Nailympia Mexico was sponsored by Covett Nails, Stanzy Nails & Beauty, Lovely Nails, Nail Krush, Glossarylive.com

The second edition of Nailympia Mexico was as spicy & flavourful as the country itself. Mexico City welcomed nail competitors to showcase their skills in 14 competitions across two days

 Fourteen competitions over two days with 114 nail artists taking 355 seats is no mean feat, but it was the reality that dominated the Reforma district of Mexico City on 3-4 December 2022.

Five competitions were handed in for judging on the first morning, the rest were live on the competition arena, which meant it was a tough schedule. Touch indeed, yet competitors stepped up the plate with just 15-minute restroom breaks between competitions.

Eight countries were represented at the event, with entries from Chile, Argentina, Ireland, Poland, USA, Serbia, Mexico and Brazil.

Organiser, Dafne Fernandez, who’s love of nails and competition is apparent to all, took the Nailympia concept and set it alight for two days. The atmosphere was electric and, as if time stood still, everyone was living their nail dream in unison. It was true community working it’s magic and the idea of an international nail family was very real.

“Thank you Dafne and thank you Mexico!” enthuses global director, Alex Fox. “If ever I observed an industry shift, it was during Nailympia Mexico. There is a change in the air in that part of the world and it is being pioneered by Dafne Fernandez, her vision and her team. I watched the region’s thirst for nail unity, for competition, for innovation and education blossom and pollinate as we all immersed ourselves in nails. I cannot wait to experience this in 2023 and to feel that energy once more. It has made me so excited for the first two Nailympia competitions for 2023 in Düsselfdorf Germany and Premiere Anaheim, USA. Together, in its respecteive locations Naillympia is making a change; its driving up skills, confidence and unity!”

Dafne concludes, “Nailympia Mexico has changed the life of so many people, including me. As the host, I believe in challenges, effort, hard work and exceeding expectations, which Nailympia brings and more to everyone involved. During the two-day event emotions were running high, with passion and perseverance that you could feel in the air as you went onto the arena. It’s amazing and funny to think that people believe doing nails is easy until they see what is produced on the competition floor. It’s impressive to showcase how perfect and beautiful nails can be when crafted by the competitors. I hear so many people celebrating the fact that their nail tech is competing in the Olympics! And yes, Nailympia is the Olympics of nails! To see techs travelling around the world to participate is proof of the commitment not only to themselves, but to their students, their business, brand, clients and their skills. Putting their heart and soul into competing is inspirational to observe and one of the things I love the most about this competition. Nailympia creates a platform that affords an unrivalled experience. It’s powerful to be making a change, a difference in the nail market, and with Nailympia, that is my objective. Thanks goes out to sponsors, the judges and my team behind the scenes who all worked hard to build this second event. Thank you also to Alex Fox for this opportunity and to my family too.

“It was two days of emotion, high energy, passion and perseverance and I’m very, very happy to have the honour to host this nail brand.”

Thank you to the Booth Judges

Head judge, Alisha Rimando (USA), Lulu Desfassiaux (Mexico), Zrinka Vuksan (Croatia/Canada), Giselle Caballero (Mexico/Canada), Damon Ho (USA), Emese Koppanyi (Hungary/USA), Fabiola Flores (Mexico), Gleidys Carpio (Colombia), Lisa Boone (USA)

Thank you to the floor judges

Gloria Méndez (Hildago), Atzimaba Padilla (Toluca), Dulcesita Olivera (Guanajuto), Any Ortiz (Veracruz), Momo Rodríguez (Sinaloa), Paola Betanzos (Coacalco), Nery Sanchez (Edo.Mex), Nancy Pereyra (San Luis), Adriana Gómez (Mex City) and to the assistants too, Lucy Urban (Mex City), Lizeth Sanchez (Mex City)

Zrinka Vuksan – Croatia/Canada

“Being part of Nailympia Mexico for the first time is an experience I will remember dearly forever. Not only did I meet with people and colleagues I respect in this industry, but I had the pleasure once again of being a technical judge for this competition, which I admire and respect.

“Alex Fox and Dafne Fernandez united the entire nail industry globally and allowed us to work side by side together and experience what Latin America has to offer. Respect, first and foremost; secondly, amazing talent, laughter, happy tears and the opportunity for many to be recognised, Alex Fox and Dafne Fernandez, thank you both for Nailympia Mexico 2022.”

Damon Ho, USA

“It was absolutely brilliant to see everyone’s passion and the love for nail art. To me, nail design is art and the nail nail artist, is an artist. It is also a gateway to  success if you do it with all your heart. Nailympia is definitely the best nail competition to show your talent to the world.”