WARWICK TECH reaches final 12 in worldwide nail competition

By Helena Biggs | 11 December 2017 | Events, Feature, News, Tech Talk

Katie Barnes

Scratch blogger, nail artist and educator, Katie Barnes, has been shortlisted as the only UK finalist in NAILS magazine‘s Next Top Nail Artist competition.

Now in its fifth season, NAILS Next Top Nail Artist is open to techs all over the world and sees contestants undergo a rigorous screening process after judges carefully evaluate hundreds of intricate hand-painted looks, sculpted acrylics, brushed on gels, and an array of mixed-media designs. Twenty-four semi-finalists were selected before being whittled down to a final 12.

Each week starting 22 January 2018, the remaining finalists will receive a new challenge to showcase their skills in a variety of ways. They’ll be creating awe-inspiring nail art looks based on a series of themed challenges. In addition to creating their nail art masterpieces, the competitors will be shooting step-by-step tutorials, video demos and sharing their entries via social media.

The final three contestants will be flown to Premiere Orlando 2018 for the official crowning of NAILS Next Top Nail Artist season 5. In addition, they’ll also receive cash and product prizes, the opportunity to work for a major nail manufacturer and with the NAILS editorial team.

Katie, 30 who writes a bi-weekly blog for Scratch, has been in the industry for 10 years and has a multitude of awards and accolades under her belt, runs a fully accredited training academy where she passes on her wealth of skills and knowledge to future budding nail technicians. Katie is no stranger to this nail competition where she was named a top 24 contestant last year and has been a finalist and winner of a Scratch Star Award.

“I am proud to representing UK in this worldwide competition and want to show others that they can too achieve their dreams and ambitions,” Katie comments. “I learnt a lot from being named a top 24 semi-finalist last year and pushed myself further to reach the top 12 this year. 

“I love what opportunities this industry can make possible and what can be created with nails from using different mediums. I have a passion and great attention to detail for creating unique nail designs to constantly challenge my skills and techniques and am grateful for this opportunity and excited for the weekly challenges to begin.”

View Katie’s blog posts for Scratch by clicking here.

Visit her salon page at www.simplynailsandbeauty.com and her academy at www.katiebarnesacademy.com