Competition Glossary

Competition quality — A standard of perfection, specific to each competition, to which all entries are compared, regardless of the experience of the competitor, the number of entries, or the quality of those entries

Competition-style — The ultimate standard of perfection for all nail enhancements; a set of nail enhancements that have:

• A sleeker, more dramatic look
• A shape that ranges from extreme square to extreme oval (stiletto)
• A 1 to 1 ratio of nail bed (pink) to free edge (white), measured from the center of the smile line
• Product thinly applied near the cuticle area, reinforced at the stress area, and tapered to the free edge so it is equal to approximately the thinness of a business card (.01-.03 inches)
• Consistent "C" curves between 40% and 50% (144° and 180° arc)

Nail competition — A professional contest in which nail technicians strive to outperform others according to the rules and criteria governing the contest

Nail enhancement — An artificial nail made from enhancement products applied to the natural nail

Salon-style ** — The standard of perfection for the Salon Success competition; a set of nail enhancements that have:

• A more durable, wearable look
• A shape that ranges from extreme square to extreme oval (stiletto)
• A 2 to 1 ratio of nail bed (pink) to free edge (white), measured from the center of the smile line;
• Product thinly applied near the cuticle area, reinforced at the stress area, and tapered through the free edge so it is equal to approximately the thinness of 1.5 business cards (0.3 – 0.5 inches)
• Consistent "C" curves of 33.33 % and 40% (120° and 144° arc)

Competition Descriptions

3-D Nail Art (3-D) — A competition in which a Nailpro-designated thematic, multi-dimensional nail art design has been applied to a set of 10 tips using nail products; the work is completed in advance. The theme is announced at the beginning of the competition year.

Design Sculptured Nails (DSN) — A 2.5-hour competition in which a set of competition-style nail enhancements is applied using forms, and whose design incorporates colors used in artistic ways

Fantasy Nail Art (FNA) — A competition in which a live model wears a Nailpro-designated thematic nail art design, including a costume; the work is completed in advance. The theme is announced at the beginning of the competition year.

French Twist (FT) — A 2.5-hour competition in which a set of competition-style nail enhancements is applied using tips or forms, and whose design is an artistic variation on a classic French-style

Hand Painted Flat Nail Art (HPFNA) — A turn-in competition in which Nailpro-designated thematic nail art design has been applied to a set of 10 tips using hand painting; the work is completed in advance. The theme is announced at the beginning of the competition year.

Mirror Image One Hand (MI) — Mirror Image competitors will have 1.40 hours to complete a set of competition-style nail enhancements on one hand. The nails will consist of one Sculptured Acrylic Nail, one Sculptured Gel Nail, one Tip and Overlay Acrylic Nail, one Tip and Overlay Gel Nail and one Sculptured Acrylic or Gel Nail. Clear or natural tips and forms only are to be used. White tips are NOT allowed.

**Perfect Match (PM) - Competitors will have 1.45 hours to complete one hand competition style Tip & Overlay Gel Nail Enhancements that will be a perfect match to the left hand of Acrylic Sculptured Nail Enhancements completed offsite. Competitor must have done the left hand themselves. Clear or natural tips and forms are to be used. White tips are not allowed.

Salon Success (SS) — Competitors will have 1.5 hours to complete a set of salon-style nail enhancements using either forms or tips.

Sculptured Acrylic Nails (SAN) — Competitors will have 2 1/2 hours to complete a set of sculptured, competition-style nail enhancements using forms and liquid and powder acrylic products. Tips and adhesive are NOT allowed.

Sculpture Gel Nails (SGN) — Competitors will have 2 1/2 hours to complete a set of sculptured, competition-style nail enhancements using forms. Tips and adhesive are NOT allowed

Sculptured Nails (SN) — Competitors will have 2 1/2 -hours to complete a set of competition-style nail enhancements using forms and liquid-and-powder acrylic products or light-cured gel products. Tips are not allowed.

