Magic from MOLDOVA

World champion nail artist, expert & educator, Tatiana Litvinov, shares how she shaped her nail dreams into a glittering success story

Tatiana Litvinov hails from a small city in Moldova, yet has achieved big things in the global nail sector. Her roles as an educator, product creator & competition judge are testament to her dedication, perseverance and unwavering commitment to quality.

The esteemed nail technician has achieved numerous career milestones, and is the proud owner & developer of TL Nail System, which she launched in 2021. The brand offers products to aid speed and efficiency at the nail desk, and is recognised within Tatiana’s training school: TL Nail Institute, an institution that has been shaping skilled professionals since 2010. The Institute scooped Cosmobeauty’s Best Nail School in Romania award in 2019, while one year earlier, Tatiana was recognised with the Best Nail Technician in Romania award and Cosmobeauty’s Personality of the Year title.

Between 2016 and 2021, she took on the role of organiser for Nailpro, helping to elevate the standards of competition and nail artistry globally. An international judge since 2016, Tatiana has become a respected authority in the field, bringing her extensive knowledge and expertise to competitions worldwide.

Tatiana’s accomplishments are not limited to her professional roles; she is World Nail Champion, a title she has held since 2015, demonstrating her mastery of the craft. Her competition success includes winning first place in Extreme Stiletto Design at the 2013 IBS Las Vegas Nailpro Competition, as well as securing second place in the US Invitational Gel category at the same event. Earlier in her career, she earned first place in the pink & white categories at the Moldovan Championships in 2010 and 2011, establishing herself as a leading force in the industry.

Success secrets

Tatiana believes that the key to her success lies in passion, persistence and discipline, commenting: “From the moment I entered the nail industry,

I knew I was passionate about it, and even when others didn’t believe in my potential, I stayed focused on my dream. Passion is a powerful force that keeps you going when challenges arise.”

Her dedication to constant improvement has also played a significant role in her success. “I’m always learning,” she continues. “Even after years in the industry, I still look for techniques, products and ways to elevate my skills.” For Tatiana, success is not a destination, but an ongoing process of growth and refinement.

She admits: “It’s not always easy, but I’ve learned to work hard and stay disciplined. Even when I’m tired, I train. Even when I don’t feel like it, I finish what I start.” This relentless pursuit of excellence has set her apart from others in the field, and she is well respected by her peers.

Industry inspirations

This respect is reflected both ways, as Tatiana recognises fellow professionals who have dedicated their lives to elevating the standards of nailcare. “I admire Svetlana Deliu, Viktoria Klopotova and David Fowler for all the knowledge and skill they’ve shared with me,” she regales. “They are pillars of the industry.”

These individuals helped shape her understanding of nails and gave insights into how to approach different challenges within the sector. Tatiana adds: “I don’t think people realise how much impact Alex Fox, global director of Nailympia Competitions & co-founder of Scratch, has had on the industry. Her work, especially with Nailympia, has helped so many techs refine their craft, build their reputations and connect with others. She’s given the nail world an incredible platform to showcase skills and push boundaries.”

Alex Fox & Tatiana

“An international judge since 2016, Tatiana has become a respected authority in the field, bringing her extensive knowledge and expertise to competitions worldwide.”

Tatiana also speaks highly of Cécilia Gimenez, the head of the Nail Art France association, for her work in pioneering nail competitions in a country where such events didn’t exist. She highlights Doug Schoon, who has brought complex chemical knowledge to the masses and made it easier for nail techs to understand the science behind the products they use. She celebrates Olena Oezman, too, for her precision in nail design and success in global nail competitions.

“Winning my first competition was transformative. It wasn’t just about recognition; it was about celebrating skill, perseverance and growth. I discovered a love for the thrill of competing and pushing my limits, which has fuelled my passion ever since.”

Tatiana’s gratitude extends to Mino Vo and his exceptional nail styling skills.

“I admire Mino’s approach to nails as a form of true artistry,” she comments. “His work shows that nails involve more than technique, by allowing expression through design.”

Products for nail perfection

The esteemed pro uses a variety of products to achieve her precise nail results. “I enjoy using L&P acrylic most, as it is versatile and I can mould and craft so many possibilities using the system,” she shares. “It gives me the flexibility to create any shape or design I desire.” When it comes to her favourite L&P acrylic brands, Tatiana lists Astonishing Nails, Nail Harmony, Reforma and CND™ as her top choices.

