Posts by Alex Fox
Meet – Aliz Dora Toth – Italy / Hungary
Get to Know a Nailympia Expert…
Name: Alìz Dòra Tòth
Business name: Aliz_D
Location: Lake Garda, Italy
Nationality: Hungarian
Who Trained You: Gabriella Kovacs, Zsuzsanna Fekete, Natalya Larina.
Years in Nails: 26 years
Years Judging: 10 years
Nail Brand You Represent/Use: Truscada
Role in Industry: Educator, ambassador and distributor
Favourite Trade Exhibition: Cosmoprof
Favourite Nail Tool: My recent invention – aluminium support to put under the nail form
Favourite Book: Anna Karenina by Tolstoy
Favourite Movie: Lord of the Rings
Favourite Food: Many varieties, but I love làngos, a typical Hungarian fried bread eaten for breakfast with garlic.
Favourite Vacation Destination: Mountains forever!
Your Hobbies: Wakeboarding, snowboarding, studying & my job as a stylist & creative director
What Inspires Your Work: Perfection.
Who You Admire In Industry: Marian Newman.
Top Technique You’ve Mastered: Everything to do with structure.
Advice to Competitors: Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the rules, if something is not clear.
Hot Tip or Trick for Competitors: Choose the right model, not only for the hands, but importantly for her personality too.
What Lockdown Has Taught You: Happiness.
A Funny Memory From Your Nail Desk: I have many, but the strangest happened during a training session, my student put the nail form on top of the nail up to the cuticle area, then asked me where to put the gel. This was funniest and scariest experience of my career.
An Affirmation You Love: Elegance is not about being noticed, it’s about being remembered.
Why Nailympia: I feel it’s the maximum level you can participate in on the global competition circuit.
Instagram: @aliz_d @truscadaitalia
Facebook: Aliz Dora Toth
TikTok: @alizdora
Meet – Samantha Goddard – Australia
Get to Know a Nailympia Expert…
Name: Samantha Goddard
Business name: Sam’s Nails & Training
Location: Canberra, Australia
Nationality: Australian
Who Trained You: Originally, a local beauty school, but I’ve also been really lucky to train with some amazing artists from around the world.
Years in Nails: 31 years
Years Judging: 5 years
Nail Brand You Represent/Use: Akzentz
Role in Industry: I work from a home salon, teach in a local school and educate for Akzentz Australia
Favourite Trade Exhibition: I love Olympia Beauty and Las Vegas Nailpro
Favourite Nail Tool: Fine liner brush
Favourite Book: Anything by Barbara Erskine
Favourite Movie: Lost Boys
Favourite Food: Pork belly
Favourite Vacation Destination: UK
Your Hobbies: Roller skating, dancing, knitting, cooking.
What Inspires Your Work: My fellow techs
Who You Admire In Industry: Way too many to mention, but if I had to say, then Viv Simmonds – who has always pushed me to better myself and Olena Oezman for her drive.
Advice to Competitors: If you haven’t ever competed, then give it a go, it will help you to grow as a tech.
Hot Tip or Trick for Competitors: Read all the rules & regulations, make sure you understand them, so you don’t lose unnecessary points.
What Lockdown Has Taught You: To make the most of life.
A Funny Memory From Your Nail Desk: Very early on in my career I managed to glue myself to a client. I was applying a tip, chatting away and the adhesive ran down the tip and stuck to my finger, I had to get one of the other techs to cut us apart.
Why Nailympia: As a competitor I loved entering the Nailympia comps, so it was a given that I would love to be picked to judge for them too.
Instagram: naillady1
Facebook: samanthagoddard2
Meet – Marian Newman – UK
Get to Know a Nailympia Expert…
NAME: Marian Newman
Business name: Marian Newman Nails
Location: London
Nationality: British
Who Trained You: Too many to list from 1987
Years in Nails: 30+ years
Years Judging: All of the Nailympia seasons. Plus Pro Beauty in the ’90’s
Nail Brand You Represent/Use: Brand Ambassador (global) CND
Role in Industry: Expert, author, ex-salon owner, teacher, sessions tech.
Favourite Trade Exhibition: Olympia Beauty
Favourite Nail Tool: Any double-ended with a curette
Favourite Book: Nailed It
Favourite Movie: Ghost
Favourite Food: Italian
Favourite Vacation Destination: England or Australia/NZ
What Inspires Your Work: People
Who You Admire In Industry: Everyone who is talented.
