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Welcome to Nailympia
 

The Birth of Nailympia

Nailympia was born from The Nail Olympics USA, a competition set up in 2001 in Las Vegas. Set up by three organisations (IBD run by Lee Tomlinson, Dianne D’Agnolo & James Johnson of Too Much Fun and David Daniel & Danny Haile of EZ Flow), the concept behind this new competition was simple – to be non-biased and non-product led. In order to create a fair playing field for all, these three nail brands made it clear that competitors could use any system or brand and would be categorised by relevant divisions pertaining to their skill and expertise. These divisions were to be kept anonymous during each competition and judging, so that each competitor, regardless of skill level, was judged exactly the same.

Only after judging, were the competitors grouped and ranked in their own and correct division. This original ethos remains the same today.

What is at the core of Nailympia?

Nailympia’s reputation is based on it being run by an organisation and individuals that are non- product biased. Alex Fox, global competition director, since its inauguration into London in 2005, was the editor-in-chief of Scratch magazine and has been a journalist in the nail industry since 1998.

Its growth and popularity across the world is a direct result of its mission to bring in key industry figures and experts to judge. The judging panel is an international mix of industry experts who have amassed experience, knowledge and a reputation in their respective countries. Each judging panel has its regular judges for stability and flow, while also bringing in new and fresh experts each year to make sure it remains unbiased while evolving. This annual competition has become a Mecca for nailists seeking international recognition and industry accolades.

The competition began with six categories and now boasts anything from 10 to 17 depending on the location. Over the years some categories have been eliminated and new ones have taken their place. These changes have been dictated by industry nail trends.

Each Nailympia across the world offers the categories most relevant to its industry.

Currently hosted in the UK, USA, Germany, Mexico, Vietnam and China.

From Alex Fox, Director of Nailympia Competitions

As a proud curator of the nail industry for the past 25 years I’ve been blessed with the best seat in the house to watch it spawn, grow & flourish. In my roles as editor & organiser of Nailympia, I’ve seen first-hand the power of community, working together, education, technique & product innovation. Competition is a powerful tool & this industry has borne the fruit of this endeavor most intensely & effectively.

The nail industry is teaming with remarkable people.

From the artisan to the teacher, the inventive to the genius, the passion, drive, expression & vision that I’ve witnessed has always been my driving force. I simply love nail professionals. Nailympia is so much more than an arena. It’s a theater, a stage, a circus, a retreat, but most of all it’s home.

During its 20 years in the UK, it showcased the talents of nail techs all over the world, (UK, Australia, Estonia, USA, Canada, Germany, Vietnam and Mexico), and brought like-minded artisans together to share, showcase & build on their careers & skills. It’s helped pilot relationships, connections & growth, both personally & professionally.

The nail industry can be a lonely place for many, the competition arena’s ultimate ethos is being together, belonging; it’s about regeneration, it’s content & it’s emotional too. Confidence is built, career trajectories changed, success is realised & wisdom accrued. Most of all, Nailympia is a friendly place. The expert judges work together to support & grow its presence, to bolster & comfort competitors & to bring a huge positive energy cloud over all proceedings.

In sumary, Nailympia is far more than a competition it's a sanctuary & a vibrant community that unites nail professionals from across the globe. I feel deep admiration for the industry's creativity & progress, a strong sense of connection & unity within the competition space & the satisfaction of witnessing careers blossom & confidence soar. Nailympia is depicted as a nurturing, inspiring & life-changing experience for all who participate.

Don’t deliberate, actuate. There is a Nailympia near you!

Why should I compete?

Competing will stretch & fine tune nail skills. It’s a place to extend & explore creativity. It’s where a nail tech can shed salon life & literally create without boundaries. It’s a place to show the world their
artistic potential & ability.

Competitions challenge techs to step into a new place, to think & deliver their artistry in new ways – they get industry acknowledgement & become known, many become industry experts & mentors. Their salon business benefits as their marketing reflects this element & if an award is won, it helps them extend their menu & raise their prices. It can also open many other doors in the nail industry that they may not have considered such as being a brand ambassador, educator, designing posters, editorial shoots, advertising campaigns & fashion week teams too. 

Nail professionals love to compete to stretch & showcase their skills. It’s a place where they can extend their creativity & go wild, since this is their artistic platform to explore their own ideas. In the salon they can be limited & restricted by time & the client’s request. 

For nail professionals that want to explore their own creative avenue it’s a great way to challenge themselves, plus they get to see what other ideas & innovations are being used around the world by other techs & they get to network & can grow their salon business by marketing the fact they are competing. A medal also helps them extend their menu & raise their prices.

