Challenge 5, sponsored by NSI, asked our Top 8 to use nail forms to sculpt a design in acrylic or gel that harkens back to the 1950s. From the obvious poodle skirts and pin-ups to the not-so-obvious tikis and Dr. Seuss characters, our Top 8 represented the ’50s in high style.
This week’s guest judge was NSI’s Malinda Haggerty. Permanent judges included Gelish’s Danny Haile and the staff at NAILS Magazine.
In no particular order, the top 3 are:
RYOKO GARCIA
JUDGES’ COMMENTS:
NSI’s Malinda: Ryoko’s sculpted nails are beautiful! The face of Lucy is amazing and I was extremely impressed with the consistency of all the lines (smile line, dots, stripes, etc). I would love to have seen more of her beautiful handpainting or 3-D in her design.
NAILS’ graphic designer Yuiko: Ryoko’s portrait of Lucille Ball almost comes to life, I can hear her raspy voice! The artwork is beautifully constructed with great control, especially with the handwriting on the heart.
NAILS’ editor Hannah: You are such an amazing artist. The detail in your faces is beyond doubt some of the best I’ve ever seen on fingernails. I love your “I Love Lucy”-themed nails. Great job on your step-by-step photos. This design is simple and subdued — very wearable and very nice.
NAILS graphic designer Kim: Ryoko is a true artist. The detail she puts into her handpainted designs are fantastic. Lucy is the centerpiece with the other nails beautifully completing the design.
LEXI MARTONE
JUDGES’ COMMENTS:
NSI’s Malinda: Lexi’s nails stood out because parts of the design could only be created with a form. The pinky was creative and fantastic! Great use of the form to create her 3-D elements. The handpainted art and the shape of the nails were consistent and stunning.
NAILS’ senior editor Beth: I had no idea Dr. Seuss dated back to the 1950s, so I love that you went for this not-so-obvious reference. Your artwork and how you played with dimension looks like it came right out of the actual book! You are a master at taking risks and executing them perfectly, and in this case, playfully. These nails are so fun and I think they would make anyone smile. Hats off to you!
NAILS’ graphic designer Yuiko: The detailing on Lexi’s nails is very clean and beautiful, yet she managed to keep that sketchy and funky Dr. Seuss style! Great craftsmanship on the acrylic work!
NAILS’ group publisher Cyndy: I love that Lexi always looks for an original take on the theme. She never takes the easy route. She is a deep-thinking, original-minded true nail artist.
LAUREN WIREMAN
JUDGES’ COMMENTS:
NSI’s Malinda: I loved Lauren’s use of the form to create the different colors of acrylic as the base for the nails. She created two eye-catching designs on each nail, which definitely made her nails stand out! Her shape was a perfect choice for her theme and beautiful.
NAILS’ senior editor Beth: Wow! I loved that you hand painted all of these different women so that we could get a good sense of your amazing illustrating skills. I love that each girl looks unique down to the tiniest of details. I can definitely see that you thought about what these girls would wear and how they are styled. The different prints on the underside of the nail give the look a contemporary twist that makes it even more outstanding.
NAILS’ assistant editor Brittni: Lauren has a great eye for color. I like the way the pastel pin-ups contrast with the vivid underside of her nails. And looking through her step-by-step confirmed how intricate each nail tip is! Lots of layering and detail.
NAILS’ production manager Carla: This design is so classically 1950s — the inspiration is unmistakable! I love the variety of the pin-ups and how well they work with the shape of the nails.
The following techs can breathe again. They are in the middle of this week’s pack and are safe. In no particular order, congratulations to:
WINNIE HUANG
JUDGES’ COMMENTS:
NSI’s Malinda: I loved the perfect placement of color and 3-D art in Winnie’s design. The handpainted art was eye-catching, elegant, and beautifully done! I would have liked to see a little more consistency with the nail width and shape. Everything else was superb.
NAILS’ graphic designer Yuiko: I love the fashion take on this theme. The monochromatic details with a splash of red and purple really bring out that classic and chic Vogue to light. I especially appreciate the little gold detail on the mannequins!
NAILS managing editor Sree: Winnie’s choice of colors — the black-and-white punctuated by brights —works really well. I love the two “dresses” and the fact that she didn’t try to do too much on the nails this week.