Top Technique You’ve Mastered: Sessions & fashion shows.
Hot Tip or Trick for Competitors: Practice
What Lockdown Has Taught You: The world has changed.
A Funny Memory From Your Nail Desk: My salon business partner sticking her fingers to her tongue.
Why Nailympia: Nailympia is the most challenging and honest comp ever! New categories keep it fresh, great judging organisation and provides ‘a level playing field’.
Any Workshops/Classes you Offer Online: Nail Knowledge on www.nailknowledge.org
Instagram: MarianNewman
Twitter: MarianNewman
Facebook: MarianNewman.9
Facebook: The chair of the Federation of Nail Professionals: TheFNPUK
Meet – Jai Harvey-Yin – Australia
Get to Know a Nailympia Expert…
NAME: Jai-Harvey-Yin
Business name: Journey to Fabulosity
Location: Melbourne Australia
Nationality: Australian / British
Who Trained You: So many amazing mentors – Phyllis Italiano, Lysa Comfort, Tom Holcomb
Years in Nails: 30 years
Years Judging: 19 years
Nail Brand You Represent/Use: Charisma Nail / Cuccio
Role in Industry: Mentor
Favourite Trade Exhibition: Las Vegas IBS
Favourite Nail Tool: Pedicure Bit for Efile
Favourite Book: Outlander
Favourite Movie: Lady Sings the Blues
Favourite Food: Watermelon (does chocolate count?)
Favourite Vacation Destination: Sabi Sands, South Africa
Your Hobbies: Airbrush Portraiture, audiobooks
What Inspires Your Work: The beauty of the abstract world
Who You Admire In Industry: So, so many; veterans of my era but mostly I love watching the new nail artists evolve grow and come into their own
Top Technique You’ve Mastered: I believe we can always learn and improve – but I love the theory of colour and was always known for my speed techniques for service delivery
Advice to Competitors: Just do it! Challenge yourself and you won’t believe the difference in your work.
Hot Tip or Trick for Competitors: Manage your time, and remember to take the time to understand what the judges are looking for. Often the underside cleanliness has the same point value as other higher skill techniques – so can be an easy way to gain (or lose) points.
What Lockdown Has Taught You: There are hidden blessings everywhere, even in the state of uncertainty and fear.
A Funny Memory From Your Nail Desk: Actually I was on the comp floor, one of my first, where I accidentally stuck the tip to my finger and thumb when applying to my model! I was stuck to her, literally! And of course, no acetone on the floor – what a panic?! In the end I pulled myself free, laughed about it; but what a stress at the time!
An Affirmation You Love: ‘Calm Blue Ocean’ is my mantra, and ‘it’s all about the love’ are words I live by.
Why Nailympia: As it has a vibe like no other, high calibre in every way whilst maintaining approachability as well. Simply the best.
Any Workshops/Classes you Offer Online: Having moved out of the industry, my passion now is for helping women in their own personal growth and self-belief. I help women over 40 who have lost their mojo or sense of identity, rediscover their passion, sparkle and a deep sense of confidence and well-being; so that their true self can step into a brighter, juicier, happier stage of their lives; their own Fabulosity. I do this through my online membership programme.
Instagram: @jaihy
Facebook: Jai Harvey-Yin
Facebook: journeytofabulosity
Meet – Jacqueline O’Sullivan – UK
Get to Know a Nailympia Expert in 23 Steps…
NAME: Jacqueline O’Sullivan
Location: Manchester
Nationality: British
Who Trained You: I’ve trained with many amazing people during my time in the nail industry. And I’m still learning now.
Years in Nails: 26 years.
Years Judging: 16 years.
Nail Brand You Represent/Use: Artistic, Rock Hard, Footlogix & Famous Names.
Role in Industry: Educator & ambassador
Favourite Trade Exhibition: Olympia Beauty UK
Favourite Nail Tool: My L&P Brush
Favourite Book: The Positive Habit by Fiona Brennan
Favourite Movie: Sliding Doors
Favourite Food: Seafood Paella
Favourite Vacation Destination: New Orleans
Your Hobbies: Nails, Nails, Nails!!!
What Inspires Your Work: My students and all the amazing people that compete at Nailympia
Who You Admire In Industry: I admire so many amazing people in our industry, the list is endless.
