Stunning Stilettos and More
Intricate floral stiletto nails won the NSI Free-hand Nail Art Competition, an online photo competition that invited nail techs from around the globe to use NSI acrylic or gel to create nail art designs. The entries were judged by Vicki Peters, Denise Wright, and Debbie Doerrlamm, who looked for difficulty of design, use of color, originality, overall enhancement design, and first impression (or the “wow” factor).
Trend Watch: Menswear for Women
Inspired by the polished looks of the opposite sex, women are donning softer versions of men’s staples like fitted blazers, pinstripes, and button-down shirts.
Portrait of a Winner
NAILS’ Self-Portrait Contest has taken an international turn this year—the winner is Sri Lanka-based K. Prasad Silva Rajapaksa. A nail technician at Salon Cheveux in Colombo, Rajapaksa wowed the judges with her detailed depiction of herself. Closer to home, Alice Norton, a tech at Sydney Albert SalonSpa in Princeton, N.J., took second place and Shamina J. Di Mauro of Advanced Images and Nail Center in Baldwin, N.Y., claimed third.
Creative Candy Corn
Nails by Michelle Kelcher, Tough as Nailz, Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada.
Orange-You-Glad
Nails by Carrie Sweeney, Goodrich, Mich.
Locket of Love
Nails by Cassie Kohr, Academy of Beauty by Patsy & Rob, Cottleville, Mo.
Terrific Tie-Dye
Nails by Cassie Fero, Eugene, Ore.
Cougar Town
Nails by Joanne Truitt, Boca Nail Depot, Boca Raton, Fla.
Uncle Sam I Am
Nails by Stephanie Saddler, Butta Fingers Nail Studio, Cleveland, Ohio.
Market Minx as a Natural Alternative
It’s not so surprising that a spa offering acupuncture, Ayurvedic counseling, and herbal consultations should shun traditional nail polish and artificial nails. Until recently The Dragontree Holistic Day Spa at the Portland International Airport turned away customers looking for nail care. In May the spa modified its menu to include manis and pedis with two options — a simple buff or Minx nail coatings.
Design #15: Purple Passion
Build a full structure nail with your choice of Young Nails’ acrylic powder. Smear Speed White, Tickle Me Purple, and Rainbow Purple as your background.
Design #14: Tiger Stripes
Build a full structure nail with your choice of Young Nails’ acrylic powder. Smear a pearl of Rainbow Yellow from corner to corner creating a diagonal stripe down the center.
Young Nails Glitter Toes
Young Nails educator Amanda Dodge shares her step-by-step for how she creates glitter toes using the manufacturer’s products.
Design #13: Leopard Prints
Before using reverse application, sculpt a thin transparent free edge with Speed Clear flush to the natural nail. Build body with Cover Peach.
Design #12: Op Art
Before using reverse application, sculpt a thin transparent free edge with Speed Clear flush to the natural nail. Build body with Cover Peach.
Aspire Colored Pigment and Acrylic Mixing Kit
ASP Aspire Colored Pigment and Acrylic Mixing Kit is a great way to suit all of your clients’ tastes with a customized mix of color choices.
Design #11: Squiggle Swirls
Build a full structure nail with Cover Pink. The nail can be either built square or stiletto.