Rules for the 14 ONLINE nail competitions for Nailympia London 2026

NEW for 2026

DIVISION 4 - The APEX 5-Shape Challenge

Have you won 5 gold medals from a recognised nail competition, received a nail trophy or are you an international judge or national champion?

 If so, this special category is for you!

1. Design 5 nails on one hand.
2. Sculpt in any artificial nail system.
3. 1 nail in French
4. 2 showing art & design,
5. 1 in block/single colour of choice
6. 1 with 5-colour ombré.

7. Thumb - Russian Almond - Pink & White French

8. Index finger - Stiletto with art & design on the surface or embedded.

9. Middle finger - Coffin/ballerina finished in block single colour. (No shimmer - just creme finish).

10. Ring finger - Edge nail with art & design on the surface or embedded. (Can incorporate 3D any size).

11. Pinkie finger - Masters Choice  - Invent a shape or create a known shape. You choose the shape of this nail. It must be different to the other 4 nails & be classed as an extreme shape. with 5-colour ombré finish. (Can be lipstick/butterfly/original new design).

 

Submit to the Nailympia London judging portal.

 

NEW for 2026 - VIDEO

Embellish Me 

NO THEME: Open

Cross-divisional - anyone can enter

60-second Nail Demonstration Social Content Video Competition

A high-impact, 60-second nail demo video challenge.

1. Inspired by the fast-paced creativity of social platforms, competitors must deliver maximum skill, clarity and creativity in a 60-second video.
2. Time Limit: 60-second video (strict)
3. Focus: Demonstration on ONE nail – one design.
4. Start with a ready-made nail canvas of manicured natural nail, one-colour base or nail extension of any length in the centre of the frame.
5. Name the design in text (English) at the start & end of the video.
6. No faces – just hands/fingers/tools that craft the nail design to be shown.
7. Demonstrate recognisable techniques &/or styles to embellish the nail canvas.
8. Style this nail with 3D embellishment, rhinestones, moulds, fine lines, flat art.
9. Embellish no more than 50% of the nail canvas with 3D.  (3D elements can be pre-made, moulded & ready to apply to the nail.)
10. Explain key steps clearly using text & relevant emojis.
11. Present a finished nail result.
12. Use any nail system; UV/LED gel, acrylic, acrygel for base & 3D elements.
13. Any technique can be showcased, with 3D design essential to the crafting & result of this nail.
14. Work cleanly; professionally.
15. Deliver technical excellence.
16. Present clear demonstration ability for audience engagement.
17. Showcase a visual impact tutorial.
18. Choose text & other SM elements to enhance the viewer experience.
19. Produce education & social media value.
20. Present a clean working area.
21. Deliver super nail styling using 3D elements & flat art techniques.
22. No voice over. Use music with text (in English) overlay & relevant emojis to communicate the design.

Submit into the Nailympia London judging portal.  1 x 60-second video - 5 seconds above or below 60-seconds is acceptable. 

 

NEW for 2026 

Full Cover Creative 

Theme: Pi / 3.14

10 Full Cover Nail Tips 

1. This is a commercial competition showcasing the press-on nails genre.
2. Design 10 finished nails as if you have been commissioned to create them for evening wear.
3. Nails to be designed on 5 different-sized nail tips & placed together, but not touching on white paper.
4. The largest 2 nails must not exceed 2.5 cm in length & should be suitable for evening wear.
5. The tips must be displayed in a simple way with a short explanation in English of how the design fits the theme.
6. The finished nail designs should include a suitable shape & length for evening wear.
7. Competitors may use any suitable materials that do not necessarily have to be nail products or can be a mixture of nail products & other materials. There are no restrictions on the creation of these 10 nails.
8. Commercial competition. Do not stick the 10 nails together to create one large canvas or push them together – there must be an obvious gap between the tips.

Submit into the Nailympia London judging portal.  

Enter – One photo taken from above with no light reflection of the complete work & a 10-second video sweeping across the nails. This means 1 photo plus 1 mini video. (Photo size minimum 2MB / maximum 10MB.)

 

To Stiletto & Beyond

THEME – METAMORPHOSIS

MORE THAN 2 INCHES LONG – SCULPT ONE NAIL ONLY

1. This is your chance to show the nail world how creative, imaginative & skilled you are. Design your own extreme style nail, sculpt & decorate it.

2. This requires just one nail of any length over 2 inches/ 5cm length from the cuticle. This is extreme nail shaping sculpture with art expression on top.