U.S. Invitational Competitions ** — Winners of the U.S. Invitational Competitions are eligible to compete in the International Nail Championship, held in Dusseldorf, Germany, in March 2012. One first-place winner in Acrylic Nails and one in Gel Nails will be selected to represent the U.S. in Germany. You may not compete in both, which is why the events are run simultaneously. A $500 cash prize will be awarded to the first-place winners to help to cover travel expenses to Germany.
The Invitational Competitions are open for U.S. citizens only; competitors must present proof of citizenship, such as a copy of your passport, at registration. Competitors must also be able to attend the International Nail Championships if selected as the first-place winner. If a first-place winner is unable to attend the International Nail Championship, the invitation and cash prize are forfeited to the second-place winner. Points earned in the Invitational Competitions do count towards the NAILPRO Cup

U.S. Invitational Acrylic Nails (USAN) — Competitors will have 2 1/2 hours to complete a set of acrylic competition-style nail enhancements using clear or natural tips or forms. White tips are not allowed.

U.S. Invitational Gel Nails (USGN) — Competitors will have 2 1/2 hours to complete a set of gel competition-style nail enhancements using clear or natural tips or forms. White tips are not allowed.

PARTS of the NAIL

Apex — The highest point of the arch

Arch — The curvature of the top surface of the nail when viewed from the side

"C" curve — The curvature of the nail when viewed from the distal edge

Cuticle Area — The portion of the nail nearest to the cuticle

Distal Edge — The edge of the nail at its end

Free Edge — The portion of the nail from the smile line to the distal edge

Lateral Structure — The structure of the nail enhancements as viewed from the side, specifically the sidewalls

Moon — A slightly exaggerated replica of the natural lanula, created at the base of the nail

Nail Bed — The portion of the nail from the cuticle area to the smile line

Sidewall — The edge of the nail extending from the cuticle area to the distal edge.

Smile Line — The curved line separating the nail bed and free edge portions of the nail

Surface Structure — The structure of the top surface and bottom surface (underside) of the nail enhancements and arch placement

COMPETITION PROCESS:

Analytic Scoring — The process by which the judges evaluate entries according to judging criteria

Briefing — A review of competition rules that immediately precedes a competition; attendance is mandatory

Category — An aspect of the entry that is evaluated by the judges; each competition has ten categories

Cover Sheet — The form stapled to the score sheets that lists the scores and placement

Finalists — Those entries selected in the preview for scoring; a maximum of ten entries will be selected at each level (novice and veteran)

Judging Criteria — The standard(s) in each category

Level — A description of a competitor’s experience, either novice or veteran

Novice — A competitor who has never won first place in any nail competition at a beauty show

Preview — The process of elimination rounds by which the judges select entries for scoring

Registration — The information and payment required to enter a competition

Report — To arrive at the competition area, check in with competition staff, and receive an entry number

Scoring Guideline — A 10-point system (excluding turn-in events), ranging from 1 (Unacceptable) to 10 (Flawless), used to evaluate an entry in a category, except where noted a five-point range. Turn-in competitive events use a 5-point system, ranging from 0.5 (Unacceptable) to 5 (Flawless).

Score Sheets — The forms judges use to record scores

Team — A group of two or more competitors whose individual scores count collectively toward the Nailpro Cup Team Championship; only the team members who make it into the finalists of their individual competitions will count toward the Team Championship Cup

Veteran — A competitor who has won first place in any nail competition at a beauty show

Wrist Band — A colored band with your competition number for the day. It goes on the right wrist of the MODEL. If you are a novice competitor you will also be given a white band for your model as well.

CATEGORIES and JUDGING CRITERIA

Balance (DSN, FT, HPNA, 3-D, FNA)

• Various elements of the design are well-balanced, neither too sparse or too busy

"C" curves (FT, DSN, MI, PM, SAN, SGN, SN, SS, USAN, USGN)

• The curvature of the nail enhancements is symmetrical and consistent
• The depth of curvature is appropriate for the competition (see specific criteria)
• If nail enhancements are oval in shape, consideration will be given for the apparent lack of curvature at the distal edge

Color (3-D, DSN, FNA, HPNA, SGN)

• The colors enhance the design
• The colors complement each other

Complexity (3-D, DSN, FNA, FT, HPNA)

• The design is challenging, demanding skill and effort
• The design involves multiple techniques

Costume (FNA)

• The costume complements the design
• The costume is complete
• The costume is neat and well-constructed

Cuticle Area (FT, DSN, MI, PM, SAN, SGN, SN, SS, USAN, USGN)

• The product is flush to the natural nails and close to the cuticles
• The model’s skin at the cuticle area is in excellent condition (free from abrasions)

Design (3-D, FNA, FT, HPNA)

• The design enhances the theme
• The design is well executed (FT)

Detail (3-D, FNA, HPNA)

