US Invitational Gel Nail Rules 2012

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 2013. One first-place winner in Sculptured Acrylic Nails and one in Sculptured 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.

1. Competitors will have 2 ½ hours to complete a set of gel competition-style nail enhancements using clear or natural tips or forms.  White tips are not allowed.

2. Competitors must use light cured gel products only.

3. Only sheer pink, clear and white Gel enhancement products may be used. Gel enhancement products containing glitter and/or any other color are NOT allowed.

4. Embellishments may NOT be used.

5. The model’s natural nails may be prepared for product application before the competition, but product may NOT be applied until the competition starts.

6. No colored products of any type may be applied to tips prior to attaching them to the natural nail.

7. Only unaltered clear adhesives (gel-type, brush-on, tubes, etc) may be used to attach tips to the nail.

8. All enhancement products must be applied to tips after the tips are adhered to the natural nail.

9. Competitors must lay out tips before the briefing, but tips may not be applied until the competition starts.

10. No consideration will be given for any pre-existing damage to a model’s natural nails, cuticles, or hands.

**11. No products, such as inverted tips or any “cookie cutter” products may be used to form or assist in making a smile line. All smile lines must be done with a brush by hand.  Paint on white is not allowed

12. Moons must be included at the base of the nail on the unpolished hand. At the discretion of the competitor, moons may be added to the polished hand.

13. All files and buffers must be clean and unused; electric files and buffing products may not be used.

14. Only water  may be used to remove dust. No canned air is allowed. Cleansing products (soaps, etc.) and  moisturizing products (oils, creams, lotions, etc.) are NOT allowed.

15. The nail enhancements on the one hand (competitor’s choice) must be polished with red cream polish or gel red polish. Base coat, ridge filler and top coat are NOT allowed.

16. The nail enhancements on the unpolished hand must be French-style (pink/clear and white), finished to a high shine and completely free of polish.

17. The underside of both hands must look the same.

18. Gel Nails will be judged in the following categories: smile lines, “C”curves, cuticle area, shape, product control, moons, surface structure, lateral structure, length, polish application, finish work, and overall impression.

** New Rule/Change