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NAILYMPIA COMPETITIONS NEWS

Competitor spotlight

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

ALEX FOX

N ail artist & educator, Hanna Khalin, participated in Nailympia Orlando last June, and took home the bronze medal in the Gel Polish Manicure category – Division 2. She competed as part of a team, and 10 further medals were amassed between them. Spurred on by her success, she competed in the Anaheim arena in February, accruing two silver and two bronze medals in Division 3.

“I grew up in Ukraine, where beauty and artistry are part of daily life. From a young age, I was fascinated by details, colour and design,” shares Hanna. “I practiced art and painted pictures, but was also deeply involved in professional sports. Later, I trained to be a physical education teacher, but realised that my true calling is nails. It’s the environment where I feel most excited. Since 2014, I’ve been working as a nail artist, constantly developing my skills. What started as a passion has transformed into a profession.”

Moving to the USA was both exciting and challenging for Hanna, since it meant starting over. She didn’t just need to adapt to a new country, its cultural values and language, but she arrived with no business or clients, while at the same time raising her son. “It taught me resilience and balance: every day I was building my business while being a mother,” says Hanna. “The experience shaped me and gave me the strength to push forward, whatever difficulties I face.

HANNA KHALIN – San Diego, USA

Nailympia accolades: 3rd place in Gel Polish Manicure (Division 2) at Nailympia Orlando 2025, and 3rd place in Reality Nails, 3rd place in Extreme Nail Styling Poster, 2nd place in Runway Nails and 2nd place in Pedicure Poster (Division 3) at Nailympia Anaheim 2026.

@hanna_k_nailart & @n1_nails_shop

N1 Nails Studio

“My journey showed me that persistence always wins. No matter how hard the circumstances, if you continue to grow, learn and stay consistent, results will come. Today, I apply that mindset to every part of my career – from competing internationally to running my studio and online shop.”

Nail competitions are an integral part of Hanna’s evolution. “They force me to grow faster,” she explains. “Competing challenges me to move beyond everyday salon work, refine every detail and showcase my artistry under pressure. Winning awards in Ukraine and the USA has pushed me to aim higher and prove that Ukrainian nail artistry can shine on the world stage.”

On moving to San Diego, Hanna achieved her dream of created N1 Nails Studio: a space in which beauty professionals can work, learn and feel inspired. The business has expanded to include N1 Nails Shop – an online store offering professional products. “Sharing high-quality nail brands from Ukraine and Europe with American artists is important to me,” reveals Hanna. “Balancing the roles of nail artist and distributor isn’t easy, but it makes me stronger in both areas. I’m proud to represent Gel Point, an American brand with a Ukrainian technologist behind its innovations. This unique mix of American market vision and Ukrainian expertise makes the brand special. What excites me most is introducing these products to nail professionals in the USA, helping them improve their work and discover trends. Being an ambassador is not just about using the products, but motivating others through education, creativity and example.

“As an educator, I enjoy seeing how my knowledge helps others grow. Teaching is about more than technique – it’s about boosting a student’s confidence, sharing skills and inspiring them to believe in themselves. Watching their progress brings me huge satisfaction. I am often invited by organisations to hold workshops for those who want to make the bold step into beauty. My mission is to help them discover their potential and believe that they can build a successful career.

“European and American techniques are both strong, but I see a difference in focus,” Hanna continues. “European styling pays more attention to cuticle work, precision and clean details, while American nail artists are very skilled at sculpting and creative designs. Sharing knowledge between the two styles is important, because it allows professionals to expand their skillsets and offer higher quality, longer lasting results.”

With a personal mantra of ‘don’t give up, practice every day, focus on clean work and don’t be afraid of critique or competitions’, Hanna promotes to her students that every challenge makes them better. “Obstacles only make you stronger – your story can become your power,” she enthuses.

Her motivation to succeed in life is heavily fuelled by her role as a mother. “I want to show my son that anything is possible if you work hard,” she states. “I also feel a responsibility to positively represent Ukrainian artistry. Achieving success in such a short time in the USA proves that, with persistence, dreams can come true. My next goal is to open an academy where nail artists can study European techniques and grow internationally. It will be a bridge between Ukrainian and American cultures, as I’ve lived and worked in both worlds.

“At the same time, I want to create opportunities for people from low-income backgrounds who cannot afford training. My vision includes offering free programmes so they can learn, grow and discover their place in the nail industry. For me, it’s not only about teaching techniques, but opening doors and giving people a chance to build a better future through beauty. Currently, I’m collaborating with the ITC Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Somali Family Services as a volunteer. Together, we’re launching a programme that will offer free nail education.”