Top Technique You’ve Mastered: Reverse Application
Advice to Competitors: It’s vital that you arrive at the competition arena fully prepared and in good time for the briefing that’s delivered by the head floor judge prior to the start of each contest. Ensure you listen and understand the information given to you and if unsure of any points, ask questions. Points will never be deducted for asking questions.
- Prior preparation prevents poor performance … practice, practice, practice
- Ensure you read all the rules carefully prior to the competition; if unsure call the organiser to clarify.
- Be organised; make sure you have extra products in your kit in case anything breaks or becomes damaged in transit.
- Make lists as you go along, so you don’t forget anything.
- Try to stay calm; things that go wrong on the day may be beyond your control. Panicking will never solve any issues. Staying calm will help you work through and become a better competitor or winner.
- Look at past winner’s work and learn from them.
- Your model is an integral part of the competition, so make sure they understand what is expected of them. Your model’s hands and nails are important, remember they are the canvas that showcases your work.
Hot Tip or Trick for Competitors: Study the work of past competition winners.
What Lockdown Has Taught You: Patience, positivity & Microsoft Teams.
An Affirmation You Love: The capacity to learn is a gift, the ability to learn is a skill and the willingness to learn is a choice.
Why Nailympia: This competition gives nail artists from around the world, including the UK, the chance to showcase their outstanding talent and creativity. Competitors are able to learn and create nails alongside other world class talent. I believe Nailympia has become the international industry standard, putting art, technical ability and creativity at the heart of our industry. Every year I’m astounded by the level of skill shown by competitors and humbled to be part of a superb team of world-class judges. Anyone who is anyone, from the pinnacle of the world of nails takes part and we all work together without any egos or bias to judge fairly and ensure the integrity of the Nailympia international competition model.
Facebook: Jacqueline O’Sullivan
Meet – Milena Mingozzi – Italy
Get to Know a Nailympia Expert in 23 Steps…
NAME: Milena Mingozzi
Business name: I’m ROXY
Location: Italy
Nationality: Italian
Who Trained You: I attended my basic preparation and nail art courses with the greatest nail artists in the world: Malsaeva, Shanskaya, Sacripante, Bonvicini, Trang Nguyen, Khabelkaeva … and many others.
Years in Nails: 31 years
Years Judging: 5 years
Nail Brand You Represent/Use: I’m Roxy
Role in Industry: Master nail art educator, competition coach & mentor
Favourite Trade Exhibition: Cosmoprof Bologna
Favourite Nail Tool: Sculpting brush and my L&P acrylic powder system
Favourite Book: Divine Comedy
Favourite Movie: Pride & Prejudice
Favourite Food: Fish & chips
Favourite Vacation Destination: When with family – everywhere
Your Hobbies: Model making, doing puzzles, embroidery & gardening
What Inspires Your Work: The world around me, nature, colours & the wind.
Who You Admire In Industry: Alex Fox, Malsaeva, Khabelkaeva, Bonvicini.
Top Technique You’ve Mastered: Nail & 3D sculpture
Hot Tip or Trick for Competitors: Always believe in it and never give up. Participate in competitions, always observe other’s at work, because with your eyes you can steal the secrets of the trade.
A memory from the nail desk: A client, a long time ago, asked if she could move the nail extensions back and forth every day!
An Affirmation You Love: Always love never hate.
Why Nailympia: It has always been the most important nail competition circuit in Europe. It’s the one which the whole nail world watches, and which many have used as an example and benchmark when organising their own national events.
Instagram: Milena.Mingozzi
Facebook: Milena Mingozzi
Meet – Sam Biddle – UK
Get to Know a Nailympia Expert in 23 Steps…
Sam Biddle & Melanie Lewendon- The Mel & Sam Show
NAME: Sam Biddle
Business name: Be Inspired Online
Location: Dorset, South West England
Nationality: British
Sam Biddle creating tutorial for Be Inspired Online
Who Trained You: Many different people. The best educators that I learned my craft from are Antony Buckley (UK) and MaeLing Parish (USA)
Years in Nails: 21+ years
Years Judging: 10+ years
Nail Brand You Represent/Use: I’m an independent artist, as well as an ambassador for Orly international * & Mystic nails UK
Role in Industry: I’m an educator/ambassador/ online course provider & hosting platform
Favourite Trade Exhibition: Olympia Beauty UK
Favourite Nail Tool: Katie Barnes scissors
Favourite Book: Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
Favourite Movie: Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café
Favourite Food: Chips and mayonnaise
Favourite Vacation Destination: My back garden, but if I must go abroad, Italy (it’s the food)
Sam BIddle with the Be Inspired competition team she mentored for Nailympia London
Your Hobbies: Digital painting and gardening
What Inspires Your Work: People. My work is helping techs and their genius, it’s through them that I find solutions and new ways forward.
