North America’s Star Nail Artist – Wild Card entries inspired by Women in Beauty

Nail by Amberley Robinson For this challenge, I chose Elizabeth Arden, the beauty mogul who empowered women through cosmetics during war. For my nail art, I chose to depict a woman in uniform rather than a portrait of Elizabeth Arden herself. This decision highlights an extraordinary yet often overlooked moment in our industry’s history. To further honor her legacy, I incorporated her branded logo alongside a ‘V’ with wings, a symbol later reimagined by Bésame cosmetics. I sculpted the nail into the shape of a lipstick using LeChat builder gel. Elizabeth Arden was a pioneering entrepreneur. She founded her namesake brand in 1910, revolutionizing skincare and makeup by promoting the idea that beauty was more than just a luxury, but a form of empowerment. Arden’s salons and products became synonymous with elegance and innovation, making her one of the most successful businesswomen of her time. However, Arden’s influence extended far beyond the world of beauty. During World War II, she was commissioned by the U.S. military to create lipsticks for women in the armed forces. She developed Victory Red for the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve and Montezuma Red for the Army, ensuring that the shades matched the red piping of their uniforms. These lipsticks were more than just make-up; they were a symbol of strength, unity and patriotism. The military’s request for these lipsticks was strategic. During the war, red lipstick was associated with confidence, resilience, and femininity, aligning with the government’s push for women to maintain their identity while contributing to the war effort. Arden’s lipsticks became morale boosters, reinforcing the idea that beauty and power could coexist, even in times of war. Through her business acumen and patriotic contributions, Elizabeth Arden cemented her legacy not only as a beauty mogul but also as a symbol of empowerment and national pride. Arden’s story is a powerful source of inspiration, especially for me as a salon owner navigating today’s economic and social challenges. She built her empire during times of great adversity. Two world wars, the Great Depression, and shifting societal norms. Yet, she never wavered in her belief that beauty was not just about appearance but about confidence, resilience, and empowerment. Like Arden, I’m providing more than just a service, I’m creating an experience that uplifts people, even when times are tough.

Nail by Ashley Biasella I chose Tippi Hedren: an icon, trailblazing actress and amazing humanitarian who changed the nail industry. In 1975, following the Vietnam War, Tippi Hedren was involved in humanitarian work with Vietnamese refugees in California. While visiting a refugee camp, she noticed the women's interest in her manicured nails. Recognizing an opportunity, Hedren arranged for her personal manicurist to provide professional nail care training to a group of Vietnamese women. Her efforts equipped these women with valuable skills, enabling them to find employment and establish their own businesses. The results of her work also made nails much more available to the general public. Her desire to help allowed the space for refugees to establish themselves in the United States, profoundly shaping the modern nail care industry. I wanted to show multiple sides of her so the main portion of the nail represents Vietnamese pottery, as I feel like pottery and nails are actually quite similar. Popular Vietnamese pottery typical has images of lotus flowers which represent purity and resilience. The tip is created to show how most people remember Tippi, and that is in the Alfred Hitchcock film The Birds. I then created a hand fan and painted different things to represent her. It features a tiger (as she is widely known for her dedication to animal welfare, particularly her work with big cats) and founded the Shambala Preserve in Acton, California. I then painted nail polish and an acrylic brush, for her involvement with the industry, a dress for her fashion and modeling days, a heart with a world at peace because of her love for others, a camera for her many years and actress, and a teal ribbon which represents those who have suffered through sexual abuse, as she has been very open about the sexual harassment she endured at the hands of Alfred Hitchcock and it is a large part of her story and how she continues to be a strong female icon. Whole doing research for inspiration I also found an interview she did and in the photos she had this gorgeous solid gold belt with spears and a large lion head so I knew I wanted to recreate that on the nail as well!

Nail by Aura Aponte-Flores I selected Ivy Queen, a pioneer in the urban music genre, Reggaeton, who has been a stepping stone and an inspiration to Hispanic women in the music industry and influencer of beauty trends. Not only did she inspire women to rap, but her style marked an important milestone in Latin American beauty trends, especially in the Caribbean, in islands such as Puerto Rico, her homeland, and Dominican Republic. Her makeup and nails impacted a whole generation growing in the early 2000s. In those times, due to the majority of the Caribbean population being Catholic, having such long nails was seen as inappropriate. When Ivy Queen stepped into the scene, her nails were heavily criticized, but she did not care. Ivy just kept getting her nails longer and longer with intricate designs, and when her song 'Quiero Bailar went viral, people started looking at her differently. Puerto Rican women ran to the salons to try and copy her style, which was inspired by the African American nail trends of the 90s. Ivy Queen has been an influential part of my nail career as she was the first woman I ever saw with such long and heavily decorated nails. I have such respect for her and I wish to meet her someday and do her nails, which is the dream of many Puerto Rican nail technicians.

