Competitors From Around the World that Support Nailympia Competitions
3 Nailympia Competitor
Halyna Kaliugina
United States
Area of competition expertise: Poster Design, Runway Nails, Stiletto &Beyond
Years competiting: 4
Number of Nailympia events competed at: 3
Nailympia events competed at:
Divisions awarded medals in:
Are you an educator?: Yes
Have you been a judge?: No
Why did you choose to join the Nailympia circuit?: I joined the Nailympia circuit because I wanted to challenge myself against the highest international standards and continue growing as both an artist and a professional. Every competition has pushed me to improve my creativity, precision, and technical skills. Beyond the medals, Nailympia introduced me to an inspiring global community of talented nail artists, educators, and judges. It has become an important part of my professional journey.
What has winning at Nailympia done for your career & confidence?: Winning at Nailympia has been one of the most important milestones in my career. It gave me confidence that my work meets international standards and encouraged me to keep pushing myself further. These achievements have opened new opportunities, including education, publications, and judging at other professional competitions. Most importantly, they have inspired me to continue learning and to help others grow in our industry.
Industry accolades: San Antonio 2025 (Division 1): 2 Bronze Medals
Anaheim 2026 (Division 2): 2 Gold, 1 Silver & 1 Bronze Medal
Orlando 2026 (Division 3): 2 Silver Medals
Multiple Gold, Silver & Bronze medals in international nail competitions, including SPU Ukraine and Global Talent
KBF OMC Kazakhstan – Certified Judge
Favourite nail brands: * DARK Professional
* LunaMoon
* Staleks Pro
* Marathon
* Shemax
* Kokoist
* Akzentz
*Nail BTCH
Career biography: My name is Halyna Kaliugina, and I am a licensed nail technician, educator, competition artist, and salon owner based in Texas, USA. I began my nail career in 2021 and quickly discovered a passion for competition and artistic nail design. Since then, I have earned multiple international awards, including medals at Nailympia San Antonio, Anaheim, and Orlando across Divisions 1, 2, and 3. My work has also been featured in Scratch Magazine, and I have served as a judge at professional nail competitions. I enjoy sharing my knowledge through education, mentoring competitors, and continuously challenging myself to reach higher standards in our industry
Personal biography: Originally from Ukraine, I now live in Texas with my husband and our two children. Outside of nails, I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, creating art, and finding inspiration in architecture, fashion, and design. I believe creativity never stops growing, and I love turning ideas into something meaningful. My goal is not only to achieve success myself but also to inspire others to believe in their potential and keep learning.
Why you believe in nail competitions?: I believe nail competitions inspire growth, innovation, and excellence. They encourage artists to step outside their comfort zones, master new techniques, and push their creative limits. Competitions also create a community where professionals learn from one another, celebrate talent, and raise the standards of our industry. Every competition has made me a stronger artist, educator, and professional.
Advice to other competitors: Don’t be afraid to start. Your first competition doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to happen. Focus on learning rather than winning, listen to feedback, and keep improving with every experience. Every champion was once a beginner. The courage to enter is already your first victory.