The judges loved that you mixed it up but still kept some uniformity.

Deanna White: Your musical focus was on-point . The colors in your design sung! Detachable art for added wearability is always a good idea.

Liza Waitzman: You took a risk not adding embellishments. The judges wish you had incorporated a few here and there to pop your design a bit more or mimic the flash of bulbs on your paparazzi nail. Still, your hand painting rocked.

Tracey Lee: Once again, you gave us an incredible final hand pose! Your guitar was a big hit. The judges just wish they could have seen your nail designs even more close-up.

Unfortunately, there always has to be a bottom group. The bottom 3, in alphabetical order, are:

Liina Leino: You took a risk with your muted color palette, and while the judges appreciate the restraint, they don’t feel that this risk paid off. Your point of inspiration was a good one, but the nails weren’t club-ready or pushed enough. There appears to be some paint on the skin as well.

Lisa Bennett: You’re a phenomenal artist, which is why the judges would have loved to have seen more hand painting on your set. The snakeskin is a good example of something that could have been painted on to show your skill. This set relied heavily on embellishments, which looked lovely, but left us wanting more in terms of your artwork.

Trisha Johnson: The judges agree your underside work truly sparkled. However, there were too many ideas going on with this set. The tattoo sign and wire work was adored, but watch your overall precision and focus.