The Differences Between a Competition Nail Design and a Salon Nail

When creating a competition nail design, judges are looking for flawless, perfect nails that are much longer, thinner, sleeker, and more dramatic than a salon nail.

During my first competition back in 1991, I was unaware that there was actually a difference between a competition nail and a salon nail.

Despite duplicating a set of salon nails, I finished 8th out of 28 competitors.

When I examined the winning nails following the competition, I observed the differences.

After taking many pre-competition classes, I developed a better understanding of the differences as well as what the judges were looking for.

A COMPETITION NAIL DESIGN:

Long nails that are sleeker and more dramatic.

Tip Length should be the same length or just slightly shorter than the length of the nail bed.

Tip Shape can be an extreme square or an extreme oval.

Very thin, about the thickness of a business card.

Deeper and more dramatic smile lines.

Deeper c-curves approximately 40 to 50%.

Color is a very bright white and a deeper pink to create contrast.

Consistency in all aspects from nail to nail.

Moons can be applied but if done incorrectly can actually hurt your score.

A SALON NAIL:

More natural, durable, and wearable appearance.

Tip length is half the length of the nail bed.

Tip Shape may be a softer square or oval.

Thickness of a credit card.

More natural smile lines.

Degree of c-curves approximately 30 to 40%.

Color is usually a softer pink and white but can also go brighter and deeper if desired.

Consistency in all aspects from nail to nail.

Salina Rush is an award winning nail technician with over 22 years experience in the nail industry and 12 years experience in the nail competition arena. In 2001, Salina won 3 top honors, Nail Tech of the Year, Salon of the Year, and the #1 Nail Competitor according to Nails Magazine.