French Twist

Rules

  1. Competitors will have 2.5 hours for two hands to complete a full set (unless otherwise noted) or 1 hour and 30 minutes for competing on one hand (unless otherwise noted) of competition-style nail enhancements that reflect an original and artistic interpretation of the traditional French Style Pink and White. Only flat paper forms or tips may be used. Always check the daily schedule for exact parameters.
  2. Competitors may use any combination of light pink, clear and white enhancement products (liquid-and-powder acrylic or light-cured gel, wraps and resin, etc.) staying within the traditional French Manicure range of colors. NO other colored enhancement products are allowed except the glitters listed –  silver, gold, white opalescent and pale pink opalescent are allowed. NO purple, No Red, No Brown and so on.   
  3. No stamping. hand painting or chrome of any sort allowed.
  4. Only embellishments listed in rule #2 are allowed.
  5. The model’s natural nails may be prepared for product application before the competition starts, but product may NOT be applied until the competition starts.
  6. No colored or clear 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 after tips and forms are applied to the natural nail.  No plastic type molds of any kind may be used to form the sculptured nail.
  9. The surface of the nail enhancements must be flush; NO raised surfaces.
  10. All files and buffers must be clean and unused; electric files, buffers and buffing products may be used.
  11. Cleansing products (soaps, etc.) and moisturizing products (oils, creams, lotions, etc.) are allowed. Excessive use of oil is not permitted. It will be at the judge’s discretion to deduct for excess oil.
  12. The nail enhancements on both hands must be finished to a high shine by buffing, applying top coat or using a gel sealant. Polish, gel polish, gel paint and glitter polish are NOT ALLOWED.
  13. French Twist will be judged in the following categories: lateral structure, “C” curves, originality, cuticle area, surface structure, product control, complexity, design and balance, length, shape, finish work, and overall impression.
  14. Any French Twist design that wins, or has already won, first place at a NAILPRO competition cannot be reused by the winner or copied by other competitors in subsequent NAILPRO competitions. The NAILPRO competition staff will disqualify any design it considers too similar to a winning design. Any discussion with the NAILPRO competition staff about designs will be held in strict confidence.

 

Criteria

JUDGE 1

Lateral Structure – 10 Points

  • 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 or stiletto begins is consistent

  • the arches of the nail enhancements are consistently placed

“C” curves – 5 Points

  • the curvature of the nail enhancements are symmetrical and consistent

  • the depth of curvature is a range between 40% and 50%

  • the percent of curvature enhances the model’s nails

  • if nail enhancements are oval of stiletto in shape, consideration will be given for the apparent lack of curvature at the distal edge

Originality – 10 Points

  • the design is innovative (new and original)

  • the design is unique (different from other designs we have seen in the past and other entries)

  • the design exceeds expectation of originality

Cuticle Area – 5 Points

  • 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)

  • the model’s cuticles and underside of nails are not flooded with excess oil

JUDGE 2

Length – 5 Points

  • 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 competition-style nail enhancements; a suggested range of a 1 to 1 ratio of nail bed to free edge is ideal, provided the length looks balanced on model’s hand

Product Control – 10 Points

  • the product is completely free of air bubbles and pits

  • the color of the product is consistent

Complexity – 10 Points

  • the design is challenging, demanding skill and effort

  • the design involves multiple techniques

Design and Balance – 10 Points

  • the design enhances the nails are the colors and products used within the ranges specified

  • the design is well executed various elements of

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

JUDGE 3

Surface Structure – 10 Points

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

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

Shape – 10 Points

  • the shape is symmetrical and consistent individually

  • the shape is symmetrical and consistent together as a set

  • the shape compliments the model’s hands

Finish Work – 5 Points

  • the surfaces of the nail enhancements are smooth and very shiny (absent of scratches)

  • the edges of the nails are smooth and finished

  • the nails are thoroughly clean (absent of dust)

Overall Impression – 10 Points

  • the design in complete and no improvement is needed

  • the thinness is suitable for competition-style nail enhancements (the thinness of a business card, approximately .01 to .03 inches, is ideal)

  • no jewelry present on the model’s hands or wrists

  • all competition rules were followed