Te Rouhine Horiana Greening displaying her award-winning nails. PHOTOS/SUPPLIED
TOM TAYLOR
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A Ucol Wairarapa student took out the top prize in this year’s NAILX Nail Art Challenge.
Te Rouhine Horiana Greening won the challenge with her nail designs inspired by Maoritanga.
Each of her five nails told part of a story and were connected by similar materials such as paua shell and feathers.
“The paua shell in the background is Tangaroa, the god of the sea. It represents the oceans that my ancestors travelled and the food they ate as they came to New Zealand.”
Polished Nail Salon Christchurch owner and educator Rachel Stevens judged the competition.
Points were given for the overall concept, design, use of colour, and technical use of gel or acrylic.
Contestants had the two-week holiday break to prepare designs for five nails – two of them incorporating 3D art.
Greening said she spent more than 20 hours on her designs.
NAILX supplied the prize for Greening’s winning work.
She received a range of nail products to use on her future designs.
Greening had been enrolled in the NZ Certificate of Nail Technology, a Level 4 qualification.
The course covered skills to prepare a student for work in the profession of beauty and manicures, from first aid and health and safety to nail technology science and business practice.
Greening was drawn towards the business elements of the course.
“I want to upskill in every way that I can and build a career for me and my children,” she said.
She had already enrolled in next year’s NZ Certificate in Beauty Therapy, another Level 4 qualification.
“I’m looking forward to learning about technical skills like waxing and tanning, and just learning more about the body and the beauty industry.”
Ucol communications adviser Jeremy Bryson said many graduates of the Certificate of Nail Technology went on to become self-employed in the profession.
