Top 40 announced in North America’s Star Nail Artist contest: Season 1

An impressive 30,000 nail artists across Canada, the USA and Mexico expressed interest in the first season of North America’s Star Nail Artist contest, and the top 40 techs – who will compete for a grand prize – have been revealed.

Powered by the team behind Scratch magazine and Nailympia Competitions, North America’s Star Nail Artist (‘NASNA’) is a free online contest that champions professional creativity and artistry. Monthly challenges will be revealed – from October 2024 to April 2025, with eliminations after each, until the top three competitors are unveiled in May 2025.

These three competitors will be flown to the Premiere Orlando trade event, at which an event will be hosted to reveal the champion, who scoops a prize package with a $10,000 value: a mix of cash and industry opportunities.

Meet the 40 shortlisted pros who be be battling it out to be named North America’s Star Nail Artist:

Each challenge is set by a different sponsor of this season’s contest: CND, Light Elegance, Gelish, LeChat Nails, Glitterbels and 3EM.

Scratch Stars Awards Evening, Comm By Helena Biggs

Helena Biggs

Helena Biggs, editorial & partnerships director at Scratch magazine, comments: “North America’s Star Nail Artist represents an opportunity to celebrate the talent and creativity that define our industry, and the shortlisted professionals have already shown immense talent and imagination via their entries. We can’t wait to see the innovative designs and techniques that they will bring at each challenge stage.”

The competition invited nail professionals from the USA, Canada, Mexico and Greenland, regardless of their industry experience, to showcase their creativity and flair. They entered online with a video and images of their work, and entry closed August 31.

Follow the journey of our contestants by clicking here, or view their work on their own challenge pages by clicking their names above.

Whether contestants specialize in intricate hand-painted designs, avant-garde sculptures or dazzling embellishments, North America’s Star Nail Artist – Season 1 promises to offer a platform for their talents to shine.

www.scratchmagazine.co.uk/nasna

Nailympia London is just over 5 weeks away!

On Sunday 15 & Monday 16 October 2023 the Nailympia team will come together, with competitors, judges, partners and sponsors live at Olympia Beauty, ExCel London for the first time in a year! The team can’t wait to welcome everyone to the competition arena, some for the first time.

Competing will stretch and fine tune nail skills. It’s a place to extend and explore creativity. It’s where a nail tech can shed salon life and literally create without boundaries. It’s a place to show the world their artistic potential and ability, and the judges can’t wait to see what will be created this year.

There will be nine fantastic competition categories taking place live in the arena including Gel Polish Manicure, UV Gel Tip & Overlay, L&P Acrylic  Sculpture, Perfect Match, The Joy Of Nails, French Twist, Salon Nails, Stiletto Nails and Fantasy Complete Look.

Registration for these categories closes at 11.59pm BST on Friday 29 September 2023.

Click here to register for Nailympia London 2023 today.

If you’d like to read the guide to competing at Nailympia click here.

The team is looking forward to welcoming you to the arena – there will be 16 trophies and 210 medals to award!

The Categories Outlined – Online & Arena

We have two different types of competitions running at Nailympia London this year, creating another hybrid year for us!

Below is an outline of all of the categories we’re running and the how and when! Please email nailympia@gmail.com if you’d like any advice on which category would best suit you!


ARENA CATEGORIES: 

Taking place: Sun 15 & Mon 16 Oct 2023 at Olympia Beauty, ExCel London (NEW LOCATION)
Enter before: 11.59pm Fri 29 Sept 2023

8 competition categories including: 
GEL POLISH MANICURE (Sun 15 Oct)
UV GEL TIP & OVERLAY (Sun 15 Oct)
L&P SCULPTURE (Sun 15 Oct)
THE JOY OF NAILS (Sun 15 Oct)
FRENCH TWIST (Sun 15 Oct)
SALON NAILS (Mon 16 Oct)
STILETTO NAILS (Mon 16 Oct)
FANTASY COMPLETE LOOK (Mon 16 Oct)


ONLINE CATEGORIES:

Enter before: 11.59pm Fri 11 Aug 2023
Submissions close: 11.59pm Fri 18 Aug 2023

9 competition categories including:
RUNWAY NAILS
Theme: The Wizard of Oz
REALITY NAILS
Theme: Poetry in Motion / House of Cards / Leather & Lace
INVENT A NAIL SHAPE – more than 2 inches
Theme: Arabian Nights
FLAT ART – Speakeasy
Theme: Prohibition
ART ON MORE THAN 2 INCHES
Theme: Swan Lake
DESIGN AN ALBUM COVER
Theme: Rock ‘n Roll
MIXED MEDIA ART – Open theme
EXTREME POSTER STYLING – Open theme
POSTER MANICURE – Open theme

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

3 NAILS IN 3 THEMES

Reality Nails is an online category at Nailympia London this year! It’s easy to enter from anywhere in the world and at just £39 per ONLINE category, it’s a fantastic opportunity to challenge yourself & show off your skills!

