Quyên Tran is one of 12 international competitors vying for NAILS Magazine’s Next Top Nail Artist title. The competition began on March 7 and the final challenge information will be released at the end of May. Tran is one of three Americans selected as the final dozen with other contestants calling Canada, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom home. Click here to vote for Tran this week. The vote button is under the Week 3 challenge information.
From Lowell to International Stage
Tran is the current owner of Captial Nails located in the Marathon/Admiral building next to Taco Bell on Main Street. She took over as owner from her mom in 2020. We previously published an article about the business that same year. Part of Tran’s two-year plan is to rebrand to QT Nails and Beauty Bar, which will reflect its mission and all of the services offered.
The women-owned and run business is an inclusive full-service salon. In addition to nail art and pedicures, skin care, makeup, lash, waxing, and massage services are offered.
The Next Top Nail Artist competition is in its ninth year. Artists from across the globe sent in entries in order to make it to the competition level. Tran was selected from hundreds of applicants to be part of the Top 18 before also being included in the Top 12. With two weeks of the competition completed, Tran finds herself as one of 10 remaining contestants.
She notes that it is her mentor, Tom Nguyen, of Nail Company Shi Professionals, who pushed her to challenge herself and test her confidence, ultimately encouraging her to enter the contest. “For the longest time, I had this mindset that I was not skilled enough for nail competitions due to me working in a small town and not having a big clientele that wanted long elaborate nails,” Tran comments.
The Competition
Each week voting opens on Monday night or Tuesday morning and closes at 2pm EST on Wednesday. Each Thursday, results are published to include a top and bottom three then Friday the week’s winner and contestant leaving the competition are announced.
Contestants have about a week to complete each challenge. Challenges are themed, with week one being “Strength in Color” and week two being “Color me KUPA”. This week’s theme is Over the Top. Entries must include a 300 word write up about what inspired the outcome of the week’s challenge as well as a link to a YouTube video diary that must be at least five minutes in length.
Judging takes place in a number of categories including final nail design, quality of demo, technique, challenge guidelines, and professionalism.
The top three nail artists in the competition will receive a trip to Orlando to attend Premier Orlando. This event is one of the biggest beauty shows in the world. Celebrity nail artists, as well as small-town artists, are able to interact and learn from each other. In addition to bragging rights, the person named Next Top Nail Artist will get a page showcase in NAILS Magazine as well as contract opportunities with CND and Kupa, Inc., which are big nail brands.
Vote Weekly for Your Community Representative
If you’d like to show some hometown support, here is where you can vote for Tran this week. When asked what her favorite way to do her own nails, she replied, “My favorite nails to do for myself would have to be an extra-long coffin set, with encapsulation, (when pretty charms, flowers, or glitter is applied between the natural nail or nail tip and clear powder product) hand-drawn nail art, and of course as much bling as possible.”
Tran also loves clients who are more adventurous and want themed nails. She can do hand-drawn characters as well as intricate artwork. For those who like a more traditional look, she loves doing a classic deep French, v-shaped French, or abstract French look. She also adds that there are options for really extremely long or extremely short nails.
A passion for art has always been a focus in Tran’s life and career. Growing up in the nail industry helped hone her artistic ways and pave a path in the nail community. She says she “creates beautiful pieces of art on tiny nail canvases”. But none of this would be possible without the help and support from the Lowell community, which she appreciates.
Tran and her staff are constantly growing and learning with the goal of improving along the way. If anyone is interested in working at Capital Nails, they are looking for people to fill roles that include receptionist, nail care, and hair care. Those interested in employment opportunities can send an email. “Our mission is to connect with the community on a deeper level and help women and people from all walks of life feel empowered through art and beauty,” she says.
Those who would like to vote for Tran this week can head here. Be sure to click the vote button below the Week 3 challenge information. Voting must be completed by Wednesday at 2pm EDT and the link to vote is near the middle of the page. Check out the Capital Nails Facebook page where links to vote in future weeks will be posted. There is also a main Instagram page and a secondary account where those interested can keep up to date on what the business is doing. And if you’d like to check out videos, head to their YouTube Channel.
Photos courtesy of Quyên Tran and used with permission.
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