Competitors From Around the World that Support Nailympia Competitions
2 Nailympia Competitor
Halyna Kaliugina
United States
Academy| Salon
Area of competition expertise: High Fashion & Sculptural Nail Art
Years competiting: 1
Number of Nailympia events competed at: 2
Nailympia events competed at: Anaheim, San Antonio
Divisions awarded medals in: Division 1, Division 2
Are you an educator?: Yes
Have you been a judge?: No
Why did you choose to join the Nailympia circuit?: I chose to join the Nailympia circuit because I wanted to challenge myself at the highest level. For me, competitions are not just about winning — they are about growth, discipline & pushing beyond what feels comfortable.
As an artist, I needed a space where creativity meets structure, where technical precision matters as much as vision. Nailympia represents excellence in our industry & I wanted to measure myself against that standard.
It was never about luck. It was about preparation, long nights & the decision to aim higher.
What has winning at Nailympia done for your career & confidence?: Winning at Nailympia strengthened my confidence not only as an artist, but as a professional. It validated the countless hours of practice, corrections & self-doubt that happen behind the scenes.
It elevated my career, opened international opportunities & placed my work on a global stage. But most importantly, it changed me internally. The medals are beautiful, but the real victory is the person I became in the process.
Industry accolades: Gold Medal – Nailympia Anaheim 2026
Award-Winning Competitor – Nailympia San Antonio 2025
International Nail Artist & Educator
Founder of LiNails, USA
Favourite nail brands: I work with brands that represent innovation, precision & high performance — Kokoist, Staleks, Luna Moon & Nails BTCH.
Career biography: Halyna Kaliugina is an international nail artist, educator & gold medalist of Nailympia Anaheim 2026. Originally from Ukraine & now based in Texas, USA, she is the founder of LiNails Studio.
With over 3 years in the industry, Halyna specialises in high fashion, sculptural & nail design. Her work combines architectural precision with artistic vision, creating competition pieces that balance technical excellence & conceptual depth.
Through competitions, education & creative projects, she continues to elevate her craft & represent modern nail artistry on a global stage.
Personal biography: Beyond my professional career, I am a mother of two. I am inspired by resilience, life transitions & the strength that comes from overcoming challenges. My journey from Ukraine through Europe & eventually to the USA shaped my discipline, inner strength & creative perspective.
I find balance in family life, exploring design & developing new artistic concepts. For me, nail artistry is not just a profession — it is a form of self-expression & continuous personal growth.
Why you believe in nail competitions?: I believe in nail competitions because they push artists beyond comfort & routine. Competitions create discipline, precision & a deeper understanding of our craft.
They are not only about medals — they are about growth. When I prepare for a competition, I study, refine, analyse every detail. It forces me to become better than I was yesterday.
Competitions elevate the industry as a whole. They set standards, inspire innovation & bring artists from around the world together. For me, they are a powerful tool for both artistic & personal evolution.
Advice to other competitors: Do not enter competitions just to win — enter to grow.
Be honest with your skill level & focus on improvement, not comparison. Study the criteria, practice intentionally & accept feedback without ego.
There will be moments of doubt. There will be corrections & failures. But consistency always wins.
Most importantly — compete with yourself first. The medals will follow.
Nail work