3. This offers the opportunity to demonstrate beautiful structure plus showcasing creative art & design skills. Keep the cuticle area of the nail free from large boxed in design feature. The stiletto nail must be seen and not overly structured so the nail itself is obscured. This is not a figurine competition.

4. Create a desirable & gorgeous shape using design with style & masterful skills.

5. All entries must be new to Nailympia & can only be entered once in this competition. Must be an original photograph that has not been previously published or displayed in public or on social media.

6. Points will be awarded for the nail finish, architecture & overall wow factor. All designs must be original & not seen in previous competitions or images.

7. Photograph the nail on a finger (artifficial or real)

8. Nail moulds, covering small objects in gel paints & 3d printing are not acceptable to this competition. Judges want to see your true skill, style & creavitity come to life. In your text description, highlight the skills & techniques used.

ALLOWED

1. Any nail product may be used with crystals/rhinestones/bullion etc. accepted for bling & design purposes. Go wild & create a stunning nail with design on top, underneath, to the side – wherever.

2. The more advanced & original the architecture is, the more points will be awarded. The architecture & structure of the nail is an important feature and where skills are highly praised.

NOT ALLOWED

1. All entries must be new to Nailympia & can only be entered once. No repeat entries from prior years are allowed.

2. In this photo submission no body parts just show the sculpted fingernail presented on a hand/finger.

3. No black & white photo.

4. The work must not have been published, on social media or entered any competition or published in any journal beforehand.

5. No entries that have been changed from previous competitions allowed.

6. A maximum of ONE entry per competitor is allowed.

7. Nail moulds, covering small objects in gel paints & 3D printing are not acceptable in this competition. If obvious use has been made of these elements, points will be deducted. 

TIP

Read the content of the score sheets. Check out the point distribution. Where you will gain the most points & where you gain the least.  Knowledge of where you can gain points & where you can unnecessarily lose them is helpful.

Submit into the Nailympia London judging portal. 

Enter – One photo taken from above with no light reflection of the complete work. Then take side right & side left view photo, then underneath the nail, plus a 10-second video sweeping across the nail. This means 4 photos plus mini video. (Photo size minimum 2MB / maximum 10MB.)

Create a word document in English with a description of your work. In your text description, highlight the skills & techniques used. 

 

MIXED MEDIA ART

NO THEME: Open - Design 10 Nail tips 

1. Competitors must use 3 of these 5 nail art media: airbrushing, embellishments (rhinestones, striping tape etc), L&P acrylic, gel, hand painting, one stroke. Failure will result in a 10-point deduction for each media less than 3.

2. For continuity, please describe the theme, techniques & media that are featured in a text document of no more than 50 words in English. Points will be deducted if no description is provided.

3. It must not have been seen in any competition in the world – whatever size.

4. All work must be ORIGINAL & not added to after a previous comp, copied from a masterclass or another tech’s work. Completely original.

5. This competition is a ‘show & tell’ format. Nails to be designed on varying sized nail tips & placed together. 5 different-sized nail tips.

6. Art on the nails must not exceed 1/4 inch / 6.35 mm in height from the surface of the nail. 

8. All entries must be new to Nailympia & can only be entered one time in this competition. Must be an original photograph/boxed art that has not been previously published or displayed in public, at previous competitions, in magazines or on social media.

NOT ALLOWED

1. DO NOT stick the 10 nails together to create one large canvas – there must be a gap between the tips & there must be at least 5 different-sized tips used. This is art on many tiny canvases.

2. No decals allowed.

3. No stamping art allowed.

4. No moulds to be used in this comp.

5. No embellishment or product may extend further than 1⁄4″ / 6.35mm from the original nail surface in any direction; if it does, there will be a 10-point deduction.

6. Please do not choose themes in copyright - NO Disney, Pixar – no movies, no characters etc. Check copyright.

7. No black & white or sepia image. Must be in colour.

8. The work must not have been published on social media, entered any competition or published in any journal beforehand.

9. No entries that have been changed from previous competitions allowed.

10. A maximum of ONE entry per competitor is allowed.

Submit to the Nailympia London judging portal. 

Enter – One photo taken from above with no light reflection of the complete work. Then take side right & side left view photo and a 10-second video sweeping across the nails. This means 3 photos plus mini video. (Photo size minimum 2MB / maximum 10MB.)

Create a 50-word text document with a description of your work

FLAT ART DESIGN

THEME – CHINOISERIE STYLING

1. This competition is an ‘Art Painting’ format. Nails to be designed on varying-sized nail tips & placed together, but not touching.

