Sculptured Nails

Rules

  1. Competitors will have 2 ½ hours to complete a set of sculptured (unless otherwise noted), competition-style nail enhancements using flat, paper or metal forms only. Tips and adhesive are NOT allowed.

    *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)
  2. Competitors must use liquid-and-powder acrylic products only.
  3. Only sheer pink, clear and white enhancement products may be used. Enhancement products containing glitter and/or any other color are NOT allowed.  Cover pinks 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 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. White gel and white gel polish are not allowed.
  7. No plastic type molds of any kind may be used to form the sculptured nail.
  8. Moons must be added at the base of the nail, and must be sculpted on the unpolished hand. At the discretion of the competitor, moons may be added to the polished hand.
  9. All files and buffers must be clean and unused and free from additives including oil; electric files and buffing products may not be used. You may NOT use any file to refine the smile lines.
  10. Water only may be used. Cleansing products (soaps, etc.) and moisturizing products (oils, creams, lotions, bowls with anything in them i.e. marbles, rocks etc.) are NOT allowed.
  11. The nail enhancements on the one hand (competitor’s choice) must be polished with red cream polish, or if sculpting with gels a red gel color may be used.  Base coat, ridge filler and top coat are NOT allowed.  If a one-handed competition, 2 nails must be polished.
  12. 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. Gel sealant may NOT be used to finish to a high shine.
  13. The underside of all nails must look the same.
  14. Sculptured  Nails will be judged in the following categories: smile lines, “C”curves, cuticle area, shape, product control, moons, surface structure, lateral structure, length, polish or color application, finish work, and overall impression.

 

Criteria

JUDGE 1

Smile Lines – 10 Points

  • the smile lines are crisp (definition between pink and white)

  • the smile lines are symmetrical and consistent (even points and equal curvature)

“C” curves – 10 Points

  • the curvature of the nail enhancements is 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 in shape, consideration will be given for the apparent lack of curvature at the distal edge

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 product at the cuticle area, must be as shiny as the rest of the nail

Shape – 10 Points

  • the shape is symmetrical and consistent individually

  • the shape is symmetrical and consistent together as a set the shape must work on the models hands

JUDGE 2

Product Control – 10 Points

  • the product is completely free of air bubbles and pits

  • the color of the product is consistent

  • the skin is free from all products

Moons – 5 Points

  • the moons are properly placed

  • the moons have been sculpted and not been filed off

  • the moons enhance the nail extension

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

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 begins is consistent

  • the arch of the nail enhancements is consistently placed

JUDGE 3

Length – 10 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 hands

Polish or Color Application – 5 Points

  • the polish or red color completely covers the nails (close to the cuticle and covers all edges)

  • the application is smooth, even and clean

Finish Work – 5 Points

  • the entire surface of the nail enhancement is smooth and very shiny (absence of scratches)

  • the edges of the nails are smooth and finished

  • the nails are thoroughly clean (absence of dust)

Overall Impression – 10 Points

  • the nails complement the model’s hands

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