Elfi Lemieux, the pixie-cute nail tech hailing from Montreal, took home the 2014 Contessa trophy for best nail artistry—and here, she demos how to re-create the designs.

Neon Fever

“The key design is incorporating contrast and graphic lines,” says Elfi.

Create the look found on the middle finger:

1.Apply a base coat in a nude translucent gel colour, such as Elfi’s go-to choice, OPI GelColor.

2. Paint a diamond shaped near the free edge using Orly GelFx White tips.

3. Using a neon yellow colour—she chose Artistic Colour Gloss in Vivid—draw two triangles with the points meeting together in the middle of the nail.

4. Outline the shapes and define the sections with a lacquer striper. “I always use Jet Black Orly Instant Artist Water, a water-based product,” she adds.

Velvet Blush

“This look was inspired by the Art Deco esthetic,” muses Elfi.

Create the look:

1. To achieve an overall gradient effect, choose a pink and purple shade. Apply each on the pinky and thumb, and blend the two hues to make custom colours for the fingers in-between; this is how to ensure that the gradient compliments the colour range.

2. Mix loose glitters with transparent gel and apply in a triangular shape, filling in the half-moon section.

3. Apply Jet Black Orly Instant Artist Water to define the sections.

Dark Royal

“I wanted to create something gentle for this set, like the blue sky,” Elfi remarks.

 Create the look found on the middle finger:

1. Apply a base layer in a rich blue colour and cure.

2. Apply a second layer but do not cure yet. Randomly add drops of white onto the nail, such as Orly GelFx White Tips.

3. To fashion a hazy, smoky effect, move a piece of plastic wrap to marble the colours.

4. When satisfied with the effect, cure the nail.

Nails: Elfi Lemieux, Montreal, palooozamtl.com, Instagram @palooozanail; Makeup: Michael Goyette; Photos: Pierre Manning