1. “Salon Perfect – Modern Almond” (Form Sculpting)

Objective of the Challenge:
 Create a technical manicure on 5 nails, extended into a modern salon almond shape, highlighting precision, symmetry, balanced thinness, and commercial aesthetic appeal.
 Time allowed: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Participants:
 One technician + one model.
 The model must have clean natural nails, free of any product.
 No preparatory work on the model is allowed before the competition starts (this will be checked by the field judges).

Allowed Products:

• Acrylic system, UV/LED gel, or acrygel – at the competitor’s choice

   

• Primer, bonder, base coat, top coat

   

• Forms/templates for extensions (allowed and recommended) – forms may be pre-cut

   

• Electric file and manual files

   

• Cuticle oil, hand lotion – ONLY at the end

   

• Colored gels, cover pink, milky white – for construction purposes only, NOT decorative

   

• Shine/top coat gels (no glitter or special effects)

   

• Own UV/LED lamp

   

• Disinfectant, gloves, mask

   

Prohibited Products & Techniques:

• Stamping, water decals, stickers, foil, rhinestones, or any decoration

   

• Unlabeled products

   

• Any product containing glitter, pearl, holo effects, cat eye, etc.

   

• Covering natural nails before the start

   

• Tips or pre-formed extensions (unless explicitly allowed)

   

• Nails built in stiletto or extreme almond shapes are not accepted (this is a salon-style – must be wearable)

   

Judging Criteria:

• Shape: symmetry, equal length, correct C-curve, balanced architecture

   

• Structure: correctly placed apex, uniform thickness, clean sidewalls

   

• Surface: smoothness, no bumps, dust, or gaps, even shine

   

• Cuticle area: clean work, no product on the skin

   

• Overall appearance: attractive, wearable nails, perfect salon finish

   

Penalties and Disqualification:

• Exceeding the allocated time

   

• Touching the model or products before the start

   

• Use of prohibited products

   

• Application of banned decorations or effects

   

• Any attempt to cheat the rules results in immediate disqualification

   

Judging Breakdown Table:

| TOTAL | | 100 points |

2.    “Gel Art – One Hand, 5 Stories”

Challenge Description:
 Each competitor must create 5 artistic nails on a single hand, each with a different design, yet all tied together by a clear and coherent common theme. The final piece must tell a story in 5 visual chapters.

Time Allowed: 2 hours

Participants:
 One technician + one model.
 Work is done on only one hand (5 nails).
 Nails may be pre-built (with extensions), but NOT decorated or artistically prepared beforehand.
 The nail shape is up to the competitor (stiletto, square, almond, etc.) – but must be the same for all 5 nails.

Theme:

The competitor must choose a clearly defined theme (e.g. “Alice in Wonderland”, “Art Nouveau”, “5 Mythological Seasons”, “Planets of the Solar System”, etc.).
 The theme must be presented on an A4 sheet (title + short description), which will be submitted at the beginning of judging.

Allowed Products & Techniques:

• Colored UV/LED gels, painting gels, 3D gels, art gels

   

• Transparent gels, glitter gels, metallic, and special effects gels (aura, cat eye, pearl, etc.)

   

• Acrylic paints, pigments, watercolor for nail art

   

• 3D decorations made manually from gel or acrylic (NO pre-made items)

   

• Fine brushes, striping tools, dotting tools, sculpting instruments

   

• Pre-cut forms

   

• Glossy or matte top coats

   

• Electric file and UV/LED lamp

   

• Disinfectant, gloves, mask

   

Prohibited Products & Techniques:

• Stickers, water decals, pre-made nail tattoos

   

• Stamping plates or printed stencils

   

• Rhinestones, jewelry, chains, store-bought items

   

• Non-technical accessories (sequins, beads, fabric, plastic)

   

• Industrially made 3D decorations

   

• Any decoration applied before the start time

   

• Reusable tips

   

Judging Criteria (Summary):

• Theme & Storytelling – clarity, coherence, creativity

   

• Individual Nail Design – uniqueness

   