Nail by Sierra Pagan I chose to honour Jan Arnold, as not only is she a powerful force in the nail industry, but her free spirit and love for fashion is astonishing. Jan Arnold is the co-founder of CND and even though she has stepped down from her role, her impact on the nail world is immeasurable. I had the pleasure of meeting Jan Arnold at Premiere Orlando 2025, and her kind words and love for my art sparked me to apply for this competition. She's passionate, relentless and innovative.

Nail by Carolina Quintero-Carrillo I chose to honor Devin Strebler, also known as Nailz by Dev. I found her Instagram page early on in my nail career. I was two months into beauty school when I started looking into hand painted art. I was so amazed of how detailed and tiny a canvas can be. I admire how vulnerable she is to show her growth. Her aesthetic is so vibrant, fun and energetic. I appreciate that she hosts online classes for free. For someone who is aspiring to become as talented as her, it really helps. Her story is inspiring and has changed my perspective on the beauty industry. I started nail school during Covid because I was scared of not having a backup to be able to rely on if I needed to. But after listening to her and just watching how she basically turned her life around, she led me to believe that a passion can turn into more than just an ordinary salon job. It’s pushed me to work even harder to follow my dreams. I have the possibility of working from anywhere and also have the flexibility to grow my family if I decide to. She has truly changed the nail industry and has welcomed another generation of nail artists.

For this challenge, I chose to go back to the Egyptian Era. The Egyptian culture was one of the first cultures to prioritize skincare by using oils and balms as protection and cosmetic enhancement. I focused on Nefertiti, because she became a beauty icon of her time and helped to popularize skincare and cosmetic practices. Queen Nefertiti’s name means 'a beautiful woman has come'. The Egyptian culture focused on using kohl to define the eyes, red ocher to enhance the cheeks and lips, and honey, milk baths, and salt to smooth and beautify their skin. They would use henna to dye their nails and hair to create a richer, regal look. Both Nefertiti and Queen Cleopatra were known to use sour donkey milk to help smooth their skin in a bath. This may not have been the first time women used enhancements for beauty, however, Nefertiti, followed by Cleopatra, were icons to what we now know today as our beauty industry. I believe that most of our iconic eye looks come from the Egyptian era and using their refined kohl to make their eyes more prominent. You will find colors of rich blue, turquoise, and red used in many ways, including fashion and beauty. Along with Rich wood tones, colors found in bugs, minerals and flowers native to the area, and gold that was polished to shine. Along with skin and beauty regime, there were many symbols the Egyptians used on themselves to help protect. Drawings around the eye (eye of Horus and Ra) as well as gold symbols of hook, sceptre and Ankh (immortality). I chose to focus on Nefertiti with influences of Cleopatra because I do believe this is where prominent skincare became popular and we have used much of what they used today.

Nail by Hope Jung This nail is inspired by Celina Rydén, a trailblazer in the beauty industry. She is known for her transformative contributions to nail artistry, education, and professional development. With her creativity, technical expertise, and unwavering commitment to advancing the craft, she has become one of the most influential figures in the nail world today. Renowned for her signature style, Celina effortlessly blends intricate hand-painted details, innovative textures, and flawless structure to create stunning nails. Her ability to turn nails into miniature works of art has inspired countless professionals, including myself, to explore new techniques and elevate our own artistry. Beyond her artistic talent, Celina is a passionate educator dedicated to empowering other nail technicians. Through online courses, live workshops and detailed tutorials, she provides invaluable insights into the creative and technical aspects of nail design. She encourages others to embrace every aspect of their artistic journey. Her YouTube channel has been one of my go-to sources of comfort and inspiration for years. Not only has it provided incredible educational content, but it has also offered countless laughs and reassurance throughout my own journey. Celina’s authenticity and ability to break down complex designs foster a sense of connection, making her channel a space where I've learned, laughed, and found the motivation to push through challenges. Her NTNA journey ignited my desire to push creative boundaries and, one day, participate in prestigious competitions like North America's Star Nail Artist. Celina’s artistry, dedication, and innovative spirit has shaped my aspirations, motivating me to refine my skills, share knowledge, and pursue my dreams with confidence. She exemplifies the power of passion and perseverance, making her an enduring source of inspiration as I continue to grow within the nail industry. The top of the nail draws inspiration from her final creation for NTNA, featuring a 3D eye with a glass-like effect, filled with flakes to evoke a celestial essence. The opals and moon crescent symbolize change, reflection and relaxation. Celina’s love for mandalas is also reflected here, with each section of the mandala representing different themes as it flows from the top of the nail. The last side of the nail honors Celina's love for the 80s and her music career. From the beginning, I knew I wanted to challenge myself and create a 3D cassette tape featuring her band name. I used a matte chrome background to add texture and highlight the linework. The 80s era was known for vibrant neon colors, funky shapes, and the synthwave aesthetic. One of her top songs is called “Neons” so everything is bright and florescent. The neon lines create a perspective of a dance floor in the distance, accented by a funky moon in the background. To give the design an otherworldly feel, I incorporated a galaxy-themed background. Finally, around the cassette tape, I added 80s arcade carpet patterns as the perfect finishing touch to complete the look.