Introducing Reality Nails Online Category For this category you’re tasked with creating 3 nail tips in 3 themes:

  • Nail 1 – Theme – Poetry In Motion
  • Nail 2 – Theme – House of Cards
  • Nail 3 – Theme – Leather & Lace

To enter this category you’ll submit the following:

  • 1 photo showing the 3 tips displayed side by side on a sheet of white paper
  • 3 separate close up photos of the individual nails
  • 1 text document describing the 3 nails in no more than 100 words (in English)

Register for your place today – we can’t wait to see your creativity & skill shine through!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY

DON’T FORGET… If you enter a mix of 6 or more arena & online categories you’ll automatically receive 10% off your total entry fee

DEADLINES:
Register before: 11.59pm Fri 11 Aug 2023
Submit your nail entries before: 11.59pm Fri 18 Aug 2023

Nailympia & Premiere strengthen partnership for 2023 with 4 USA locations

 Nailympia Competitions, the globally renowned competition organisation for nail professionals, is expanding into three further locations for 2023, owing to a strengthened partnership with Informa Markets.

The success of the Nailympia Orlando 2019 and 2022 editions will see Nailympia Competitions at beauty exhibitions in the following locations, in line with the Premiere group’s growth across the USA:

Nailympia Anaheim 2-3 April

Nailympia Orlando 4-5 June

Nailympia San Antonio 1-2 October

Nailympia Columbus 8-9 October

 

This expansion comes at an exciting time, since Informa Markets announced earlier this year that it has partnered with the BolognaFiere Group and the Professional Beauty Association to deliver a landmark joint venture, promising an impressive series of beauty events in the US beauty market.

Nailympia Competitions will be hosted in seven locations for 2023; London, UK; Mexico City, Mexico; Düsseldorf, Germany, and Anaheim CA, Orlando FL, San Antonio TX and Columbus OH in the USA, in partnership with the world’s leading nail magazine, Scratch.

Each competition location will offer six live competitions on the show floor:

UV/LED Gel Tip & Overlay, L&P Acrylic Sculpture (with Perfect Match), The Joy of Nails, Stiletto Nails, Salon Nails & Reality Nails.

There will be four turn-in categories, comprising Flat Art, Runway Nails, Invent A Nail Shape and Extreme Nails Styling poster. All turn-in categories will have a theme that will be announced before each event and Reality Nails will be themed on the floor during the competition brief.

Click here for rules, regulations, address for postal entries, email for sending in jpeg for Extreme Poster Styling, deadlines & themes for Nailympia Anaheim. https://www.nailympia.com/anaheim/rules-regs/

Nailympia London themes for its online competitions

Runway Nails – WIZARD OF OZ  – 3 nail tips all depicting this
Invent a Nail Shape – ARABIAN NIGHTS  – 1 extreme nail
Flat Art – SPEAKEASY  – 10 nails, 5 sizes, gap between nails
Reality Nails – 3 nails – 3 themes – quick salon art    (points for simplicity)
1st nail tip – POETRY IN MOTION
2nd nail tip – HOUSE OF CARDS
3rd nail tip – LEATHER & LACE
NOTE: Mixed Media remains – an open theme on 10 nail tips of 5 sizes with gaps between each nail tip

Invite this Wolf right up to your salon door

The first Nailympia global champion back in 2017, Sweden’s Madelene Wolf, has jumped into the slipstream of her success and launched a new nail system with education, known as Wolf.

“For a long time, I dreamt of having all the best materials gathered in one place instead of having to look for products I like from different suppliers,” reveals Madelene. “I also wanted to help others work with the best products in as simple a way as possible.”

Working alongside chemists since 2019, the Wolf nail system began its development journey with a vision of producing high quality products with fine pigments. Durability on the nail was another important factor for Madelene throughout the manufacturing process. “When I started my brand, it was not only to offer high-quality products that create beautiful and personalised nails, but also to help other nail therapists become the best in the world at their craft,” enthuses Madelene. “This is why I offer professional nail products and diploma courses in nail design at my Wolf Nail Academy, resulting in world class nails. People don’t really buy the products, they buy the purpose of them and the results they get.”