Hanna’s 2nd place Pedicure Poster entry into Nailympia Anaheim 2026.

‘‘Teaching is about more than technique – it’s about boosting a student’s confidence, sharing skills and inspiring them to believe in themselves.‘‘

The Extreme Nail Styling Poster submission which saw Hanna scoop a bronze medal at Nailympia Anaheim 2026.

NAILYMPIA’S ONLINE OFFERING FOR 2026

Nailympia Online competitions are now open for registration, featuring three new categories for 2026: 14 in total, suited to every type of nail artist.

Competitions with themes:

Flat Art Boxed - Chinoiserie Styling

Runway Nails - The Rococo Era

Reality Nails - London - Orlando - Shanghai

To Stiletto & Beyond - Metamorphosis

Full Cover Creative - Pi / 3.14 *NEW

Design Nails for an Album Cover - Gothic

Open themed competitions:

Mixed Media

Art on Nails

Manicure Poster

Pedicure Poster

Extreme Nail Styling Poster

AI Nail Vision Poster

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JOIN THE RING OF HANDS

Nailympia Online closes for registration on 24 July 2026.

New to Nailympia Online :

Embellish Me - The Social Media 60-second Video Challenge Division 4 - The Apex 5-Shape Trophy Challenge

Moving with the times

To stay in line with industry moves and reflect trends, Nailympia is taking its first steps into video assessment with a new cross-divisional competition. With social media content at the heart of every nail business, Nailympia wants to see just how exciting, inventive and engaging a nail art tutorial on one nail can be. Embellish Me is a 60-second social media video competition, which invites pros to demonstrate maximum skill, clarity and creativity within a strict one-minute video format.

Competitors must focus on a single nail design, starting with a ready-made nail canvas positioned at the centre of the frame. The video must show only hands, fingers and tools while the style is created. Competitors are required to name the design in English at both the beginning and end of the video. Up to 50% of the nail surface may feature 3D embellishment, with pre-made or moulded elements permitted. Any nail system may be used, including UV/LED gel, L&P acrylic and acrygel.

The finished video must clearly explain key steps through text overlays, present a completed nail design and demonstrate professional working practices in a clean workspace. Voiceovers are not permitted; instead, competitors should use music, English text captions and relevant social media elements or emojis to communicate the design process. Judging will focus on technical excellence, clear demonstration skills, visual impact and overall educational and social media value.

A closer look

Division 4 is designed for any master (including current judges) that has won five gold medals in a recognised nail competition, received a nail trophy or is regarded as a national champion. The Apex 5-Shape Trophy Challenge requires a nail pro to sculpt five nails on one hand using any system. Pros must craft a Russian almond in pink & white for the thumb; a stiletto nail with art on the index finger; a coffin/ballerina nail in one full cover shade for the middle finger; an edge nail with art on the ring finger, and an invented or different shape from the previous nails for the pinkie – with a five-colour ombré finish. Judges will assess over 14 criteria and afford up to 300 points to find the winner, who will be awarded a trophy on 5 October 2026 at Nailympia London.

Nailympia nail byte

Why compete?

Competing stretches and fine-tunes nail skills. It’s a place to create without boundaries and show the world your artistic potential and ability. It’s also a great way to challenge yourself and see what innovations are being used around the world by other techs.

At competitions, you can network with like-minded people, and your business benefits from marketing your involvement. Similarly, winning helps you extend your menu and raise your prices, and it can open doors – such as becoming a brand ambassador, educator or mentor, creating editorial pieces and working at Fashion Weeks.

First-time competitors should seek out a mentor to guide and motivate them, and competition classes can also support. Past competitors are brilliant mentors. Finding a patient model with great nail beds, hands and personality is so beneficial. When entering Nailympia, bear in mind that you can only ever be in Division 1 once, so it’s best to enter as many competitions as you can when you first compete.

Competing is emotive, exciting and exhilarating. Do it to see what you can achieve and don’t worry about anybody else; this is your experience, so enjoy it. This industry needs you – we must elevate and create together.

Dates for the diary 2026

Until 24 July Nailympia Online

Registration open

20-22 May Nailympia China

Shanghai, China

30 May - 1 June Nailympia Orlando

Premiere Orlando, Florida, USA

30-31 August Nailympia San Antonio

Premiere San Antonio, Texas, USA

27-28 September Nailympia Puerto Rico

The Nails Expo, San Juan, Puerto Rico

4-5 October Nailympia London

Professional Beauty, London, UK

28-30 November Nailympia Sicily

Grand Hotel Villa Itria, Catania