First time competitors should seek out a like-minded mentor to guide & motivate them through the process. These are easy to find on IG and FB. Past competitors are brilliant mentors. They could also take competition classes. These will show them special hints & tips that get them to their goal faster than finding it all out for themselves. The competition nail is very different from the salon nail. Finding a good, patient model with great nail beds, hands & personality is so beneficial. If entering a competition like Nailympia, bear in mind that you can only ever be in Division 1 once, so it’s best to enter as many competitions as you can, so you make the most of this division. 

Keep your confidence high, don’t let anyone take you off your path, focus & believe in yourself. Compete to see what you can achieve & don’t worry about what anybody else is doing. This is your experience, so most of all, enjoy it – it’s an exciting element to your work life. 

To those who need motivation. Remind yourself why you love nails. Feel the power & buzz that nails give to you then go & share that in the arena. You’ll be around like-minded people, your peers, surrounded by people that want you to be the best you can be.

It’s only you that’s holding you back. Another person’s nails is their experience. This is yours – so get out there & show us what you can do & ‘wow’ us with your skills, talent & creativity.

This industry needs you – we need to elevate & create together. So get your competition head on & show us your style. You just never know – a medal could be in your hands very soon. And that feeling is sensational. 

To prepare, find a nail professional that can mentor or guide you, Practice as much as possible. Practice on every client in the salon. Practice timings, smile lines, etc. Sculpting pink & white, nail art ideas etc. Find a model, try a competition class with a champion, refresh your skills & get hints & tips from those that have done it. 

Competing brings highs & lows that generate feelings. It’s emotive & exciting, it’s full of flavour & intensity & it’s downright exhilarating. It’s a powerful experience that all techs that truly love their nail craft should try out at some point in their career. After all, you have nothing to lose!

In Summary

Competing in nail art competitions is a powerful way for nail professionals to stretch their skills, explore creativity & showcase their artistic abilities beyond the salon environment. It provides opportunities for industry recognition, business growth & personal development. Competitions challenge nail techs to think differently & winning awards can elevate their status, allowing them to expand their services & potentially raise prices. For those new to competing, finding a mentor & practicing extensively are key steps to success & bring a new dimension to the tech’s persona. Overall, competition offers a thrilling & rewarding experience that can open new doors in the nail industry.

GUIDE TO COMPETING

How should nail technicians prepare for a competition?
It’s wise to get guidance from a past competitor/winner in the form of a mentor. Many nail artists become consultants & mentors after leaving the arena & coach teams or individuals. Their guidance is priceless & worth it. Practice is essential to get skills honed & your timings on track, you can practice on every client in the salon. It’s a nice touch to get your clients on board to support you & give you a boost. Their backing can really make a difference to your confidence. Find a good model, try a competition class with a champion, refresh your skills & get hints & tips from those that have done it. Always read the rules & the score sheets, so you can see where the points are given. 

What should nail techs bring to a competition to compete?
Confidence, a full kit (read the rules & make sure you’ve got all the necessary items). Check if you need to bring a desk lamp, a bin & make sure you know whether certain products must be unopened. Make sure all products are labeled, don’t forget the wrist rest, towel, a cardigan & a large scarf for your model. If she’s too hot, she needs to be able to shed her clothing easily & likewise, she needs to wrap up easily if she’s cold. A clock/mobile phone for your model to watch & keep you aware of the time. A bottle of water for you & your model, you do not want to find yourself thirsty in that environment. 

What can be done to calm nerves before/during a competition?
Everyone suffers with nerves, however many times they’ve competed, it’s par for the course in this environment. So, breathe deeply, get the correct mindset on & focus on the competition itself. I highly recommend Rescue Remedy; it really does help. Don’t overthink it – don’t be put off by the size of the arena or the people you see there. Everyone has been in your shoes; everyone has walked into an arena for the first time at some point. Just breathe deeply & get into the flow.

You will love the experience. 

What should a competitor be mindful of before the competition? 
The temperature of the room, for the tech’s sake & the model. The noise levels, where they choose to sit – as too close to spectators can be off-putting. The lighting in the room & that they have got every product they need with them. Always pack your nail kit at least two weeks before the comp & have a checklist to work through to make sure everything is packed in there.

What should a competitor do/ask for post competition?
Most competitions send the score sheets out via email within 2 weeks after the competition is completed. These help you see where you need to practice & also where your strengths in art & architecture lie. Use score sheets to guide your journey.

What is there to love about nail competitions?
I love how nail competitions respond & reflect the shape of an industry. We are forever changing the competitions in response to industry innovations & trends. It’s exciting to see the style & array of nail competitions on offer & more importantly, to see how the competitors interpret them. I love nails; sculpted, embellished, long, short, extreme & natural. I love nails so much, that every competition feeds my need to see the boundaries stretched as the art triumphs.

