Friday, August 15, 2014

The 31 Day Nail Art Challenge: FAQ and Other Information

With September rapidly approaching, it's almost time for a classic Chalkboard Nails tradition: the 31 Day Challenge! The 31DC is a whirlwind of fun and I tackle it every year. As always, I invite any of you to participate! Commit to it, challenge yourself, and grow as a nail artist.

Wanna see what I've done previously? Check out my roundups for 20112012, and 2013.


Step One: Grab a Challenge Schedule!

Here are the 31 Day Challenge prompts! Feel free to share, repost, upload to your blog, put on Instagram, etc. Click to enlarge.

EDITED: In an effort to be more culturally sensitive, day 16 "tribal inspired" has been changed to "geometric."




Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 31 Day Challenge?
The 31 Day Challenge is a 31 day long nail art challenge, where participants create nail art inspired by 31 themes. The themes are broken up into three blocks: colors, styles, and "inspired by." The original intent of the challenge is to post one nail art look per day.

Why do you do it in a month with only 30 days?
The first time I did the 31 Day Challenge was in September 2011, and I like to do it the same time every year. If you want to do it a different month, by all means, go for it!

Why do you put yourself through this?
I can't lie to you guys, the 31 Day Challenge is hard. Really hard. But the sense of accomplishment I feel at the end, the huge body of nail art work I produce, and the amount of practice it gives me, makes it all worth it. I do some of my best work under the pressure of the challenge, and it really gets me thinking creatively. The real question should be, "Why do you put your boyfriend through this?"

Can anyone participate?
Yes! The Challenge is open to anyone and everyone, beginner to advanced!

What if I don't have a blog?
No worries! You don't need a blog to participate. You can play along via social networks like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. Just be sure to hashtag your work with #31DC2014.

Can I do it at a slower pace?
Definitely. If you don't feel comfortable or don't have time to do it every day, feel free to space it out as needed. However, I will say that for me, a big part of the challenge is completing it in the allotted 31 days. Decide what's important to you and proceed as you see fit.

Do I have to do nail art?
No. However, keep in mind that the 31DC can be a great opportunity to hone your nail art skills and really push your boundaries. I try to use the challenge as a springboard every year to get me to try new things and really advance my nail art.

Will my nails get damaged from changing my polish so frequently?
I've done this challenge for three years in a row now, and my nails have never shown any signs of trouble. If you are worried about your nail health, try non-acetone remover or fortified acetone, and always remember to moisturize your nails afterwards with cuticle cream or cuticle oil.

Is there an InLinkz link up for this?
No. However, you can use the official hashtag #31DC2014 to share your work.

Are there prizes involved?
Finishers will be awarded a badge they can display to show that they successfully completed the 31 Day Challenge!

I don't own that many nail polishes. 
In my opinion, you don't need very many to participate. I'd suggest arming yourself with all of the primary and secondary colors, a black, a white, and a metallic or two. You could also get a cheap acrylic paint set and use that instead -- just make sure to put down a base of real polish first.

Did you make up this challenge?
No. I found the original challenge image floating around the Tumblr-verse in 2011 and have yet to identify the person that created it.

When does it start?
I always begin on September 1st.

What does the day 31 prompt, "Honor Nails You <3," mean?
"Honor Nails You Love" means doing nails inspired by a particular manicure or a nail artist that you love and admire.

Any other rules I should know?
There are no rules to this, truly! One thing that I do encourage, though, is that you take the time to go around and comment on your fellow nail artists' work during the duration of the challenge. Part of what makes this challenge great is the sense of community that comes from taking it on together. Use the hashtags to browse everyone's work and discover some new artists!

Will you be joining in? Personally, I say BRING IT ON!
Share:

74 comments

  1. This would be an amazing thing to do, certainly get the creative thoughts flowing. Shame I'm too busy next month to even attempt this! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I haven't done a challenge in awhile, but I might try it...eek!
    <3 ed

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi! I'm from Argentina, this challenge seems very interesting, but if I do it in september it will be very, very hard because i have to study; but I really liked, so I'm going to do it in december :) I promise jaja, kisses from Argentina!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Awesome to see this up again! Not sure if I will be participating yet but I'm going to bookmark this page and decide soon.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm part of a collaborative challenge already but I'm really interested in doing this, like you mention, to improve and push the boundaries of nail art/creativity. But then I thought this is not a very good timing for me right now, when I'm in the middle of a major change in my life, definitely will do it before year's end when we're settled in our new home and I get to be a stay at home mom, yaaay!!
    BTW, I'm loving your roundups, specially the "glittery Edward".

