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

 

22 nail comps hosted by Nailympia Estonia presenting Live streaming & online – now open for registration…

“The international Online competition Nailympia Live is a way to save the beauty industry in the current global pandemic,” cites organiser Viktoria Prihodko. “The global nail service market is adapting and the last six months have been a severe test for the entire beauty industry. The beauty industry is one of the most affected industries due to the restrictions imposed. However, the instant speed of reaction and adaptation to the changed conditions on the part of the organisers (UK & Estonia) and companies associated with the beauty industry, gives hope that the competition will be saved and supported.
“One of these ways is to convert all possible competitive activities into a LIVE format. This format of competitions, of course, is much inferior to traditional competitions at real venues, but right now there is simply no better viable alternative. I’m glad that Nailympia is one of the competitions that the first to adapt.  Nailympia Live is one of the first virtual competitions organised in Finland. Virtual competitions, organised as close as possible to real conditions, and from the point of view of the objectivity of the results, are not inferior to real time, since the master is always under video surveillance, which is being recorded. We also have a great opportunity to review the best results by the chief judge again, which makes it possible to put a fair assessment of the best result.

“The performance of all contestants is recorded at their own workplace, or at a rented site for this, but video and photos of the work performed will be sent through the application recorded in Live mode in one attempt. This technical feature gives the most honest and objective result. The organiser of these competitions strives to make the results of the competition transparent, all participants will receive instant evaluations of their work. By assigning teams and a fixed performance time, judges will see their professionalism and how they were able to cope with emotions during the competition.”

NAILYMPIA LIVE 2021 CRITERIA FOR TROPHIES

?Team Trophy

Per comp, the team’s 3 highest scores are used (not per competitor across comps).
?1st place – gifts from sponsors in the amount of 2000 €
?2nd place – gifts from sponsors in the amount of 1000 €
?3rd place – gifts from sponsors 500 €
NOT INCLUDED – Gel Polish Manicure, Reality Nails , Video and Photographic nomination.

?Individual Top Scorer

Must enter 3 or more comps. 
NOT INCLUDED – Gel Polish Manicure, Reality Nails , Video and Photographic nomination.

?Winner of Winners

Only add together the three highest sores from the below…
Gel Tip/Overlay
L&P Sculpt
Joy Of Nails
Decorated French
Salons Nails
Stiletto

?ART Winner of Winners

3 top scores taken from these …
Joy of Nails
Reality Nails
Mixed Media
Flat Art
Decorated French

This year Nailympia Estonia offers many different nominations for photography and video competitions.

This will create the most successful portfolio for nail competitors in the future.

SO – Declare yourself to the whole world in these categories…

PHOTO

BOXED

VIDEO

 

Register here: https://nailympia.eu/participant-registration/

Nail champion & Nailympia Estnia organiser – Viktoria Prihodko

Meet – Rodica Munteanu – Romania

Get to Know a Nailympia Expert…

Name: Rodica Munteanu

Business name: Academy Nail Artist by Rody

Location: Romania

Nationality: Romanian

Years in Nails: 12 years

Years Judging: 3 years

Nail Brand You Represent/Use: Beauty Art – Germany

Role in Industry: Educator, salon owner & ambassador

Top Technique You’ve Mastered: Extreme stiletto

 

Favourite Book: Body Language

Favourite Movie: 365 Days

Favourite Food: I don’t have one, I like to try something new, everywhere I go.

Favourite Vacation Destination:  Australia

Your Hobbies:  Travel

What Inspires Your Work: Perfection

Who You Admire In Industry: Elena Shanskaya

Advice to Competitors: Believe in yourself & you will be unstoppable.

Hot Tip or Trick for Competitors: You will win if you don’t quit!

What Lockdown Has Taught You: Be nice for no reason.

A Funny Day/Memory At The Nail Desk: Too many!

An Affirmation You Love: Never say never. Miracles happen every day!

Why Nailympia: Always I want to be working at the top.

 

Instagram: @rodynailartchampion

Facebook: extensiiunghii.romanrody

TikTok: rodicamunteanu29

 

 

 

Meet – Jacqueline O’Sullivan – UK

Get to Know a Nailympia Expert in 23 Steps…

 

NAME: Jacqueline O’Sullivan

Location: Manchester

Nationality: British

Who Trained You: I’ve trained with many amazing people during my time in the nail industry. And I’m still learning now.

Years in Nails: 26 years.

Years Judging: 16 years.

Nail Brand You Represent/Use: Artistic, Rock Hard, Footlogix & Famous Names.