Who You Admire In Industry: Melanie Lewendon, my co-host on the Mel and Sam Show.
Top Technique You’ve Mastered: Portraits in gel paint
AT WORK!
Hot Tip or Trick for Competitors: Visualise the process, sit and meditate your way through each step of your competition, then, when you come to do it, it’s like old hat. You have done it once in your mind, doing it in person will be a breeze. From lifting the kit out of your bag to buffing the last scratch out of the nail surface.
What Lockdown Has Taught You: That anything can happen. To trust and go with the flow and that life really does give you lemons so you can make lemonade. The trick is to make the lemonade and not moan about the sour taste of the lemons.
An Affirmation You Love: I think I can, therefore I can
Why Nailympia: Because it brings nail techs together from all corners of the globe.
Instagram: @sambiddle_inspired
Twitter: @sambiddle
Facebook: @beinspiredwithsambiddle
TikTok: @sambiddle_nailart
The Sam Biddle Be Inspired comp team at Nailympia London
Meet – Viv Clements-Simmonds – Australia
Get to Know a Nailympia Expert in 22 Steps…
NAME: Viv Clements (Simmonds)
Business name: VIVid Nails & VIVid Nails Academy
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Nationality: Australian
Viv Clements-Simmonds – Australia
Who Trained You: Too many names to list but predominantly; Tom Holcomb, Alisha Rimando, Catherine Wong, Antony Buckley
Years in Nails: Nearly 30 years
Years Judging: 8-10 years
Nail Brand You Represent/Use: Akzentz Professional
Role in Industry: ICE (International Certified Educator) for Akzentz, importer & distributor for Australia & New Zealand
Favourite Trade Exhibition: I used to love Vegas!
Favourite Nail Tool: My Art Liner/Detailer Brush
Favourite Book: The Godfather
Favourite Movie: Tombstone amongst many others
Favourite Food: Italian
Favourite Vacation Destination: Narooma & Lakes Entrance in Australia and Bali for overseas
Your Hobbies: Fishing, reading
What Inspires Your Work: Everything really. We are all surrounded by inspiration everywhere we look.
Who You Admire In Industry: I love Anita Podoba’s work, Olena Ozman, Lilija Michalikova and way too many more to list! We have so many phenomenal artists in our industry!
Top Technique You’ve Mastered: Realistic hand painting with gel
Hot Tip or Trick for Competitors: Be prepared and organised. Know what is expected, practice, I strongly advise training with an award-winning educator, read then re-read the rules and criteria, check your kit twice to make sure you have everything you need.
What Lockdown Has Taught You: How much I took my life for granted I suppose, not that I didn’t appreciate everyday how lucky I have been to have done the things I have done, but I never imagined in my wildest dreams I would lose my freedom to travel, to hug someone without reservation, to jump in the car to go to the shops etc, even the most simple things as popping over to my brother’s house or a friend’s house that live just five minutes down the road.
Why Nailympia: The organisation of the competition with the judges line up, the professionalism, etiquette and opportunity to learn and grow professionally from a reputable, long-standing and world-renowned competition.
Instagram: vivsimmonds
Twitter: vivsimmonds
Facebook: Viv Simmonds
Brush with the brave: Nailympia Estonia is now open for registrations for its live streamed & online submission categories
Organiser, Viktoria Prihodko, has announced that Nailympia Estonia 2021 registration is open. This edition of Nailympia is the largest held to date and with therefore present the largest and most sensational judging panel ever seen bridging 50 nail experts & artists from 22 countries.
Presenting nine live streamed competitions alongside 13 online submissions, the second Nailympia championship for 2021 is alive and kicking. The dates for the live streamed competitions is 16-18July 2021. Below is stated the competition categories and the costings for each of the three divisions; more information will be released soon. Meanwhile, put the dates in your diary and watch the websites and social media platforms for Nailympia.