    ReplyDelete
  6. Understandable! I'm sure you'll enjoy it if you give it a try.

    Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm so glad you did a FAQs post this year. Last year I had just started blogging and I was pretty overwhelmed and had a lot of questions. I am soo glad I participated when I did because my skills grew so much faster than I could have expected. I have high hopes for the manis I produce this year! Like you said.. BRING IT!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm gonna try it, thats for sure! I've participated in several nail art challenges, but never the 31 day. I'm so excited already :D

    ReplyDelete
  9. Yay, I was hoping for this announcement soon! I already started planning the first section but the second and third sections are looking a bit scary :-D
    I loved having the inlinkz last year but I guess I'll just have to take to IG to see the other offerings.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Someone else may be offering an Inlinkz, but it won't be through me (same as last year). Maybe another blogger would be willing to manage it! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Woohoo! So exited...this will be my 3rd year :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm on board! I've often looked at this challenge and thought it was madness but I think I'm ready for it :D

    ReplyDelete
  13. I've never seen anyone do them out of order, but I suppose you could!

    ReplyDelete
  14. *grins* I work retail, so there are some nights where I barely have time to sleep, much less change my polish to something complicated as I found out this month ATTEMPTING the NailIt August challenge with no warning. But I'm looking forward to this one with time to plan~

    ReplyDelete
  15. This looks like so much fun! I really want to do it, but my boyfriend swears I'll get too frustrated and give up by the third day haha. Maybe I can start practicing during these next few days. Is there a post that has all the pictures from the other times you did the challenge?

    ReplyDelete
  16. I didn't even realize that September was approaching so quickly! I know a few nail bloggers do it in September and I really wanted to follow along with all of you ladies, but since so much is happening for me that month, I did it in July instead. And I actually managed to do it too! You're right, it is very hard, but undoubtedly worth it. I'm hoping to do it in September next year though! I hope everyone participating this time around has fun with it!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I think I remember Cathy from More Nail Polish having one last year?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Vanessa! You can definitely work ahead for the next two weeks if you'd like. If you scroll to the top of this post, I linked to my roundups for 2011, 2012, and 2013. :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Nice, congratulations on finishing it!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Yes! Glad to have you on board.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Yay, can't wait to see what you do! :) Thanks for the kind words about the FAQ.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oops, skipped right over them. Thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Cathy - More Nail PolishAugust 16, 2014 at 4:31 AM

    I'd loved participating last year, and it really sparked my love for nail art! I'm absolutely joining in again this year!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I completed last year and it was a blast! I'm totally in again this year!!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Ms. Shannon HoughtonAugust 16, 2014 at 1:38 PM

    SO HAPPY you changed tribal to geometric. <3 Looking forward to it!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Ms. Shannon HoughtonAugust 16, 2014 at 1:39 PM

    Ima do some ahead of Sept and just hold onto them and post them throughout the challenge -- I'm a teacher, so I'm often in the same situation you are!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I remember feeling so accomplished when I did this last year. I may not be able to do it in 31 days or as intricately as I hoped too last year, but I really want to continue to dive into something I'm passionate about! Wow, it is getting close...

    ReplyDelete
  28. Asma (Adorablypathetic.com)August 17, 2014 at 4:24 AM

    Awesome! I really want to give this a try, although I'm a full time student and also work part-time, so I'm not sure I'll be able to do all the days, but I'll do my best! Thanks for doing this challenge ;)

    ReplyDelete
  29. This year I defenitely want to join!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I wish I had the time to do this, but the prompts will help when I'm having nail block lol. Can't wait to see your creations!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Well I'm happy to have you on board in whatever capacity you are able to do!

    ReplyDelete
  32. A huge huge part wants to do this, but I is scared. I'm gonna have to think about it because I've always wanted to do a 31 Days Nail Challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Oh man, I am so tempted to do this! I always love when September comes around because you guys do such awesome work. I think I just need to go for it!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Oh my GOD! You made my heart beat faster now. I have participated of the 31DC2013, but couldn't manage to do it in 31 days. I have two questions for you though: Do you paint both hands every day or just the left one?
    How do you manage to do it in 31 days having a full-time job?
    I'd love to participate this year and try to do it in 31 days, but in September we don't have much daylight left here in Belgium and I always get home in the evening... =/
    I'm still thinking bout it...

