NORTH AMERICA'S Star Nail Artist

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NORTH AMERICA'S Star Nail Artist

SEASON 2

Get to know the 13 NASNA contestants still in play as they share nail styles inspired by the decade that shaped them

N ostalgic moments and flashbacks to toys and TV shows feature in the nail designs created for Challenge 4 of the North America’s Star Nail Artist contest. The 13 remaining contestants rifled through their memory banks to sculpt and style striking works of art, in a bid to maintain their place in the competition and fight for the top title.

With just two challenges to go until the top three are announced, the contest is heating up, and each pro enhanced their entry with a video showcasing the creative process.

The judging panel scored on criteria including design composition, initial impact and product use, in addition to video editing and storytelling style. These scores were then amassed, with five competitors entering the Wild Card deck and completing a one-nail challenge in the hopes of making it through to the next round. Three were eliminated – with 10 edging closer to the final.

THE TASK: The era sponsored by that made me

Create a nail design inspired by the decade you were born in, using a selection of provided products from The GelBottle Inc. What does your decade look like when remembered, reimagined and refined? Each nail should represent a different element of that era, such as:

• Culture or subculture.

• Music or nightlife.

• Fashion or beauty.

• Technology or media.

• Attitude or energy. Ensure cohesion, and demonstrate a varied use of techniques and artistic styles. Show era recognition without cliché.

THE ENTRIES

KELSEY MCQUAY

Iconic symbols from the 1980’s are created in this bright design by Kelsey McQuay, including Polly Pocket, Pac-Man and a lava lamp. A tribute to Back To The Future features on the index finger, with a neon rave on the thumbnail.

CATHY TORRES

Inspired by the 1970’s disco era, where ‘freedom, movement and self-expression collided’, Cathy chose to channel its dynamic spirit with cat eye, glitter and chrome products. The influences of the decade’s fashion and music styles on modern trends is showcased across nails, and the design highlights two pivotal moments: the first email and introduction of the ‘@’ symbol in 1971, and the first mobile phone call in 1973.

KLYSTA PESINA

Each rose in Klysta’s design acts as ‘a time capsule preserving a different cultural heartbeat from the era’, with petals symbolising how the 1990’s unfolded in layers of music, fashion, film and attitude. References to Jurassic Park, Playboy, MTV videos and roller skates feature.

HIRSCH HUNTY

Born in 1999, at ‘the beginning of Y2K fear’, Hirsch describes the decade as ‘the beginning of tech obsession, pop culture dominance, hyper-femininity and unapologetic self-expression’. He comments: “Each nail is a time capsule representing a defining element of the decade that shaped its culture. For example: the Motorola Razr, CD mixes and iPods, denim and hip-hop.”

YULIIA KOVALCHUK

Dedicated to the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, Yuliia’s nail style incorporates cultural and technological shifts. It references rapid digitalisation, punk subculture, music genres and fashion with ripped denim, red leather and metal elements.

JESSICA VERO

“This nail design tells a story inspired by the energy of 1980’s action films: thrilling and uncertain,” Jessica shares. “The narrative unfolds across the nails like scenes in a film, moving from human potential to fashion, nightlife, cultural obsession and the evolving relationship between analogue and digital technology.” Visually, the nail style draws influence from Memphis design, with bold geometry and expressive colour.

HOPE JUNG

Each of Hope’s nails represents a defining pillar of the 1990’s: culture, technology, music, fashion and attitude, unified through dimensional structure and a neon-pastel colour palette. References are made to the MTV era, Game Boy and glow-in-the-dark ceiling stars, as well as a fascination with outer space and friendship bracelets.

LINA RACQUEL

Inspired by the early 2000’s, Lina depicted the key emotion she felt growing up within the era: fear. It shares the space between two worlds: physical and digital, and the impact of technology on a young girl who learned to lean inward amid rapid cultural change.

MICHELLE SOTO

Michelle chose to represent ‘the unforgettable vibrant, electric 1980’s’ through her childhood memories: Nintendo culture, candy and toy characters. She comments: “The heart of the set is rooted in the cartoons I enjoyed: Muppet Babies, Rainbow Brite, Smurfs, Care Bears, My Little Pony, She-Ra, Inspector Gadget and more.”

SHERIDAN MOORE

“Creating a 1990’s-inspired nail design was easy, hard andchaotic – like the decade itself,” shares Sheridan. She included nostalgic items, and references to TV series, movies, music and fashion moments, such as Clueless and Backstreet Boys. “When I look at these nails, the ’90s come alive through the memories that shaped my childhood,” she adds.

ERIN PASCHKE

Erin’s nail design centres around fond memories from the 1980’s. The upper sides of the nails are inspired by Saved By The Bell and MC Hammer clothing prints, and one side of the nails has hand-painted radio synth waves as a nod to Miami Vice. Toys, Pac-Man and David Bowie also feature.

JACQUELINE MCCLEMENT

Born in 1967, Jacqueline’s entry focuses on big world events of the decade, including the moon landing, sci-fi films and colourful shifts in fashion. She comments: “The 1960’s was a decade for dreamers and artists, and I feel privileged to be born among them. I believe it was one of the most culturally pivoting decades in modern history.”

SHAYNA OSAZUWA

“The 1990’s were loud, playful, colourful and full of repetition,” shares Shayna. She wanted the nail shapes to represent the momentum of technology and shift to the digital age. A lava lamp is prominent, with Tamagotchi, Game Boy and Nintendo featuring alongside iconic movie, music and fashion references.

"The 13 remaining contestants rifled through their memory banks to ‘‘sculpt and style striking works of art. "