Judges From Around the World that Support Nailympia Competitions
6 Nailympia Judge
Gergana Bangeeva
Bulgaria
Academy & Distribution| Consultant| Salon
Area of judging expertise: Gel Polish Manicure, Salon Nails, Stiletto Nails, Dipping Nails, Design Nails for Album cover, Shape, Sculpt & Structure Challenges.
Years as a judge: 11
Number of Nailympia events judged: 6
Nailympia events judged: London, Online
Are you an educator?: Yes
Industry accolades: I have been a professional nail technician for 31 years & am one of the pioneers of artificial nails in Bulgaria. I was among the first trainers in the country for artificial nails & sculpting with gel & acrylics. With 27 years experience as an educator, I have mentored numerous students & salon owners. I am also a salon owner.
My work has been featured in music video projects, magazine covers & has adorned the nails of many celebrities including singers & actresses. I was the first Bulgarian judge at Nailympia. For the past 17 years, I've been the exclusive distributor of Cuccio products in Bulgaria & I serve as the Director of Educators for Cuccio Bulgaria & consultant for Cuccio Eastern Europe.
Favourite nail brands: Cuccio & FeetCalm.
Industry figures you admire: I have many names in the industry whom I admire, both veterans & new stars. Each one is so special & possesses professional skills & qualities worthy of admiration. Tony Cuccio is someone I admire & am grateful to. Alex Fox is a fairy of positivity combined with boundless energy. Marian Newman BEM, Elaine Watson, Doug Schoon & many others.
Stephen Rhys Wells, my friend & colleague with immense talent, unfortunately, is no longer with us.
Career biography: I have been a nail tech for 31 years. In 1993, I started doing manicures & pedicures in a salon in my hometown. Three years later, I took a course for artificial nails. I was the first nail tech to do artificial nails in southwestern Bulgaria & one of the few in the whole country, becoming a pioneer in this area. In 2007, I became the distributor for the Cuccio brand in Bulgaria. Over the years, I've had hundreds of students in Bulgaria & worldwide. Educating new nail techs brings me great pleasure & it's wonderful to observe their success. Many of their lives have changed for the better, both professionally & personally. I have also served as an international consultant for Cuccio in South Eastern Europe, responsible for advising & guiding the brand's development in four countries through seminars & training classes. In 2013, I became the first Bulgarian to join the Nailympia judges panel, a prestigious honour in my career.
Personal biography: While working, I began pursuing a bachelor’s degree & after five years, I graduated with a good GPA. However, nails had already become my passion. I have a wonderful family & am a mother to two daughters. In my free time, I love spending time with them & with friends. I enjoy traveling to new places, especially those I haven't visited before & I particularly love the sea. I have a deep affection for animals & have a dog. For me, to be fulfilled & happy, a person must love what they do, have a family & a home where they feel comfortable & loved. Balance in life is crucial.
Why you believe in nail competitions?: I firmly believe that the Nailympia competition is the most prestigious & popular in the world. It's well-organised, with clear regulations & a variety of categories. It's crucial to have divisions that give every participant a fair chance. Over the years as a judge, I've seen many nail technicians' fortunes change. Persistence, ambition, discipline & a desire for personal growth all lead to success. Everyone can be a winner if they wish to be one.
Advice to competitors: Dear competitors, excitement is part of the wonderful experience of nail competitions. However, competition anxiety can disrupt your concentration & the final product. Never forget that everyone else is just like you, coming with the same fears, doubts & questions in their heads & hearts. Participating from start to finish is a success in itself & believe that you will do well! Take a breath, exhale & let your hands in front of you become the centre of your world. Nothing else deserves your focus. You can do it!
Nail work
