After three successful years of competition, NAILS Magazine is once again looking for the next crop of up-and-coming nail artists to compete in an online reality show-inspired contest. NAILS’ Next Top Nail Artist is searching for licensed nail techs of all experience levels who have that “it” factor. Does one of your recent nail program graduates fit the bill?

Let your recent graduates who have passed their state board exams know about this great opportunity. It could give them an amazing kickstart to grow their careers — and bring acclaim to your school.

The deadline for earlybirds is April 15. 2016. If they enter by this date they can win a prize from CND. The hard deadline is April 29th. Applications can be found here. 

We will contact semifinalists by May 31, and the top 12 will be announced in the September issue of NAILS. It will be an elimination-style contest where the contestants are given challenges. The challenges will be a mix of video, photos, nail art on tips, and other social media-type entries. (Since we’re looking for the NEXT top nail artist, contestants can’t be affiliated with a nail manufacturer as an educator. It is OK if contestants have taken manufacturer-specific classes.)

The final three will be invited to a major tradeshow for the official crowning of NAILS’ Next Top Nail Artist. (NAILS will pay up to $500 for airfare and will pay for a limited stay in the city where the tradeshow is held.) In addition, the three finalists receive FREE admission to the show, a sizable cash prize, enough nail art supplies to keep them creating for some time, and much more.

To enter, simply fill out the online application no later than April 24. We can’t wait to see what your graduates come up with!

For more information about your career in nails, check out NAILS Career Handbook