Role in Industry: Educator & ambassador

 

Favourite Trade Exhibition: Olympia Beauty UK

Favourite Nail Tool: My L&P Brush

Favourite Book: The Positive Habit by Fiona Brennan

Favourite Movie: Sliding Doors

Favourite Food: Seafood Paella

Favourite Vacation Destination: New Orleans

 

Your Hobbies: Nails, Nails, Nails!!!

What Inspires Your Work: My students and all the amazing people that compete at Nailympia

Who You Admire In Industry: I admire so many amazing people in our industry, the list is endless.

Top Technique You’ve Mastered: Reverse Application

Advice to Competitors: It’s vital that you arrive at the competition arena fully prepared and in good time for the briefing that’s delivered by the head floor judge prior to the start of each contest. Ensure you listen and understand the information given to you and if unsure of any points, ask questions. Points will never be deducted for asking questions.

  • Prior preparation prevents poor performance … practice, practice, practice
  • Ensure you read all the rules carefully prior to the competition; if unsure call the organiser to clarify.
  • Be organised; make sure you have extra products in your kit in case anything breaks or becomes damaged in transit.
  • Make lists as you go along, so you don’t forget anything.
  • Try to stay calm; things that go wrong on the day may be beyond your control. Panicking will never solve any issues. Staying calm will help you work through and become a better competitor or winner.
  • Look at past winner’s work and learn from them.
  • Your model is an integral part of the competition, so make sure they understand what is expected of them. Your model’s hands and nails are important, remember they are the canvas that showcases your work.

Hot Tip or Trick for Competitors: Study the work of past competition winners.

What Lockdown Has Taught You: Patience, positivity & Microsoft Teams.

An Affirmation You Love: The capacity to learn is a gift, the ability to learn is a skill and the willingness to learn is a choice.

Why Nailympia: This competition gives nail artists from around the world, including the UK, the chance to showcase their outstanding talent and creativity. Competitors are able to learn and create nails alongside other world class talent. I believe Nailympia has become the international industry standard, putting art, technical ability and creativity at the heart of our industry. Every year I’m astounded by the level of skill shown by competitors and humbled to be part of a superb team of world-class judges. Anyone who is anyone, from the pinnacle of the world of nails takes part and we all work together without any egos or bias to judge fairly and ensure the integrity of the Nailympia international competition model.

Facebook: Jacqueline O’Sullivan

Meet – Milena Mingozzi – Italy

Get to Know a Nailympia Expert in 23 Steps… 

NAME: Milena Mingozzi

Business name: I’m ROXY

Location: Italy

Nationality: Italian

Who Trained You: I attended my basic preparation and nail art courses with the greatest nail artists in the world: Malsaeva, Shanskaya, Sacripante, Bonvicini, Trang Nguyen, Khabelkaeva … and many others.

Years in Nails: 31 years

Years Judging: 5 years

Nail Brand You Represent/Use: I’m Roxy

Role in Industry: Master nail art educator, competition coach & mentor

 

Favourite Trade Exhibition: Cosmoprof Bologna

Favourite Nail Tool: Sculpting brush and my L&P acrylic powder system

Favourite Book: Divine Comedy

Favourite Movie: Pride & Prejudice

Favourite Food: Fish & chips

Favourite Vacation Destination: When with family – everywhere

Your Hobbies: Model making, doing puzzles, embroidery & gardening

 

What Inspires Your Work: The world around me, nature, colours & the wind.

Who You Admire In Industry: Alex Fox, Malsaeva, Khabelkaeva, Bonvicini.

Top Technique You’ve Mastered: Nail & 3D sculpture

Hot Tip or Trick for Competitors: Always believe in it and never give up. Participate in competitions, always observe other’s at work, because with your eyes you can steal the secrets of the trade.

A memory from the nail desk: A client, a long time ago, asked if she could move the nail extensions back and forth every day!

An Affirmation You Love: Always love never hate.

Why Nailympia: It has always been the most important nail competition circuit in Europe. It’s the one which the whole nail world watches, and which many have used as an example and benchmark when organising their own national events.

