1st place: Trisha Johnson, Shelby Township, Mich.
Title: Very Polished

2nd place: Kadee Brown, Onalaska, Wis.
Title: Mermaid as Metaphor

3rd place: Jacqueline McClement, Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada
Title: Treasures of the Sea

Nail tech and NTNA Season 4 Top 12 competitor Trisha Johnson paid tribute to rapper Eminem in her winning nail mural, inspired by an image taken by photographer and childhood friend Jenny Risher. “Jenny did a shoot with Eminem a few years ago and has had her images seen worldwide,” says Johnson. “After seeing multiple tattoo artists re-creating this photo on clients, I decided to change things up and step out of my box one more time with a nail mural.”

Johnson used INM’s Out The Door polish in Hemingway as the base, then created the design using four shades of CND Shellac: Black Pool, Cream Puff, Asphalt, and City Scape. She topped it with CND Shellac Original Top Coat and buffed the surface to a matte finish. “I arranged the tips in a fun way and it all came together very quickly for me. I’d guess I spent six to eight hours on this piece,” she says.

“I am very big on people remembering where they came from. Here’s to all the talented artists from Detroit, keeping it real, and never forgetting where ya come from!”

Honorable mention: Long Do, Knoxville, Tenn.
Title: Fighting Angel

Honorable mention: Long Do, Knoxville, Tenn.
Title: Moana and Maui

Honorable mention: Jessica Herman, Emmett, Idaho
Title: Peace Treaty