NEW global nail art competition
The Nail Coalition Challenge (Week 1)
This challenge will be due on the 15th May
Hazel Dixon, Kirsty Meakin, Lauren Wireman, Lavette Cephus and Valerie Ducharme all share qualities that make them industry leaders: they teach, compete, are social media savvy, and are entrepreneurs. And of course, they are all accomplished nail artists. Together, they are creating a group coalition that will sponsor the first ever World’s Star Nail Artist challenge.
The Task: Create a nail inspired by each member of the coalition. Your inspiration can come from their background, artistic style, personality, or anything else that piques your interest, so long as each nail represents each individual member of the coalition. Since this coalition is united by a love of nail art, the five nails created must look cohesive when photographed together, even though each nail is inspired by a unique artist.
Particulars:
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Nails for this challenge should be shown on a single hand (5 tips). Nails can be sculpted or art can be done on tips and placed on a model (you can be your own model) using any mediums.
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In your video diary for this week, please explain what about each artist inspired each nail, and show at least one of the techniques used per nail.
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The judges for this week will be members of the Nail Coalition. They are looking for product control and brush control, so application and creation with as little filing as possible.
Deliverables
Submit one final image of each individual nail and five images of all five nails (from a variety of angles).
A 5-7 minute video diary detailing your inspiration. Show as much technique as you can. Videos should follow this loose outline:
- Intro (Welcome us on camera, take us through inspiration of challenge; no need to rehash the challenge word for word)
- Technique (Show innovative/major techniques that prove you did these nails)
- Any Pro Tips you want to share
- Closing
A write-up explaining how your design was created (500 words maximum). The write-up does not need to be word for word what’s in your video. Rather, use this space to explain anything that couldn’t fit in your video or extra inspiration details.
Images, write-up, and video link all must be turned in by 8 a.m. BST on 15 May.
Valérie Ducharme
Valérie Ducharme is a creative and commercial force in the world of nails. She is an internationally renowned artist, a visionary entrepreneur, and an inspiring coach. She founded her own academy in Canada, where she teaches her passion to thousands of people, and her branded product line is a commercial success.
But Valérie doesn't stop there: she is also a respected judge in the most prestigious nail art competitions in the world, and her unique creations have been featured in fashion shows throughout the United States. She is a recognised influencer in the beauty industry, a role model for technician entrepreneurs who seek to achieve their dreams.
Inspiring, motivating, innovative and creative, Valérie generously shares her knowledge, propelling her towards success. Her artistic talent is undeniable, but it is her leadership, dynamism, and passion for the nail beauty industry that make her an inspiring personality. She is living proof that one can be both a renowned artist and a successful entrepreneur, and she inspires thousands of people around the world to achieve their own success goals.
Instagram: @vdnailart
Kirsty Meakin
Kirsty Meakin is globally renowned for her nail artistry, and has over 100 nail accolades - including Scratch Stars Nail Artist of the Year 2012, Scratch Stars Social Media Star of the Year 2021 & 2022 and UK Nail Professional of the Year 2010. She has also been nominated for awards including Nail Artist of the Year at the American Influencer Awards 2019.
Kirsty has been honing her nail skills for over 20 years after uncovering her creative powers at a Youth Training Scheme. The advancement of nail products has allowed Kirsty to explore her ability and passion for nail art and she is vastly recognised for her freehand and 3D nail art skills.
Kirsty's innovative creations have been exhibited at the Victoria & Albert Museum art gallery in London. Kirsty was commissioned to do a nail art piece for the ‘Power of Making’ exhibition at the V&A. Kirsty is passionate about educating nail technicians. She provides a wide range of courses for qualified technicians to push their skills further to be the best they can be.
Kirsty’s Youtube channel, Kirsty Meakin Nails, allows her to teach and inspire worldwide. She has expanded the Kirsty Meakin brand to include a Gel Polish System, Acrygel nail system, ‘Strengthify’ nail tools and merchandise, with more to come.
Facebook: Kirsty Meakin Nail Artist
Instagram: @kirstymeakin
YouTube: Kirsty Meakin
TikTok: @kirstymeakinnails
Lauren Wireman
Lauren entered the beauty industry in 2001. After a severe battle with drug addiction and through divine ntervention, she found her passion - teaching nails!
Lauren began competing in nail competitions with aspirations to start a training school. She won both NAILS magazine’s Next Top Nail Artist competition, and Oxygen’s Nail’d It reality TV show. In 2012, she launched Wildflowers Nail Academy to bring innovative education to nail technicians across the world. Since then, her trendsetting work has been in high demand as an editorial artist, educator, and cover tech.
Lauren is a sought-after nail educator and product developer, an international competition judge and a member of the International Nail Judges Association.
Facebook: Wildflowers Academy
Instagram: @wildflowersnails
YouTube: Wildflowers Nails
Lavette Cephus
Lavette Cephus is an award-winning nail professional with 15 years’ experience. She founded her nail business, Beaute Asylum, in 2013, and was named NAILS Next Top Nail Artist in 2015.
She has travelled across the US to master her craft, network, and stay on top of trends. The Atlanta-based nail pro is renowned for her creativity, designing nails that are innovative and artistic.
Lavette’s work has featured in magazines including Essence and Allure, and on Good Morning America. She worked as lead nail artist on New York Fashion Week shoes for The Blonds & Libertine.
In 2022, Lavette launched a jewellery range designed to help beauty pros market themselves and their brands.
Facebook: Beaute Asylum
Instagram: @beaueasylum
YouTube: Beaute Asylum
Hazel Dixon
Hazel has been a nail artist for over 17 years and has extensive experience in all aspects of nail treatments – with a particular great passion for nail art designs. She has over 100 competition awards and accolades to date. Hazel is a salon and independent training academy owner and the official UK Akzentz professional gels distributor.
Hazel’s qualifications include a PTTLS Lvl4 Teaching qualification and Lvl 3 NVQ Nail Treatments in Acrylic & Gel. She is an EzFlow and CN master artist, Akzentz educator and an international independent educator and consultant.
She writes all her own course material to ensure the high standards she wants for her students are met, and her team of educators have won the prestigious award of Scratch Stars Ultimate Nail Team, the only team in the UK to have achieved this title after winning the Scratch Stars Nail Team of the Year title three years in a row.
Hazel was presented with the Scratch Stars Services to the Industry accolade in 2022, and has scooped a number of medals and trophies at Nailympia Competitions. She has several independent training academies and educators in different locations throughout the UK for all class based courses to ensure no matter what brand you use, you are always welcome to come and learn new techniques, tips and tricks.
Hazel launched her own brand, HD Professional Nail Systems in 2018. She offers advice and support to all students and competitors through her student support page and has been a product consultant for other brands; She is regularly asked to join major competitions as an international competition judge.
Facebook: Hazel Dixon Nail Artist & Academy
Twitter: @hazeldixonnails
Instagram: @hazeldixon
The World's Star Nail Artist 2023 is sponsored by:
