CHANGE AND transformation

The penultimate North America’s Star Nail Artist challenge called for fantasy nail styles, inspired by change. Take a look at the creations of the 18 contestants, each hoping to scoop the top title

With just two challenges and 18 competitors remaining in season one of the North America’s Star Nail Artist contest, pros stepped their creativity up a gear for the fifth design task, in a bid to save themselves from elimination and reach the top 10.

The contest started in October with 40 shortlisted pros from the USA, Canada and Mexico. Monthly challenges have been set, and competitors with the lowest scores after each enter a Wild Card stage and complete an additional nail design task. The results of this determine whether they are eliminated from the contest, or claw their way back in and fight for another month.

For challenge five, sponsor brand, LECHAT, set a task to test structural capabilities and artistic prowess, using a variety of products from its portfolio. Contestants shared creations inspired by change and transformation, crafting butterfly shapes, 3D bees and enchanting scenes. A video alongside each entry tested the presentation skills of contestants, and offered insight into their creations to support the judges’ decisions.

Following this, 12 contestants competed in a Wild Card challenge, after which eight were eliminated – the biggest elimination to date. This leaves 10 competitors ready and eager to compete in the final challenge. After this, scores will be accumulated and the top three performers will be flown to the Premiere Orlando trade exhibition in June, with one crowned North America’s Star Nail Artist for season one.

Challenge five: Change & transformation

The team at LECHAT set the task of creating five fantasy-style nails, at least four inches long and inspired by change. A spokesperson from the brand comments: “This competition must have impacted each artist personally and sparked an evolution: a way to see different nail products in a new light.”

Sponsored by

A product package was posted to each contestant, featuring the LECHAT Perfect Match PRO 3 in 1 Powders, HEMA-free Liquid Gel Builder and Master Contour Sculpting Forms to build structure. To support the artistic elements of each design, the brand provided its MIRANO Chrome Powders and LECHAT Color & Top In One Coat Gel Polishes. The spokesperson continues: “We were delighted to share these products with a group of courageous nail artists and see how they were used for this challenge.”

The brief

Channel the idea of change, whether it is inspired by nature and changes that happen in spring, or personal development and growth. Create a complete and cohesive look that has ‘wow factor’ and pushes you to innovate and teach something new.

Nails must be sculpted and feature 3D elements and hand-painted nail art. Embellishments and pre-made products can be used, but must not make up more than 25% of the design. For the video element, a short story should be shared about the nail design: what inspired it and how it was created.

WINNER REVEAL

The winner of North America’s Star Nail Artist : Season One will be announced at the Scratch Social event in Orlando on June 1. Scan to purchase a ticket

THE ENTRIES

Anastasia Totty

Ashley Biasella

Jennie Shaw

Erin Paschke

Ellie Citalan

Michelle Soto

Lila Nguyen

Hirsch Hunty

Hope Jung

Melissa Whiffen

Kelsey Waldo

Jane Tuttle

Sierra Pagan

Jessica Vero

Amberley Robinson

Carolina Quintero-Carrillo

Aura Aponte

Tatiana Savostikova

THE JUDGING PANEL:

• Helena Biggs, editorial & partnerships director atScratch

• Jan Arnold, nail industry expert & CND™ co-founder

• Elaine Watson, global education director at Light Elegance

• Vu Nguyen, dean of education at Nail Alliance

• Annabel Maginnis, co-founder at Glitterbels

• Guin Deadman, master educator at LECHAT

• Giorgia Cappella, head of education & spa at The GelBottle Inc UK

• Beth Livesay, nail aficionado & editor-at-large

• Charli Jepson, head of education at Glitterbels

• Mr. Luis, celebrity nail artist & educator at LECHAT

• Katy Pottle, The World’s Star Nail Artist2023

“THIS COMPETITION MUST HAVE IMPACTED EACH ARTIST PERSONALLY AND SPARKED AN EVOLUTION: A WAY TO SEE DIFFERENT NAIL PRODUCTS IN A NEW LIGHT.”

ABOUT LECHAT

Since 1993, LECHAT has manufactured high-quality nail products for salon and spa professionals. It supports techs through six pillars: Learn, Experience, Create, Help, Achieve and Teach (LECHAT).

Health is a key focus for the brand, and its team uses safe, high-quality chemicals to develop products that are never tested on animals. LECHAT’s best-selling line, Perfect Match, has been developed in a HEMA-free gel polish formula and matching 3 in 1 powder with fade resistant technology. The brand also offers a gel polish line that combines colour and top coat in one to benefit busy pros and clients. www.lechatnails.com

For more information about North America’s Star Nail Artist and to view additional photos of the entries, visit www.scratchmagazine.co.uk/nasna