With an already saturated market, Madelene affirms she was guided by needing, “The best products for sale, salons and students. When I couldn’t find the level of quality on the market I required, I decided to produce my own.”

Training in nails back in 1996, this world class nail stylist from Gothenburg, has been working with nails ever since. “After being hired at various salons, I’ve had my own salon and school since 2008,” cites Madelene. “I train future nail therapists at the Madelene Wolf Nail Academy, however, no matter how much I think I know, I will never be fully trained and, as I love learning new techniques and shapes, I also make sure I regularly take courses myself.”

 

Reflecting on her journey into nails, Madelene fondly recalls, “I’ve been interested in nails since childhood when I would glue pieces of tape together, then cut them out to put on my nails. I then borrowed my mum’s red nail polish and thought the finished product looked great.”

Getting hooked on the idea of nails as a career was born from Madelene’s regular nail appointment leading her into a beginners’ nail course. “I thought nails looked like so much fun, so I went on a course and found it a great way to channel my creativity. I then decided to get further education.”

Climbing to the top of an industry ladder means taking education seriously, and as such, Madelene made it her mission to train with the best. Citing Najet Hamila Strand, Tom Holcomb and David Fowler, among a long list of industry greats, Madelene highlights, “If I have to pinpoint one industry professional I currently admire, it would be Olena Oezman, for her great passion for perfection. I can’t stop looking at her nails! But I also admire those who dare to follow their dreams and never give up, those who enter competitions and continue to take courses to keep improving.”

Proving that competing in nails can have a profound and positive effect on a nail career, Madelene notes her competition career (2001-2017), has afforded industry recognition, world travel, networking and further training and now the advent of her own nail brand.

“My biggest career highlight was when I became Nailympia Winner of Winners (Div 3) in London 2014, and then Nailympia Global Champion 2017. That is hard to forget! My heart was pounding so hard, and for a second I thought I would pass out before the results were announced. Another highlight is all the nail courses I’ve had the opportunity to arrange around the world, and now I’ve finally followed my dream of starting a nail brand.”

Living by the doctrine of never giving up on her dreams and living in a state of self-belief, Madelene’s eye for perfection and precision, alongside her persistence and determination, have led to the birth of an elegant and stylish product line, which delivers, in her own words, “Durability on the nails, ease of use and smooth application, high colour pigmentation, with brushes carefully developed by my colleague, Sandra Bergstrand, who’s been extremely picky regarding their quality throughout the production process.”

The Wolf nail system currently presents UV/LED hard gel, UV/LED gel polish, L&P acrylic, nail art products, brushes and accessories. Team Wolf is now delving deep into the R&D for an acrygel product to join the Wolf nail pack.

I want to reach the whole world with my products, work with those who are passionate about the same things as me and train even more nail therapists worldwide,” smiles Madelene. And offering her expert advice to aspiring nail professionals, she notes in closing, “You have to believe in yourself and never give up. Follow your dreams and goals!”

 

 

https://madelenewolf.com/

The WINNERS Nailympia Online 2nd edition 2022

Watch the awards ceremony here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrdselMXrZQ

Nailympia Competitions, in association with Scratch magazine, has announced the winners of the second edition of Nailympia Online.

The international nail competition welcomed 13 categories with three divisions, plus a fourth and unique division for gold medalists and nail champions; Division 4 VIP Nail Challenge.

Competitors were judged by a 42-strong panel and the winners were revealed in a Facebook Live presentation on 21 February 2022 hosted by Nailympia competition director, Alex Fox and Scratch’s managing editor, Helena Biggs.

This second edition attracted 170 individual competitors who afforded a grand sum of 406 entries from 32 countries. Forty-two judges representing 24 countries deliberated over and assessed the nail work during an 8-day span of February.

