Competitors From Around the World that Support Nailympia Competitions
3 Nailympia Competitor
Jessica Masker
United States
Salon
Area of competition expertise: Extreme Nail Poster, L&P Acrylic Sculpted, Stiletto & Beyond, Runway Nails, Joy of Nails, Salon Nails, Mixed Media Boxed Art, Stiletto Nails & Reality Nails
Years competiting: 6
Number of Nailympia events competed at: 3
Nailympia events competed at: Orlando, Online
Divisions awarded medals in: Division 2, Division 3
Are you an educator?: No
Have you been a judge?: No
Why did you choose to join the Nailympia circuit?: I chose Nailympia not just because it’s the biggest nail competition in the world, but because I wanted to really level up in a different way that would push me out of my creative comfort zone. I wanted to really push my artistic ability in a way I hadn’t done before. I knew Nailympia would help me do just that.
What has winning at Nailympia done for your career & confidence?: To be honest with you winning wasn’t on my mind when I entered my very first Nailympia, I just wanted to finish my categories on time & like what I was submitting to the judges & to be proud of what I was putting forward . That was my simple goal. So when the unthinkable happened & I placed, not only in 1 category but in 8 of the 9 I had entered & then claiming Art Winner of Winners trophy, it was an unbelievable moment that I will cherish for the rest of my life. It built confidence in me that I had never known before. It taught me not to second-guess myself so much and to just go for it. My art has evolved in ways I never could have imagined. It has even helped me behind the desk in every day nail tech life with improved skills and overall experience. Competing at Nailympia has made me a more confident & overall better nail tech.
Industry accolades: Nail Camp 2019 Gel Manicure 2nd Place, Nail Camp 2021 Sculpted Acrylic 1st Place, Nail Camp 2022 Mix Media 3rd Place, Nailympia 2023 Extreme Nail Ooster 3rd Place, Nailympia 2023 Joy of Nails 1st Place, Nailympia 2023 L&P Acrylic Sculpture 2nd Place, Nailympia 2023 Salon Nails 2nd Place, Nailympia 2023 Stiletto 2nd Place, Nailympia 2023 Reality Nails 2nd Place, Nailympia 2023 Runway Nails 3rd Place, Nailympia 2023 Invent A Nail Shape 3rd Place, Nailympia 2023 Art Winner of Winners. I was also honored to have my work featured on the cover of Scratch Magazine July issue 2024.
Favourite nail brands: Profiles, HD Professional Nail Systems, Blue Amber, Johens & Aleana Hand
Career biography: My journey into the nail industry began a little differently than most. I started my nail career at the age of 34, thanks to the encouragement of my dear friend Melissa Goodson, a seasoned nail technician with over 30 years of experience & a salon owner. Melissa had been urging me to attend nail school for about three years before I finally took the leap.
Living with dyslexia, the thought of taking tests & having to pass them felt incredibly daunting. At the time, I didn’t even know the difference between lacquer & gel polish, had never worked with acrylic & rarely wore nails myself. So, my very first day in school was truly my first day stepping into the industry.
With dedication, perseverance, & more than a few tears, I managed to pass. Melissa generously offered me a spot in her salon & became an invaluable mentor to me. Over time, my confidence grew. Competing in nail competitions opened many doors & I’ve been fortunate to celebrate some exciting wins along the way.
One of the most meaningful moments in my journey so far was having my work featured on the cover of Scratch Magazine in the July 2024 issue - an honour I’ll never forget.
Personal biography: I love volunteering. I volunteer locally every year at the Southeastern youth fair, which is a livestock show that supports 4H & FFA local chapters/clubs. It’s near & dear to my heart because growing up, I was heavily involved in FFA, which stands for Future Farmers of America. It’s a youth leadership organisation that supports the agricultural community & industry. I also love Harry Potter & visiting Disney theme parks. I live in Central Florida, so I’m a Disney passholder. I also love time with my family & friends alongside going on cruises.
Why you believe in nail competitions?: I truly believe in the power of nail competitions because they challenge us to grow in ways we never imagined. They push us beyond the invisible boundaries we often set for ourselves without even realising it. Through competing, I’ve formed incredible friendships & connected with some of the most talented & inspiring individuals from around the world.
The opportunities that have come from competing have been beyond anything I could have dreamed of. It’s an experience unlike any other - one that I believe every nail technician should have the chance to enjoy. If even a small part of you is curious or eager to try, I encourage you to take that leap. Just go for it.
For me, competitions have also sparked a new passion: encouraging & inspiring more American nail technicians to explore this path. In the US, we often aren’t as exposed to or informed about the world of nail competitions & I hope to help change that. There is so much value in what these events offer - far beyond trophies or medals. The personal growth, confidence & connections you gain are the real rewards. The award? That’s just the cherry on top.
Advice to other competitors: My advice to anyone considering competing is this: find your support system. Surround yourself with people who’ve competed before - ask questions, seek guidance & learn from their experiences. Take classes, practice consistently & never stop learning.
There will be moments when you doubt yourself, when you feel like you're not good enough - but keep going. I can assure you, every single Nailympia winner has had those same thoughts at some point. I know I have.
Let your journey be uniquely yours. You never truly know what you’re capable of until you take that first step. So be brave, trust yourself & just jump in.
Nail work
