The first and most important thing is to read and understand the rules. Every competition is different and is scored differently. Posting competition winning photo's here is not useful unless the nails meet the criteria of the competition you want to enter.
In addition to understand the rules (if you don't ask the organiser), it's equally important that you can critique your own nails. Essentially this means being able to judge your own nails. That's not easy as it takes a lot of experience and a great eye to accurately judge a set of nails (so my wife tells me, LOL!). But start to practice once you've read the rules.
I think that many people believe there is some secret to winning competitions. They are right - it's call hard work. I'd also add Gigi's mantra, "it's perfect practice to make perfect". You should practice some element of your technique with every customers nails you make and then practice full competition nails on your model - do this in a competition like scenario. Set a stop watch, imagine the pressure and noise as you make the nails.
Choosing a model with beautiful hands and natural nails with deep c-curve and long nail beds is very important. No surprise that the current top competitor in the World, Lynn Lammers, uses the same model every competition and also flys her from New York to California where Lynn lives just for practice!
The most common point losing mistakes made are poorly painted nails, and dirt/dust/paint on the underside of the nails.
Make sure you have two of everything in your bag - use fresh unused products. Take layers of clothes, some venues can be cold. Arrive well in time to register. Have you model keep quiet except to remind you of the time during the comp.
Don't expect too much at your first comps. Set yourself some realistic goals and aim for those. Then increase the goals with each competition - it's all about improving each time.
Finally, have fun. Remember it's going to make you a better tech and take the opportunity to socialise and network. At the end ask the judges for their comments how you can improve further and make sure you take some close photo's of the winners nails - it will help with your personal critique next time.
Hope this helps.
Bob
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