Judges From Around the World that Support Nailympia Competitions
1 Nailympia Judge
Tetiana Dudiak
United States
Academy| Consultant| Influencer| Online training
Area of judging expertise: Nail extensions, Stiletto, Competition French, Salon French, French Twist
Years as a judge: 1
Number of Nailympia events judged: 1
Nailympia events judged: San Antonio
Are you an educator?: Yes
Industry accolades: I am a versatile nail technician with 18 years of experience. I have competed & won awards in national competitions (UBIPU) & international championships (Nail Pro Europe). From my first Nail Pro, I was advanced to the Veteran category, where I often ranked among the top three in French, Stiletto, Fantasy Shapes & Design. In 2021, I placed in the Top 5 nail technicians in Europe for nail extensions, according to Nail Pro Europe. In 2019, I passed the PRO exam in nail extension & manicure at the Eastern European Nail Association, led by Viktoriia Klopotova. That year I also became a beauty partner for F.O.X. & in 2023 advanced to brand technologist, conducting seminars for large audiences. In 2025, I joined the International Trainers Alliance with the support of Elena Popova & began judging work. I also founded a nail school in Odesa, developing training programs that helped beginners gain a profession & supported experienced masters in winning competitions.
Favourite nail brands: Although I am a multi-brand technician & can work with any product, I still prefer certain brands over others. As a competition master & trainer, I focus on materials that fully meet competition standards: strong, fast-curing, with natural & vibrant colours & good flexibility. I enjoy working with Light Elegance gel, CND & Astonishing acrylics & the Gelish soak-off system. Here in the USA, I haven’t had the chance to try many products yet, but these are my current favourites. I am sure there are other excellent brands as well. I would love to collaborate with a reputable brand in the USA as a technologist or educator, but since I am new here, everything is still ahead of me!
Industry figures you admire: I will never forget those who inspired me at the start of my journey — Tom Holcomb & Viktoriia Klopotova. I admired their French nails & Viktoriia was my first teacher. I also trained for competitions with her instructors Yana Kutova & Nadiia Uzun. Later I worked with Aleksandr Finko, an international trainer & judge, creator of the Bridget form, with whom I still maintain warm relations. On the competition floor I met Oana Flutur, whose persistence & hard work inspire me & who once gave me great support. Now I study with Elena Popova, whose talent I have admired since 2007, along with Elena Maltseva, from whom I purchased online training. Although we never met in person, her work also shaped me as an artist. There are many other masters I admire, but these people remain especially close to me.
Career biography: • Began career in 2007 as a salon nail technician
• 2014–2016: worked in Crimea
• From 2016: based in Odesa, worked as salon master and instructor
• Founded a nail school in Odesa, developed original training programs
• Trained beginners & advanced technicians, including competition winners
• 2019: earned PRO certification in nail extension & manicure, Eastern European Nail Association (Viktoriia Klopotova)
• 2019: became beauty partner for F.O.X. brand
• 2023: advanced to F.O.X. brand technologist, conducted seminars for large audiences
• Competed at national & international level (UBIPU, Nail Pro Europe), Top 3 & Top 5 placements in French, Stiletto, Fantasy Shapes & Design
• 2021: ranked Top 5 in Europe for nail extensions, Nail Pro Europe
• 2025: joined International Trainers Alliance (Elena Popova) & began judging work
Personal biography: I began working as a nail technician in 2007 & have upgraded my skills every year. In Donetsk, I became one of the most in-demand masters, but the war in 2014 forced me to move many times & start over. Wherever I lived, I quickly built a strong client base. From 2014 to 2016 I worked in Crimea, later moved to Odesa, where I opened my own school & created training programs. Starting over again about six times was never easy, but I remain strong. Now in the USA, I study English in college to teach here, combining studies with coaching. I also enjoy sports, reading & dogs.
Why you believe in nail competitions?: I believe in nail competitions because I consider only those who have worked on the competition floor to be true professionals. Creating perfect nails in a short time is a skill that not every technician possesses. Competition masters often provide higher quality work even in the salon, because they know exactly what nails according to the rules should look like. Their trained eye is as precise as a ruler, compass, or micrometer. There are not many such masters, but their work is always highly valued and well paid, so participation pays off. For competitors, it is also a unique opportunity to receive an objective evaluation of their work from people qualified to judge it, since client feedback is often subjective. Competitions are also a way to step outside the routine of salon work, gain new friends, and keep growing as a professional. For me, they are both a tool for development and a cure for boredom.
Advice to competitors: Tips from my personal experience:
• Start training early, especially if it is your first competition.
• Work with a coach — you will get feedback, fix mistakes faster, and increase your chances of success.
• Don’t be afraid to try new categories — it is always exciting and rewarding.
• Focus on quality first, then on speed.
• Surround yourself with people who support you, not those who hold you back.
• Make sure your family understands how important this is for you.
• Don’t be discouraged by a loss — you still improved your skills and strengthened your work.
• Study the ScoreSheets to correct mistakes and perform better next time.
• Enjoy the process, both during preparation and on stage — these are the moments you will always remember with joy.
Nail work
