We started off with 24 semifinalists , but have already narrowed it down to 18 after a preliminary challenge.
Tips for making a successful video for your first NAILS NTNA challenge.
Cover tech and NAILS Next Top Nail Artist 2nd runner-up Buddy Sims shows you how to get the look he created for the June 2014 cover.
2013 NAILS Next Top Nail Artist first runner-up Lauren Wireman shares her tips for this year's competitors.
Danielle Constantino (Lincoln, R.I.) creates a 3-D design on a single nail tip using a variety of nail products based on a "music" theme. The first image that popped into my head when I read the first challenge was my 4-year-old son’s connection to music.
Yesenia Oliva (San Luis Obispo, CA) creates a 3-D design on a single nail tip using a variety of nail products based on a "music" theme. "'Music is love in search of a word.' I found this beautiful quote and decided to use it as inspiration for our first challenge. Music is a reminder of memories whether it’s sad or happy ... Sometimes if a certain song comes on the radio it reminds of a certain moment right? This is what I wanted to show. I wanted to show all the beautiful things that come out thru that speaker that makes us feel so much. I chose gold glitter for the speaker because I wanted to make it stand out more than anything else, with the colored notes out of it. I decided to make the album coming out of the speaker just to make it fun with a little twist."
Tammie Alvarado (Tulare, CA) creates a 3-D design on a single nail tip using a variety of nail products based on a "music" theme. "My inspiration was the Yellow Submarine from the Beatles. I choose it because when I think of music I think of Iconic figures. So naturally I had to choose them. Their choice of color variation and use of shapes really captured my eye. I am so happy, excited, and honored."
Simone Gilbert (Victoria, Australia) creates a 3-D design on a single nail tip using a variety of nail products based on a "music" theme. "Upon reading the theme for this week’s music challenge, I immediately thought back to my childhood. My Grandparents owned an old player piano, which is a piano that plays braille type musical scrolls. I created an antique-looking nail with musical notes swirling its way around the tip, where it takes off and becomes three dimensional. I decided to incorporate a gloss factor to symbolise the black piano keys that we would to press to mimic the music as it played. These childhood memories are amongst some of my fondest and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of reminiscing to create my nail for this challenge."
Sherri Traweek (Redlands, CA) creates a 3-D design on a single nail tip using a variety of nail products based on a "music" theme. "These nails represent the band and genre that touch me the most, and play a big part in who I am. The Pawnshop Kings are a pair of brothers who, through heavy doses of Southern Soul and Southern California surf culture, spread the Gospel through music that moves you to the core. I've taken a few of their trademarks, and recreated them in acrylic, gel and acrylic paint. From Joel's acoustic guitar, to the Fender amp, the humble wood stage, and even the crown, these nails sum up the Pawnshop Kings experience. The crown hanging upside down on the guitar isn't just a literal interpretation of their telltale logo, but tells a much deeper, more profound story. Traditionally, an upside down crown signifies a king who has fallen in battle. In this case, the crown represents Jesus Christ, and how Scott and Joel hang their musical influence ultimately on Him. The fact that it's also on a nail represents who I hang my creativity on!"
Robyn Schwartz (Grand Forks, BC, Canada) creates a 3-D design on a single nail tip using a variety of nail products based on a "music" theme. "Lots of things inspired me for this nail — rock and roll was the first thing that popped into my head. Then, a glittery electric guitar, music notes and stars. I wanted to make this a fun, glittery, rock-inspired nail. I think it turned out really well."
