Nailympia NEWS

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Nailympia NEWS

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

ALEX FOX

I recently closed the submission window for Nailympia London online entries for 2026, and was delighted to discover that the competition had attracted nail artists from 40 countries. Some of these professionals will join us in the London arena on 4-5 October, and they hail from far and wide – from Japan, China and Kazakhstan to Venezuela, Bulgaria, Denmark, New Zealand and Canada.

While organising and verifying each entry in readiness for judging – which will see over 50 judges assess 14 online competitions, I was amazed by the interpretations of the themes: Chinoiserie (Flat Art Boxed), The Rococo Era (Runway Nails), Gothic (Design Nails for an Album Cover), Pi/3.14 (Full Cover Creative), Metamorphosis (To Stiletto & Beyond), and the creativity shown in the competitions with open themes. Many of the entries had me immersed in artful joy, as I acknowledged that the judges have a tough journey ahead – but one that embraces colour, form and architectural artistry.

COMPETITOR SPOTLIGHT: Liudmyla Keremet – USA

@mila_nails_sc

Like many before her, Liudmyla began her nail career as a hobby. “I quickly realised that I love creating beauty with my own hands and seeing the results of my work,” she says. “In 2016, I decided to pursue nails professionally and worked as a nail tech in Ukraine. Constantly learning, gaining experience and improving my skills, I continued my career in Poland. Then came my move to the USA and the challenge of rebuilding from scratch. Today, I own Mila Nails Studio in South Carolina, and have won international awards, judged nail competitions and taught other professionals.” Liudmyla reflects: “If someone had told me at the very beginning of my nail journey where it would lead, I probably wouldn’t have believed them. But my hobby became my life’s passion and profession.”

A new start

Moving to the USA was a huge change for Liudmyla, who lost the client base she’d worked hard to build and found herself needing to learn the language. “On arrival in the United States, I obtained my license and began working at a salon in New York,” she explains. “Later, I moved to Greenville, South Carolina, and had to go through the licensing process again to meet local requirements. After this, I opened Mila Nails Studio. None of it was easy, but it taught me how to step outside of my comfort zone, embrace change and keep moving forward. These experiences made me stronger, more disciplined and more confident.”

Starting over in a new country is incredibly difficult, since one must learn local regulations and standards, and may not “Developing my nail studio was one of the most challenging experiences of my career, and in the beginning I wore many hats,” confesses Liudmyla. “I was not only a nail tech, but a receptionist, marketer and business manager. At times, it was overwhelming because every decision rested on my shoulders. I had to obtain my state license and meet all requirements, find a suitable salon location, purchase equipment and supplies, implement booking and payment systems, and build my client base from the ground up.

This Manicure Poster scooped Liudmyla a bronze medal in Division 3 at know who to ask for guidance. Nailympia Orlando 2026.

Mila Nails Studio.

“Despite these challenges, I am incredibly proud of what I have accomplished,” Liudmyla continues. “Through dedication, perseverance and a commitment to providing exceptional services, I’ve grown Mila Nails Studio into a trusted and well-recognised business in the Greenville community. For me, the studio is more than a workplace – it represents years of hard work, resilience and the courage to start over in a new country.”

The journey into competing

As if navigating a new country wasn’t challenging enough, Liudmyla made the decision to step further from her comfort zone and test the nail competition waters in the USA. She recounts: “At first, I simply wanted to challenge myself and explore my capabilities, but then I realised that competitions are a completely unique experience. When you work with clients, they usually come with a photo or reference, and your job is to create something beautiful based on their visions and preferences. However, competitions are different, as you create what inspires you. No one limits your imagination; you choose the concept, materials, colours and techniques, and you have the freedom to bring your ideas to life. This is why I love competitions: they offer a space to create without boundaries.

“Competitions have also taught me how to work under pressure, accept objective criticism, analyse my mistakes and constantly strive for a higher level,” Liudmyla adds. “Judges evaluate technique, precision and composition with shrewd attention to detail, and I have learned to look at my work through the eyes of these experts.”

Liudmyla describes being onstage receiving her first gold medal at Nailympia Anaheim 2026 as a ‘pinch me moment’, alongside the inclusion of her artwork in the Global Nail Art Museum in Shanghai. “Each achievement has shaped my journey, and my greatest accomplishment is one of my nail art pieces becoming part of the museum’s permanent collection, recognising years of dedication, continuous learning, artistry and professional growth,” she smiles.

At Nailympia Anaheim 2026.

Keys to success

Liudmyla believes that successful nail professionals never stand still. “When I joined the nail industry over 10 years ago, it was completely different,” she reveals. “Over time, technologies, products, equipment and working techniques have changed dramatically, and they continue to evolve at an incredible

Liudmyla’s To Stiletto & Beyond entry into Nailympia Orlando 2025, which saw her achieve first place in Division 3.

pace. What was considered modern and innovative in the past has now become standard. If you don’t keep up with these changes and continue learning, it’s very easy to fall behind. That’s seek out education experiences, as I genuinely enjoy learning, exploring new techniques and incorporating them into my work. A true professional grows and evolves with the industry.”

why I continually With so much experience and knowledge to share, Liudmyla is keen to inspire, noting: “My advice to anyone looking to build a nail career abroad is simple: don’t be afraid to take the first step. Many artists hesitate because they don’t feel ready, but growth comes from experience – not perfection. Every competition and challenge teaches valuable lessons, whether you win or not. After Nailympia Anaheim this year, I encouraged a nail artist who doubted herself to simply try. Months later, we met again at Nailympia Orlando, where she won a medal. That experience reminded me that success often begins with courage.”

Liudmyla continues: “Never stop being curious. Do not be afraid to learn something new, try different techniques, participate in competitions and find your own path. In our profession, everyone has a unique story and that is what makes it so interesting. Ask questions, learn from the experiences of other professionals and invest in education. That is how we grow and make our industry stronger.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Nailympia was founded on the principle of anonymous judging, meaning judges do not know competitors’ identities or divisions while scoring. This system was created to ensure fairness and allow every competitor to be judged solely on the quality of their work. Once entries are judged, they are streamlined into their relevant divisions for ranking.