CND Couture: The Top 3 and the Bottom 3

Challenge #2, CND Couture, tasked the finalists with choosing an haute couture designer and look they love and then to create a nail design inspired by this look.  Because haute couture is custom-made by a skilled artisan in the fields of embroidery, stitching, and beading with high-quality materials, their final nail designed needed to be done on 10 nail tips pictured on two hands, and must contain beading, stitching or embroidery elements created with CND nail products. The Guest Judge for this week was winner of NTNA Season 2, Lavette Cephus (@beaute_asylum).

In alphabetical order, the Top 3 are:

Eileen: The judges loved your beautifully crafted details AND your perfectly clear, well-framed video. “I really loved your instructional tone and showing us how you made everything.” Your couture crafting of the beads and the purse were greatly admired. “Thank you for challenging yourself with the acrylic usage! The purse is such a fun addition! I appreciate the crosshatch and the challenge it posed for you.”

Emily: You made all your elements with CND product—and the judges loved that.  “Spectacular use of your various mediums in the creation of the roses…three different styles and it all came together to create dramatic dimension and movement.” -and-“That basket weave is crazy – thank you for doing that in 3-D and not just painting it.” Overall, they loved the balance of your design.  Your video also earned high marks, with one suggestion: Make sure you talk through your process in depth.

Jessica: You may have started a trend, as one judge declared, “Let’s make nail embroidery a thing!” Another judge is already gearing up to try it themselves. The judges also marveled at your marbling and called it “mesmerizing to watch.”  Your video dairy scored well because you “kept us thoroughly engaged throughout.”  Overall, judges applauded the color chosen, the prints and patterns selected, and feel your brought it all beautifully to life.

And these artists are safe for this week.  Here they are in no specific order…

Asia: Great job interpreting the challenge with all the incredible handmade details and intricate elements. The judges appreciate the amount of work that went into this design and all the helpful pro tips along the way.

Denielle: This is a cohesive and sharp look. Love that you made your beads – it’s tedious – but it shows that you committed to this challenge and the rules. Keep the video action straight to the camera and in frame for best viewing.

Jodie:  Amazing job creating all the little beads, as that’s the kind of detail that this challenge needed.  Wonderful job on capturing your process, and remember to stay on frame because we want to see it all.

Kristen: This is a beautiful set, and overall so pretty, but judges struggled to find the required elements using CND products only. Please keep in mind that judges are looking for instructional qualities in your video diary.

LaTara: Judges loved that you demonstrated the different types of stitches. They also loved that you topped off with the pearl topcoat. And while Chanel is about understatement, the judges might have deemed this more haute couture with more art on the nail.

Silvia: Clean demo with wonderful views of nail and usage of CND product. Gorgeous painting! Some added 3-D touches could have pushed this a bit more..

Stephanie: Don’t be afraid to speak up a bit on your video so we can hear about your process. Show more technique while explaining the relation to the couture look.

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

Ashleigh: The judges love your background story and getting to know more about you as an artist. Some suggestions for moving forward include pushing the design a bit further. “The solid color nails were a great opportunity to add detail and intricacy to the design.” And when taping your video diary, “be sure be sure to look into the camera when you speak so we feel connected to you.”

Chloe: While the judges loved your choice of fashion house, and the thinking behind your design, they felt like they missed parts of the process because of issues with the video diary. “The video was disconnected without narration during critical action.”  It was a missed opportunity to teach your audience.  Also, pay attention to tip fitting, as some of the tips seemed to be a little large on the model’s hand.

Elena:  The elements in your piece were lovely but were on a tiny scale, so the impact was lost.  Because they really want to see your great work, work on your video editing as it is looking a bit disjointed. But your addition of translation is so appreciated, and it’s recommended you slow it down so judges can see and understand your technique.