Tatiana also uses her own line of products, TL Nail Systems, which includes builder gels, gel polishes and acrygels. “I designed these products to make a nail tech’s job easier, while delivering the best results,” she notes. Additionally, Tatiana uses Akzentz gel polishes and Famous Names nailcare products.

Embracing evolution

The nail industry is evolving rapidly and Tatiana embraces these changes with open arms. “There’s a trend today to make everything faster, easier and more efficient. While that’s great, it doesn’t mean that quality should take a backseat,” she details. >>

“I’ve created training experiences of varying lengths, from short courses that last just two and a half hours to intensive 10-day courses.” These are designed to help techs develop a deep understanding of basic and advanced nail techniques, and address challenges that may arise in day-to-day practice.

Tatiana is also developing an online academy to reach nail professionals around the world. “This academy will allow techs everywhere to learn and improve their skills at their own pace. I want to share my knowledge with as many people as possible,” she enthuses. “If techs invest in education and skills, they will be able to command higher rates for their work.” The academy is part of her larger vision to make high-quality education accessible to nail techs globally.

Core beliefs for success

With her beliefs shrouded in doing everything with love, Tatiana believes when you put passion and care into your work, the results are more meaningful and motivation is heightened. She also emphasises the importance of offering value without expectations, but only to those who genuinely want and need it.

Visibility is another key principle for Tatiana. Even when she doesn’t feel like it, she steps into the spotlight, knowing that by doing so, she could be the solution someone seeks. She believes that sometimes, we hesitate to put ourselves forward, but stepping into visibility can help others in ways we may not realise.

‘Quality before speed’ is her mantra, and she unveils that patience and focus are essential for achieving great results: something she prioritises in both her business and personal lives. And above all, she knows that her wellbeing comes first. If she doesn’t take care of herself, she can’t be in the best position to help and support those around her.

“Even when others didn’t believe in my potential, I stayed focused on my dream. Passion is a powerful force that keeps you going when challenges arise.”

Finally, Tatiana lives by a golden rule: treat people the way you want to be treated. This simple yet powerful belief forms the foundation of her relations, both in her personal life and professional endeavours.

A competitive edge

Initially, Tatiana joined nail competitions to prove to her family – and herself – that the nail industry was a serious career choice. “At 24, it was crucial for me to show that I had a future in this field and was on the right path,” she notes. “Winning my first competition was transformative. It wasn’t just about recognition; it was about celebrating skill, perseverance and growth. I discovered a love for the thrill of competing and pushing my limits, which has fuelled my passion ever since.

“Competitions taught me that the sky’s the limit. They’re the ultimate equaliser, where success depends on preparation, skill and belief in yourself. They have sharpened my stress management skills: a critical asset in both business and life. The arena forces you to focus, overcome emotions and perform under pressure.

“Beyond technique and discipline, competitions elevated my career by building my name in the industry,” Tatiana continues. “Winning is validation, but even participating hones creativity and precision. Now working as a judge, I cherish helping competitors grow. Nailympia, in particular, is a global platform where passion meets performance. Being a part of it, as a competitor and now judge, remains one of my greatest honours.”

Future thoughts

Tatiana’s future goals are ambitious and exciting. She comments: “I want to expand my reach with the TL Nail System brand and distribute within at least 10 countries. I am keen to expand my educational offerings, to help even more nail pros improve their skills.”

“Even after years in the industry, I still look for techniques, products and ways to elevate my skills.”

One of Tatiana’s main aspirations is to create her online academy to serve nail techs all over the world. “I believe that most education will be online as time moves on, with some in-person training for competitions or advanced learning,” she reveals. “There’s a huge demand for online courses, and I’m ready to meet that demand. I want to offer education in multiple languages, to make my knowledge accessible to as many people as possible.” She also hopes to increase her presence as a judge and educator at international competitions, particularly in Asia.

For those starting in the industry, Tatiana’s advice is clear: “Believe in yourself and keep working on your craft. Everything is possible when you put in the effort.”

www.tatianalitvinov.ro

/TLNAILINSTITUTE

@tatianalitvinov.official