Musings From A Nailympia Medallist

COPIED

5 mins

TECHTALK

MUSINGS FROM A Nailympia medallist

NYC-based nail champion, MARGARITA YUTSAYTIS, shares her experiences of nail competitions & what inspired her to take steps into the arena

Part 2

STAGE 1: A chance encounter that changed everything

One day, she suggested that I participate in nail competitions. Honestly, I was sceptical, and wondered whether I needed the extra activity in my life. I would be required to compete with a model, travel and take time away from clients, so I was full of doubts. However, she was persistent and I decided to take the matter seriously. I began by studying championships, competitions, exhibitions, participation rules and judging criteria, and researched the work of previous winners. I realised it was time to add some creativity to my daily routine – something I had never really considered or pursued before.

In the summer of 2024, I immersed myself in the competition scene and its nuances. I hired a coach and began studying new media, designs and shapes.

STAGE 2: Discovering Nailympia

I came across international nail competition organisation, Nailympia. I was stunned by the complexity of the works that competitors had submitted, as well as the attention to detail and combinations of colours, designs and techniques. I wondered how I would begin to create such work. I would need to be a sculptor, artist and more!

The participants’ work seemed too difficult to achieve, and I thought I would need to be fully immersed for several years to be close to making it into the top three. On one hand, it was overwhelming, but on the other, it was inspiring – and I told myself that if others could do it, I should be able to.

“Participating in nail competitions has improved and strengthened my professional skills, which is beneficial when working on clients.”

STAGE 3: Experimenting & refining concepts

I decided to start my nail competition journey with a submission that I could prepare in my salon, in my own time and at my own pace, without anyone observing or critiquing. I chose the category To Stiletto & Beyond, entering in Division 1 at Nailympia San Antonio 2024. After spending time contemplating the concept, I found the theme of NASA Johnson Space Center tricky to navigate and interpret creatively.

My first associations were rockets and spaceships. I wondered how I was supposed to build a rocket out of gel and create shapely elements, as I don’t work with L&P acrylic – so sculpting extreme shapes is challenging. After a while, I let my creative spark flow and started experimenting in between client appointments and after work. During the first two weeks, I tried many options because I wasn’t satisfied with the results. I knew that Nailympia would attract strong competitors, and I had a short time to tame the gel.

After a few weeks, I achieved the desired look, but wanted to add ‘wow factor’. My coach suggested including light, to make the piece glow. I loved the idea, but the implementation was difficult and there wasn’t much time left before I needed to submit. Plus, I only had one attempt to embed the LED light, because it had to be inside the gel. I didn’t know whether it would still function after curing, but I jumped in feet first, and it all worked out. The result? My first unique stiletto extreme nail.

STAGE 4: The Nailympia San Antonio arena

I flew to Texas to compete at Nailympia San Antonio, which was hosted within the Premiere San Antonio trade beauty show. My mind was crammed with worries and nervous thoughts, and I became fixated on whether the light in my design would function on the display stand, because the entire effect depended on it working.

When I arrived at the Nailympia arena, I didn’t know anyone – not the bloggers, competitors or judges. Alex Fox, global director of Nailympia Competitions, handled my arrival registration, and I thought, ‘I’ve definitely seen this person somewhere’.

After my work was handed in at the registration desk and put on display, I wandered around the Premiere San Antonio show floor, feeling nervous. I ended up staying close to the display, in order to make sure the light didn’t burn out. That’s when I saw nail educator, influencer & international judge, Michelle Soto, walking nearby. I asked her to make sure the judges saw the light before it burned out, and she said she would.

The Nailympia San Antonio results were revealed at the end of the second day of the competition, and my nail took first place in the To Stiletto & Beyond category for Division 1. Yes, I scooped a gold medal at an international nail championship! It was an incredible feeling, as I had spent so much time experimenting – and it had paid off.

“If someone had told me a year ago that I’d be winning international championships, I would have laughed. Now I know that if you dare to take risks, anything is possible.”

STAGE 5: A new idea & series of wins

I decided to repeat the use of light, but make it more complex, at my second nail championship. For Nailympia Anaheim in February 2025, I embedded two LEDs into a cosmic butterfly. Interestingly, the inspiration for this work came from a graffiti mural on a wall I had walked past in San Antonio.

Both wings of the butterfly lit up, and the design took first place – this time, in Division 3 (masters). The creation made an impression at Nailympia Anaheim and I was delighted that the LED was very durable. While the butterfly was being judged, I participated in arena categories, exploring new design, manicure and sculpting concepts.

After Nailympia Anaheim, I competed in a championship in Mexico, where I won first place in the Manicure category. Participating in nail competitions has improved and strengthened my professional skills, which is beneficial when working on clients. My speed has increased without any loss of quality, and I embrace competitions as they are spaces for growth. In the arena, you can’t retreat. Every movement has to be precise, and you have to rely on yourself, your hands and your vision.

I have realised that inspiration doesn’t come in advance, but through action. If someone had told me a year ago that I’d be winning international championships, I would have laughed. Now I know that if you dare to take risks, anything is possible.