2. Do not stick the 10 nails together to create one large canvas or push them together - there must be an OBVIOUS gap between the tips & there must be at least 5 different-sized tips used (5 different lengths). This is art on many tiny canvases.

3. A written synopsis of no more than 50 words in English must be provided with your submission detailing how the look was achieved. This is for the judges to mark complexity & understand the journey to completed look. Please note that points will be deducted for failing to include the text.

4. All entries must be new to Nailympia & can only be entered once in this competition. Must be an original photograph that has not been previously published or displayed in public or on social media.

5. Image must be in colour.

ALLOWED

1. It´s a chance to go wild with nails & imagination yet present a style.

2. Art acrylic paint & gel paints are allowed.

3. Contestants use only freehand artistic painting & one-stroke techniques.

NOT ALLOWED

1. All entries must be new to Nailympia & can only be entered once. No repeat entries from prior years are allowed.

2. Hand painting only – no airbrushing.

3. No black & white or sepia photo.

4. No entries that have been changed from previous competitions allowed.

5. A maximum of ONE entry per competitor.

6. No decoration/ embellishment or acrylic/gel product L&P can be used; if this happens, there will be disqualification. This is flat-painted art only.

8. Any embellishment of actual tips, whether attached to the tip or not, will be considered a violation & will be disqualified.

9. Do not stick the 10 nails together to create one large canvas or push them together.

10. Do not add any display material - just a photo of 10 painted nail tips.

TIP

Read the content of the score sheets. Check out the point distribution. Where you will gain the most points & where you gain the least. Knowledge of where you can gain points & where you can unnecessarily lose them is helpful.

Submit into the Nailympia London judging portal. 

Enter – One photo taken from above with no light reflection of the complete work. Then take side right & side left view photo & a 10-second video sweeping across the nails. This means 3 photos plus mini video. (Photo size minimum 2MB / maximum 10MB.)

Create a text document with a description of your work.

DESIGN NAILS FOR AN ALBUM COVER

THEME – GOTHIC

• Design a set of 5 nail tips to fit the brief – for an album cover.
• Imagine this is a commercial brief, to create a set of 5 tips to be worn by a model for a photo shoot for an album cover in the above themed music genre.
• 3D art is acceptable,  but must be wearable art – no higher off the nail than 0.5cm (5mm); flat art, simple, stylish small embellishments with rhinestones, bullion, glitter, crystals. Maximum height 0.5cm (5mm) from the nail surface.
• Stamping, decals & stickers can be used to enhance the style, but must not dominate design. Overuse of these elements will lose points.
• The 5 tips must be displayed simply by placing on a hand and photographing.
• Just 5 tips – that fit the theme.
• Please do not choose themes in copyright- NO Disney, Pixar – no movies, no characters etc.

Submit into the Nailympia London judging portal. 

• Send a close up photograph of the 5 tips on the hand & 50 words in a text document in English to explain how you’ve fulfilled the brief. Then send a photo of 5 tips together on a white background. This means 2 photographs with text. (Minimum size requirements for photo is 2MB / maximum is 10MB.)

 

ART ON NAILS – MORE THAN 2 INCHES LONG – one hand - 5 nails

NO Theme – OPEN

• Style 5 long nails and put them on a hand.
• Nails to be sculpted or on long tips using L&P acrylic, agrygel or UV gel systems.
• The application & length designed to the competitor’s desire & ability.
• Any shape is welcome, but nails must be more than 2 inches in length from the cuticle. More points given for more complex shaping.
• Artwork can be applied on the surface or encapsulated. If artwork is applied to the surface it must be no more than 1/4inch (0.65cm) in height.
• Paint, striper foils, rhinestones & bullion are allowed. Colour foils (plain only) can be used for design. Products used can have colour or glitter added if desired.
• No decals allowed. This means no pre-designed or printed appliqués or decals to be used. No stamping of art allowed.
• All designs must be original & not seen in previous competitions or images.
• It's allowed to use the nails crafted for Art on Nails competition ONLY for the Extreme Nail Styling Poster Competition for Nailympia London 2026.
• This offers the opportunity to demonstrate beautiful structure plus showcasing creative art and design skills. The more skills & creativity you show, the better.
• No restrictions on shape – anything goes.
• Looking for desirable & gorgeous shapes, designs, beauty, style & skills.
• Please do not choose themes in copyright- NO Disney, Pixar – no movies, no characters etc.

Submit into the Nailympia London judging portal. 

