STAR Quality

Competition advice for NASNA contestants

Season 2 of the North America’s Star Nail Artist (NASNA) contest has begun, and I am so excited for the 25 nail pros that have embarked on the journey. There are many familiar faces among the contestants, and I know we are in for an exciting battle with intriguing monthly challenges. I have the honour of being one of the judges, following my Season 1 win, and have plenty of advice to share based on my NASNA experience.

NASNA is a wild ride that will test each contestant and their skills to the fullest. In each challenge, they will of course play to their strengths, but often be required to use certain techniques or art mediums to attain points. I recommend that contestants seek out classes for skill areas that need refining. Many talented mentors offer online tutorials that can be indulged in and accessed at any time.

Contestants have 14 days to create a nail design to fit each challenge brief, which is a good amount of time – yet it passes by very quickly! We all have busy lives, families and clients that need us, but I encourage the top 25 to make time for this competition. I pulled some all-nighters last season and I don’t recommend it. It’s exhausting and quite risky, and although some nail techs may experience a lack of focus or motivation, it’s important not to leave challenge creations too late. While competing, I had to travel for work, keep up with my very busy schedule and even caught Covid during Challenge 6 – but I never stopped working.

Video notes

Each challenge requires photos of the final design to be submitted, as well as an Instagram reel-style video that showcases the creative process and offers tips for fellow pros. Editing is an important skill to hone, and I found it particularly challenging, however it is the only way to show the creative process to judges. Contestants should plan when to film the content and consider which elements of the design are most worthy of a tutorial. I don’t recommend filming six hours of content that will then need to be edited.

The video has to teach the judges something new and reveal how the design has been created. Good lighting is essential, as is staying in frame and wearing gloves, because these are factors considered by the judges. I found it easiest to write the text for the video voiceover and match this to the edit. Ensuring you have somewhere quiet to record is important.

Points to consider

NASNA is a points game. Contestants may present a unique twist on the challenge theme and submit a striking design, but if the video entry is poor or work is not very neat, points will be lost. Balance and overall impression will score well, and while using props for the final pictures is a nice touch, busy backdrops should be avoided. A clean, white background and great lighting makes the finished nail design stand out.

Some of this season’s sponsors will send products for contestants to work with. This is a great way to try different brands and utilise varied techniques. Each challenge brief should be read carefully, in order to understand exactly what is required.

The contestants should stay true to their unique styles and enjoy the ride. If a nail artist works without passion or enthusiasm, it shows in the final product. When I decided to enter Season 1, I wasn’t sure what to expect, and was pretty sure I wouldn’t be in the final three, but I stayed focused and trusted the process. I learned so much – and am excited to see who will become the next NASNA champion!

Anastasia

Creativity corner

My clients challenge me constantly, and allow me plenty of creative freedom. I have been using chrome a lot recently, and even recreated a peony design that was my entry for a bonus challenge in my NASNA season.

Out & about

I have travelled extensively in the last 12 months in my roles as brand ambassador & educator for LECHAT Nailcare Products. I visited Hawaii to offer hands-on workshops on a hybrid gel-powder nail technique, and spring kicked off with classes in Australia, where many talented nail techs joined my classes at the American Beauty Supply (ABS) store in Sydney.

At Hawaiian Beauty Products in Kalihi.

Students with their certificates at ABS, Sydney.

In May, at the Oregon Nail Expo in Portland, I had the opportunity to connect and network with nail artists in the north west. More recently, I attended the Nail Tech Event of the Smokies: an event that is not to be missed. LECHAT exhibits every year, and I love meeting talented students and like-minded individuals with a passion for our industry. It’s so exciting to see our sector’s growth year on year.

With nail pros following a class at the Nail Tech Event of the Smokies.

Representing LECHAT at the Oregon Nail Expo.

“I love meeting talented students and like-minded individuals with a passion for our industry. It’s so exciting to see our sector’s growth year on year.”