Nail by Jennie Shaw For my Wild Card nail, I chose to pay a tiny tribute to Helena Rubinstein. My staple beauty product outside of nails is mascara. A quick search showed that a man named Eugene Rimmel invented mascara, which was irrelevant to the challenge. Bummer. Upon digging deeper, though, I read that Helena Rubinstein invented the world’s first mascara wand. A woman improving a man’s invention? Perfect! Plus the glorious gold pen-like tube? Consider me sold. Any excuse to use both gold and platinum chrome sounds good to me! In 1957, mascara kind of worked like toothpaste, where you’d squeeze cream from a tube onto a tiny brush. Sounds like a messy nightmare, honestly. No wonder Rubinstein’s wand was revolutionary! Tiny grooves at the end of the applicator separated lashes, and the mascara was even waterproof. Rubinstein called it the Mascara-Matic, which I love because it’s fun to say and because hyphenating two words to create a new one is super fun. I based my design on this advertisement. Every element of my design is hand-made with nail products. I used LeChat Liquid Gel Builder in Natural for the nail and the clear builder to create depth. I noticed quite a few competitors sculpt curtains on either side of the nail and wanted to try it. The nail is so light compared to using acrylic! I’m obsessed! Information on the curtains of my nails (they must have a proper name, but I can’t find it lol) comes from the bottom right of the advertisement. The mascara tube is hollow to fit the wand, despite how they’re adhered to the nail. I went for an overall glam and retro vibe, reflected in the font choices and the vibrant eyeshadow. I also wanted the nail to feature different angles of the 3D elements while feeling cohesive and positioned them accordingly. I particularly love the side with the product features and the angled brush and bottle. Gradients are gorgeous and add a little extra difficulty, in addition to the various fonts and sizes of lettering. I strove to make my lines crisp and clean, and I feel like this nail is a great representation of my nail art strengths.

Nail by Lila Nguyen This challenge has been tough because choosing just one person I admire is hard. There are so many incredible women in the industry, each inspiring in their own way. But if I had to pick one person I truly look up to, it would be Jan Arnold. As a former CND educator, I had the chance to meet Jan Arnold, and she was like a bright star. Her confidence, her knowledge, and the way she carries herself in this industry are truly inspiring. If you’re in the nail world, you know her name. She represents professionalism, passion, and innovation—qualities I deeply admire. Growing up, my parents did nails in the ‘90s, and every salon I visited with my mom carried Solar Nail. I always heard about it but never understood why it was such a big deal. When I officially joined the industry in 2004, I learned about Creative Nail Design—its history, how it started in a garage, and how it became what it is today. Jan Arnold and CND have always pushed boundaries in the industry. One day, I hope to carry myself with the same confidence, be as business-savvy, and make my own impact in the nail world.

Nail by Ellie Citalan Nailz by Dev has truly inspired me because she remains authentically herself despite her rapid rise in popularity. She never forgets her roots, always stays humble and is supportive of those with smaller followings. Her dedication to educating others in the industry is something I deeply admire. I’m especially inspired by her entrepreneurial spirit in creating her own brand of products, and her incredible artistic talent, specially in character nail art. She is my inspiration and someone who I really look up to! I’ve also met her in person and what you see is what you get. Since she’s a 90’s queen, I wanted to make a pop art-style nail. I decided to use a mix of matte and shine. I wanted to make the art pieces look like stickers. And I added 3D elements of 90’s games that were often used.

Nail by Melissa Whiffen I decided to theme my nail to Kirsty Meakin. Years ago, I saw her create an Alice in Wonderland mixed media art piece via a step by step video on her Youtube channel. Watching it, I discovered my love for mixed media nail art and then entered my first nail art competition. Her passion, creativity and love for nails show through within her nail art. She is inspirational, being true to herself and her personality. She constructs herself around her sense of humor and happiness, making learning nail art and nail techniques fun. I wanted to create a nail to her style, featuring diamonds, roses, chains and embellishments that she wears on her nails and has taught others in her videos. She exhibits her passion, whether its demos, creating clients' nails or her own, and encourages others to gain confidence through nail art. Her love is genuine, with positive reinforcement, and has a supportive environment around her academy. She has helped me feel more confident about my work and learn from my failures, to continue with nail art to prefect techniques from the ideas she shares. I've learned to take risks to learn my style and abilities. Kirsty has helped so many others by inspiring them through her nail art skills and career journey: from nail artist to YouTuber, launching her own products line and teaching internationally, she is devoted to helping others advance their skills. She is a woman in the beauty industry that has created a successful career and admire her for her accomplishments.

Who else could be called a trendsetter if not Kim Kardashian? I’m inspired by this woman: everything she touches becomes a trend. Kim has an incredible ability to influence fashion and pop culture, often setting trends that resonate globally! I am obsessed and respect her.