NAILS' Next Top Nail Artist finalists Buddy Sims and Lauren Wireman with winner Ryoko Garcia.

What a whirlwind this weekend was at the ISSE show in Long Beach! It was my first show, and I had no idea what to expect. Talk about a feast of beauty and excitement. I was on sensory overload. Everywhere I turned, there was something going on. There were people on stilts, women with pink hair that must have been teased at least three feet high on their heads, models that were posed as “live” mannequins—coming from the natural health industry, it was quite a change for me. The most exciting thing I’d seen at a trade show was someone juicing wheatgrass!  Of course, my favorite part was Sunday when we had  NAILS’ Next Top Nail Artist final, live quickfire challenge and party. All of the editors were so excited to finally meet the contestants (they are all even cuter in-person)!  It was the most amazing nail art I have ever seen. Buddy created nail art that looked like a magical forest with fairies, trees, and actual lights; Lauren created an ethereal dreamscape complete with a flying elephant with feather wings; and our winner Ryoko created Alice in Wonderland nail art with the most adorable Cheshire Cat and a tiny, intricately painted deck of cards. They were all absolutely stellar. It was truly spectacular, and even though I’m exhausted (LOL!) I can’t wait to do it again. I hope to meet some of YOU at the next show!

— Tracy

NAILS editors (and Buddy Sims) preparing for last Sunday's final challenge.