• Visual Consistency across all 5 nails

   

• Artistic Technique – detail, precision, material control

   

• Difficulty Level & Originality

   

• Clean Execution – no excess product, clean edges

   

• Overall Visual Impact

   

Additional Rules:

• Only one original work is allowed, created entirely during the competition

   

• Any attempt to pre-decorate or violate rules leads to disqualification

   

• Judges may request evidence of live execution

   

• The theme sheet is mandatory

   

Judging Breakdown Table:

| TOTAL | | 100 pts|

3.    “Natural Square – Salon Architecture”

Challenge Description:
 This competition tests the ability to create a set of 10 square-shaped technical nails with extensions, designed to meet real salon standards. The focus is on wearable, modern, functional, and aesthetically balanced architecture. Emphasis is placed on correct proportions, symmetry, sharp filing lines, and even thickness.

Time Allowed: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Participants:
 One technician + one model.
 Work must be done on both hands – 10 nails identical in shape and length.
 The model’s natural nails must be untouched before the start (they will be checked by the judges).
 Only sculpting with forms is allowed – tips are prohibited.

Allowed Products:

• UV/LED builder gel, acrylic, or acrygel
• Cover pink, milky white, or soft white as color options
• Primer, bonder, base coat, top coat (glossy or matte)
• Files, electric drill, finishing tools
• Cuticle oil, hand lotion (only after completion)
• Disinfectant, gloves, mask

Prohibited Products & Techniques:

• Tips (of any kind)
• Effect gels (glitter, pearl, cat eye, mirror, etc.)
• Pigments, stickers, decorations
• Colored decorative gels
• Decorative French, stamping, painting techniques
• 3D decorations or applications

Technical Objective:

To create 10 identical square nails, with sharp parallel lines, natural thickness, professional architecture, and a perfectly smooth surface. The final result must reflect a high-end salon service, feasible within real client timeframes.

Penalties:

• Uneven or misaligned nail shapes
• Excessively thick or dangerously thin structure
• Incomplete work
• Oily or unfinished cuticles
• Lack of symmetry between nails
• Use of prohibited products → disqualification

   

Judging Criteria – Detailed Scoring Sheet

| TOTAL | | 100 pts|

4.  “The Ideal Cuticle – Precision Manicure”

Description of the Trial:
 This trial evaluates the technique, precision, and safety of working around the cuticle area through a complete, clean, and aesthetic manicure, in accordance with modern salon and nail spa standards. Emphasis is placed on detail, symmetry, gentleness, and absolute cleanliness, with no compromise regarding the health of the natural nail.

Allocated Time: 40 minutes

Participants:
 One technician + one model.
 Work is done on both hands (10 natural nails).
 No prior work on the nails is allowed before the start.
 The model’s cuticles must be in their natural state – no cuts, treatments, or previous preparation.

Allowed Products and Tools:

• Electric drill with bits for combined/Russian manicure

   

• Professional scissors, orange wood stick, metal spatulas

   

• Disinfectant, gloves, mask

   

• Lotion, cream, cuticle oil (only at the end)

   

• Desk lamp (optional, for precision)

   

• Softening solutions if using classic manicure

   

• Transparent soak-off base gel (optional, for shine only – not for building), glossy top coat

   

Forbidden:

• No builder products (gel, acrylic, acrygel)

   

• No color or decoration

   

• No abrasive or bleaching products

   

• No aggressive or excessive cutting of lateral folds

   

• No tips or nail forms

   

Trial Objective:
 To perform a precise, clean, safe, and symmetrical manicure on natural nails, demonstrating perfect control over the cuticle area and presenting a high-quality salon/spa-level result.

