NORTH AMERICA'S Star Nail Artist

SEASON 2

Check out the colourful concepts created for the penultimate NASNA challenge, by the nine contestants still in play

W e’ve seen creative sculpts, extreme shapes and avant-garde styles appear throughout the Season 2 NASNA challenges to date, so sponsor brand, Gelish, composed a brief centred around colour for the fifth task. From the 25 shortlisted pros, just nine remain, who each received a package from Gelish to tell a story through shades 7in motion.

For March’s challenge, the talented nail stylists, who hail from the USA and Canada, used Gelish Soft Gel Tips in Medium Coffin as the base for their artistry, and were gifted the Basix Kit of essentials alongside six Gelish Cream Gel palettes to craft their looks. Stories surrounding seasonal shifts and personal growth were expressed through hand-painted styles, and a write-up and video complemented each entry, unveiling inspiration and artistic tips.

Following this task, five nailists competed in a Wild Card challenge, after which three were eliminated, leaving six hungry for the winning title and ready to step up to the final challenge. The results of this will unveil a top three, who will journey to the Scratch Social at Premiere Orlando on May 31, but only one will take the title of North America’s Star Nail Artist – Season 2.

THE TASK: Colour in Motion

This challenge is not about a trend. It’s about expression: colour in motion. It celebrates technique, intention and the expressive power of Gelish Cream Gel colour to tell a story.

Spring is a time of transition, from subtle to bold features, and soft to saturated looks. Explore colour expression through the Gelish Cream Gel palette, using its smooth, blendable formulas to create dynamic, story-driven nail designs. Think seamless blends, layered colours, soft diffusion and intentional transitions across five nails. The design should showcase a fresh, original narrative.

Design expectations

Gelish Soft Gel Tips must be used as bases for the nail designs. Tips can be modified: shortened, reshaped or multiple used, but the final set must feel intentional, cohesive and editorial.

Gelish Cream Gel must be the hero and feature clearly and prominently in the design, and be used for all colour work. Focus on blending, gradients, colour layering and storytelling, and ensure the five nails work together to express movement, depth and harmony through colour.

THE ENTRIES

CATHY TORRES

“‘Colour in Motion’ reflects the transitional energy of March: a time between the stillness of winter and the renewal of spring. Across five nails, I show this seasonal shift as colour gradually moves from soft, restrained winter tones into brighter spring shades. This progression also mirrors my artistic journey with NASNA, evolving from foundational to confident and creative expression.”

HOPE JUNG

“My nail style is inspired by the arrival of spring in Japan: a season defined by delicate transformation, soft colour shifts and the celebration of blooming life. March in Japan represents a moment of transition, where winter quietly fades as the first blossoms begin to emerge. I wanted this design to capture that fleeting moment when nature begins to awaken, using Gelish’s Cream Gels as the storyteller. Layered florals, flowing patterns and soft gradients reflect the growth, movement and quiet momentum of spring.”

JESSICA VERO

“Through my artistry, I explore the idea of finding light and creative energy during dark and challenging times. Inspired by the symbolism of the moth, moon and Aurora Borealis, this set reflects a journey of growth, momentum and reflection as colour awakens across the five nails. I wanted to tell a story of colour coming to life in the darkness of the night. Through layered Cream Gel colour and auroral movement, this design demonstrates colour in motion: a visual story of renewal and light.

ERIN PASCHKE

“My design shares the transition and growth from life to death, and the beauty of the sequence. The Latin phrase, ‘Memento mori’, means that death is inevitable, so choosing to live your life fully and beautifully should be a present thought. I loved being able to show this concept and idea through earth, wind, fire, water and spirit – using a bee, seahorse, snake, phoenix and meditating human silhouette with the tree of life.”

JACQUELINE MCCLEMENT

“My nail art look is centred around March as a month of awakening. It’s when winter begins to release its grip and life returns through colour, movement and emotion. For me, the time also represents personal rebirth, with Easter on the way: a time of reflection for me. I have spent much of my life searching for the purpose of my artistic soul, and through the nail industry, I have discovered it. This set represents the moment when the inner artist steps forward, like a child stepping out of a painting: free, joyful and laughing.”

MICHELLE SOTO

“This design tells a story about choice, free will and the unseen forces that guide our lives, whether one believes in divine intervention, energy, destiny or simply the power of personal decision. Every day, we stand at a symbolic threshold between two paths. One leads toward growth, peace and fulfilment; the other toward struggle, darkness and stagnation. Through this nail set, colour becomes the language that expresses the constan movement between possibilities.”

SHERIDAN MOORE

“Nature is the original colour palette, and its colours have always been in motion, so I chose to focus on the movement of colour throughout the four seasons. The lady of the hour, Mother Nature, guides the transitions from one season into the next. This progression reflects the feeling of March, when winter begins to fade and the first signs of spring and new growth start to appear. Nature is constantly changing, and the movement of colour through the seasons represents that ongoing cycle of transition, growth and renewal.”

YULIIA KOVALCHUK

“The transformation from winter to spring is shown in my design, which focuses on a young girl who is unusual and beautiful. Her image is placed centrally as a source of energy and she represents spring. Clouds and streams of wind flow from her head, spreading the news that spring has arrived to all living things. The movement of this wind continues through the composition and connects all elements of my design in one story.”

KELSEY MCQUAY

“A theme of transitioning sparked a number of ideas, however I chose to centre my design around the journey towards peace. The world is in a heavy, transitional phase and I sought to capture that in my work. It features a child holding Mother Earth and caressing her while she cries over the world. I want to bring calm to the chaos.”