Judges Instruction for Nail Structure Categories

10 points total on all categories.
2 points can be earn for each nail.
Each nail is judged separately.
The nail must meet all of the criteria for the category being judged to earn points.

Convex

The exterior contour of the nail form should be completely symmetric
The surface of the nail should have no inconsistencies or appear to be uneven on the outer surface.
The judge will examine the nail by looking at the nail head on and check zone 3 and from the back side perspective to check zone 2.
The convex or surface of the nail should contour symmetrically throughout the entire nail until it reaches zone 1. See example for nail zones
The nail can earn a 1 point for each correct zone

Concave

The interior contour or tunnel of the free edge must be completely symmetrical and concentric.
The nail’s Free edge should have the appearance of the inside of a tunnel from the start of the c-curve to the finger’s distal edge that is apparent to the eye or until the c-curve stick touches the finger’s tip from the underside.
The Concave should represent symmetry and be concentric. The nail can earn a 1 point for each that is correct.
The nail will earn 1 point if the Concave is concentric where the Free edge begins. It should not appear to have a form that was applied to allow for excessive product. The form is applied completely following the nail’s Distal Edge.
The nail will earn 1 point if the Concave is symmetric throughout the free edge. There should not be any inconsistencies in the formation of the Free edge’s “tunnel”

Arch and Apex

The high point (apex) of the arch should not appear overly apparent.
It should have a subtle and gradual incline that is located consistently in the second zone of each nail. See example of zone 2
The entire arch including the apex, should be not be overly apparent or appear too flat.
The arch should not be located too far forward or back when looking at the entire nail from a profile perspective.
The nail can earn a 1 point for each of these two criteria that are required.

Form Fit

The nails extension should be free of any notches or gaps on the lateral side folds where the free edge extension begins.
The notches are created during the application process and can’t be created with a file.
The nail can earn a 1 point for each side of the nail that doesn’t have a notch.

Judges Instruction for Shape and Refining Categories

10 points total for all of these categories
2 points can be earned for each nail.
1 point may be given
Each nail is judged on its own merit.
The nail must meet all of the criteria for the category being judged to earn its point or ½ point.

Free Edge Thickness

The nail must be consistently thin throughout the nails free edge and measure the same on the sidewalls and match the center to earn 1 point,
The free edge should not be any thicker than 1.5mm where zone 2 and 3 meet.
The nail can earn 1 point for each of these two criteria that are required.
See example of measuring tools used to measure the thickness

Sidewalls

The Free edge must extend straight out from the lateral folds.
The nail should not flare out or taper in when looking at the hand from a front perspective.
The nail should be uniform on each side.
There should not be any ridges on the free edge extension.
The sides of the free edges should feel smooth and appear to be filed clean.
There is 1 point earned for each side of every nail being scored.

Lateral Side Extension

To find the lateral side extension you must look at the extension from the nails profile.
the free edge must extend straight out from the natural nails lateral fold.
The nail should not drop down or appear to be tapered upward from the profile perspective.
The nail should appear to have symmetry so the side extensions are consistently located.
There should be no exposure of the natural nail’s lateral fold.
There is 1 point earned for each side of every nail being scored.

Judges Instruction for Shape and Refining Categories Continued

5 &10 points total for all of these categories.
1 or 2 points for each nail.
Each nail is judged separately
The nail must meet all of the criteria for the category being judged to earn points.

C-Curve

The C-Curves must be a minimum 40% of a circle and no more than 50% to earn 1 point
Each c-curve should appear concentric of a half circle to earn 1 point

Judges Instruction for Shape and Refining

10 points total on all categories.
2 points a nail.
½ points are allowed
Each nail is judged separately
The nail must meet all of the criteria for the category being judged to earn all points.

Nail Shape

The shape of the nails must look consistent and uniform.
The top of the Free-edge must not appear to be filed unevenly. If it is filed straight, it earns a 1 point
The Free edge must look straight as it extends from the nail plate.
It should not look as if the nail was applied crooked or that the nail is off in a tilted direction.
The extension should be applied true to the natural nail.
The nail should be straight to the nail. Not straight to the finger.
The hand will be turned around so the nail is examined from the front perspective.
If the nail has been applied properly and the shape appears to look straight the nails earns a 1 point.

Surface & Shine

The nail should feel completely smooth on the surface to earn 1 point
The gel sealer should be completely cured to a high shine to earn 1 point.

Judges Instructions for Length

5 points total for this category
The points on the score sheet that represents the French hand are the points earned for each nails accuracy with the French application ratios.
If it is a 1 hand competition, each nail earns 1 point for the accuracy of the French extension.

Length

The nail is measured from the center of the proximal fold (cuticle area) to the tip of the Free edge.
Each nail should have the same measurement. The middle finger will be used as a point of reference..
1 point earned for each correct nail..

Judges Instruction for Application and Finishing

10 points total on all categories.
2 points a nail.
Each nail is judged separately
The nail must meet all of the criteria for the category being judged to earn 2 points.

Cuticle Area

The cuticle area and surrounding skin on the nail folds must not have any new and apparent cuts or irritation around the entire nail to earn 1 point.
There should not be any apparent ledge of product that can be felt or seen near the proximal folds to earn ½ point
The application of product must be apparent and cover the entire cuticle area near the proximal fold without leaving a large margin between the cuticle line near the proximal fold.
The product must not be overly filed and must be apparent to earn ½ point.

Underside

There should no visible dust, debris, water or excessive oil on the back of the nail.
The nail will earn 1 point for the nail to have a clean appearance
The product application must appear smooth behind the nail with no excess product to earn 1 point for each nail.

Rules

1. 1 hand competition. Time allowed is 1 hour (60 minutes)
2. This is a competition with one tone or shade of color product is used to create the entire application. The extension of the nail must be at minimum of 1 cm and no longer than 1.5cm from the top of the natural nails Distal Edge.
3. Gel or Acrylic sculpted nails to be created. Any type of gel or acrylics may be used.
4. Cover shades or Natural should be used.
5. The nails are expected to be thin (1.5mm maximum in the center of the the nails Free edge where it meets between zone 2 & 3. (See Zone Diagram). The structure is well contoured within the interior (concave) and exterior (convex) and the tip of the free edge should have a symmetric and concentric shape ( c-curve) in the structure.
6. The Free edge shape is extreme square.
7. The competitor must sculpt the nails with forms. No tips allowed and no dual systems
8. Forms are allowed to be pre-cut and prepared before the events. Metal supports are allowed. Doubling of forms are allowed. Cutting forms are allowed.

9. The nails should be shined with gel sealer or top coat
10. Cuticle oil is allowed but must be well massaged into the nail. There must not be excessive amount of oil dripping off the finger or there will be a point deduction for underside.
11. All Dust needs to be well removed. Water and soap may be used to clean. Compressed air may also be used to blow away dust.
12. No glue is allowed in this sculptured competition. Keep it off the table to prevent warning that can lead to point deductions
13. Electric files are allowed, but competitor must supply their own machine, electrical cords and adaptors. Electric file oil and all types of bits
14. Pinching tools, c-curve stick and all types of tools used to create a proper structure are allowed.
15. Points are earned by following the criteria correctly.
16. All general rules apply to this competition.
17. Total possible points is the same for all divisions. 125