Nailympia COMPETITION NEWS

Immerse in competition highlights, interviews & points to note from the Nailympia realm, with its global director, ALEX FOX

Nailympia is one of the most prestigious professional nail competitions globally, and synonymous with excellence in the nail industry.

Since its inception, it has consistently delivered a platform where artistry, innovation and skill converge, creating a benchmark for aspiring and seasoned nail techs alike.

A legacy rooted in fairness & integrity

The origins of Nailympia trace back to an idea to create an unbiased, non-product-led competition, that would serve as a level playing field for all nail techs, regardless of experience or brand affiliations.

It had humble beginnings as The Nail Olympics USA in 2001, launched in Las Vegas and spearheaded by IBD (run by Lee Tomlinson), Dianne D’Agnolo and James Johnson of Too Much Fun and David Daniel and Danny Haile of EzFlow.

The competition was revolutionary in its approach, breaking away from traditional brand-dominated events. Competitors were allowed to use any product or system of their choice, while their skill levels were divided into divisions to ensure fairness. Judging was conducted anonymously, with judges having no knowledge of whose work they were assessing.

“Nailympia is more than just a competition; it’s a transformative experience that pushes nail techs to refine their skills and broaden their creative horizons.”

This innovative format quickly gained recognition, and in 2005, I – then editor-in-chief of Scratch magazine, brought Nailympia to London. This vision helped transform Nailympia into the internationally respected event it is today, spanning multiple continents with competitions in cities including Orlando, Shanghai, Düsseldorf and its flagship arena: London. Nailympia continues to adapt to the changing needs of nail professionals while holding steadfast to its original ethos, and it inspires, challenges and elevates nail artists in ways that everyday salon work often cannot.

What makes Nailympia unique?

Nailympia’s core values of fairness, inclusivity and creativity are reflected in its evolved judging system, which remains true to the original concept of blind judging. Competitors’ work is assessed solely on merit, ensuring that personal biases or brand preferences play no role in determining the outcome.

Georgie Smedley

Georgie Smedley, nail expert, judge & digital educator, highlights the transformative experience of the competition. “Nailympia is the perfect platform to celebrate hard work and creativity,” she notes. “The competitions push nail techs to new limits, helping them refine their skills under pressure, often beyond what can be offered in the salon. The detailed feedback and learning opportunities are invaluable.”

“Nailympia continues to adapt to the changing needs of nail professionals while holding steadfast to its original ethos, and it inspires, challenges and elevates nail artists in ways that everyday salon work often cannot.”

Another key feature of Nailympia is its unified approach to judging. Competitors from all skill levels compete together, and scores are compared across divisions. This means that a division 1 competitor can outperform – and even win – against more advanced participants, underscoring the competition’s commitment to skill-based recognition.

A global phenomenon

Over the years, Nailympia has expanded its reach, gaining a devoted following across continents. Each event reflects the unique trends and needs of its local industry, while adhering to the universal principles of fairness and creativity. The competition organisation’s 2025 schedule is packed with six confirmed events and the possibility of a seventh in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

CATEGORIES & INDUSTRY TRENDS

When Nailympia first began, there were just six competition categories. This has grown to 19 in London, and categories evolve to reflect emerging industry trends and the areas most relevant to each region. Nailympia China will host the first Full Cover Creative competition for a boxed set of 10 full cover press-on nails in May 2025.

This year, new rules and scoresheets have been introduced to further enhance the experience for competitors. Categories like UV Gel Pink & White and Acrylic Liquid & Powder P&W have been restructured, allowing participants to choose between tip & overlay or sculpture techniques. This update not only modernises the competition, but provides greater flexibility for competitors.

The Salon Nails category has also been simplified, removing the requirement for a feature design on the ring finger. Additionally, more judges will be present in each booth to focus on specific scoring aspects, ensuring even greater accuracy and fairness in assessments.

“As it continues to expand and innovate, Nailympia solidifies its place as a cornerstone of the nail industry, empowering artists to dream bigger and aim higher.”

THE IMPACT OF NAILYMPIA ON COMPETITORS

Nailympia is more than just a competition; it’s a transformative experience that pushes nail techs to refine their skills and broaden their creative horizons. Competitors are required to craft their nail designs either at home for the turn-in or online categories, or inside the live arena, meeting exacting standards that surpass those of typical salon work.

The detailed feedback provided by judges is particularly valuable, offering insights that competitors can take back to their businesses and incorporate into their work. As Georgie Smedley shares: “Entering a nail competition will enable you to improve in so many ways. You have to work under different pressures and to the highest of standards, pushing yourself to limits you didn’t know you could reach. Nailympia is a huge benefit to nail techs, and its history is a testament to that.”

For many participants, entering Nailympia is a career-defining moment, opening doors to new opportunities and collaborations. The judging panel, comprising industry experts from around the world, adds to the competition’s prestige. It includes a mix of seasoned judges and fresh faces to ensure evolving perspectives.

Nailympia is a journey of self-discovery, growth and excellence. It’s also a safe space, where the team behind each location is passionate about nail competitions. As it continues to expand and innovate, Nailympia solidifies its place as a cornerstone of the nail industry, empowering artists to dream bigger and aim higher.

For information about Nailympia Competitions including how to enter, visit www.nailympia.com /Nailympia @nailympiacompetitions