What can competitors expect from Nailympia?
A feeling of family – we are one big nail community & we thrive when we are together & network. The Nailympia arena is a beautiful space where creativity oozes across the floor & the energy is high & happy.

It’s adrenaline pumping & powerful. It’s a great nail space. 

FAQs ABOUT NAILYMPIA COMPETITIONS

Can I work on my own hand, or do I need a model?
Some competitions & criteria do allow you to work on your own hand so do check in with each location, as this is subject to the organiser’s opinion & individual location. For example, in London & Germany you can do Stiletto Nails & The Joy of Nails on your own hand.

The correct length of the stiletto should be 1:1 to what part? French 50/50 or how?
You should start with your French nails and measure from there. Example to measure 1:1 length: 10mm nailbed + 10 mm extension (deepest point of your smile line to the tip/point of the stiletto) = 20 mm total length

In stiletto and salon, the French level of difficulty is mentioned, but there are no examples about what is considered as difficult?
Flat line will receive less points than a smile line. The higher the Smile line the higher the difficulty. A dramatic smile line is a higher difficulty and so is a U shape of the smile line a higher difficulty than a V shape smile line. The longer the nail bed of your model the more chances you have to create a deeper smile line.

What length must the pink & white nails be for the tip/overlay & sculpture competitions?
Please see the rules & regulations·        

NAIL LENGTH (20): The length has to be consistent & in proportion with the hand & the fingers on all 5 nails. The nails should be in line with the proximal phalanges & metacarpal head bones. The nail bed of the small finger must be shorter than the nail bed of the ring & index fingers. The nail bed of the ring & index fingers has to be shorter than the nail bed of the middle finger & the thumb. The nail bed measured from the cuticle area (top view) to the deepest point of your smile line (top view). The nail bed should be as long as the end point of your smile line (side view – lateral sidewall) to the end point of the nail shape/hair line (side view). The correct length of the competition nails should be longer than min. 50 % & max. 80% of the nail bed.

EXAMPLE: 80% = 10mm nail bed + 8mm white extension = 18mm total length.

NOTE: Longest = thumb & middle finger | index finger & ring finger shorter than middle & thumb | small finger shorter than ring & index fingers.

If the rules do not mention an aspect of the nail creation/styling, what do I do?
If there is no mention or clear indication of any technique, product use or style in the rules pertaining to any given competition, it means you can do it.

 I’m an educator that has never competed, what is my entry division?
You must use the entry level of Division 2.

Do I need to bring electrical adapters with me to Nailympia?
Yes. Wherever you are traveling make sure you bring an extension cable/lead & enough adapters for your equipment.

I’ve brought acetone/cleaner with me, but the jar is not labeled, what do I do?
You can take a pen/marker & label the jar before the competition starts. If it is not labeled, the floor judges will take the product away & give it back to you when the competition ends.

Can I share products with my teammates?
You must not share anything with your teammates, friends, spectators, interpreter during the competition. You must gain the attention of a floor judge & they will help you source what you need.

What size does the box need to be for my Mixed Media entry?
Please go to the Nailympia rules for your chosen location as it clearly specifies the size & state of how to enter. This competition may require a certain sized box in one location or photos and video in another. It tends to be no larged than A5 box so they can all be showcased.

My model is 16 years old, is this acceptable at Nailympia?
Every location is subject to local government rules & regulations as well as the stipulation made by each event host too. Please check this with each Nailympia host before registering. In London ExCel & all our USA locations, for example, your model must be over the age of 16, in Germany the model must be 18 or older.

For L&P acrylic & UV gel P&W competitions, do I need to create a precise smile line under my red crème nail polish to match the fingers?
You do not have to create a smile line or a moon on the pinky & thumb for these categories. The judges do not need to see white on the underside of those two nails.

Where do I find out about all the different Nailympia competitions?
Go to the official website www.nailympia.com, then click on the menu header, Competitions & Locations. The drop-down menu will list all the active competitions & lead you to their specific information & entry options. You can also find us on Instagram at @nailympiacompetitions. Germany www.nailympia.de & on social media (Facebook, Instagram) nailympia.germany .

IMPORTANT, PLEASE NOTE

• Score sheets will be sent via email within 2 weeks after the Nailympia event takes place.
• The Nailympia team & organiser supports the decisions made by the host & judges.
• There will no longer be judges critiique on any nails or score sheets at the close of any Nailympia event.
• You are welcome to ask judges what they think about your work, if the nails are still on.
• The criteria rules & the score sheets are on an international standard. If you need more specific information, please feel

free to download the guidelines on www.nailympia.com (London global website).