These fantasy nails created by tech Joy Yavenue represent the Valley of Fire, a national park in Las Vegas, and were donned by a model who walked the catwalk for the annual Hair Wars Supreme Salon Tour. Produced by Windy City Media, Hair Wars began its cross-country tour in January searching for top-notch salons showcasing their style and creativity in fantasy hairstyles. During a Las Vegas stop, NAILS followed Headliners Salon in its quest to win the regional title. We love that Headliners’ owner and stylist Tzigane Osborne and her team chose a unique approach to displaying her fantasy hairstyles — partnering with 17-year veteran nail tech Yavenue of Nails by Joy and Skin City Body Painting artists headed by Nicole Smolenyak — to create a complete ensemble of looks portraying Osborne’s theme, The Wild Life of Vegas.

Yavenue spent three weeks creating 12 fantasy nail art designs matching the models’ themed hairstyles and outfits. “I believe nails and makeup can only help in the overall effect. I know it definitely didn’t hurt us,” Yavenue says. Other nail styles also featured extraordinary embellishments including red cowgirl tassels, dried moss “tumbleweeds,” and spiky cactus.

Headliners Salon placed second in the regional competition behind Body Spa Salon. Third went to Platinum Hair Studio. The top three salons in each region go on to the Hair Wars finale, set to take place in Las Vegas in December.

Check out our Hair Wars photo gallery for a look at each of Yavenue’s nail art designs along with other photos from the event: www.nailsmag.com/hairwars2012.