Valerie Ducharme Wins Season 5 of NAILS Next Top Nail Artist
After completing a multi-part final challenge online, the popular vote was tallied along with the head judges’ scores, declaring Canada’s Valerie Ducharme the winner of NTNA Season 5.
by Staff
June 4, 2018
2 min to read
NAILS Next Top Nail Artist celebrated its fifth season finale by moving the party to the biggest nail event of the year: Premiere Orlando. The competition moved back its start date, beginning in the fall of 2017 and extending to June 2, when the winner was announced live at the brand new NAILS NTNA Social.
After completing two pre-challenges sponsored by Swarovski in October, the Top 12 competed each week until there were only three left: Halley Fortenberry, Hemi Park, and Valerie Ducharme.
Ducharme edged out fellow competitors Halley Fortenberry and Hemi Park for the title. The announcement came at the Orange County Convention Center, where top sponsor CND threw a bash for the finale.
Last season’s winner, Tracey Lee, was on-hand to pass on the trophy. Fortenberry was named first runner-up and Park was named second runner-up.
Ducharme wins the largest NTNA prize to date, including a gift basket from CND, $5,000 cash, the position as NAILS guest editor, the opportunity to judge next year’s competition, a trip to New York Fashion Week, a feature in Modern Salon Magazine, a trip to KUPA to film a guest segment, and a guest class with Wildflowers Nail Academy.
MelodySusie is celebrating its 17th anniversary. It is a time to celebrate another year of growth, another year of innovation, and another chapter of the journey we've shared with nail lovers around the world. From first-time nail enthusiasts and bold creators to professionals turning passion into a career, we’re grateful for every person and community who has made nail artistry their own.
Premiere San Antonio Presented by SalonCentric returns for its fourth edition August 30-31 at the Henry B. González Convention Center, delivering its biggest and boldest event to date.
One-Day Personal and Professional Development Education Event for Beauty Professionals Set for October 25, 2026, at the Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue.
According to the report, people are moving away from copy-paste trends and toward community, using real experiences to develop a sense of taste and beauty that reflects who they are.
Some OPI nail colors became such classics that fans clamored for their return. And OPI--as always--paid attention to what clients and nail professionals were asking for.
In Dubai, a salon visit isn’t an appointment. It’s a weekly routine, and clients can spend $800 to $1,400 a month on it, according to Gaurav Tripathi of MADI International.
On October 6-8, 2026, the market behind those numbers opens its doors as Beautyworld Dubai marks its 30th edition at the Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together distributors, brands, stylists and salon owners from all over the world.
Entries are now open for the industry's most prestigious creative competition, marking the return of Nail
Professional of the Year while celebrating the artistry that defines professional beauty.