Where does a top nail competitor get her ideas? In the case of New York City-based nail tech Erina Ogawa, they come from shoes, clothes, furniture, or just her imagination. Originally from Japan, Ogawa began her nail career in 2002. For the past few years she’s competed successfully in a broad range of categories and was named champion in 2012. These nails, made with soak-off gels and pigment, exemplify her playful style.

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