I’m surprised by some competitors. They think their nails are perfect just as they are (which may be the case for their customers) and that they should win a competition because they think that their nail style is the most beautiful.

The structure guidelines in a pink-and-white competition make up 60% of the scoring criteria. I find it very interesting to watch competitors come in to the arena with a perceived idea of what makes a nail beautiful and what makes a nail a winner. Only to be devastated by the structure guidelines. So it is safe to say that you must understand the structure requirements in any given competition if you expect to stand a chance of winning it.

It used to be that if your nails were consistent, meaning all ten nails the exact same no matter what the structure, you would get better scores. But in today’s nail competitions, you must have both: consistency and great structure.

Fortunately, the organizers of nail competitions offer a criteria break down to competitors. Usually stating the point value and what the judges are looking for in easy to understand terms.

The competition nail structure is different from the nail styles you’ll produce in the salon. Learn the criteria and understand how to achieve the required nail structure before you compete and you will have a better chance of winning. Which is why I always say, you can’t practice for competitions just by working in the salon all day. You have to practice for competitions by practicing competition nails.  

Happy Practicing   J

— Lynn