The Big Apple: The Top 3 and the Bottom 3

Challenge 7, sponsored by Gel II, asked the Top 6 to make nail art inspired by New York City in honor of its latest collection.

In alphabetical order, the Top 3 are:

Ally: The judges want you to know that you are a well-rounded competitor! You’re funny, artistic, a great teacher, and phenomenal photographer. Overall, your piece was busy, but beautifully edited for presentation. The graffiti fonts are also fantastic. Some refinement suggestions: try changing the music to support the story (both in volume and style), keep gloves clean by segmenting footage to allow for this. Overall, we heart your piece and accent!

Giselle: You’ve been dubbed the Comeback Kid by the judges! Welcome to the Top! Your work this week was clean and unexpected in the case of the pop art image. Work on teaching us more by going deeper in your techniques. The frame around Liberty is a bit chaotic, so consider editing that down. Keep up the good work!

Stella: Your sign is the star of this piece! We applaud another well-engineered design element coupled with current events for a timely message. You’re sculpting is precise and we feel you did the Big Apple proud. More color variety on the buildings could have better shown off their shape, but each element is very clean and perfectly made. Bravo!

Since there are only six contestants remaining, no one is safe this week. 

Unfortunately, there always has to be a bottom group. The bottom 3, in alphabetical order, are:

Helen: The judges agree that your apple was VERY creative and well-done! You took a risk hiding your tips, but we enjoyed watching you take a bite out of that Big Apple and constructing it. Focus on precision and technique, which might require more simplicity in your design and video segments. There are also moments of overexposure that are hard to watch (we suggest gloves). As always, thank you for your humor and for showing us something very different this week.

Kadee: At this point, the judges know you are a magnificent painter, but some of your work is lost among the monochromatic palette. Slow down and enunciate your pro tips and technique – we want to understand you clearly so we can learn from you. Your mix of flat and 3-D and water reflection are gorgeously done and add realism to this piece.

Kelsey: You stood out this week by focusing on one aspect of New York City, which the judges loved! Your interchangeable outfits were very cool and the lighting elements made the runway come to life in a very creative way. We know you gave this challenge your all, and maybe got carried away. There is too much to look at and take in. Some editing could help the overall appearance of this set. When using non-nail items like fabrics, be careful to not hide too much of your actual nail work — we want to see it!