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TIPS OF THE WEEK 
by Vicki Peters
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TIP OF THE WEEK #20
COMPETING FOR THE FIRST TIME by Vicki Peters

Are you thinking about competing but don't know where to start? Well this 
tip of the week is about helping you step into the competition arena for the 
first time wiser and more knowledgeable than if you went in cold, which most 
techs do because there is no where to go for this kind of information. 

Except with me of course! I usually teach a pre-competition class the night 
before the nail competitions I manage, however the Premiere Show does not do 
a pre-competition class. All of the pre-competition classes I teach are free 
even if you don't compete. 

At the Premiere Show this August 20 & 21 in Orlando we have scheduled a 
Beginners Salon Success Nail Competition that I recommend for the first time 
competitor. It is an hour and a half competition that is looking for salon 
work not the traditional long sleek, precise competition nails. It is the 
Salon Success Division 2 Competition scheduled for 9:45am Monday. You can do 
anything from fiberglass, sculpts, tips and overlays of any kind, gels, 
acrylresin and light cured acrylic. All the categories on the score sheet are 
the same with the exception of one: form fit and tip fit & blending - they 
switch but the totals end up the same so it is fair to compete with any kind 
of salon nails. 

Here are a few tips to competing for the first time:
1. Read my how to choose a competition model Tip Of The Week #19.
2. Get the rules and regulations from the show and read them thoroughly. 
3. Find out who the competition director is and how you can reach them for 
technical questions. 
4. Choose a partner - your model.
5. Make travel & hotel arrangements if your traveling in.
6. Eat a good breakfast.
7. Arrive early and get set up so you're not stressed.
8. Network with as many other competitors as you can - you can learn so much 
more from this on how to compete smart. 
9. Set a reasonable list of goals such as: 
a. Finish within the 1 ½ hour time frame
b. Do the best nails you know how to do
c. Keep your stress level to a minimum
d. Have fun
e. Meet top gun competitors 
10. Plan on staying the entire day 
11. See the winning nails
12. Get your score sheet
13. Get critiqued by all the judges and me if you can.
14. Pack a kit that has everything you could possibly need.
PACKING LIST:
Extension cord - you may need one
Dark table towels - to see the nails better
Paper table towels
Trash baggie
Lamp - you may want 2 and that is where the extension cord may be needed.
Try using the OTT lamps - they are portable and you can bring 2.
Manicuring bowl / spray bottle - you need to soak and cleanse 
the nails because you cannot leave the 
competition area to wash. Most competitors bring a flat 
Tupperware container that submerges the entire hand 
to plump it up. 
Soap - some competition do not allow soap but I do
Nail Brush
2 - 3 Dappen dishes - use a separate dappen dish for the white powder and 
pink powder. 
The white powder milks up the liquid and you do not 
want to use that liquid for 
apply the pink powder. Another one to soak a nail 
off if needed. 
Files - bring at least five of each grit you use. Using a worn out file will 
not give an even 
shine - scratches on some will be deeper than others and hard to 
buff out. This 
way using new files throughout will give you an even playing 
filed for buffing and 
you won't precious waste time.
Buffers - same thing, bring at least 5 if not one for each nail.
High Shine Buffers - I like three sizes, a skinny one for the cuticle area, a 
block for the 
entire nail and a fat cushioned on like a Creative Girlfriend 
for the ultimate finish. Red polish - cream only. Suggestions - OPI Red 
(which has a slight shimmer that is 
acceptable) and Toma's Black Widow are used the most in 
competition. 
EZ Flow has a few colors that are very good and so does Creative.
The main thing here is coverage, not too dark and 
not too light. A middle of the 
road color is the best not too orange or not too 
blue. And make sure you polish 
the tip's edges on the sides as well as the tip's 
edge.
Base & top coats - not all competitions allow this so read the rules and 
have them in your 
case just in case you can use them.
Cuticle Oil - always have it with you and clarify if you can us it - this is 
the category that
will definitely disqualify you if you use cuticle when not in 
the rules. 
Corrector pen or brush - this is to clean up the polish. I prefer a synthetic 
short 
pointed gel brush to get into the tight areas and go around the 
cuticle area when
the polish is dry. A trick I use for the covers of Nailpro.
Extra light bulbs - just in case you break one.
Heating pad - to keep your model warm - another reason for an extension cord 
or even 
an electric bar. 

One of the most important things you must keep in mind is you should focus on 
the purpose not the prize. You goal for the first competition is to learn 
the ropes so you can compete smarter the next time. I hear in every 
competition so many times from first time competitors - "if I only knew" and 
the only way you learn is by doing one. 

Always compete against yourself, and what I mean by that is to go in and do 
your best work under pressure. Don't worry about what the next person is 
doing, worry about focusing on doing your best work. The score sheet will 
compare your work for you. On your score sheet will be the placement and 
score so even if you come in dead last only you and I will know it. 

Do pink and whites, there is a smile line category that if you don't you will 
get a lower score. I have seen clear nails win but they were outstanding in 
every other category, which overshadowed the low smile line score. And 
remember that the last category in the rules and regulations list the 
categories on the score sheet you will actually be judged on

Believe me you think 90 minutes is a long time to do a full set? Not at all - 
the time will tick away faster than you can believe. Schedule your time and 
have your model keep you on track. You're in a different environment doing 
nails under pressure - the time will slip away trust me. 

Compete for the right reasons, the critique. Even if you never compete again 
this is a good way to compare your work, get timesaving and technical tips 
that can only improve your work in the salon, which is what it is all about 
anyway. 
Vicki Peters

DISCLAIMER
Any products mentioned in the "Tip Of The Week by Vicki Peters" is not an 
endorsement of any kind.

Vicki Peters 
"When you stop learning your career ends and your job begins"
Visit my new web site: http://vickipeters.com 

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