You Can't Miss These Outrageously Awesome 3D Nail Art Looks
Admit it, your weeknight guilty pleasure is reality television. We know you've seen all the episodes of The Real Housewives of Melbourne, and thanks to Oxygen, we added a new beauty-centric show to your DVR lineup this Fall. The network created a genius nail art competition show — called Nail'd It — and we watched every episode to keep up with the juicy drama. Unfortunately, season one of the show is over with up-and-coming nail artist Ashley Craig taking the final prize.
The 10-week series was hosted by Adrienne Bailon and judged by top manicurists like Tom Bachik and CND cofounder Jan Arnold. Each episode, the manicurists competed in a two-part tournament. The first trial was all about chic, wearable designs, while the elimination round required in-depth 3D work. In the end, Ashley was chosen over 18 contestants, taking home $100,000 and a cover shoot for Nail It! magazine. Keep reading to see all the manicures from the competition including Ashley's winning designs.
Winner: Ashley Craig
Ashley had a leg up on this nail competition because she has a degree in visual art, which means she is comfortable with any medium from tattoos to murals and manicures.
Ashley's Finale Design (Ep. 110)
Ashley's Finale Design (Ep. 110)
Ashley's Quick-Dry Design (Ep. 109)
Ashley's Elimination Design (Ep. 109)
Ashley's Quick-Dry Design (Ep. 103)
Ashley's Elimination Design (Ep. 103)
Kandi Banks
With celebrity clients like Nicki Minaj and Demi Lovato, Kandi has already established herself in the nail business. Her colorful designs are in close competition with her bright rainbow hair color.
Instagram: @kandiyamz
Kandi's Finale Design (Ep. 110)
Kandi's Finale Design (Ep. 110)
Kandi's Quick-Dry Design (Ep. 109)
Kandi's Elimination Design (Ep. 109)
Kandi's Quick-Dry Design (Ep. 107)
Kandi's Elimination Design (Ep. 107)
Kandi's Quick-Dry Design (Ep. 103)
Kandi's Elimination Design (Ep. 103)
Lauren Wireman
A Florida native, Lauren serves as a pastor and nail art aficionado to her husband's church congregation. She's a pro at intricate designs and wearable nail looks.
Instagram: @wildflowersnails
Lauren's Finale Design (Ep. 110)
Lauren's Finale Design (Ep. 110)
Lauren's Quick-Dry Design (Ep. 109)
Lauren's Elimination Design (Ep. 109)
Lauren's Quick-Dry Design (Ep. 104)
Lauren's Elimination Design (Ep. 104)
Classic Mully
Classic has already won over 30 nail art trophies and planned to complete her nail art education in Japan with the Nail'd It prize money. She's a pro at acrylic and 3D nail art with a special passion for sharp stiletto nails.
Instagram: @ClassicMully
Classic's Quick-Dry Design (Ep. 109)
Classic's Elimination Design (Ep. 109)
Classic's Quick-Dry Design (Ep. 101)
Classic's Elimination Design (Ep.101)
Robert Nguyen
Robert has won trophies for his 3D nail creations and often works with international brand OPI. Soon he'll open his own Beverly Hills nail salon called House of Polish.
Instagram: @nailguytv
Robert's Quick-Dry Design (Ep. 108)
Robert's Elimination Design (Ep. 108)
Robert's Quick-Dry Design (Ep. 104)
Robert's Elimination Design (Ep. 104)
Angela Beer
Already a Canadian nail art champion, Angela is a master at customized designs, which gave her a step up in the competition.
Instagram: @Angela_Beer
Angela's Quick-Dry Design (Ep. 108)
Angela's Elimination Design (Ep. 108)
Angela's Quick-Dry Design (Ep. 105)
Angela's Elimination Design (Ep. 105)
Denise "China" Washington
China prefers to be called the "Bling Queen" in a nod to her extremely embellished design aesthetic. This nail pro never met a diamond she didn't like!
Instagram: chinanails
China's Quick-Dry Design (Ep. 108)
China's Elimination Design (Ep. 108)
China's Quick-Dry Design (Ep. 102)
China's Elimination Design (Ep. 102)
Celeste Hampton
Celeste loves glitz, glam, and glitter! You can always expect a touch of bling in her manicures, whether it's 3D studs or powdered particles.
Instagram: @celestialnails
Celeste's Quick-Dry Design (Ep. 107)
Celeste's Elimination Design (Ep. 107)
Celeste's Quick-Dry Design (Ep. 104)
Celeste's Elimination Design (Ep. 104)
Celeste's Elimination Design (Ep. 104)
Jamie Melchor
Jamie already owns her own nail salon in Fresno, CA, but she's looking to rise up the ranks of internationally known nail artists. She is most well known for her mastery of the duck feet design, where the tips of nails are wider than the cuticles.
Instagram: @nailsbyjme
Jamie's Quick-Dry Design (Ep. 107)
Jamie's Elimination Design (Ep. 107)
Jamie's Quick-Dry Design (Ep. 101)
Jamie's Elimination Design (Ep. 101)
Winner: Amber Trawick
Amber's innovative spirit caused her to start a successful nail business out of her own home. She practices all her self-taught skills on her 7-year-old daughter.
Instagram: @preciousnails220
Amber's Quick-Dry Design
Amber's Elimination Design
Jami Procopio
Jami pulls her design inspiration from the street art and graffiti, making her manicures modern and edgy. Even though she's relatively new to the nail scene, Jami already owns her own salon in Syracuse, NY.
Instagram: @nailbang
Jami's Quick-Dry Design
Jami's Elimination Design
Julie Ventura
Already Julie is a YouTube manicure sensation with over 40,000 subscribers. She's also considered one of the top young manicurists to watch. You can find her working in the Paintbox studio in NYC.
Instagram: @juliev37
Julie's Quick-Dry Design
Julie's Elimination Design
Winner: Chris Mans
Chris brings his South African culture to his nail work with elements of Japanese, African, and European design. Even though he's working as a manicurist now, Chris has also got talent as a graphic designer.
Instagram: @JeweledNails
Chris's Quick-Dry Design
Chris's Elimination Design
Lakia Lewis
Lakia, aka Miss International, has a knack for creating over-the-top 3D elements. One day she hopes to create her own brand, Miss International Cosmetics.
Instagram: @Exclusive_nailsbykia
Lakia's Quick-Dry Design
Lakia's Elimination Design
Lakia's Elimination Design
Winnie Huang
Winnie may be a newbie to the nail industry, but you can already see her work in fashion catalogs. The big editorial magazines are sure to be her next frontier.
Instagram: @WinnieIsAwesome
Winnie's Quick-Dry Design
Winnie's Elimination Design
Winner: Thao Dang
Thao's nail style is eye-catching, to say the least. Her pop art designs typically feature her signature eyeball design complete with 3D lashes.
Instagram: _lovepeacenails
Thao's Quick-Dry Design
Thao's Elimination Design
Temeka Jackson
Temeka's manicures are White House-approved. She once created an Obama design starring the entire first family (that's skill).
Instagram: Customtnails1
Temeka's Quick-Dry Design
Temeka's Elimination Design
LaToya Parker
Florida native LaToya may be in her first nail art fight, but she's bringing her original style to the ring. From graphic colors to leopard print, you can expect her designs to have that Miami flair.
Instagram: @nailartaddict305