What A Trip!

I made it back from ISSE, and I can tell you that I will go to that show every year. Competition aside for a moment, the classes, demos and showroom (vendors) were amazing! I’ve gone to several shows before and have to say this one is tops! Last year, I had missed the opportunity to attend the Future Professional’s Expo my school puts on and Nick Arojo was doing a class there. Luckily, I got a chance to watch the celebrity stylist at work. (No wonder my best friend attends all his masters of beauty classes!) Speaking of hair stylist, meeting Tabitha (for book signing) was pretty unreal, (she’s really funny and nice!) Another great treat was learning under Trang Nguyen and his team of amazing nail technicians. The unfortunate part was I was so busy prepping for competitions I did miss out on some classes that hopefully in the near future I will be able to take.

 

Speaking of prepping for the competitions, upon arrival to my hotel, I cannot explain to you how many times I checked over all of my gear and equipment. Not to mention, that Monday evening I had to compete in an Empire Competition back in Arizona, so throughout my stay in Long Beach I was working on my 3-D Art Display.

 

So Prepping.

 

Everything that I knew I needed, possibly needed, and more than likely didn’t need but wanted it for a comfort blanket was in my case. But when push came to shove, you don’t need the flashy stuff. Prep, prime, apply, and finish. That’s it. (Learn from me, don’t over pack!)

 

My nerves Saturday were starting to get the best of me. The flat art and 3-D art was prepped, packed, and ready to go, so I could put that competition to rest (whew!). But come Sunday, when you’re sitting in the chair, with your bubbly-eyed-overly-happy model (which is a very good thing!) you start to stress. And I mean S-T-R-E-S-S. Ladies, KISS flew out the window for the first competition. My hands were shaking, palms were sweating, and heart racing.

 

But other than the shaky hands I don’t think anyone but my model knew I was freaking out inside. (Appearance is everything, right?) However, after the first initial freak out, you do calm down, and in your mind think of every step, swipe, pearl, you name it, and all is well. I give a lot of love to my model. She was everything I needed for my first competition and ladies, when you find a model that knows you, can read you, and can relax you — KEEP HER!

 

Overall, when all is said and done, even if you completely bombed (and trust me, you’re really the only one that will think that) you come back with a sense of self-accomplishment. It’s your first competition, you rocked it, and most importantly you learned from it. When you get your score cards, do not just toss them aside. If you’re going to compete, read them and work on everything you possibly can so that come next competition, you’re going to be better. I love the point system for NailPro Competitions, they add up in the end, and even if you really did strike out on your first competition, you can always raise your score in the end by not giving up and going out there and competing again and again.

 

As for my trip back home to Arizona, I got to school just in time. I am happy to announce I will be representing Empire Beauty School’s Chandler location in the Nail Art category for the Future Professionals Expo in May.

 

AND, I will see you in Chicagoland!

 

—    Classic