• The design is sufficiently detailed
• The detail clarifies the design, adding dimension

Dimension (3-D)

• The design is obviously multi-dimensional
• The dimension enhances the theme and is balanced

Finish Work (DSN, FT, MI, PM, SAN, SGN, SN, SS, USAN, USGN, MM)

• The surfaces of the nail enhancements are smooth and very shiny (absence of scratches)
• The edges of the nails are smooth and finished
• The nails are thoroughly clean (absence of dust)

Lateral Structure (DSN, FT, MI, PM, SAN, SGN, SN, SS, USAN, USGN)

• The nail enhancements align perfectly with the sides of the natural nails
• If nail enhancements are oval in shape, the point at which the oval begins is consistent
• The arch of the nail enhancement is consistantly placed.

Length (DSN, FT, MI, PM, SAN, SGN, SN, SS, USAN, USGN)

• The length, measured from cuticle to the end of the extension, is consistent between matching nails (pinkie to pinkie, etc.) and in proportion to each other
• The length is suitable for the competition
• The length looks balanced on the models hands.

Moons (PM, SAN, SGN, SN, MI, USAN, USGN)

• Moons are properly placed
• Moons have not been filed off
• Enhance the nail extension

Originality (3-D, DSN, FNA, FT, HPNA, MM)

• The design is innovative (new and original)
• The design is unique (different from other designs)

Overall Impression (all competitions)

• The nails complement the model’s hands (DSN, FT, MI, PM, SAN, SGN, SN, SS, USAN, USGN)
• The design makes an excellent overall impression (3-D, FNA, HPNA)
• The design is complete and needs no improvement (3-D, DSN, FNA, FT, HPNA,)

Polish Application (SN, SAN, SGN, SS, USAN, USGN)

• The polish completely covers the nails (close to the cuticle and all edges)
• The application is smooth, even and clean

Product Control (DSN, FT, MI, PM, SAN, SGN, SN, SS, USAN, USGN)

• The product is completely free of air bubbles and pits
• The color of the product is consistent
• The skin is free of all product

Red Color Application, Gels (SGN, SN, USGN)

• TThe red gel completely covers the nails (close to the cuticle and all edges)
• The application is smooth, even and clean

Shape (DSN, FT, MI, PM, SAN, SGN, SN, SS, USAN, USGN)

• The shape is symmetrical and consistent individually
• The shape is symmetrical and consistent and as a set

Smile Lines (FT, MI, PM, SAN, SGN, SN, SS, USAN, USGN)

• The smile lines are crisp (definition between pink and white)
• The smile lines are symmetrical and consistent (even points and equal curvature)

Surface Structure (DSN, FT, MI, PM, SAN, SGN, SN, SS, USAN, USGN)

• The top surfaces of the nail enhancements are smooth and perfectly contoured
• The bottom surfaces of the nail enhancements are smooth and perfectly c

Theme (3-D, FNA, HPNA)

• The theme is obvious and completely developed
• The theme is continued on all 10 nails

Visual Interest (HPNA, 3-D, FNA)

• The design captures and holds your attention

Workmanship (3-D, FNA, HPNA)

• The overall quality of work demonstrates outstanding artistic skills

OTHER TERMINOLOGY:

Buffing products — Any type of product containing pumice or buffing abrasive in which you would apply to enhance high shine

Canned Air — Compressed air in a can

Cookie Cutter Implements — Any type of object that assists you in making a smile line

Cream polish — A nail lacquer that has no shimmer or frost properties

Embellishment — Rhinestones, Mylar, feathers, glitter (large), embedded objects, etc.

Embellishment of Design — May not be more than 25% of artwork

Enhancement products — Professional nail products from which nail enhancements are made, such as, tips, liquid and powder acrylic, light cured gels, wraps or other artificially constructed products applied to the natural nail.

French-style — A two-tone look where the nail bed and free edge are different colors; for a classic French style, the nail bed is a shade of pink, and the free edge a shade of white

**High Shine - A process for adding shine to unpolished hand by either using a buffing stick or finishing gel.

**Molds - 1. A hollow shaped object which is used for shaping fluid or plastic substance.  In this case also duo forms, inverted tip forms and any product similar in any form or shape.

Professional nail products — Products sold by nail manufacturers intended for use by professional nail technicians

UV Gel Sealant — Must be cured with a UV light

UV Topcoat — No light required, will air dry