5 mins
NAILS in transit
Delve into the career tales of international judge, nail champion & June Scratch cover star, Eve Tran
F rom a young age, global nail judge & educator, Eve Tran, was captivated by make-up, fashion, nails and hair. However, it was the art of nail styling that ultimately spoke to her, and after graduating high school in Germany at 17, she made a bold decision to study nails professionally. It was, for her, the perfect fusion of everything she loved: precision, creativity and aesthetics. That choice would go on to define her career – and influence the global nail industry.
Today, Eve is a two-time world champion, multiple titleholder in Germany, global nail expert and esteemed judge for competitions including Nailympia. Her name is synonymous with excellence, but her story is one of passion, perseverance and a refusal to accept limitations.
In the early days of her career, the nail profession was simply a way to make a living. But everything changed in 2006 when Eve attended an expo that opened her eyes to the true potential of nail artistry. She saw that nails were no longer a service, but an expressive art form. That realisation transformed her perspective and ignited a fierce dedication to mastering her craft. From that moment, she committed herself fully to professional development, immersing herself in the industry with purpose and precision.
Still, Eve’s journey was not without challenges. Between 2015 and 2017, she stepped away from nails to help run a family restaurant. The experience was emotionally taxing and Eve missed her creative outlet. She reconnected with the craft and awakened to the idea that nails is a way of life and her purpose. In difficult times since, Eve has turned to nails to ground herself and find inspiration.
Eve Tran
“The photo shoot was inspired by Rio de Janeiro: its carnival spirit, feathers, colours, energy and celebration.”
Eve has a distinctive approach to nail art, which is shaped by two powerful cultural influences. The pro’s upbringing in Vietnam has given her a deep-rooted respect for precision, detail and traditional craftsmanship. Later in life, living in Germany, she was introduced to structure, professionalism and artistic freedom. This rare blend has helped her develop a creative voice that is both culturally rich and globally relevant. It also allows her to serve a broad and diverse clientele.
Competition calling
The nail stylist’s competition career has been a colourful and creative journey. Winning world and national titles wasn’t just about proving her skills – it was about overcoming limits, both internal and external. Balancing family life, business responsibilities and rigorous training schedules required immense discipline, but she thrives under pressure. Inspiration often strikes in the middle of the night for Eve, and she works tirelessly to bring her visions to life the moment they appear.
The path to success, however, has been anything but smooth. As an Asian nail technician in Germany, Eve faced stigma and discrimination. People assumed her work would be cheap or low-quality, and some educators even refused to teach her. Undeterred, she studied nail magazines from around the world and practiced obsessively. Her relentless pursuit of excellence built the strong foundation upon which her career now stands.
Like many in this nail industry, confidence didn’t come easily for Eve. Fortunately, everything shifted when her hands were noticed and she was invited to model in a nail competition. That experience opened the door to a new world. Observing elite competitors and learning what judges looked for gave her a roadmap to follow. From there, she trained with intention, passionately practiced and gradually stepped into the competition spotlight.
What fuels her artistry today is a mix of curiosity, intuition and cultural awareness. “When conceptualising a look, I draw inspiration from fashion, cinema, emotions and current events,” Eve reveals. While she monitors trends through social media and industry platforms, her work is infused with her unique vision and voice.
“It was a solo project from start to finish, which meant I had full control and could bring the vision in my mind to life without compromise.”
As a Nailympia judge & industry educator, Eve now shares her knowledge with the next generation, inspiring artists around the world to believe in themselves, rise above stereotypes and embrace their creativity. Her teaching journey began in 2009 when she discovered the one stroke technique through an Asian nail magazine. At the time, it was virtually unknown in Europe and she was in demand to teach it. She now travels across the globe to deliver workshops covering advanced techniques, and believes in three core values: professionalism, persistence and humility.
One of Eve’s proudest nail career milestones came in 2012 when she won the German Championship in Düsseldorf. Historically, only German citizens were allowed to compete, but that year, the rules changed to include residents from other nationalities. Her win earned her the honour of representing Germany at the World Championship, where she finished in third place after competing against nearly 30 countries.
To those who dream of becoming international competitors or educators, Eve’s message is clear: “Just start. Entering a competition is already a victory over fear. Whether you win or not, you grow exponentially. If your path leads you to education, teach with heart. The success of your students will be more meaningful than any personal trophy.”
When asked about her future vision, Eve comments: “My goals remain the same: keep learning, challenging myself and growing creatively. I want to train and mentor more Vietnamese artists to compete on the international stage. We’ve already proven ourselves in the business world with successful salons across the globe. Now it’s time for Vietnamese artists to earn global recognition in competitions.”
/eve.tran.1 @eve_tran
COVER CONCEPT
Eve Tran is not only the nail artist behind this month’s cover, but its model. She shares: “The photo shoot was inspired by Rio de Janeiro: its carnival spirit, feathers, colours, energy and celebration. I worked with L&P acrylic and gel to create the nails and love the green feather accents, which were made using UV gel and placed over a bold red base. The contrast captures the liveliness of Rio while maintaining elegance.
“I designed everything from scratch: sketching the idea, crafting the nails, making the feathered costume and applying the make-up. I also photographed and edited the shoot. It was a solo project from start to finish, which meant I had full control and could bring the vision in my mind to life without compromise. The photo shoot is one of the most fulfilling and proudest moments of my career.”