Posts by Alex Fox
Meet – Reni Mobrandt – Sweden
Get to Know a Nailympia Expert in 25 Steps…
NAME: Reni Mobrandt
Business name: Nail Systems of Sweden ab
Location: Uddevalla, Sweden
Nationality: Swedish
Who Trained You: Anette Claesson and after that I’ve tried to meet and attend as many classes I could
Years in Nails: 20 years
Years Judging: 15 years
Nail Brand You Represent/Use: NSI & Leighton Denny Expert Nails
Role in Industry: Educator & distributor
Favourite Trade Exhibition: Cosmoprof, Olympia Beauty and the Swedish trade exhibition that we arrange, called CosmoNord. This is one of my domestic favourites.
Favourite Nail Tool: A couple of good files, so you can refine the sharpness and edge of the nail. I love sidelines
Favourite Book: Pippi Longstocking. She is the strongest girl in the world, but for sure also the bravest and with most courageous in a humble way.
Favourite Movie: Clue, and of course, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This is the essence of the 80’s.
Favourite Food: Anything from Asia. A hot Indian dish or a sophisticated Vietnamese Pho.
Favourite Vacation Destination: Vietnam
Your Hobbies: Anything I can do in the kitchen. Cook, bake or making drinks! All three are on my top shelf.
What Inspires Your Work: Education! Seeing people develop and their happy smiles – on students and also on nails!
Who You Admire In Industry: Alla Kinder & Marian Newman. Artists that inspire in such a humble way. So much knowledge is given so freely share to everyone by them both. This is true inspiration in my mind. And of course, Olena Özman! Now we’re talking sharp nails with perfect sidewalls. Wow!
Top Technique You’ve Mastered: There are many others that really have Top Techniques so I cannot say I am in their league. What I do best is create platforms and guide others to reach beyond their top techniques. So, my Top Technique is that I can see what others can do better and how they can do it. With an eye for detail, I can see if the person is right or left-handed or how they work – just by seeing the nails.
Advice to Competitors: Focus, focus, focus during competition and share, share, share after competition.
Hot Tip or Trick for Competitors: Be prepared. Pack your competition bag way ahead of time, so you have everything you need. Files, forms, tips, implements… check your resin and take one or two extra with you. Good preparation will give you a good competition.
What Lockdown Has Taught You: Be happy for what you have every day. You do not know what you will have tomorrow. Anything you like to do – do it now!
A Funny Day/Memory At The Nail Desk: I had been working with nails for about a year. Then a man came into the salon and wanted to book an appointment. He wanted long black nails with glitter. I was so surprised and a bit nervous. During our conversation he told me about his life as a drag queen and I had one of my most fun and memorable appointments. Never judge what you see.
An Affirmation You Love: Believe that good things will happen, and they will.
Why Nailympia: They way Nailympia allows nail techs from all levels and all corners of the world come together and share. Share knowledge, share inspiration and share competition. And the way that Alex Fox puts everything together. The way Alex makes everything and everyone into a big family from competitors to judges, from coordinators to visitors. She makes us all share the passion for nails in the most beautiful way.
Instagram: @nailsystems
Twitter: @nailsystems
Facebook: @nsiofsweden
Meet – Jeanette Ulriksen – Denmark
Get to Know a Nailympia Expert in 23 Steps…
NAME: Jeanette Ulriksen
Business name: Nails Beauty and Wellness
Location: Denmark
Nationality: Danish
Who Trained You: Catherine Wong, Steffi Fowler, David Fowler, Trang Nguyen
Years in Nails: 17 years
Years Judging: 7 years
Nail Brand You Represent/Use: Urban Nails, Astonishing
Role in Industry: Distributor, Master Educator
Favourite Trade Exhibition: Olympia Beauty, London, UK
Favourite Nail Tool: My acrylic brush
Favourite Book: The Da Vinci Code
Favourite Movie: Pretty Woman, Outlander (the series)
Favourite Food: Chocolate 😀 / Italian pasta
Favourite Vacation Destination: Spain
Your Hobbies: Painting, singing, being in nature, skiing, playing games with my family.
What Inspires Your Work: Colours, music, pictures on the internet, out in nature.
Who You Admire In Industry: Catherine Wong, Steffi Fowler, David Fowler, Pham Hung Tony
Top Techniques You’ve Mastered: Fantasy 3D nail art, Extreme Shapes
Jeanette Ulriksen with Alex Fox
Hot Tip or Trick for Competitors: Bring baby wipes to remove dust.
What Lockdown Has Taught You: To see the positive in things even though everything looks bad.
A Funny Day/Memory At The Nail Desk: Gluing myself to the customer while adding Swarovski crystals
Always positive
Why Nailympia: I love the competitions and the mood. We are serious judges, but we can still have a laugh. The variety of the competitors. All the brands that attend the show.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nails_beauty_and_wellness/
Twitter:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nailsbeautywellness/
Meet – Elaine Watson – USA – head booth judge
Get to know a Nailympia judge in 25 steps…
Elaine watson
NAME: Elaine Tanner Watson
Business name: Nailebrity LLC
Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
Nationality: American
Who Trained You: Cuccio, EzFlow (1st gen), Too Much Fun & many, many mentors.
Years in Nails: 27 years
Years Judging: My first judging was a nail art comp the year after I graduated nail school – so 26 years
Nail Brands You Represent/Use: Cuccio / ASP
Role in Industry: Executive in manufacturing and currently licensing deals
Favourite Trade Exhibition: Olympia Beauty as I see all my friends & London at the same time
Favourite Nail Tool: My e-files!
Favourite Book: Outlander – all the books in the series by Diana Gabaldon
Favourite Movie: Devil Wears Prada
Favourite Food: Italian, Korean, Japanese… I can’t pick one, I love so manyFavourite Vacation Destination: Scotland, Italy or Greece (tie)
Co-hosting – Nailympia Awards in every location with Anneke van der Sar
Your Hobbies: Video gamer
Who You Admire In Industry: Industry starters… Tony Cuccio, Jan Arnold, Deborah Carver, George Schaeffer…and more
Top Technique You’ve Mastered: Currently it’s gels. I’ve converted from being an acrylic lover to being obsessed with gel.
What Inspires Your Work: Everything around me…
Advice to Competitors: Be the best version of you…
Hot Tip or Trick for Competitors: Practice, practice, practice
What Lockdown Has Taught You: Importance of empathy
A Funny Day/Memory At The Nail Desk: Drawing a blank here LOL. It’s been a very long time …
An Affirmation You Love: My efforts are being supported by the universe; my dreams manifest into reality before my eyes.
Why Nailympia: Since day one, Alex Fox. To explain I would need pages…for the short answer…care, compassion and love for competition, competitors, models, judges and anyone else involved.
Instagram: @elainewatsonofficial or @nailebrity
Twitter: @elainefrommaine or @nailebrity
Facebook: @elainewatson
TikTok: @nailebrity
FB: @nailebrity
Nailympia medalist launches nail workshops after winning gold
Gold medal winner (Division 1) of the Invent A Nail Shape category of the first Nailympia Online championship, Angelique Blenckner presents her online nail workshops.
Angelique Blenckner, Germany
Soon to be launched at www.honey-nails.net, Angelique confirms her classes differ in structure, content and intensity. The workshops she cites are, “Quick Starter Workshops that mean after joining the Learning Group, you can start immediately, without taking any theory. Courses and classes to the contrary, deliver a theory and practical section to allow students to go deeper into the theme. The classes also present tests to assess the student’s level of learning based on nail structure and extension shaping.”
Classes offer lifetime access and is offered in English and German.
Classes will be launched soon with a pre-order discount for those keen to sign up in the near future.
Classes on offer from Honey Nails of Berlin comprise:
- Filigran Art Workshop
- Realistic Portraits Course
- Realistic Animals Course
- Flat 3D Faces Course
- 3D Figure Course
- Xtreme Shape short Class
- Xtreme Shape and Length Pro Class
- Nailympia Winner Shape ‘Honeycombs’ Masterclass
- Mini Mixed Media
Instagram: @honeynails_berlin
FB: honeynails.berlin
Nailympia Div 4 champion 2021 launches online learning option
Champion nail tech and artist, Olena Oezman has launched an online nail academy. Utilising her time efficiently during the pandemic, Olena focused on creating a portal of nail education, in order to further her reach as an international nail tutor and trainer.
And the timing is excellent, since taking part in the first edition of Nailympia Online, Olena was presented at its awards ceremony on 15 March 2021 1x gold, 2 x silver and 1 x bronze medals as well as they Division 4 VIP 5-Shape Challenge trophy.
Acting as mentor and teacher to multi-award winning UK medalist and nail artist, Mino Vo, Olena is cited as a great beacon of knowledge and inspiration. Talking after his success winning three of the eight Nailympia Online trophies, Mino says, “When competing, it’s not just about who is the best in structure or the best in art. You need to read the rules, this is your best friend. For you to be successful there are many points to consider and a big area you need to focus on the cleanliness of your work, your surface and cuticles.” Mino then goes on to share his success comes a direct result of what he learned on Olena’s course. “I took the Olena Özman combined manicure online class and can honestly say, I can now make clean cuticles confidently. This course covers every single thing you can imagine. Every skin type, every tool. And the quality I can promise you is the best.”
Meet – Krasimira Petrova – Bulgaria/Austria
Get to Know a Nailympia Expert in 25 Steps…
NAME: Krasmira Petrova
Business name: Krasi Mira Enterprise
Location: Vienna, Austria
Nationality: Bulgarian
Who Trained You: Antony Buckley, Danny Haile, Tom Holcomb & Elena Maltseva
Years in Nails: 18 years
Years Judging: 12 years
Nail Brand You Represent: Gelish, Hand & Nail Harmony & Morgan Taylor
Role in Industry: Educator, distributor & salon owner
Favourite Trade Exhibition: Intercharm Moscow, Russia
Favourite Nail Tool: The Spoon Pusher & Go File by Gelish
Favourite Book: Seat of the Soul, Gary Zukov
Favourite Movie: No Reservations
Favourite Food: A mish mash
Favourite Vacation Destination: Santorini, Greece
Your Hobbies: Latin Dancing, cooking and art
What Inspires Your Work: Creative people and all the beauty around
Who You Admire In Industry: Danny Haile, David Daniel, Gari-Dawn Tingler, Antony Buckley, Elena Maltseva, Alisha Rimando, Georgie Smedley, Alex Fox, Tom Holcomb (even though he’s now passed away I will always admire him)
Top Technique You’ve Mastered: Pink & White and nail art – any type
Advice to Competitors: Work on your emotional intelligence just as much as on your nail skills, because this is your #1 enemy!
Hot Tip or Trick for Competitors: Choose your model wisely!
What Lockdown Has Taught You: A very close friend of mine told me during this difficult time, ‘Krasi, relax and Osim Chaim – check this on the internet’. After checking I found a story regarding the meaning of these words, which I found so incredible, that I’m sharing a small part with you.
‘’…Do not solve problems, not to make money, not looking for answers to questions, not to set goals and reach them without losing weight, after all, no! Just enjoy the life!’’ V. Hugo
My interpretation is drink your favourite coffee, eat your favourite food, dress well, do things that bring joy into your day, be good to yourself and others, laugh and enjoy life!
An Affirmation You Love: I can BE, I can DO and HAVE everything I wish anytime, anywhere
Why Nailympia: Simply because this is the most upright competition in the world. The judging process is like a symphony; smooth, fair, easy and thanks to the ingeniously structured judging system, we can really relax and enjoy the time without stress. Last, but not least, Alex Fox and team with their vibrant and contagious energy make everybody addicted to this special life event and memorable experience.
Krasimira Nail Academy
https://nailharmony.at/de/
Instagram: krasimirap
Twitter: Krasimira Petrova
Facebook: Krasimira Petrova
Meet – Valerie Ducharme – Canada
Get to Know a Nailympia Expert in 25 Steps…
Valerie winning Nails Next Top Nail Artist (NTNA) – Season 5 – 2018
NAME: Valerie Ducharme
Business name: Academy & Distribution Valerie Ducharme
Location: Province Québec, Canada
Nationality: Canadien
Who Trained You: France Lecuyer Academy
Years in Nails: 17 years
Years Judging: 4 years
Nail Brand You Use: VD product, CND, En Vogue, Polygel Gelish
Role in Industry: Educator, ambassador & distributor
Favourite Trade Exhibition: Premiere Orlando Show
Favourite Nail Tool: Extension form
Favourite Book: Miracle Morning
Favourite Movie: Pride and Prejudice
Favourite Food: A lot of starters: French fries; Ceasar salad; onion soup; cheese & bread
Favourite Vacation Destination: Iceland
Your Hobbies: I love to read cards such as the Tarot
What Inspires Your Work: The Fashion Week designer collections
Who You Admire In Industry: Jan Arnold for her creativity
Top Technique You’ve Mastered: Mix mania innovation of creation
Advice to Competitors: Create something with a theme you’ve never seen before. Be innovative
Hot Tip or Trick for Competitors: Ask yourself : How did she do that? Take your ideas from that point…
What Lockdown Has Taught You: I’ve become a better teacher, with new teaching tricks I’ve learned from my online training.
A Funny Day/Memory At The Nail Desk: When I was a floor judge and discreetly slipped my hand under the curtain pretending to be the last contestant. I heard the judges questioning what to do as my nails did not represent or fit the category at all. It was a funny moment.
An Affirmation You Love: Develop success, attitudes & skills by practice and action
Why Nailympia: It’s a pure selfishness. I learn so much alongside the best judges and top competitors around the world. Together we form a whole for the prosperity of the industry. The most beautiful community of passionate nail techs.
Instagram: @vdnailart
Facebook: @vdnailart
TikTok: @vdnailart
Meet – Catherine Wong- Singapore
Get to Know a Nailympia Expert in 25 Steps…
NAME: Catherine Wong
Business name: NailQueen
Location: Singapore
Nationality: Malaysian, living as a permanent resident in Singapore for the last 30 years
Who Trained You: When I first started using the acrylic system in the 90’s, I trained with EZFlow products, hence I had the opportunity to learn from Danny Haile, Alisha Rimando and Antony Buckley.
I then went on to train with Tom Holcomb and Tom Bachik specifically in French sculptured nails when they launched the Entity.
Enfu Oh, founder of NFU coloured acrylic systems was my educator when I fell in love with coloured powders and 3D nail art.
Trang Nguyen mentored me for competition, helped me understand the nail business and with building a great competition and education team in South East Asia.
Anna Lajourdie, who was training for Akzentz when I first started distributing at the time, was a huge inspiration to me in perfecting my salon style French gel application. In my journey as a nail professional, I’ve attended countless classes with various educators internationally. There weren’t any online classes back then and so I invested a lot in travel or to fly them out to me!
Years in Nails: 24 years (2021 inclusive, however I stopped nail as a full-time career in 2015)
Years Judging: 11 years
Nail Brand You Use: EzFlow, Entity, Akzentz, NfuOh, ONS, EMI
Role in Industry: Freelance educator now. I was previously a distributor up until 2015
Favourite Trade Exhibitions: Beauty World Japan, SINAIL Korea, CIBE Guangzhou, Beauty Dusseldorf , just to name a few
Favourite Nail Tool: Nail Art Brushes
Favourite Book: The Art of Living by Epictetus
Some of my favourite quotes from the book:
- ‘The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best’
- ‘First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do’
- ‘There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things, which are beyond the power or our will’
Favourite Movie: The Godfather
Favourite Food: Korean BBQ
Favourite Vacation Destination: Bali
Your Hobbies: Nail art, cake decorating, flower arrangement, fine dining, travelling
What Inspires Your Work: Art & fashion
Who You Admire In Industry: Alisha Rimando, Viv Simmonds, Gina Silvestro, Lilija
Michalikova, Marina Shyvtsova, David & Stephanie Fowler
Top Technique You’ve Mastered: Design sculptured nails, mixed media & fantasy, hand painted nail art
Advice to Competitors: Read and understand the rules. When practising, use the judging criteria as a checklist to go through your work and ask yourself how you would score your own work, so you know what to look out for when attempting to make improvements. If you’re competing for the first time, then you may want to find a mentor or attend a specific class where you can get the right guidance. Nothing valuable in this world is free of charge, so don’t expect good training to come free. Your career is an investment, so invest wisely. Research and find a suitable mentor for your specific needs.
