I am still in need of people who are willing to model in Bergen

The advantages of being a model is that you get a set of nails for free. They may me a little bit more dramatic than salon-nails, but after I have practiced I can file and reshape so you don't have to walk around with super-long nails. :)

Another advantage, for the right person, is that you can get to travel with me for free! I'll pay all your travel-expenses, you only have to pay for your own food. To get this you have to have long nail-beds (the pink area of your nail), long, thin and straight fingers and not "milk-white" hands. :) You also have to have a strong bladder, as you have to sit for many hours. You are not allowed to exit the competition-arena before AFTER all the judges have seen you. You also need to have good nerves, as it can be kind of nerve-wrecking for the model as well as for the competitor. I sometimes swear like a man if something go wrong (sorry mum...:-)). Sometimes I talk and sometimes I don't say a thing. You have to deal with me...:-D You have to manage to travel by your own as you may have to come after me and leaving before me. And to the last you have to be grown-up to like to have some time alone as I am not always very keen on partying etc... I don't like to be a baby-sitter! :) Well... that's a lot, but I think it is worth it. I am not *that* bad, although it can look like it....:-D

So far I have not felt the need of bringing my own model as I haven't taken the competitions *that* seriously. Or maybe it has been the pressure-thing. If bringing a model, the pressure become worse... It may now look like I need to be more serious and then I need to bring my own model. (Geeeee, I need a sponsor....)

Today has been

a much better day. I did a set of nails, with forms, in 1 hour and 15 min. The client didn't have nice nails, so I "fiddled" a little bit to get the forms on. So yes, I think I can do a set of salon-competition nails in 1 hour and 30 min! I am relieved!

Today a friend of me came to visit the salon. It seems like she has very good nails to practice on. They are not 100% for competition, but for practicing, they are good. I now have, at least, one model to practice on, that's better than none! :-D

My improvements through the year

My 1. competition. Nailympics, London May 2008. I had met my model once before, but never done any nails at her. I met her the day before the competition and did the tip-fitting, her cuticles and tried to figure how to do her nails. :) I went to this competition with the expectation of just being happy to entering and finishing in time. I was surprised and happy when I got a 3. place. It was embarrassing emotional. I am sure I am the only entrants who cried like a child for a 3. place! :-/

From Professional Beauty Manchester, October 2008. I had not been in the mood for competition-training because of some personal issues. I decided to enter in the last minute (some weeks before) and found my model at the internet. I thought it could be good practicing... To win was never in my mind, so when I got the 1. place I was, again, surprised. :) Managed not to cry this time!


This is from the Norwegian championship, Oslo February 2009. I was not very happy with my performance here, but it gave me a 4. place.

Professional Beauty, London March 2009. Since I won in Manchester I had to compete in the Champion category (winner of winners). I knew I had to compete against some very good and experienced techs and I also knew I was one of the very few who entered with gel. In this category you can use gel or l/p or fiber and tips or forms. You just have to make the ultimate competition-nail. Luckily I had used my model in Manchester, so I knew her nails. However I was sure I didn't have a chance and had prepared to get the last, or the next-last place. After the competition I was not happy with my work and I can still see I can improve very much. Haha, but it still gave me a 1. place. It was a FANTASTIC feeling, and of course, I had to cry... In fact I was so emotional I shivered and cried so much Sue (who gave me the price) had to ask me if I was ok! :-D ARGH, I hate myself for being so emotional... It is so very embarrassing. :-/

What made me most happy with this competition was the comment I got from Antony Buckley before the prize-ceremony. He said it was some of the best gel- nails he had every seen. WOW! I didn't believe him, and still not sure if I do.... :)

Well, that was all I have done so far!

I need to get into a positive track!

OK, after some housework, dinner, coffee and a chocolate I have found I need to get into a positive track. I will tell why I LOVE competing!

First of all, it makes me a better nailtech. After I began competing, 1 year ago, I am sure my clients have seen improvements in my work. At least I can see it very clear. Although doing competition-nails is very far away from the nails done in the salon, both have a lot to do with controlling the product, working smart and being meticulous. I always practice when working at my clients!

Going into the competition-arena has made me a stronger person. Before I entered my first competition I was sure my nerves would ruin everything. I am a very "nerve-wracking" person, always think the worst etc... I deal with my nerves on a daily basis (yeeeeh...:-)), so it surprised me that I became so very calm at once the competition started. Maybe because I am used to handle my nerves? For once my nerves may have done me something good, I think...

Sometimes it can be very lonely to be a nailtech, working alone. When competing I felt like being part of something, something I would never have gotten outside the competition-arena. Although we are competing against each-other, we are also in the same (nerve-wracking) boat and people are always very friendly. After the competition some even share hints and tips!

I have gotten lots of good friends while competing. Nailtechs I have never spoken to, or seen before, can stop me and my model and look at the nails and have a "nail-chat". And when winning, EVERYBODY congratulate and are very happy (at least that's what they show/say! :-)).

Competing internationally has taken me abroad. Until now, I have only been to UK, but in June, I am going to Orlando and Florida and all my travel-expanses can be written off in my accountings! WHEEEHEEE! The Chicago-trip will also be "payed" by my company (although my company is me, so "paying" means less taxes).

I just LOVE the "buzz", the nerves and the excitement in the competition-arena! For a strange reason I always feel very happy and light-headed during the competition. I am having fun and I always have a chat with my model. My trainer and mentor, Amy, didn't like to hear that. She told me I have to be 100% focused. Well, she listens to music at her I-pod, I chat (of course, not a deep conversation...:-)), I take it it is just different approaches to being 100% focused? :-D

I am feeling better now! :-D

Not feeling better today...

Grrrrrr.... Yes, I still wonder why I put myself through the competition-nightmare. And yes, once more, it really has become a nightmare this time. I don't see how I can manage to do a set of nails in 1,5 hours. Or, I might manage it, but I wonder how they will look like, certainly not as competition-nails are supposed to look.... Today I have been training to put on forms. Doing sculpting instead of tipping will at least save me some time. On the other hand, I am scared of not being consistent enough with doing sculpting. I am feeling really C * R * A * P today. (Sorry, I am sure my mother will not be happy for my nice expression here, but it is exactly how I am feeling right now.)

Since the day today has been such a depressing day I am going to practice some l/p. Maybe my very bad l/p technique will make me feel better about the gel... :-/ :-D I have never done any l/p course, still I have to make it at competition-level for Nailympics in London, in September. ARGH, why do I put myself into this????????????

Well, it's 3 weeks left! Next week I am going to train every day... Hope it will be a better week than this has been. Fingers crossed.

Why do this?

Today somebody asked me why I put myself through all the hassle with competing. Sometimes I don't understand it myself. It's like a love/hate relationship.

I hate it the weeks before the competition. I always think the worst and I always get kind of a "breakdown", thinking that I am not good enough, that my victories before have been good luck etc... I regret I decided to do it and I am depressed. And yes, I am exactly at that stage now. I just can't understand why I have decided to do this. It's only 3 weeks left and I even haven't sorted a model yet. The only thing I have done is that I have payed a fortune in travel-expenses to go to Orlando and Las Vegas.

I will write the good things a day I am in a better mood!

Amy promised me

that the day I BEAT HER in a competition, she will quit! I will do my best to help her quitting, but I can not promise anything. In fact, I am afraid I will never beat her… Well, it’s a goal, very long time into the future, we all have to have goals! :-D