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Judge & competitor spotlights

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

JUDGE SPOTLIGHT: Linn Himberg-Larsen

Educator, international judge, nail expert & multi award-winning champion nail artist – Norway @linnchampion

Areas of judging expertise: Technical, nail structure, detail and pink & white application.

Years as a judge: 12

Nailympia events judged: Six: in London, Germany and China.

Industry accolades: I have attained 14 gold medals over eight years in the Norwegian Championship for acrylic and gel; two gold medals in both the Scandinavian and Nordic Championships; one gold medal in the Swedish Championship; four gold medals at Nailympia London, one team gold medal (Nailympia); two silver and three bronze medals at the International Nail Championship Düsseldorf, and four silver and six bronze medals in various competitions around the world.

Favourite nail brands: I love many brands, but particularly F.O.X, ZER.0 by Zrinka and products by Madelene Wolf.

Career biography: I’ve been a nail technician since 1998 and am passionate about the structure of French competition nails. I particularly focus on lines and shapes and have competed in numerous national and international competitions over the years, winning 47 medals and trophies: 39 of which are gold. I believe that I have a winning mindset, which comprises skills, passion, mental strength, safety, self-motivation, stress management, concentration, self-confidence and attitude.

Under the guidance of my mentor, the late Tom Holcomb, I honed my skills through specialist courses and competing. My competitive spirit and dedication fuelled my ambition to excel. Today, I’m the principal at Norway’s largest beauty school, elevating the status of nail art education. I take pride in transforming my passion for nails into a respected educational programme.

Why do you believe in nail competitions? They provide a platform for nail techs to showcase their skills and creativity. Through participation, nail professionals can push themselves to new limits and strive for perfection, which not only improves their technical abilities, but boosts their confidence and motivation. Competing against other techs can be a great learning experience and way to network with others in the industry. The feedback received from judges and mentors helps competitors to grow and improve their craft. Competitions offer valuable opportunities for artists to challenge themselves, hone their skills and ultimately become more successful in their careers.

Advice to competitors: Being strong mentally and physically is important when facing the pressure and challenges of a competition. Practicing regularly and honing your skills will help you to perform at your best. Additionally, familiarising yourself with the rules of each competition is crucial, to ensure you are following guidelines and not risking disqualification. Understanding the judging criteria and requirements will help you to tailor your designs and techniques to meet the standards expected by the judges. Staying focused, practicing diligently and adhering to the competition rules are key components for success.

COMPETITOR SPOTLIGHT: Ngoc Hong Nguyen

Nail stylist at NHN.Nails, Vietnam & Nailympia China 2025 Winner of Winners – Division 2 – Vietnam

@nguyenhongngoc.nails @nguyenhongngoc.nails

In May 2025, at the first Nailympia China in Shanghai, Ngoc Hong Nguyen from Vietnam claimed the coveted Winner of Winners – Division 2 trophy along with several medals, marking a defining moment early on in her career.

Ngoc, who owns a small nail studio in her hometown of Tuyen Quang, has only been working in the nail industry for three years. Yet in this short time, her passion and determination have carried her from a modest local salon to the global stage. “The journey so far has been great – and I’ve already achieved so much,” Ngoc shares.

Her love for the nail craft began in high school. Watching and searching for nail designs was a passion, and she began taking her hobby seriously by studying and practicing nails at a small salon. Despite limited techniques, she gained foundational knowledge. Inspired by international experts, such as three-time Nailympia Global Cup champion, Olena Oezman (Germany), Italy’s Deborah Cocco (multi trophy-winner & Nailympia Euro Cup champion 2023), and multi award-winning pro, Alessandra Pizzari (Italy), Ngoc pushed herself to improve her craft. “They all have impressive professional skills, inspiring creative ideas and have won numerous medals worldwide,” she notes. “Watching these industry greats was my motivation to succeed.”

Just as impressive a journey, Ngoc’s competition success after such a short time in nails is to be respected. Her debut at a national competition in Vietnam in 2023 earned her two first-place prizes and boosted her confidence enough to compete at the first Nailympia Vietnam in 2024. She won numerous medals, including silvers in L&P Acrylic Tip & Overlay and Perfect Match, and bronze in L&P Acrylic Sculpture. This was then followed earlier this year at Nailympia China, with a gold in Salon Nails, silver in L&P Acrylic Competition Nails and bronze in Stiletto Nails, which led to her securing the Winner of Winners – Division 2 trophy. “I was not expecting to achieve so much in my second competition,” Ngoc admits. “It has encouraged me to continue improving my skills and techiques. I’m definitely at my most comfortable when I let myself get completely absorbed in styling nails for hours. It’s a creative freedom that I love to immerse myself in.”

“Believe in yourself, dare to join, push your limits and step out of your comfort zone.”

With success comes opportunities. “Competitions have opened doors for me to travel and widen my experience,” shares Ngoc. “Since I started competing, I’ve flown to Thailand, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and Shanghai. When I’m doing nails, I feel happy and free. I can do nails for hours without getting bored, especially when I complete a beautiful set for my clients.

It’s a great feeling.”

Reflecting on Nailympia China, Ngoc notes: “I learned a lot and became motivated to expand my knowledge, try new things and develop my skills. My success in the competition has helped me achieve something for myself, and I feel more proud of my salon work. I never thought I could come this far.”

Ngoc may be a relatively new face on the global nail industry scene, yet her achievements have been outstanding. When quizzed on any advice she would give to those considering stepping into the competition arena, Ngoc shares: “Believe in yourself, dare to join, push your limits and step out of your comfort zone.” With this bright and cheerful spirit, Ngoc Hong Nguyen has emerged as one of Vietnam’s most promising new talents and her story is bound to inspire anyone who is considering the leap from nail desk to competition arena.

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

/Nailympia @nailympiacompetitions

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