Live Stream 9 Comps
• Gel Tip & Overlay Nails – 75-mins
• L&P Acrylic Sculpture – 75-mins
• Perfect Match Gel & Acrylic
• Salon Nails – 60-mins
• Gel Polish Manicure – 30-mins
• Stiletto Nails – 2-hours
• The Joy of Nails! – 75-mins
• Decorative French Nails – 75-mins
• Reality Nail Art – 45-mins
- Div 1 – 1 nomination – 80 €
- Div 2 – 2 nomination – 120 €
- Div 3 – 3 nominations and more – 160 €
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- Dive 2 – 1 nomination – 110 €
- Div 2 – 2 nomination – 190 €
- Div 2 – 3 nominations and more – 297 €
- DIV 3 – ART Master only (minimum 3 nominations) – 390 €
- DIV 3 – Master Tech (at least 3 nominations) – 390 €
- Div 3 – 4 nominations and more – 440 €
Online uploaded 13 Comps
• Boxed 5 tips – Flat Nail Art
• Boxed 5 tips – Mixed Media Art
• Photographic – Nail Art Poster
• Photographic – Geometric & Abstract Nail Art Poster
• Photographic Portfolio 2021
• Photographic – Before-&-After
• Photographic – One hand Salon Nails
• Photographic Male Manicure
• 3D Jewellery Ring Boxed Art
• 3D Figurine
• Video – Gel Polish Manicure (15 secs)
• Video – The Joy of Nails (30 secs)
• Video – Fantasy Nails (30 secs)
- Div 1 – boxed – 55 € (1 nomination)
- Div 1 – photo – 40 € (1 nomination)
- Div 1 – 3D – 60 € (1 nomination)
- Div 1 – video – 55 € (1 nomination)
- Div 2 – boxed – 60 € (1 nomination)
- Div 2 – photo – 45 € (1 nomination)
- Div 2 – 3D – 65 € (1 nomination)
- Div 2 – video – 60 € (1 nomination)
- Div 3 – boxed – 65 € (1 nomination)
- Div 3 – photo – 50 € (1 nomination)
- Div 3 – 3D – 70 € (1 nomination)
- Div 3 – video – 65 € (1 nomination)
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Register & Rules here: www.nailympia.eu
Check put the galleries of entries from the first edition Nailympia Online 2021 here – www.nailympia.com/galleries
Meet – Rebecca Manz – Australia
Get to Know a Nailympia Expert in 25 Steps…
NAME: Beck Manz – Bex to my overseas nail family
Business name: Beckz Nailz
Location: Brisbane Australia – just had my 24th move!
Nationality: Australian
Who Trained You: After a 6-week course, my mentor was Tanya Sherlock – we lived in a small country town of about 10,000 people where I ended up being the only nail tech after Tanya retired.
Years in Nails: 21 years in salon, trainer/educator, running competitions
Years Judging: Around 10 years in some form or another as administration, on the microphone then comp manager Brisbane & Perth all while assisting Nailympia in Australia
Nail Brand You Represent/Use: Nail Harmony
Role in Industry: Home salon & assisting with administration of Nailympia London
Favourite Trade Exhibition: Olympia Beauty – nothing has come close yet
Favourite Nail Tool: Cuticle Pusher
Favourite Book: Getting Your Sh*t Together!
Favourite Movie: Anything with Leonardo Di Caprio
Favourite Food: Thai
Favourite Vacation Destination: Canada
Your Hobbies: Swimming, renovating and it feels like moving house should be in here too…
What Inspires Your Work: Helping others create to the best of their own abilities and watching the penny drop with a newly learned technique
Who You Admire In Industry: Anyone who supports others to be the best version of themselves and pushes them to go beyond their own boundaries
Top Technique You’ve Mastered: Too many to remember!
Bex Manz & Alex Fox getting ready for the Nailympia London awards
Advice to Competitors: Leave your ego at the door because everyone is vulnerable when competing. Shit Happens to everyone no matter your experience – good shit and bad shit, so be proud of your good shit and learn from your bad shit.
Hot Tip or Trick for Competitors: Read the rules thoroughly – numerous times…
What Lockdown Has Taught You: That I need to keep very busy.
A Funny Day/Memory At The Nail Desk: Never ever even when learning did I ever give a cuticle cut to anyone – except my mother.
An Affirmation You Love: Life is all about the journey…
Why Nailympia: It’s my biggest nail family where I can use everything from hand signals to Google translate or a hug to a competitor – they all speak volumes to the right people.
Instagram: beck_manz
Facebook: Rebecca Manz