Penalties:

• Bleeding, scratched, or damaged cuticles

   

• Uneven product application (if base or top coat is used)

   

• Visible cuticle residue

   

• Unfinished edges or asymmetrical work

   

• Violation of any restriction

   

Detailed Scoring Sheet – The Ideal Cuticle: Precision Manicure

| TOTAL SCORE | | 100 points |

5.  “Speed Babyboomer – Express Challenge”

Description of the Trial:
 The “Speed Babyboomer” is a challenge focused on speed and precision, where the competitor must complete a technical babyboomer (classic ombré: white ↔ cover pink) on 5 nails within a limited time. Emphasis is on a flawless gradient transition, proper structure, and delivering a fast yet salon-quality result.

Allocated Time: 60 minutes

Participants:
 One technician + one model.
 Only one hand is worked on (5 nails).
 Nails must be natural and untouched before the start.
 The nail shape must be almond – identical across all 5 nails.

Allowed Products and Techniques:

• Gel, rubber base, acrylic or acrygel

   

• Primer, bonder, base coat, top coat

   

• Camouflage gels (cover pink, nude) + soft white gels (milky, etc.)

   

• UV/LED lamp, electric file, files

   

• Cuticle oil – only at the end

   

Forbidden:

• Babyboomer using gel polish or sponge

   

• Glitter gels, metallic pigments, special effect products

   

• Colored gels, nail art, decorative French tips

   

• Tips

   

• Pre-shaped nails before start time

   

Trial Objective:
 To create a flawless babyboomer with an invisible white-to-nude gradient, within a short timeframe, without compromising nail shape, structure, shine, or professional quality.

Penalties:

• Visible line of demarcation between white and nude

   

• Inconsistent shapes or asymmetry

   

• Incomplete work at the end of the time limit

   

• Use of forbidden products

   

• Excessive thickness or missing apex

   

Detailed Scoring Sheet – Speed Babyboomer: Express Challenge

| TOTAL SCORE | | 100 points |

6.  “Trend Alert: Insta Design”

Trial Description:
 This category tests the competitor’s ability to recreate or reinterpret a current, viral, or trending nail design as seen on social media platforms. The work is done on one hand (5 nails), and the final design must clearly reflect the style, colors, and aesthetic currently trending online.

Allocated Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
 (adjusted based on complexity and competition level)

Participants:
 One technician + one model.
 Work is done on one full hand (5 nails).
 Nail forms may be applied before the timer starts, but no product (color, gel, decoration, base, or design) may be applied in advance.
 The competitor must present the source of inspiration (1–3 image collage or printed reference of the chosen trend).

Shape:
 Free choice between oval, almond, or square – but must be consistent on all 5 nails.

Theme:
 The design can be freely chosen, but must be relevant to current nail trends, such as:
 “aura nails”, “abstract chrome swirls”, “velvet nails”, “coquette core”, “mirror powder art”, “milky marble”, “butterfly chrome”, etc.
 It may be a creative reinterpretation or a faithful reproduction – but must clearly be identifiable as part of a known trend.

Allowed Products:

• Colored gels, gel polish, acrylic paints, 3D gels, special effect gels

   

• Pigments and powders (chrome, velvet, sugar, aura, etc.)

   

• Hand-made 3D decorations (no pre-fab)

   

• Foils, stamping, accessories that fit the chosen trend

   

• Extension forms

   

• Fine detail brushes, dotting tools, sponges, artistic tools

   

Prohibited:

• Pre-manufactured 3D decorations (plastic, metal, jewelry)

   

• Designs that don’t reflect current trends (e.g., vintage, classic, outdated)

   

• Any pre-designed or pre-decorated nails before the official start

   

Objective:
 To create a trendy, clean, and visually powerful nail set that is modern, viral, and ready for social media presentation (“Instagram Ready”), using techniques relevant to online content.

Penalties:

• Sloppy, dirty, or unfinished work

   

• Lack of alignment with the selected trend

   

• Messy execution, poor finishing

   

• No clear or missing inspiration source

   

• Use of forbidden techniques or commercial decorations

   

Detailed Scoring Sheet – Trend Alert: Insta Design

| TOTAL SCORE | | 100 points |

Construcție tehnică în formă migdală modernă de salon
Lungime medie, formă de zi cu zi
Ideală pentru cele care vor să-și demonstreze precizia și eleganța