CHAMPIONING PROFESSIONAL ARTISTRY & CREATIVITY
THEME: Colour in motion
We’ve seen creative sculpts, extreme shapes and avant-garde styles appear throughout the Season 2 NASNA challenges to date, so for the penultimate task, sponsor brand, Gelish, wanted contestants to focus on colour. From the 25 shortlisted pros, just nine remain, who each received a package from the brand to tell a story through shades and design.
Cathy Torres - Canada
Jacqueline McClement - Canada
Hope Jung - USA
Kelsey McQuay - USA
Michelle Soto - USA
Erin Paschke - USA
Yuliia Kovalchuk - USA
Jessica Vero - Canada
Sherian Moore - USA
A REMINDER OF THE TASK
This challenge is not about a trend. It’s about expression: COLOR IN MOTION. It celebrates technique, intention and the expressive power of Gelish Cream Gel color.
March is a month of transition - subtle to bold, soft to saturated, stillness to movement. This challenge invites you to explore color expression through the Gelish Cream Gel Palette, using its smooth, blendable formulas to create dynamic, story-driven nail designs.
Think seamless blends, layered color, soft diffusion and intentional transitions across five nails. Your design should showcase how Cream Gel color can move, evolve, and interact - transforming the palette into a living visual narrative.
Use the Gelish Cream Gel Palette as your creative foundation, but do not recreate existing Gelish campaigns or previously published nail designs. Ensure your concept feels fresh, original, and never-before-seen.
PRODUCT USE:
You have been mailed products from Gelish. Please ensure that you use just these products to showcase your skills and color techniques.
DESIGN EXPECTATIONS:
SHAPE
Use the Soft Gel Tips as bases for each fingernail design. These must be adhered to the nails and fit flush/smoothly. Tips can be modified: shortened reshaped, or multiples used etc etc, but refrain from using 3D techniques and other branded products to enhance the length and shape.
The final set must feel intentional, cohesive and editorial. Show us how innovative you can be with the Gelish products provided! Adhere the tips to natural nails for final imagery — application must be seamless.
STYLE
Cream Gel must be the hero and feature clearly and prominently in the design, and be used for all colour work. The power of Cream Gel and your ability to use it to tell a story must be the focus. Only use the products provided to create the design - as this challenge is focused on your painting and color skills.
Focus on blending, gradients, color layering and storytelling. Remember: the 5 nails should work together to express movement, depth and harmony through Cream Gel color.
THE TWIST:
Tell a story through COLOR. Your nail set must visually communicate how Cream Gel color elevates expression. Through your visuals and video, address the following:
- How did the Cream Gel Palette influence your design choices?
- How does your color story reflect transition, growth, or momentum in March?
- What techniques did you use to showcase the blendability and saturation of Cream Gel?
- How does your design elevate professional gel color into an artistic statement?
This is your opportunity to educate, inspire, and demonstrate mastery of Cream Gel color.
DELIVERABLES:
- Up to 15 high-quality photos of your nail design on a WHITE background: a close-up of each nail and photos with all 5 nails in view. Submit from the top, side and front angles. Do not alter or retouch these photos.
- A reel-style video (up to 5-minutes long) demonstrating your creative process, blending techniques and pro tips. Clearly highlight the Gelish Cream Gel palette used.
- Write-up: Share a written explanation of your color story and Cream Gel techniques. (800 words max.)
DEADLINE:
Images, write-up and video must be submitted by 17.00 PST on March 14.
If you have issues with the entry form, please submit the required content via WeTransfer to competitions@scratchmagazine.co.uk and await a confirmation.
SEASON 2 IS SPONSORED BY:
