Meet The Judges
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
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
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
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