Check out the winners below…

 

 Winners Nailympia Online 2nd Edition 2022

 

OVERALL INDIVIDUAL TOP SCORER

Mino Vo – UK – 630 points

 

Division 4 – 5-SHAPE CHALLENGE CHAMPION

Stiletto (art), razor nail (art) , lipstick (single colour) , Russian almond (French), Edge (art)

 

Out of 360 points from 10 judges – 28 criteria judged

 1st – Genki itou – 289 points – Japan

2nd – Ágnes Mojoros  – 270 points  – Hungary

3rd – Erika Nortier – 250 points – Italy

 

ART WINNER of WINNERS

Division 1 – Jacqueline McClement – Canada

ART WINNERS of WINNERS

Division 2 – Paulina Mucha – UK

ART WINNER of WINNERS

Division 3 – Erika Nortier – Italy

 

WINNER of WINNERS Division 1

Brigitta Fajt – Hungary

WINNER  of WINNERS Division 2

Gosha Walczak – UK

WINNER of WINNERS Division 3

Mino Vo – UK

POSTER EXTREME NAILS & FACE: Light warrior 

Division 1

1st – Sabina Zsemlyeova – Slovakia

2ndIrina Smetanova – Russia

3rd – Iana Belugina – Russia

 

Division 2

1st – Viktória Kiss – Hungary

2nd – Nóra Kovács  – Hungary

3rd – Regina Sztancs – Hungary

 

Division 3

1st –  Anna  Grishankova –  Russia

2nd – Melinda Tamás – Hungary

3rd – Ralitsa Kirilova Geogieva – Bulgaria

 

POSTER – MANICURE

Division 1

1st – Ivett Varga  – Hungary

2nd – Mariya Doronina – Russia

3rd – Janne Vörk – Estonia

 

Division 2

1st – Victória Kiss – Hungary

2nd – Veronika Golitsyna – Russia

3rd – Sabrina Bouhri – Italy

 

Division 3

1st – Melinda Tamás – Hungary

2nd – Éva Guczuly – Romania

3rdAnnamaria Wieszt – Germany

POSTER – PEDICURE

Division 1

1st – Mariya Doronina – Russia

2nd – Viktória Motuz – Hungary

3rd – Adrienn Barta – Hungary

 

Division 2

1st – Danielle Currie – UK

2nd – Jenny Miller – UK

3rd – Aleksandra Drozdz – Ireland

 

Division 3

1st – Melinda Tamás – Hungary

2nd – Christina Sorsby – UK

3rd – Julia Makarova – Russia

STYLE FOR A5 MARKETING CARD

 Division 1

1st – Dániel Rónyai – Hungary

2nd – Mariya Doronina – Russia

3rd – Anzhela Barinova – Russia

 

Division 2

1st – Paulina Mucha  – UK

2nd – Danielle Currie – UK

3rd – Nóra Kovács – Hungary

 

Division 3

1st  – Edina Kósa-Mezei – Hungary

2nd – Katarzyna Warmuz – Poland

3rd – Julia Makarov – Russia

 

GEL POLISH MANICURE

Division 1

1st – Adrienn Musa-Kiss – Hungary

2nd – Jiak Hing – UK

3rd – Mariya Doronina – Russia

 

Division 2

1st – Paulina Mucha – UK

2nd – Aleksandra Drozdz – Ireland

3rd – Giusy Napoli – Italy

 

Division 3

1st – Laura Családi – Hungary

2nd – Izabela Goluńska – Poland

3rd – Katarzyna Warmuz – Poland

DESIGN NAILS FOR AN ALBUM COVER: Soul Train

Division 1

1st – Ildikó Köntös – Hungary

2nd – Petra Szabo – Hungary

3rd – Michelle van Blommestein – Australia

 

Division 2

1st – Paulina Mucha  – UK

2nd – Kotome Jeffries – UK

3rd – Kimberly Reid – UK

 

Division 3

1st – Erika Nortier – Italy

2nd – Lucie Kovarïkova – Czech Republic

3rd – Laura Családi – Hungary

 

NIGHTLIFE: Black & Gold with Matte & Gloss

Division 1

1st – Petra Szabo – Hungary

2nd – Mariya Doronina – Russia

3rd – Sabina Zsemlyeova – Slovakia

 

Division 2

1st – Danielle Currie – UK

2nd – Giusy Napoli  – Italy

3rd – Paulina Mucha – UK

 

Division 3

1st – Ania Kesiak – UK

2nd – Erika Nortier – Italy

3rd – Jade Barber – UK

 

FLAT ART: Pop Art

Division 1

1st – Nita Avalos – Finland

2nd – Anna Lorna – USA

3rd – Kirsty Manvell – UK

 

Division 2

1st – Gemma Dawson – UK

2nd – Viktória Kiss – Hungary

3rd – Charisse Cassie – UK

 

Division 3

1st  – Tan Adams – UK

2nd – Hong Luu – UK

3rd – Yuki Uzelac – Japan

MIXED MEDIA DESIGN: Open

Division 1

1st – Danielle Price  – UK & Kim Jones – UK

2nd – Nancy Okon – USA

3rd – Candida de Lange – South Africa

 