Instagram: Milena.Mingozzi

Facebook: Milena Mingozzi

 

 

Meet – Sam Biddle – UK

Get to Know a Nailympia Expert in 23 Steps… 

Sam Biddle & Melanie Lewendon- The Mel & Sam Show

NAME: Sam Biddle

Business name: Be Inspired Online

Location: Dorset, South West England

Nationality: British

Sam Biddle creating tutorial for Be Inspired Online

Who Trained You: Many different people. The best educators that I learned my craft from are Antony Buckley (UK) and MaeLing Parish (USA)

Years in Nails: 21+ years

Years Judging: 10+ years

Nail Brand You Represent/Use: I’m an independent artist, as well as an ambassador for Orly international * & Mystic nails UK

Role in Industry: I’m an educator/ambassador/ online course provider & hosting platform

Favourite Trade Exhibition: Olympia Beauty UK

Favourite Nail Tool: Katie Barnes scissors

Favourite Book: Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod

Favourite Movie: Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café

Favourite Food: Chips and mayonnaise

Favourite Vacation Destination: My back garden, but if I must go abroad, Italy (it’s the food)

Sam BIddle with the Be Inspired competition team she mentored for Nailympia London

Your Hobbies: Digital painting and gardening

What Inspires Your Work: People. My work is helping techs and their genius, it’s through them that I find solutions and new ways forward.

Who You Admire In Industry: Melanie Lewendon, my co-host on the Mel and Sam Show.

Top Technique You’ve Mastered: Portraits in gel paint

AT WORK!

Hot Tip or Trick for Competitors: Visualise the process, sit and meditate your way through each step of your competition, then, when you come to do it, it’s like old hat. You have done it once in your mind, doing it in person will be a breeze. From lifting the kit out of your bag to buffing the last scratch out of the nail surface.

What Lockdown Has Taught You: That anything can happen. To trust and go with the flow and that life really does give you lemons so you can make lemonade. The trick is to make the lemonade and not moan about the sour taste of the lemons.

An Affirmation You Love: I think I can, therefore I can

Why Nailympia: Because it brings nail techs together from all corners of the globe.

Instagram: @sambiddle_inspired

Twitter: @sambiddle

Facebook: @beinspiredwithsambiddle

TikTok: @sambiddle_nailart

The Sam Biddle Be Inspired comp team at Nailympia London

Meet – Viv Clements-Simmonds – Australia

Get to Know a Nailympia Expert in 22 Steps…

 

NAME: Viv Clements (Simmonds)

Business name: VIVid Nails & VIVid Nails Academy

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Nationality: Australian

Viv Clements-Simmonds – Australia

Who Trained You: Too many names to list but predominantly; Tom Holcomb, Alisha Rimando, Catherine Wong, Antony Buckley

Years in Nails: Nearly 30 years

Years Judging: 8-10 years

Nail Brand You Represent/Use: Akzentz Professional

Role in Industry: ICE (International Certified Educator) for Akzentz, importer & distributor for Australia & New Zealand

Favourite Trade Exhibition: I used to love Vegas!

Favourite Nail Tool: My Art Liner/Detailer Brush

Favourite Book: The Godfather

Favourite Movie: Tombstone amongst many others

Favourite Food: Italian

Favourite Vacation Destination: Narooma & Lakes Entrance in Australia and Bali for overseas

Your Hobbies: Fishing, reading

What Inspires Your Work: Everything really. We are all surrounded by inspiration everywhere we look.

Who You Admire In Industry:  I love Anita Podoba’s work, Olena Ozman, Lilija Michalikova and way too many more to list! We have so many phenomenal artists in our industry!

Top Technique You’ve Mastered: Realistic hand painting with gel

Hot Tip or Trick for Competitors: Be prepared and organised. Know what is expected, practice, I strongly advise training with an award-winning educator, read then re-read the rules and criteria, check your kit twice to make sure you have everything you need.

What Lockdown Has Taught You: How much I took my life for granted I suppose, not that I didn’t appreciate everyday how lucky I have been to have done the things I have done, but I never imagined in my wildest dreams I would lose my freedom to travel, to hug someone without reservation, to jump in the car to go to the shops etc, even the most simple things as popping over to my brother’s house or a friend’s house that live just five minutes down the road.

Why Nailympia: The organisation of the competition with the judges line up, the professionalism, etiquette and opportunity to learn and grow professionally from a reputable, long-standing and world-renowned competition.

Instagram: vivsimmonds

Twitter: vivsimmonds

Facebook: Viv Simmonds

Brush with the brave: Nailympia Estonia is now open for registrations for its live streamed & online submission categories

Organiser, Viktoria Prihodko, has announced that Nailympia Estonia 2021 registration is open. This edition of Nailympia is the largest held to date and with therefore present the largest and most sensational judging panel ever seen bridging 50 nail experts & artists from 22 countries.

 

 

Presenting nine live streamed competitions alongside 13 online submissions, the second Nailympia championship for 2021 is alive and kicking. The dates for the live streamed competitions is 16-18July 2021. Below is stated the competition categories and the costings for each of the three divisions; more information will be released soon. Meanwhile, put the dates in your diary and watch the websites and social media platforms for Nailympia. 

