COMPETITIONCORNER

Winner takes all

As Hara Professional starts the search for its Gel Polish Artist of the Year 2025, Scratch chats to reigning champion, VIKTORIIA MALIPATIL, about her competition experience & how she’s made the most of her prizes

The brand, which boasts a 50-year history in the beauty sector, launched a nail contest last September, to give nail pros the opportunity to showcase their gel polish prowess. One entrant would go on to win a Hara Professional prize package and become a brand ambassador. The task? To complete two gel polish manicures using Hara Gel Polishes: one red overlay and one with a French finish, and create a slick Instagram reel-style video showing each process.

“We launched the competition because we believe in the incredible talent within the UK nail industry and want to shine a light on it,” shares Claire Lebrun, head of Hara Professional. “Nail artists deserve recognition, opportunities and spaces to express their creativity. At Hara Professional, we’re passionate about supporting techs who push boundaries and set new standards in nail artistry, and we want to elevate careers, build confidence and foster a strong, inspiring community.”

Claire Lebrun

Viktoriia submitted perfectly photographed images of her work, and a well-edited reel that showcased the transformation of her client’s nails, which engaged the judges. “Viktoriia’s stood out for their exceptional attention to detail, creativity and technical precision,” Claire continues. “Her ability to combine artistry with clean execution showcased not only her talent, but her deep understanding of nail structure and design balance. The photos and video captured her process beautifully, giving insight into her professionalism and passion for the craft.”

Starting strong

Viktoriia has been perfecting her skills since 2010, when she completed her first nail course in Ukraine. A few years later, she opened a salon and began teaching. However, life threw a curveball and she had to move from Ukraine to Russia and start from scratch. “I thrive when challenged, and within 18 months I had become a top instructor at the largest chain of nail studios in Moscow,” Viktoriia shares. “In 2020, I relocated to the UK and had to build a client base and learn to speak English more confidently. But I believe that beauty and determination are universal languages, and by 2024, I was teaching again and now run a successful salon and academy in Crawley, West Sussex.”

Viktoriia saw the Hara Professional competition on Scratch’s Instagram account, and sensed it was her moment to showcase the skills she has honed on her industry journey. “The prize was amazing, but I was most taken by the chance to become a brand ambassador,” she reveals. “After many years working solo, I wanted to join a team and share my knowledge with a wider audience.”

BEFORE

“Viktoriia submitted perfectly photographed images of her work, and a well-edited reel that showcased the transformation of her client’s nails, which engaged the judges.”

AFTER

Impressed with both the quality and prices of Hara Professional products, Viktoriia commenced the tasks required, keen to show her gel polish techniques in ways that were both eye-catching and helpful to others. “The key to creating great video content is blending beauty with value,” she shares. “I love filming videos: capturing the perfect angle, managing light and showcasing each detail is a form of meditation for me. The tasks felt natural and fun. Submitting my entry was nerve-wracking, but incredibly exciting!”

Entries were judged by Claire Lebrun, alongside Scratch’s editorial & partnerships director, Helena Biggs; Hara Professional’s beauty, marketing & category assistant, Adam Swain, and Hara Professional brand ambassador, nail technician & educator, Katie Pritchard. Viktoriia was decorating a Christmas tree at home when she received a number of notifications on her phone. She shares: “I opened a video posted by Scratch and Hara Professional, which featured Claire announcing the ‘lucky’ winner – and my heart skipped a beat. Could it be a nod to Get Lucky Nail Academy? It was! My name was announced as winner and my children and I screamed in excitement.

“I was overwhelmed in the best way possible. My hands were shaking, my heart was racing and I couldn’t stop smiling,” Viktoriia continues. “I was proud, grateful and a little teary, knowing my work and passion had been recognised at a high level.”

“Viktoriia’s entry stood out for its creativity, precision and attention to detail. Her photo composition was clean and professional, showcasing her work in the best possible light, while her video clearly demonstrated her technical skill and thought processes. It’s not easy to capture the depth and intricacy of nail art on camera, but she nailed it!”

Katie Pritchard, Hara Professional brand ambassador, nail technician & educator

The Hara Professional team rewarded Viktoriia with a choice of furniture, equipment and products from its range. “Visiting Viktoriia at her salon and academy to present her with the prizes was incredibly special,”

Claire comments. “The atmosphere was filled with joy, and I could see how much the win meant to her. It wasn’t just the recognition, but the support behind it. Viktoriia was so gracious and humble, yet clearly proud of her achievement. It was a reminder of why we do this: to uplift and empower professionals like her.”

Could you be Hara Professional’s Gel Polish Artist of the Year 2025?

Entry is open for this year’s competition. To be in with a chance of winning £2,500 worth of Hara Professional furniture, equipment or products, complete the following three steps:

1. Claim a free Hara Professional Gel Polish Starter Kit by emailing info@haraprofessional.com.

2. Create two nail styles using Hara Professional products: a French overlay with builder gel base, and a bold or bright nail finish to showcase full-colour application with impact.

3. Take before and after photos of the two styles from a variety of angles, and create a short video reel showing the application process on one fingernail. Submit by 31 October 2025 via bit.ly/hara-competition or scan here “We’re so excited for the second Hara Professional Gel Polish Artist of the Year competition, and can’t wait to see what the next wave of artists create,” comments Claire Lebrun. “We want to discover fresh talent and continue building a platform where artists feel seen and celebrated. Most of all, we hope it sparks creativity, connection and continued growth within the nail community.”

Viktoriia’s prizes included the Hara Canto Nail Bar, Gold Beauty Salon Trolley, Electric Beauty Salon Chair, E-file, tools, wax products, gel polishes and builder gels. “The furniture instantly transformed my salon into a more comfortable and inviting space for me and my clients,” Viktoriia beams. “The chair is not just beautiful: it’s functional and ergonomic, and has meant that I can now offer pedicures, waxing and sugaring without straining my back. Clients love the upgrades, and I’m happier and more comfortable in my workspace. Hara Professional truly understands what nail techs and beauty therapists need, and since winning, I have welcomed new clients, followers and fresh inspiration. Winning Hara Professional’s Gel Polish Artist of the Year competition marked a new chapter in my career.”

Follow Viktoriia: www.getluckynailacademy.com @get.lucky.nail.academy

For more information about Hara Professional, visit www.haraprofessional.com/haraprofessionalofficial @hara_professional

“Entering Hara Professional’s Gel Polish Artist of the Year competition is a great way to elevate your skills, grow as a nail tech and exercise your attention to detail. We’re looking for expert nail skills and perfect gel polish application, and the photos and video are as important as the nail finishes.”

Adam Swain, Hara Professional’s beauty marketing & category assistant