Monday, February 16, 2015

The Nail School Chronicle: Week 11


Hello Loves!  As I mentioned last week, we had another nail art competition this past week.  This time, the rules were very relaxed and it was really fun.  Plus, I remembered to get pictures of all of the entries this time!  Whoo Hoo!  So let's start with the fun stuff and I'll end with the regular updates.  :)

There were 6 of us who entered the competition.  The theme was "In the Name of Love"...or something like that.  I can't really remember but that sounds right.  This time, we were given free reign on our designs, mediums used, etc.  We could do acrylic nails or just use press-on nails if we wanted.  And we were given an hour to complete the design.  We could use our own hand or the mannequin hand.  Needless to say, the results were much better this time!  Ready to see the entries?

The first entry (and this is not the order they were in for the actual competition - just the order they were in on my camera) is Nicole's from Nail Polish Wars.  She did this really awesome color blind test doticure.  If you follow her, you've already seen it in her school update for the week.  If not, pop over to her blog for better pictures. :)
GCI Valentine's Day Nail Art Competition Entry 1

I did get one closer shot that I can't resist sharing.  I also turned it black and white so you can see that not only does she have more patience with a dotting tool than God ever intended a woman to have, but the test actually works.  lol 
Nicole from Nail Polish Wars' Color Blind Test Doticure

The second entry is a combination of acrylic, glitter, and do-dads.  I have no clue what you actually call these rhinestone cluster pieces, but they're really fun.  I ordered them from Ebay during my crazy "You Left Me Up Alone on New Years Eve Shopping Spree" and it just seemed right to share them with my classmates.  :)
GCI Valentine's Day Nail Art Competition Entry 2

Entry #3 takes love on the wild side with some fun animal inspired designs.  Ignore that crooked middle nail.  This is why I stopped using tape to prep my hand.  It falls apart when you file even if you barely touch it.
GCI Valentine's Day Nail Art Competition Entry 3

Entry #4 combines stamped lace and acrylic flowers (roses?) over sculpted acrylic nails.
GCI Valentine's Day Nail Art Competition Entry 4

Entry #5 is a combination of acrylic, glitter, heartbeats, and an insane junk nail.  I wish I had thought to get a picture of the thumb nail straight on.  It was loaded with do-dads.  I was kind of shocked her arm didn't hang a little lower on one side after wearing that nail for a day or so.  lol
GCI Valentine's Day Nail Art Competition Entry 5

Entry #6 went with a galaxy theme.
GCI Valentine's Day Nail Art Competition Entry 6

Like the previous competition, this one was judged by the students and instructors from the other departments.  GCI has Cosmetology, Massage Therapy and Esthetics.  Ready to see the winners?
GCI Nail Technology Valentine's Day Nail Art Contest Winners

Ok, so I didn't tell you which entry was mine.  Yeah, I'm not going to tell you.  ;)  I think I'll let you guess.  I will say that I'm not very proud of my entry.  Actually, I consider it to be a hot mess.  Rather than sticking with what I know best, I decided to try something new.  Note to self - stick with what you know for competitions!  Anyway, lets see how well you know me.  Let me know in the comments which entry you think was mine.  :)

Moving on to the not as fun stuff.  We started the chapter on anatomy this week.  I'm having major flashbacks to freshman year of high school!  I have a project due on Tuesday (we're off Monday) where I have to build a model of a cell.  Not going to lie...I'm really tempted to break out my jello mold for this one.  lol

The rest of the week was more of the same.  Repetitions and clients.  I did a few gel polish manicures and a few basic mani/pedi combos.  The most interesting part of it all is talking to the clients.  I think that is the part I will love most about being a nail tech - hearing the stories of many different people while I perform their nail services.  One of my clients is a retired nurse who was excited about the opening of Fifty Shades of Grey.  Another was preparing to go on her first a cruise for a friend's wedding.  Yet another is a wounded veteran who is also a student at GCI.  His life, his story, his outlook...all so amazing and inspiring to me.

Which brings me to the bad news for the week.  Makeup hours have been temporarily suspended.  As y'all know, I'm behind in my hours due to the kids (and me) being sick off an on.  I'm really freaked out that I can't continue making them up right now.  The closer I get to graduation, the harder it will become to get caught back up.  And I have no clue how it will impact my financial aid.  If I can't get them caught up before my graduation date, I'll have to extend my term and that will cost me out of pocket.  I'm praying they open it back up soon.  Goodness knows I can't afford to extend my schooling.

Speaking of financials, now is a pretty good time for a Manic Talons Manicurist Dream Drive update.  As of right now, the Go Fund Me account is at $2411.  Almost 1/4 of my total goal! I can't thank y'all enough!  Seriously, I'm still amazed by the support you have shown me and all of the encouraging messages I have received!


Of course, I still have a ways to go.  I spent a lot of time this past week working on my destash.  Storenvy is incredibly slow at uploading photos, but I managed to get 68 polishes loaded.  My bubble wrap pouches came in this past weekend, so I should be able to open the sale early this week.  Maybe even later today or tomorrow, so keep an eye out for that.  I'll post separately when it goes live and share on all of my social media outlets.  :)

Finally, here's my simple Mardi Gras mani.  The colors are RevelNail Supernova and Matrix with Solid faded from the tips.  :)  It's amazing how a simple mani can feel so extravagant when you're used to wearing elaborate art. 
Simple Mardi Gras Manicure

So there you have it - my week in review.  Oh yeah, be on the lookout this week for a Bio Seaweed Gel Vintage Garden Collection Giveaway too!  Heck, just camp out on my blog.  I might throw out a few other things you won't want to miss.  ;)

~Michelle

11 comments:

  1. I'd say entry #4 is yours :)

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  2. I agree. Thought #4 was yours as soon as i saw it.

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  3. Did they say how long makeup was suspended?? Im sure your not the only one that needs to make up some hours.

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  4. Entry 4 is definitely your style, but you called your work a hot mess. I fail to see how entry 4 represents a hot mess -- that phrase would work better for a couple of the other entries. Based on the wording of your post, though, I have to rule out entry 3.

    Thus, I am guessing you one the thing with entry 1.

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  5. Love your Mardi Gras nails. I reckon entry #4 is yours - the flowers look just like the ones you did with the BM modelling gel.

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  7. I vote for entry #4!! Can the winners get a prize - some nice gel polish perhaps? ;-) ♥♥♥

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  8. What can I say? Y'all know me well. #4 was my entry. I had this great idea in my head, but it didn't translate well onto the nail. The lace is from the Messy Mansion Lace plate and it has a layer of acrylic over it that smeared the stamping. It created a kind of grungy look, so that worked. The roses, on the other hand, are a flop. Only one turned out the way I wanted it. I think I'll stick to modeling gel!

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  9. I still think yours is lovely. And Nicole's is pretty fun. Don't be so hard on yourself--perfect art takes more than an hour! . . . So on your Mardi Gras mani, did you sponge "Solid" on or use a brush? I'm excited that I have the polish to try it. :)

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    1. I sponged solod on with the thin side of a makeup sponge :)

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