Division 2

1st – Donna Jones – UK

2nd – Paulina Mucha – UK

3rd – Kotome Jeffries – UK

 

Division 3

1st – Serena Scarano – Italy

2nd – Claire Wheeler – UK

3rd – Monika Grenda  – Poland

 

ART ON NAILS more than 1 inch – Futuristic/Sci-fi

Division 1

1st – Jacqueline McClement  – Canada

2nd – Emese Balog – Hungary

3rd – Marika Dimitrovska – UK

 

Division 2

1st – Gosha Walczak – UK

2nd – Paulina Mucha – UK

 

Division 3

1st – Mino Vo – UK

2nd – Andrea Lippné Kreisz – Hungary

3rd – Alicia Cespedes – Paraguay

ART ON NAILS more than 2 inches – Geodes

Division 1

1st – Jacqueline McClement – Canada

2nd – Anzhela Barinova – Russia

3rd – Orsolya Sipos – Hungary 

 

Division 2

1st – Mel Sheri – France

2nd – Veronika Golitsyna  – Russia

3rd – Gosha Walczak – UK

 

Division 3

1st – Genki Itou  – Japan

2nd – Scarlett Senter – UK

3rd – Katarzyna Warmuz – Poland

 

INVENT a NAIL SHAPE: In peacock colour palette

Division 1

1st – Giulia Candido – Italy

2nd – Duy Le – Canada

3rd – Thanh Ha – UK

 

Division 2

1st – Georgina Takacs – UK

2nd – Aurelija Illingworth – UK

3rd – Gosha Walczak – UK

 

Division 3

1st – Lucie Kovarikova – Cech Republic

2nd – Andrea Lippné Kreisz – Hungary

3rd – Robert Klonowski – Poland

The Joy of Nails with Bling!

Division 1

1st – Giulia Candido – Italy

2nd – Brigitta Fajt – Hungary

3rd – Marika Dimitrovska – UK

 

Division 2

1st – Giusy Napoli – Italy

2nd – Gosha Walczak – UK

3rd – Agata Galati – Italy

 

Division 3

1st – Mino Vo – UK

2nd – Kayley Cairns – UK

3rd – Loi Nguyen – UK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet – Gemma Lambert-Lewis – UK

Get to Know a Nailympia Expert…

NAME: Gemma Lambert-Lewis

Business name: Nail Team Ltd

Location: Doncaster, Tamworth & Preston

Nationality: British

Who Trained You: So many: Antony Buckley, Trang Nguyen, Catharine Wong, Viv Clement-Simmonds, Barbara Ujvari, Kristina Ujavri, Agnes Sebestyen, Krisztina Kalmar, Gabriella Kovacs and more.

Years in Nails: 24 years

Years Judging: 15 years

Nail Brand You Represent/Use: Nail Team, Gems Nail Systems, Perfect Nails.

Role in Industry: Product owner, international educator & judge, product distributer & nail artist

Favourite Trade Exhibition: Olympia Beauty UK

Favourite Nail Tool: Gems airbrush

Favourite Book: Sorry – 50 shades of Grey – lol

Favourite Movie: Pursuit of Happiness

Favourite Food: Salad

Favourite Vacation Destination: Canada

 

Your Hobbies: I don’t really get time for hobies, so I guess it’s spending time with my family

What Inspires Your Work: Everything from clothes, nature, packaging and fashion

Who You Admire In Industry: Barbara Ujvari and Krisztina Kalmar, as their art is just amazing

Top Technique You’ve Mastered: One stroke nail art

 

 

Advice to Competitors: Speak to the judges after the comp, their feedback is priceless

Hot Tip or Trick for Competitors:  Structure is more important than art, so concentrate on getting that perfected, as it gains more points.

What Lockdown Has Taught You: To be ready to change with the times

A Funny Memory From Your Nail Desk: The two that really stick in my mind are, my husband, who worked in the taxi rank behind my shop, walked into a full busy salon and asked me out on a date, bless him. And my son who is now 21, making aeroplanes out of manicure brushes.

 

An Affirmation You Love: Practice will never make perfect, but it will improve and give you better results. I also love, ‘never try to run before you walk’.

Why Nailympia: It’s the most widely recognised, international competition, with the highest standards of judges and the most organised scoring system. Plus, I love Alex to bits and love working with her.

Any Workshops/Classes you Offer Online: I offer over 75 courses online at www.thenailteam.com

 

Instagram: @the.nail.team

Facebook: the nail team

TikTok: the.nail.team

 

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