 

Live Stream 9 Comps

• Gel Tip & Overlay Nails – 75-mins

• L&P Acrylic Sculpture – 75-mins

• Perfect Match Gel & Acrylic

• Salon Nails – 60-mins

• Gel Polish Manicure – 30-mins

• Stiletto Nails – 2-hours

• The Joy of Nails! – 75-mins

• Decorative French Nails – 75-mins

• Reality Nail Art – 45-mins

Face-to-face / online competition
  • Div 1 – 1 nomination – 80 €
  • Div 2 – 2 nomination – 120 €
  • Div 3 – 3 nominations and more – 160 €
    • Dive 2 – 1 nomination – 110 €
    • Div 2 – 2 nomination – 190 €
    • Div 2 – 3 nominations and more – 297 €
  • DIV 3 – ART Master only (minimum 3 nominations) – 390 €
  • DIV 3 – Master Tech (at least 3 nominations) – 390 €
  • Div 3 – 4 nominations and more – 440 €

Online uploaded 13 Comps

• Boxed 5 tips – Flat Nail Art

• Boxed 5 tips – Mixed Media Art

• Photographic – Nail Art Poster

• Photographic – Geometric & Abstract Nail Art Poster

• Photographic Portfolio 2021

• Photographic – Before-&-After

• Photographic  – One hand Salon Nails

• Photographic Male Manicure

• 3D Jewellery Ring Boxed Art

• 3D Figurine

• Video –  Gel Polish Manicure (15 secs)

• Video – The Joy of Nails (30 secs)

• Video  – Fantasy Nails (30 secs)

Online competition 
  • Div 1 – boxed – 55 € (1 nomination)
  • Div 1 – photo – 40 € (1 nomination)
  • Div 1 – 3D – 60 € (1 nomination)
  • Div 1 – video – 55 € (1 nomination)
  • Div 2 – boxed – 60 € (1 nomination)
  • Div 2 – photo – 45 € (1 nomination)
  • Div 2 – 3D – 65 € (1 nomination)
  • Div 2 – video – 60 € (1 nomination)
  • Div 3 – boxed – 65 € (1 nomination)
  • Div 3 – photo – 50 € (1 nomination)
  • Div 3 – 3D – 70 € (1 nomination)
  • Div 3 – video – 65 € (1 nomination)

Register & Rules here: www.nailympia.eu

Check put the galleries of entries from the first edition Nailympia Online 2021 here – www.nailympia.com/galleries

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet – Elaine Watson – USA – head booth judge

Get to know a Nailympia judge in 25 steps…

 

Elaine watson

NAME: Elaine Tanner Watson

Business name: Nailebrity LLC

Location: Los Angeles, California, USA

Nationality: American

Who Trained You: Cuccio, EzFlow (1st gen), Too Much Fun & many, many mentors.

Years in Nails: 27 years

Years Judging: My first judging was a nail art comp the year after I graduated nail school – so 26 years


Nail Brands You Represent/Use: Cuccio / ASP

Role in Industry: Executive in manufacturing and currently licensing deals

Favourite Trade Exhibition: Olympia Beauty as I see all my friends & London at the same time

Favourite Nail Tool: My e-files!
Favourite Book: Outlander – all the books in the series by Diana Gabaldon
Favourite Movie: Devil Wears Prada
Favourite Food: Italian, Korean, Japanese… I can’t pick one, I love so manyFavourite Vacation Destination: Scotland, Italy or Greece (tie)

Co-hosting – Nailympia Awards in every location with Anneke van der Sar

Your Hobbies: Video gamer

Who You Admire In Industry: Industry starters… Tony Cuccio, Jan Arnold, Deborah Carver, George Schaeffer…and more

Top Technique You’ve Mastered: Currently it’s gels. I’ve converted from being an acrylic lover to being obsessed with gel.

What Inspires Your Work: Everything around me…

Advice to Competitors: Be the best version of you…
Hot Tip or Trick for Competitors: Practice, practice, practice
What Lockdown Has Taught You: Importance of empathy
A Funny Day/Memory At The Nail Desk: Drawing a blank here LOL. It’s been a very long time …

An Affirmation You Love: My efforts are being supported by the universe; my dreams manifest into reality before my eyes.

Why Nailympia: Since day one, Alex Fox. To explain I would need pages…for the short answer…care, compassion and love for competition, competitors, models, judges and anyone else involved.

Instagram: @elainewatsonofficial or @nailebrity

Twitter: @elainefrommaine or @nailebrity

Facebook: @elainewatson   

TikTok: @nailebrity

FB: @nailebrity