Judges From Around the World that Support Nailympia Competitions
1 Nailympia Judge
Cécilia Gimenez
France
Academy| Competition Organiser
Area of judging expertise: Creator of competition rules & judging criteria. Distributor of these criteria to expert judges, judge for validating work before it's presented to expert nail art judges.
Years as a judge: 5
Number of Nailympia events judged: 1
Nailympia events judged: London
Are you an educator?: No
Industry accolades: Nail Art France, led by its president and Cecilia Gimenez, is a premier competition & education organisation that has brought together over 40 trainers from various countries. Since 2010, they have trained more than 2,500 students, equipping them with invaluable skills & knowledge in the beauty profession.
Cecilia Gimenez has extensive experience as a competition organiser & has honed her judging skills through collaboration with her team of judges. She has also organised numerous conferences with Doug Schoon, a renowned international educator specialising in nail products & anatomy.
In 2019, she created her own competition, complete with unique rules, judging criteria & new events, all adjudicated by an international judging panel. She also provides free private training & advice to French competitors, helping them understand & succeed in their tests by sharing her technical & practical expertise.
Favourite nail brands: I admire nail industry leaders who combine creativity & technical expertise.Their ability to innovate while respecting safety standard inspires trust & respect. Their dedication to delivering quality products & positively influencing the industry is truly remarkable.
Industry figures you admire: I admire the people who create their techniques or nail art, the coaches & competition coaches, in the industry for their expertise & their passion.
Their dedication to transmitting their knowledge & skills helps to raise the level of quality & innovation in this sector. Through their commitment, many professionals can improve their technique & provide exceptional services to their clients or competitors.
We have ambition & deep respect for the trainers who have worked with Nail Art France & who still contribute, every day, to raising the levels of the industry in this sector, such as Stefanie Lo Ré Elena Popova, Tatiana Litvinov, Olena Özman, Mino Vo, Marianna Sandor, Natalia Isakova & many other trainers, the list is very long...
Career biography: Cécilia Gimenez, born on 13 January 1964, in France, is an eminent beauty professional whose career began in hairdressing in 1979. Her dedication to the beauty industry has seen her excel in various roles, including hair salon manager, master craftsman & professional salon organiser.
In 2009, Cécilia founded her own nail styling training centre & took on the responsibility of partnering & distributing hair & nail extension brands internationally. As an experienced trainer & seminar organiser, she has collaborated with over 50 trainers from around the world, conducting seminars & training sessions across France.
Since 2015, Cécilia has held management positions & voluntarily founded the Nail Art France association. In 2019, she created her own competition, establishing unique rules & judging criteria while collaborating with top professional judges through Nail Art France Events. In 2024, she is set to organise the Nail & Nations Championship, a competition inspired by the Olympic Games.
Personal biography: Mother & grandmother, very happy & fulfilled. I cultivate happiness & self-sacrifice. Passionate about the mysteries of the universe & life on earth, I love reading, traveling & discovering differences. Ancient civilisations, history, geography, foreign languages. Authenticity, writing, nature, music, creation & imagination.
Authenticity reminds us of the importance of remaining true to ourselves & to others. Nature inspires & resources us, while music, a universal language, awakens emotions & unites us across borders.
Why you believe in nail competitions?: Competitions are not about conflict but about collaboration & the convergence of artists who bring out the best in each other through solidarity & respect. When people understand this, we move closer to peace, step by step.
Competitions exist across all professions because they are vital for developing & enhancing professional skills. They spotlight emerging talents & encourage the exchange of best practices, benefiting everyone in the field. The blend of cultures & ethnic groups in competitions enriches everyone involved, as each participant shares their unique expertise. This diversity fosters creativity, strengthens mutual understanding & inspires us to excel. Competitions offer a valuable opportunity for collective learning & growth.
Advice to competitors: Participating in a competition is a personal challenge, offering each competitor a unique learning experience & a new perspective on their profession. Victory isn’t just about winning a medal - there are only three spots on the podium -but about the lessons learned & the connections made with fellow competitors.
Respect, humility & the ability to graciously accept defeat or celebrate victory are crucial. Every challenge is an opportunity for growth. It’s essential to train with discipline & balance, setting clear objectives & managing time, stress & unforeseen challenges. Read the rules thoroughly, as each word is significant in high-level competition. Understanding the point criteria is key to maximising your score.
Good luck to everyone!
Nail work