    ReplyDelete
  35. I always put at least something on my other hand, not always a full copy but sometimes a simplified design. As for doing it with a job, it's very tough. But it's important to me, so I make it work! And I have a lightbox, so I can shoot at night. I have a lightbox tutorial on here if you're interested!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hummm, now like that it's already kind of easier, because doing intricate designs on my right hand takes forever... LOL
    I have to admit that last year's challenge pushed me to practice more and I'm very proud of how much I have improved my skills, even though it was only once a week. I have one of those old slide projectors with a very good white light, but don't have a lightbox yet.
    I'd love to check your tutorial. Maybe I get to build one for me. Hubby just bought a macro lens for one of his Canons and allowed me to play with it, so that's already something to encourage me.
    Thank you for the reply. You are very sweet! I'll keep thinking about it and try to manage my calendar in order to participate! <3
    Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Building a lightbox is super easy -- you should definitely check out the tutorial! I hope you're able to join us, but I understand if you can't!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Ooh I cannot wait to see all of the designs you come up with! I love how you've changed day 16 to geometric too - I really like geometric designs! I'm thinking of taking part this year but I'm not sure how I'll fit it in with moving to university for the first time! :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. I'm in! I will do my best to try and stay on track. Last year I was only able to do half the challenge because i somehow managed to break my nails :(

    ReplyDelete
  40. I'm so excited to try the challenge for the first time! I've already starting some brainstorming for manis! I can't wait to see everyone else's designs. The FAQ is so helpful!

    ReplyDelete
  41. I'm a teacher, too! My students always comment on my nails, so it will be interesting to see what they say about them during this challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I started the one last year but failed horribly after just a few days lol going to try it this year. Maybe tell myself if I complete it, I'll award myself with a little shopping spree haha .

    ReplyDelete
  43. Yay!! this will be my second year. So excited to participate...

    ReplyDelete
  44. I've never done a nail challenge before! I'm looking forward to trying this out, I better stock up on acetone! lol

    ReplyDelete
  45. I really want to do this. I don't know if I'll get the time to do something every day but I really wanna try. I hope it will help me get better. I'm just a bit scared of the watermarble day because my only attempt was a huge failure but maybe I'll cheat and free-hand something that looks like watermarble :p. I love the pretty lists you made. I have a question though, I get how to hashtag something on social media, but how do I do it on blogger?

    ReplyDelete
  46. There's no way to hashtag on blogger. You can add it as a label but that's not really the same.

    ReplyDelete
  47. I have a silly question... Do we have to complete the challenge on our own hands/fingers? Or can we for example use a nail spindle, nail sticks or even a nail training hand? And just do an example of 1, or does it need to be a "set"?

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hi Amber - you can do it however you'd like. :)

    ReplyDelete
  49. soo excited this will be my second year doing the challenge! :)

    ReplyDelete
  50. OMG!! I didn't know anyone can participate in this!!! It starts in 3 days time!! Wow!! Should I do it?!!! Omg omg omg omg......lol

    ReplyDelete
  51. Thanks for making the cute prompt graphics! After years of watching you and others do this, I've finally decided to join in too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  52. Cool! Glad to have you on board!

    ReplyDelete
  53. I'm doing this for the first time tomorrow i can't wait to finish it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Crap, September is a real busy month for me, but every year I would taking part. It's ok if I shall join this challenge in October?

    ReplyDelete
  55. Yes, you can do it whenever you want!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Thank you finally explaining this whole 31 day mail challenge to me!!😉 I have always wanted to do it but, I'm a total beginner at nails 39 year-old & sadly have ZERO NAIL art ability, and nails have always been a passion of mine!💅💅

    ReplyDelete
  57. Great challenge!! I really want to do it. September will be very busy for me, but I would like to try :)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment! Please avoid link dropping and spamming. I reserve the right to remove any comments that I feel violate this policy.

© Chalkboard Nails | Phoenix, Arizona Nail Artist | All rights reserved.
Blog Design Handcrafted by pipdig