We announced our First Nail Competition a few weeks ago and we received tons of great submissions.

We think this year is most definitely the year of the lash and the year of the nail. There have been so many terrific nail lacquers and innovations, from the crackle variety to the popular Sally Hansen nail strips that nails now have more beautiful choices than ever before.

Take Chanel for example. Did they simply have to tease us with that glittery Peridot nail lacquer for Fall 2011? It’s enigmatic, strong, powerful. We can’t wait to try our bottle once it arrives.

We started BeautyStat’s first nail competition and opened it across several categories: Nail Art, Strips (including Sally Hansen and Incocco appliques and the like, but no Minx entries because they’re done by professionals).

The judge of this competition, celebrity nail stylist, TracyLee (who also has the @LuxebyTracylee handle on Twitter) picked the top finalists from all the outstanding entries, and had a hard time picking out the best of the best. She told us, “The criteria I chose was: overall creativity, neatness, difficulty in the DIY design to do on yourself, the clarity of the photos, and of course, I researched entrants to make sure they were not pros (some were).”

So without further ado, below are the FINALISTS and now we need YOU to VOTE (Post a comment way down below telling us who you vote for):

Vote for Danyal’s pic below:

Danyal says, “The technique is water marbling. My base coat I always use is OPI Original Nail Envy. I did one coat OPI Alpine Snow’ for the base color. I used Sally Hansen ‘Calypso Blue’, Sally Hansen ‘Back to the Fuchsia’ and Sally Hansen ‘Black Out’ for the design. Then I topped it off with Out the Door ‘Northern Lights’ glitter in silver. To top it off I used Seche Vite Dry Fast top coat.”

Vote for West below:

West says, “It took 2 coats of ‘Snow Me White’ (sinful colors), one coat of ‘Who Needs a Prince’ (OPI), and a black Nail Art polish. I used OPI’s base and Seche Vite Dry Fast topcoat (I LOOOOVE that stuff!).”

Vote for Samara below:

Samara says “This is Sally Hansen nail strip in Lace.”

Vote for Jessica 1 below:

Jessica used the Water Marble Technique with Star Nail International Base Coat, Color Club Jackie Oh!, Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Black Out Xtra 1, Black Rhinestones, Seche Vite Top Coat.

Vote for Jessica 2 below:

Jessica used Zoya’s “Charla” on her nails:

Vote for Dari below:

Vote for Taneisha 1 below:

Taneisha’s Look: “For the Base Color: OPI Nail Lacquer in A Grape Fit, L.A Colors Black Striper, and any glitter nail color I used NYC Brand. My inspiration is different modern styles of life, and different patterns.”

Vote for Taneisha 2 below:

Taneisha says, “This is s China Glaze Shocking Pink (neon), Black Striper, and OPI Got No Room For Blues ( Butterfly Color) this is a spring look, as you can see I was inspired by the season, and more of a girly feel.”

Vote for Melissa below:

Melissa says “I’m so excited for this opportunity to show you DIY nail art that’s a “greener” approach. I’m all about going green and feature many simple ways to incorporate a greener lifestyle into every day life. This one involves newspaper instead of going out and buying the popular nail decals/strips. I used orly’s “pure porcelain”, 91% rubbing alcohol, newsprint, and mavala base & top coat”. I posted the video tutorial along with more photos on my blog seen here.

Vote for Vera below:

Vera says, “this is the English China mani, base coat – Priti 2in1 base & top, Priti Crown of Thorns (2 coats) stamped with Zoya Ibiza, stamps used (Bundle Monster): pinky – BM224, ring – BM221, middle – BM224, pointer – BM224, thumb – BM221

Vote for Lolita below:

Lolita says, “I used the following: NailTek Foundation II as a base for the color. I did not put any where the nail strips were used. Incoco Nail strips in Zebra. Milani one coat glitter in Purple Gleam. I used two coats. Sinful Colors in Savage. I used three coats. StripeRite Nail striper in Black. Seche Vite topcoat.”

Vote for Fishing 4 Beauty below:

Fishing 4 Beauty says, “I used the Base Coat: Seche Clear, Nail Lacquer: 10 Professional 458 Moonlight, 2 coats, Hand painted lace (ring finger & thumb): Sally Hansen French Manicure Natural White. Top Coat: Seche Vite

THE PRIZE:

The three winners will each receive a boat load of nail polishes and treatments from luxury brands including Lumos, Non-Toxique and Priti NYC (each winner will get a set worth over $150!).

VOTE NOW:

Simply post a comment below telling us WHO you voted for. And don’t forget to post this contest on your Facebook and Twitter page so that your friends can vote too (Voting closes at midnight Thursday, July 28th).

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