Mexico City Mural: Who Won and Who’s Packing Up Their Brushes

After weeks of waiting, Melisa Salazar is named the first ever OPI NTNA All Star champion!

In the first ever NAILS Next Top Nail Artist All Star competition, sponsored by OPI, Floridian Melisa Salazar walked away with the top title. The win was announced at Toca Madera in front of nail professionals, influencers, and beauty press.

“Melisa is an amazing storyteller and teacher,” says judge Sigourney Nunez of Salazar’s work. Fellow judge Darlene Sritapan echoes this, saying, “The use of 12 colors only from the Mexico City collection was very intriguing and truly brightened up the entire set.” NTNA Season 2 winner Lavette Cephus said of Salazar, “Your work is sharp, clean, colorful, and bold.”

Salazar originally competed in Season 6 of NAILS Next Top Nail Artist. During her time in OPI NTNA All Stars she won the Color is the Answer challenge as well. As the winner of OPI NTNA All Stars she receives $5,000 cash, a trip to Spain with OPI, a trip back to California as BEA mentor, and a Swarovski crystal trophy.

Julie Ventura ends her All Stars run tying Salazar for two wins this season. Since competing in NTNA Season 1, she has grown as a nail artist, YouTuber, and industry professional who we all look up to. Thank you Julie for participating in All Stars — you will always be a standout nail competitor!

Congrats to both Julie and Melisa on making it so far in the first ever OPI NTNA All Stars competition!