CHAMPIONING PROFESSIONAL ARTISTRY & CREATIVITY
SEASON 2 - CHALLENGE 1
The BLONDS — An extravagant journey of design, partnership & inspiration briefed by Jan Arnold.
Through to Challenge 2:
Abbie Nguyen – USA
Michelle Soto – USA
Hirsch Hunty – USA
Cathy Torres – Canada
Sheridan Moore – USA
Maria Quesada – USA
Hope Jung – USA
Jacqueline McClement – Canada
Kelsey McQuay – USA
Klysta Pesina – USA
Ashley Biasella – USA
April Lang – USA
Jessica Vero – Canada
Shayna Osazuwa – Canada
Melissa Whiffen – Canada
Erin Paschke – USA
Aura Aponte-Flores – USA
Yuliia Kovalchuk – USA
Sierra Pagan - USA
Lina Racquel - USA
Ana Vega – USA
Provy-Ann McClellen – USA
ELIMINATED:
Andrea Santos – USA
Tai Jones – USA
Michelle Gonzalez – Mexico
A REMINDER OF THE BRIEF: You are tasked with creating a show-stopping set of 5 nails on one hand: a finale-worthy masterpiece fit for a POP STAR! This is your moment to go all out.
Challenge theme: The BLONDS — a legacy in avant-garde runway nails.
SPONSORED BY
This challenge is not about a season or a trend. It’s about a story: A LEGACY. Draw inspiration from The BLONDS’ lifelong love affair with nails, their rise to fame and their unapologetic aesthetic that has shaped fashion and beauty for over two decades. Use the fashion illustrations from The BLONDS SS26 show brief (see below) as a creative spark, a color and design path, but do not replicate what was done on the actual runway. Scour Instagram and social media to ensure your concept is fresh, original, and never-before-seen.
Design expectations:
- Long lengths are a must. You can create the design on tips and adhere to natural nails for the final pictures: just ensure your application is seamless!
- Think texture, dimension and drama.
- Use any products or techniques you desire: all types of Gel, Liquid & Powder, all sculpting mediums and tools, embellishments, mixed media. Anything goes!
AND, in honor of my new relationship with Glitterbels, co-founder Annabel has agreed to gift you Glitterbels product if you would like to use it. Simply head to glitterbels.com and enter the code BLONDSxJanArnold and they will ship you $100 of free product for the challenge! How about that? Order now to receive the package quickly!
Remember: the 5 nails should be EXTRAVAGANT, OVER-THE-TOP and UNFORGETTABLE.
The twist: tell their story through NAILS and NARRATIVE
Your nail set must tell the story of The BLONDS’ rise to fame, their iconic partnership with me, Jan Arnold, and their vision for the future - both visually in a video and in a short-written narrative. In your video and narrative, you should include the following:
- Describe The BLONDS aesthetic and how it relates to your creation. Consider this like a pitch opportunity to speak directly to The BLONDS to describe your designs. Speak to The BLONDS' passion and love for nails and why YOU think nails complete a look.
- How has Jan’s collaboration with The BLONDS inspired your nail journey
- What would it mean to see your nails walk down The BLONDS runway?
- What does Jan’s partnership with Glitterbels mean for the future of runway nails?
This is your chance to educate, inspire, and dazzle. Your nails should be a tribute to their legacy, a celebration of collaboration, and a vision of what’s next.
The winner of this challenge will be invited to submit design templates for an upcoming The BLONDS show in 2026! Who knows, maybe your design will end up on the runway?
Have fun, push your limits, and we’ll be awaiting your brilliance!
DELIVERABLES:
- Up to 15 high-quality photos of your nail design on a WHITE background: a close-up of each nail and photos with all 5 nails in view. Submit from the top, side and front angles. Do not alter or retouch these photos.
- A reel-style video (up to 5-minutes long) demonstrating your creative process, pro tips and techniques and the points specified by Jan above.
- Write-up: Share a written explanation or story behind your nail design, as per Jan's pointers above. (700 words max.)
DEADLINE:
Images, write-up and video must be submitted by 12.00 PST on October 14.
If you have issues with the entry form, please submit the required content via WeTransfer to competitions@scratchmagazine.co.uk and await a confirmation.
Questions? Email competitions@scratchmagazine.co.uk
SEASON 2 IS SPONSORED BY:
