Nailympia Online Rules & Regulations

Nailympia OnLine - GENERAL RULES

• You may register and pay for entry from 26 August. You can register one day and then return to upload entries to the registration form at a later date. You can keep returning to the entry upload portal on the website to upload as you create each submission – every registration is given a unique number to use for uploading entries. Once the entry is accepted by the portal, it cannot be reversed without contacting Alex Fox. Registration can be undertaken up until 31st January 2022. This date is the last date for uploading entries. Please make sure you register before 30th January 2022. Make sure you access the site correctly when uploading your entries, so they are entered into the correct category and under the correct number – the number you’re assigned on your registration confirmation. Keep a note of this number so it’s to hand every time you revisit the site to upload.

• All entries must be original and new to Nailympia. Please do not send in a poster/photo that has been in any other competition, seen on social media or published in any journal.

• To aid the judging, please photograph your entry with a simple white or black background. Do not clutter the image with anything (unless part of the poster category). Show the nails clearly. If entries are not clear the organiser will deduct points or disqualify from entry. Do not screen shot any pictures, please photograph the original nails in situ.

• Do not retouch any work for the nail and hand categories. Some editing and cleaning is accepted in the 3 photographic and the marketing card categories. But over retouching, adding effects and garish work will not be accepted. Beautiful nails in a stunning setting is required and requested.

• Do not watermark or put your name on your entry photos. This is blind judging on high resolution imagery.

• Competitors can work on their own hands. If it’s a 2-hand competition such as Gel Polish, both hands must be in one photo together, as well as sent separately. No training hands accepted.

• Using the Nailympia honour system, please enter your own work and enter into the correct division. If you are in the wrong division Nailympia reserves the right to disqualify up to 3 months after the close of the competition.

• The judges and organiser’s decisions are final.

• Competitors can only enter each competition once. No second entries will be accepted.

• Each category requires a different set of imagery – pay attention to the requirements for each competition you enter.

• All text documents to be provided in English.

• Entries will be published on the Nailympia website, Facebook group and in Scratch magazine at the organiser’s discretion.

• Please comply with global copyright rules and do not recreate anything that is in breach of copyright. No Disney characters, TV icons etc. Keep away from obvious themes and create your own inspired designs.

• Nailympia will ONLY accept jpeg / PNG minimum 2MB – maximum 10MB for entries. Please shoot video 10-20 seconds only on your smartphone.

Nailympia Online - CATEGORY RULES

Poster 1 – Extreme Nails & Face – theme – Light Warrior - one or two hands (any length nails)

• All entries must be new to Nailympia and can only be entered one time in this competition. Must be an original photograph that has not been previously published or displayed in public.

• Only 1 photograph is required.

• It is the ‘whole picture’ that will be judged, not just the work on the nails. Points will be awarded for the nail finish and overall ‘wow’ factor. The style, background and theme of the picture will also be judged. Think ‘magazine cover’ when creating this poster.

• Finish on nails can be in any media. It’s a chance to go wild with nails & imagination.

• Image must be in colour. Please make sure it is sent in jpeg/PNG format and over 2MB in size for good clarity and resolution.

• A written synopsis of no more than 50 words in English must be provided with your photograph detailing how the look was achieved. This is for the judges to mark complexity and understand the journey to completed look. Please note points will be deducted for failing to include the text.

Poster 2 – Manicure – (short nails) French or natural (No art/ colour image) - one or two hands

• All entries must be new to Nailympia and can only be entered one time in this competition. Must be an original photograph that has not been previously published or displayed in public.

• Present an image with either natural nails, French or nudes shades (no bold single colours). French free edge can be any colour - nail plate must be nude, pink or natural shade.

• It is the ‘whole picture’ that will be judged, not just the work on the nails. Points will be awarded for the manicure finish and overall ‘wow’ factor. The style, background and theme of the picture will also be judged. Think ‘magazine cover’ when creating this poster.

• Finish on nails can be in nail polish or gel polish.

• Image must be in colour. Please make sure it is sent in jpeg/PNG format and over 2MB in size for good clarity and resolution.

• A written synopsis of no more than 50 words in English must be provided with your photograph detailing how the look was achieved. This is for the judges to mark complexity and understand the journey to completed look. Please note points will be deducted for failing to include the text.

• No embellishment / no rhinestones / no crystals are to be placed on the nails. Just a gel polish or nail lacquer finish in matte or gloss.

NOTE: Can you see the nails clearly? Points are lost if the judges cannot see the nails clearly. They need to judge the quality of the finish of the manicure.

 

Poster 3 – Toe-Tally Pedicure (any design/open theme) – one or two feet

• All entries must be new to Nailympia and can only be entered one time in this competition. Must be an original photograph that has not been previously published or displayed in public.

• Only 1 photograph is required.

• It is the ‘whole picture’ that will be judged, not just the work on the nails. Points will be awarded for the nail design, finish and overall ‘wow’ factor. The style, background and theme of the picture will also be judged. Think ‘magazine cover’ when creating this poster.

• Image must be in colour. Please make sure it is sent in jpeg/PNG format and over 2MB in size for good clarity and resolution.

• A written synopsis of no more than 50 words in English must be provided with your photograph detailing how the look was achieved. This is for the judges to mark complexity and understand the journey to the completed look. Please note points will be deducted for failing to include this text.

NOTE: Can you see the nails clearly? Points are lost if the judges cannot see the nails clearly. They need to judge the quality of the finish of the pedicure.

 

STYLE FOR MARKETING CARD – A window to your Skills (A5 size)

(Present 3 images – pedicure – manicure – artificial nails - (showcase natural, design & French skills across these three images)

• Design an image that showcases your work on a marketing level. This is a collage of 3 images with text to sell your services.

• The nail design and finish will be judged and points will be awarded for the nail design theme and overall ‘wow’ factor (styling) of the marketing card. The style, background and theme of the collage will also be judged.

• Do not use poster Feet or Poster manicure entry on this marketing card.

• Do not use your OWN logo or details on here. This must remain anonymous for judging - please use FAKE details & logo.

• Please showcase 3 photos on this marketing card. More is allowed if design benefits.

• The completed image must be original and not previously published or displayed in public. Can be portrait or landscape – minimum 2MB in size (Max 10MB), must be in colour and for printing A5 size.

• Produce a professional collage showing your logo and nail photographs. Make this a window to your nail skills.

• Produce the artwork that you would use to create a marketing card – put together as a jpeg / PNG file only.

• Please upload just one image for this competition.

 

GEL POLISH MANICURE - 2-hands – one hand French & one hand floral design (10 nails)

• You can use colour or white on the French tip - but keep pink on the nail plate.

• Apply gel polish onto natural nails. Enhance the nails and coat with any type of UV/LED gel polish product.

• The French hand can be any colour of style of French.

• The second hand is to showcase floral art using gel polish.

• On the art hand glitter, shimmer, pearlescent, pigment powder and frost are all permitted as this is gel polish showcasing art. Can be laid on top of the nail as in loose glitter etc.

• No 3D art - art in gel polish design - flat art only using gel polish - do not add 3D elements.

• A design element is required on the second hand to create a picture-perfect, flawless set of gel polish art nails.

• Photograph left hand alone, right hand alone & both hands together. Please enter 3 images. (Images to be minimum 2MB – maximum 10MB)

Nightlife – THEME – Black & Gold : Matte & Gloss

• Decorate 3 press-on full cover nail tips to the design brief ‘Nightlife’.

• Competitors must design 3 different nail designs they feel will enhance, accessorise & interpret this fashion brief.

• The 3 tips must be displayed and stuck on a hand then photographed – (and then 3 separate photos close up taken on white background) so they are clearly viewed with a short explanation describing the thoughts behind the styles. (One text document – describing the 3 nail designs in no more than 150 words in English. Make sure the judge can clearly see each block of text for each nail design.)

• Competitors may use any suitable materials that do not necessarily have to be nail products or can be a mixture of nail products and other materials. There are no restrictions on the creation of these 3 nails.

• The finished nail designs should include suitable shape and length for a night out on the town!

• NB – Stick three tips to fingers and photograph. Then photograph individually on paper. This equals 4 photos (size of photos minimum 2MB – maximum 10MB).

 

DESIGN NAILS FOR AN ALBUM COVER – THEME – Soul Train

• Design a set of 5 nail tips to fit the brief – Soul Train album.

• Imagine this is a commercial brief, to create a set of 5 tips to be worn by a model for a photo shoot for an album cover in the soul music genre.

• 3D art is acceptable but must be wearable art – no higher off the nail than 0.5cm (5mm); flat art, simple, stylish small embellishments with rhinestones, bullion, glitter, crystals. Maximum height 0.5cm (5mm) from the nail surface.

• The 5 tips must be displayed simply by placing on a hand and photographing.

• Just 5 tips – that fit the theme.

• Send a close up photograph of the 5 tips on the hand and 50 words in a text document in English to explain how you’ve fulfilled the brief. Then send a photo of 5 tips together on a white background. This means 2 photographs with text. (Minimum size requirements for photo is 2MB / maximum is 10MB.)

 

ART ON NAILS MORE THAN 1 INCH LONG – one hand / 5 nails - THEME – Futuristic/Sci-Fi

• No molds to be used.

• This edition, a theme has been added to see how imaginations go wild. Keep the 5 nails inside the design brief of futuristic/sci-fi nail styling.

• Artificial nails to be sculpted or tip/overlay using L&P acrylic or UV gel systems.

• The application to be designed to the competitor’s desire and ability.

• Any shape is welcome but nails must be more than 1 inch in length from the cuticle. Points given for the more complex the shaping.

• Artwork can be applied on the surface or encapsulated. If artwork is applied to the surface it must be no more than 0.5cm (5mm) in height. You may be asked to prove dimensions if a judge contests the height, by sending in photo with ruler beside.

• Paint, striper foils, rhinestones and bullion are allowed. Colour foils (NO design) can be used. Products used can have colour or glitter added if desired.

• No decals allowed. This means no pre-designed or printed appliqués or decals to be used. No stamping of art allowed.

• All designs must be original and not seen in previous competitions or images.

• This offers the opportunity to demonstrate beautiful structure plus showcasing creative art and design skills. The more skills and creativity you show the better.

• No restrictions on shape – anything goes.

• Looking for desirable & gorgeous shapes, designs, beauty, style & skills.

• Photograph the hand from above, side view left/ side view right / down barrel /c-curve of nails and underneath – 5 photos. (Photo size minimum 2MB / maximum 10MB.)

• Text document in English of 50 words maximum in English to describe the techniques & theme.

 

ART ON NAILS – MORE THAN 2 INCHES LONG – one hand- 5 nails – Theme - Geodes

• No molds to be used.

• Style these long nails with the idea of geodes to guide your design.

• Nails to be sculpted or on long tips using L&P acrylic or UV gel systems.

• The application and length designed to the competitor’s desire and ability.

• Any shape is welcome but nail must be more than 2 inches in length from the cuticle. Points given for the more complex the shaping.

• Artwork can be applied on the surface or encapsulated. If artwork is applied to the surface it must be no more than 1/4inch (0.65cm) in height.

• Paint, striper foils, rhinestones and bullion are allowed. Colour foils (plain only) can be used for design. Products used can have colour or glitter added if desired.

• No decals allowed. This means no pre-designed or printed appliqués or decals to be used. No stamping of art allowed.

• All designs must be original and not seen in previous competitions or images.

• This offers the opportunity to demonstrate beautiful structure plus showcasing creative art and design skills. The more skills and creativity you show, the better.

• No restrictions on shape – anything goes.

• Looking for desirable & gorgeous shapes, designs, beauty, style & skills.

• Photograph the hand from above, side view left/ side view right / down barrel /c-curve of nails and underneath – 5 photos. (Photo size minimum 2MB / maximum 10MB.)

Text document of 50 words maximum in English to describe the techniques & theme.

 

FLAT ART BOX DESIGN – THEME – Pop Art

All entries must be new to Nailympia and can only be entered one time at this competition. No repeat entries from prior years are allowed. NO entries that have been changed from previous competitions allowed.

• Hand painting only - no airbrushing.

• The work must not have been published, on social media or entered into any competition or published in any journal beforehand.

• This competition is an ‘Art painting’ format. Nails to be designed on varying sized nail tips and placed together but not touching. DO NOT stick the 10 nails together to create one large canvas – there must be a gap between the tips and there must be at least 5 different size tips used. This is art on many tiny canvases.

• Contestants use only artistic painting or one stroke.

• Art acrylic paint and gel paints are allowed.

• No decoration or acrylic product L&P can be used; if this happens, there will be a 10-point deduction. This is flat painted art only.

• Any embellishment of actual tips, whether attached to the tip or not, will be considered a violation and 10 points will be deducted.

• Enter - One photo taken from above with no light reflection of all 10 nails. 10-second video sweeping across the nails. 50 words in English to reveal concept of theme. (Photo size minimum 2MB / maximum 10MB.)

 

MIXED MEDIA BOX DESIGN – OPEN THEME

NOTE - All entries must be new to Nailympia and can only be entered one time. No repeat entries from prior years allowed. All work must be ORIGINAL and not added to after a previous comp, copied from a masterclass or another tech’s work. Completely original.

• NO molds to be used in this com.

• It must not have been seen in any competition in the world - whatever size.

• The work must not have been published anywhere, been on social media or entered into any competition beforehand. It must be new and fresh.

• This competition is a ‘show & tell’ format. Nails to be designed on varying sized nail tips and placed together and photographed. DO NOT stick the 10 nails together to create one large canvas – there must be a gap between the tips and there must be at least 5 different sized tips used. This is art on many tiny canvases.

• Art on the nails must not exceed 1/4 inch in height from the surface of the nail.

• All entries must be accompanied by a description (50 words MAXIMUM in English) of the work involved including types of nail art media and techniques used. Points will be deducted if no description is provided.

• For continuity please describe the theme that is featured.

• Competitors must showcase a combination of nail art media, these can include: airbrushing, embellishments (rhinestones, striping tape etc), L&P acrylic, gel, hand painting, one stroke.

• No decals allowed. No stamping art allowed. All media used must be used in an artistic way. It is the competitor’s responsibility to clarify anything questionable prior to the event and the judges’ decisions are accepted as final.

• No embellishment or product may extend further than 1⁄4” from the original nail surface in any direction, if it does, there will be a 10-point deduction.

• Please do not choose themes in copyright- NO Disney, Pixar – no movies, no characters etc.

• Enter - One photo taken from above with no light reflection of all 10 nails. Then take side right and side left view photo with 10-second video sweeping across the nails. This means 3 photos plus quick video. (Photo size minimum 2MB / maximum 10MB.)

 

INVENT A NAIL SHAPE MORE THAN 2 INCHES LONG

SCULPT ONE NAIL ONLY – Theme – work within a colour palette that is inspired by the plumage of the PEACOCK

• No molds to be used, Freehand sculpting only.

• This is your chance to show the nail world how creative, imaginative and skilled you are. Design your own style nail and sculpt it.

• This requires just one nail of any length over 2 inches from the cuticle. This is extreme nail shaping sculpture with art expression & a colour palette inspired by the peacock.

• Any nail product may be used with crystals/rhinestones/bullion etc accepted for bling and design purposes. Go wild and create a stunning new shaped nail with design on top, underneath, to the side - wherever.

• This offers the opportunity to demonstrate beautiful structure plus showcasing creative art and design skills. The more skills and creativity you show, the better.

• No restrictions on shape – anything goes.

• Looking for desirable & gorgeous shapes, designs, beauty, style & skills.

• Photograph nail above, one side view and underneath. 3 photos with 50 words in English to explain the process, skill & theme. (Photo size minimum 2MB / maximum 10MB.)

 

THE JOY OF NAILS WITH BLING! – 3 NAILS ONLY on a hand.

• Sculpt 3 nails in 3 different shapes on the hand.

• Looking for desirable & gorgeous shapes, design, beauty, style & skill.

• Inviting professionals to show their most favoured and best nail designs, shapes and styles.

• Anything can be applied to the nails. No restrictions on shape and length.

• These nails can be commercial salon nails; they can be extreme; they can be fantasy; they must be original and inspirational.

• Each nail must be different in length, shape and design. (Points will be deducted if 3 different nails are not shown.)

• They will be judged on the skill of a true nail professional. The judges will be looking for the ‘wow’ factor. The more skills and creativity used, the better. It’s a showcase for what YOU can bring to the nail industry to innovate and inspire.

• NO more than 20% crystal embellishment on each nail.

• Design 3 nails (no pinkie or thumb included).

• This competition is designed to showcase a range of your creative and technical skills. This is an aspirational competition where you show other nail professionals what you are capable of.

• Photograph the hand from above, side view left/ side view right / down barrel /c-curve of nails and underneath – 5 photos. 10/20-second video sweeping around and across the nails. (Photo size minimum 2MB / maximum 10MB.)

• Text document of 50 words maximum in English to describe the techniques & theme.