Hot Tip or Trick for Competitors: Find a great hand model! Beautiful hands and nail beds are halfway to a set of winning nails. Make sure that your model understands what is required of her (discuss the do’s and don’ts), feed her well before the competition and keep her warm and comfortable so you can work peacefully.
Always bring a table lamp (if it’s not provided at the venue ) and check the voltage so you carry a converter suitable for the country you are competing in. (100-120V for USA, 220-240V for Europe and Asia)
Arrive at the venue early and choose a table that’s not directly where the wind is blowing, otherwise you will be in the receiving end of all the filing dust when everyone starts filing
What Lockdown Has Taught You: Be the change. Don’t wait for things to change, but change yourself to adapt so you don’t get left behind.
A Funny Day/Memory At The Nail Desk: Working on a fellow nail educator’s nails while they’re sleeping is a norm before a beauty or training event. I used to fly to the USA & Mexico for beauty shows and training events. A few of us from different countries would end up sharing an apartment. We would fix each other’s nails late into the night, so the one getting the nails done would always be sleeping to the point of snoring.
Another funny incident: It’s quite typical for nail artists to hold another nail artist’s hands to admire her latest nail designs. I remember picking up Gina Silvestro’s hands to do just that in a posh steak restaurant at the Treasure Island in Las Vegas and the waiter gave us both a dirty look!
An Affirmation You Love: Carpe Diem
Why Nailympia: Nailympia is a global competition that draws a lot of good quality competitors, which are not only highly skilled but also very driven to excel. The judging team of multi-talented and highly experienced judges makes judging such a breeze and fun to work with. Personally, whenever I’m judging at Nailympia London in particular, I learn a lot even as a judge and get inspired to pick up my nail brushes to play when I get home.
Instagram: @catherinewongnailqnailart
Facebook: Catherine Wong
Nailympia Online first AWARDS – don’t miss the live stream
Put the date & time in your diary
The winners of the Nailympia Online first edition
will be announced …
Monday 15 March – 7pm GMT – Facebook: Nailympia
World’s top nail artist presents 3-hour free class
Widely acknowledged as one of the top nail artists in the world today, Elena Maltseva of Russia, is offering a free class for all nail techs in mixed media art practices.
Made famous for her mixed media and fantasy structures, Elena Maltseva is much sought after to judge global nail competitions and as such is often seen on the Nailympia judging panel.
This year in support of Nailympia Online, Elena will be judging on the panel next week when the event closes, as expected. However, Elena has also offered to present a 3-hour live stream onto the Nailympia official Facebook page from 4pm (GMT UK time) on Monday 1st March .
The class will be formed around creating perspective, depth and angles in mixed media art pieces. Elena will share her knowledge on spreading a work piece into plans: the background, the middle distance and the foreground. She will share her tricks on depicting depth & volume without bringing height and massiveness to the work and will show the stages of building a piece of work with non-standard angles.
“I will be recreating a flying man in the sky (from the image shown here), not just in a plane blue sky background, but as if part of a mixed media work for competition,” relays Elena.
If you love nail art and are ready to learn some advanced techniques, then join the LIVE on Monday and see for yourself the magic that is Elena Maltseva.
Instagram: @elena_maltseva_nail
FB – Elena Maltseva
