Nail Nerds competition launches to ignite creativity amongst nail community

There are there stages, with three divisions (skill levels) within the stages. There will be three winners from each skill level at the end of the three stages.

Techs will be chosen after each stage to go through to the next stage in a process of elimination until the final. Entrants will be given four weeks from the start of each stage to submit entries.

Division levels are:

1. Beginner – under 2 years in industry*
2. Intermediate – 2+ years in industry* 
3. Advanced – this is for educators and people who have previously placed in national/international competitions.

Themes

Each stage will be given a theme word and the nail designs created can be your own interpretation of the word or a direct representation of the theme.

The brief will also include a colour and technique that must be included within the design.

Lauren adds: “With each entry, we request text about why the design represents the theme and a list of the mediums that have been used. If entrants have done something out of their comfort zone, we want to know about it! We hope entrants challenge themselves.”

How to enter

Click here to visit the Facebook group and view the albums within the group, which have the name of each stage and division level, e.g. Stage 1 Intermediate.

Each entry must be posted in the album of the appropriate skill level as well as a photo of the process of creating the nails, and a side view to show structure.

“For the first stage, entries must be on a real hand,” explains Lauren. “This is because we want to assess skills properly and display/full cover tips don’t do that. Subsequent stages will have their own rules announced for their themes.”

Key considerations:

• Application/ product control 
• Shape
• Use of colour
• Use of skill
• Flow of design
• Structure
• Finish
• Complexity of design
• Clarity of design
• Creativity
• Interpretation of theme

Judging & prizes

Bronze, silver and gold medallists from each division will be selected at the end of the competition. They will each win a medal and digital certificate, and the gold medallists will win prizes.

“There is also a chance to win the title of Nail Nerd 2022,” Lauren reveals. “This award will be given to the competitor who has put the most effort into their work and improved the most throughout the competition. This person will receive a certificate and a Nail Nerd 2022 trophy.”

The judges:

Guest judges include nail aficionados Gemma Lambert-Lewis, Melanie Lewendon, Mary Wormald and Chelsea O’Connor, a team of admin/moderators and Scratch’s managing editor, Helena Biggs.