For my recap on the competitions at ISSE, I want to first talk a little about the Mirror Image competition. I know this is not a brand new competition, but in my five years of competing this was the first time I’d seen it.

New competitions always intrigue me. When I first read the rules for this competition I thought one hour and forty minutes was too long, but after participating I’m forced to reconsider. I really enjoyed this one. It offered everything you can ask for in a competition — gel, acrylic, and tips — which is pretty much everything. And I was able to try out some new techniques (mostly with the gel because I think I have the acrylic figured out).

But there are some things that will change the next time they do this competition. There are a few kinks to work out. For instance, the whole polishing thing was included by mistake and will be removed for the next one. (Guess I better figure out that gel smile line.) And the two tip-and-overlay nails’ medium (gel or acrylic) will not be the competitors choice next time. It will be one of each. But all in all, I liked this competition.

The next competition was Sculptured Nails, which is my favorite competition. It never ceases to amaze me how many nail stylists don’t read the rules. When you take the time to read the rules, you’ll quickly understand that the criteria for the nail is plainly laid out. There should not be any question in your mind as to what you are doing when you get there. But I see (and hear) stuff that just blows me away. The nails are either too long or too short. Or the moons are so poorly done that it appears the competitor has never done them before and was surprised to hear of their inclusion. The number-one thing that surprises me? “I’ll polish the hand that looks the worst.” That does not make any sense to me. Let me say something here (current world champion speaking) I always know which hand I’m going to polish before the competition starts. I never leave that to chance. Why would anyone spend all that time trying to perfect smile lines on both hands only to polish over one hand?

The last competition that I competed in was Salon Success and it is a tough competition. I realize that many people think it’s easy because it’s short, at only one and a half hours. And the nails are shorter too. But what people don’t realize is that to do competition-quality nails in only one and a half hours is much harder to accomplish than if you had more time. In fact, if you pay attention to the scores at the awards ceremony, you’ll see that scores are generally lower in Salon Success.

There were two competitions I did not participate in, Flat Painted Nail Art and the new Mixed Media. I was intrigued by the Mixed Media but I wasn’t able to get all the info that I needed to compete so I opted out. (Maybe next time.) I wasn’t even able to see the work that was done in this competition, so if anyone has pictures of the entries I’d love to see them.

With all that being said, I saw a lot of good work out there. It seems you competitors are following my advice to practice, practice, practice.

Until next time…

— Lynn