The winners of the 2007 Contessa Awards were announced at a black tie gala no Nov. 12 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Winners were announced in 22 categories including Nail Enhancement Artist and Nail Art Technician. Digital submissions were evaluated on originality, creativity, quality of photography, and technical execution.

Winning the title of Nail Art Technician of the Year was Janis Tecson of Vault Salon & Spa in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Tecson credits her win to the support and encouragement of her photographer, makeup artist, models, sister, and salon owner, Daren Jorgenson. Through her entries, she hoped to portray three different personalities she believes are present in every woman. All three models wore sculpted acrylics with nail polish for the base colors. “The blades on Nicole, my strong, provocative woman, were sculpted with acrylic and finished off with nail polish and acrylic paints,” she says

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Jennifer Bennett of Hair Factory in St. John’s, Newfoundland, was named Nail Enhancement Artist of the Year. “The gala was very exciting -  nerve-wracking actually,” says the first-time entrant. A professional nail tech for two years, Bennett crafted her nails using LCN gels. She wanted to demonstrate a variety of nail lengths, including the shorter pink-and-whites that are client favorites. The models, all patrons at the mall where the salon is located, were selected not just for their looks, but for their hands and nail beds, she says