NAILS’ art director Danielle: This is so cute. I really like how you have created the 3-D dresses in color. It really makes them pop out. I’d like to see the shape of your nails uniform across all five nails. The shape varies from nail to nail.
BUDDY SIMS
JUDGES’ COMMENTS:
NSI’s Malinda: I was impressed with the research and preparation that went into this challenge! The use of color, the intricate detail in the handpainting, and the 3-D art were all spectacular. The consistency in the shape of the nails was also very nice.
NAILS’ production manager Carla: Polynesian Pop design is very reminiscent of the 1950s and you’ve done a wonderful job of including all that is fun and striking about it. In particular, the sculpted Tiki man and cocktail glass are fabulous!
NAILS’ graphic artist Yuiko: I learn something new in every piece that Buddy does. I really appreciate his perspective in showing us the unexpected! Beautiful work on the nails — it definitely portrays the bright and exotic feel of the Tiki!
NAILS’ senior editor Beth: I’m blown away! Such an unconventional take on the ’50s that was executed with thorough research and meticulous design. I learned a lot from this piece of art. I’ll have a cocktail too!
Unfortunately, there always has to be a bottom group. The bottom 3, in no particular order, are:
JULIE VENTURA
JUDGES’ COMMENTS:
NSI’s Malinda: Julie did a fantastic job of incorporating many of the great icons of the ’50s! The shape of the nails is very nice and the color choices made her designs pop. I love the detail under the thumb! The straight lines could be more defined (like the checkerboard).
NAILS graphic designer Kim: Julie’s design is the most nostalgic representation of the ’50s! I love the checkerboard thumbnail.
NAILS’ editor Hannah: Marilyn, Elvis, Mel’s Drive-in, poodle skirts? Great depiction of the 1950s. I especially love the peek-a-boo checkered tablecloth on the undersides of the nails. I would love to see crisper lines on your drawings.
NAILS’ assistant editor Brittni: The accent diner nail was so great that I wish it was the ongoing theme represented throughout the design! Marilyn and the King seemed a little out of place.
CHRISTIAN MANS
JUDGES’ COMMENTS:
NSI’s Malinda: Christian’s lines are absolutely beautiful! The combination of the lace, checkers and stripes complement each other and the era. The chromed out 3-D nail really stands out. The color choice for the jukebox fights some with the rest of the nails.
NAILS’ assistant editor Brittni: I thought Christian’s step-by-step demonstrated great technique and artistry, but there was a bit of a disconnect for me in the color scheme displayed throughout the manicure.
NAILS’ production manager Carla: I think a unifying color palette and a few more details from that era (’50s rock ‘n’ roll/car culture/malt shop) might have made for a more striking design.
NAILS’ editor Hannah: I like that you went with the classic diner to represent the 1950s, but without your explanation I’m not sure I’d be able to recognize what the elements of your design actually are. I feel like you really could have pushed yourself farther with this sculpted challenge and you were holding back.
JANE WEINER
JUDGES’ COMMENTS:
NSI’s Malinda: Jane’s theme was wonderful and it flowed nicely throughout her design. I really liked the “Cat in The Hat” open book! Her color choices did a nice job of making her 3-D art stand out. I think longer nails would have given her more room for her design.
NAILS’ senior editor Beth: As a fellow book nerd and lit major I had the strongest emotional connection to this design, and that is what art is really all about. I love that you saw the ’50s as this golden age of literature and honored so many great artworks on just one hand. The 3-D books are so smart, especially since Danny told you last week he wanted to see more dimension from you. I’m so glad you had a book open too, to bring this bookshelf and the era to life. I wish some of the titles had been clearer, but I’m still amazed that you were able to write them on such a small space. The fact that you completed this challenge on your honeymoon speaks volumes about your commitment to your art, and means this piece was probably an emotional one for you as well, and I so appreciate that.
NAILS’ editor Hannah: I applaud you (and your husband) for doing this week’s sculpted nails challenge on a man’s hand. And I love your book-themed concept. I just think the artwork itself isn’t crisp enough and would have probably been better on longer, sculpted nails. Watch the consistency of your nail shapes.
NAILS’ art director Danielle: I think if you would have made your nails longer and more balanced, you would have had more room for your design.
Check back tomorrow to find out who won this week’s challenge and who’ll be packing up their paintbrushes.
