Styling with THE STARS

Let your skills sparkle with technical & artistic step-by-steps from Scratch Stars Awards champions

Scratch Star spotlight

Who: Justyna Pryke What: Scratch Stars Gel Tech of the Year 2015 & 2025 Why: Boasting over 10 years’ industry experience, Justyna is a skilled nail technician, educator & salon owner, specialising in structured gel manicures. As well as scooping two Scratch Stars Awards titles, she achieved finalist status in 2017, 2020 and 2022. How: A passionate and ever-evolving professional, Justyna uses a variety of mediums, though her signature style is an encapsulated French manicure. This allows her to create refined, bespoke designs for each client.

WINNING WISDOM

“The Scratch Stars Awards is an incredibly rewarding experience and one that is empowering, educational and unforgettable. I enter to challenge myself, gain recognition within the nail industry and step outside my comfort zone. The process pushes me to refine my skills, focus on precision and pay attention to every detail. I would encourage any nail professional to believe in their abilities and enter.”

Gel French fundamentals

The French manicure is popular in nail competition arenas, owing to the precision required to achieve a slick result. A staple in every nail technician’s arsenal, the style is one that, once mastered, unlocks true success.

Step 1 Cleanse and dehydrate the nail, then apply primer followed by a thin layer of gel polish base coat. Cure.

Step 2 Trim and fit a form to suit the natural nail shape, ensuring it sits flush to the free edge. For an almond shape, align the end of the form with the natural nail apex. Apply a very thin layer of clear hard gel to mark out the extended nail shape. Cure.

Step 3 Using a thin liner brush and small bead of cover pink hard gel, sculpt a rounded edge to define the length of the nail extension. Cure.

Step 4 With a slightly bigger bead of the cover pink gel, build the extended nail. Keep the edges slightly high to allow for easier refinement later, then cure.

Step 5 Using a larger bead of cover pink hard gel, build the structure and apex of the nail. Position the apex at approximately one-third of the length of the natural nail. Cure.

Step 6 Remove the tacky inhibition layer. Refine the structure and file the smile line using a 100/150-grit file, working at a 45-degree angle with short, rounded strokes towards the sidewalls. Brush off any dust.

Step 7 Create the classic French tip by applying white hard gel to the free edge. Cure.

Step 8 Refine the nail using a 100/150-grit file, focusing on the cuticle area and perfecting the apex. Smooth the surface with a 240-grit buffer. Brush off any dust.

Step 9 Apply gel polish top coat and cure. Finish by applying cuticle oil.

COMPETITION CONSIDERATIONS

“My top competition tips are:

• Read the brief carefully and follow it exactly, as small details matter.

• Practice timings as much as you practice techniques.

• Focus on clean prep, flawless structure and a crisp finish.

• Stay calm, trust your training and don’t rush, as control and confidence show in your work.”