• Photograph the hand from above, side view left/ side view right / down barrel /c-curve of nails and underneath – 5 photos. (Photo size minimum 2MB / maximum 10MB.)
• Text document of 50 words in English to describe the techniques, skills & theme.

 

REALITY NAILS - 3 Nail Tips & 3 Themes 

1 - Theme – LONDON

2 - Theme – ORLANDO

3 - Theme – SHANGHAI

Decorate 3 press-on full-cover nail tips to the 3 design themes above. 3 nails - 3 designs. 

1.. One text document – describe the 3 nail designs in no more than 150 words in English. Make sure the judge can clearly see each block of 50-word text for each nail design.

2. The finished nail designs should include a suitable shape & length for a salon client.

3. All entries must be new to Nailympia & can only be entered once in this competition. Must be an original photograph that has not been previously published or displayed in public or on social media.

4. All designs must be original & not seen in previous competitions or images.

ALLOWED

1. Flat art or embellishments with rhinestones etc. only.

2. Media Paints (non-toxic); Gel Polish; Glitters; Foils; Charms; Rhinestones; Flat stones; Decals; Embellishments; Stamping, One-stroke: Dip System – anything goes as if in the salon working on a client – just NO 3D.

NOT ALLOWED

1. No 3D art is acceptable. Flat art or embellishments with rhinestones etc. only.

2. No mood board necessary.

3. All entries must be new to Nailympia & can only be entered once. No repeat entries from prior years allowed.

4. The work must not have been published on social media or entered into any competition or published in any journal beforehand.

5. A maximum of ONE entry per competitor is allowed.

6. No black & white or sepia photos.

Submit into the Nailympia London judging portal. 

The 3 tips must be displayed side by side on a sheet of white paper, so they are clearly visible, then photographed. Then take 3 separate photos close up on the white background, so they are clearly visible. So, 4 photos, one of the 3 tips together, one of each nail tip in isolation. (Minimum size requirements for photo is 2MB / maximum is 10MB.)

One text document – describe the 3 nail designs in no more than 150 words in English. Make sure the judge can clearly see each block of 50-word text for each nail design.

RUNWAY NAILS 

THEME  - THE ROCOCO ERA

Decorate 3 press-on full-cover nail tips to the design.

3 nails showing 3 different designs depicting the theme Rococo Era.

1. Competitors must design 3 different nail styles they feel will enhance, accessories & interpret the brief outlined above and create a moodboard that depicts the inspiration and ideas that led to the nail styles.

2. The designs must be reasonably easy & quick to reproduce (100s would need to be made for a fashion show). Think in terms of this when designing, as the judges will be in this mindset. If the designs are too complicated or busy, they would not win the commission with a fashion designer & will score poorly.

3. Note that the main focus of a fashion show is the designer’s collection. Nails can be a ‘statement’ accessory, but should not overshadow the complete look.

4. Nails at a fashion show are photographed close-up for detailed beauty shots.

5. The finished nail designs should include suitable shape & length.

6. All entries must be new to Nailympia & can only be entered once in this competition. Must be original work that has not been previously published by the competitor or displayed in public, on social media or published in any journal beforehand.

7. Competitors may use ANY suitable materials that do not necessarily have to be nail products or can be a mixture of nail products & other materials. There are no restrictions on the creation of these 3 nails.

8. A maximum of ONE entry per competitor is allowed.

9. Showcase your journey from conception through to completion on a mood board. This may display colours, textures, tearsheets, inspo, collage, fabrics etc.

10. No black & white / sepia photos. 

Submit into the Nailympia London judging portal. 

The 3 tips must be displayed side by side on a sheet of white paper, so they are clearly visible, then photographed. Next, take 3 separate photos close up on the white background, so they are clearly visible for close inspection during judging. 4 photos of the nails.

Add a 5th photo showing the mood board that offers insight into the thoughts, ideas, sketches & journey behind the styles. (Do not make this so detailed that it is impossible to view as a photo.) (Photo size minimum 2MB / maximum 10MB.)

 

THE POSTER Online categories

Poster 1 – Extreme Nail Styling Poster -  Nails & Face

NO theme - one or more hands with face (any length nails)

1. Must show at least one hand of 5 nails - however, you can show face & body or just one or more hands. Nails must be over 2 inches/ 5cm in length. You can create a poster of many hands or many hands with faces & full or part bodies too. You choose.
2. All entries must be new to Nailympia & can only be entered once in this competition. Must be an original photograph that has not been previously published or displayed in public or on social media.
3.  A written synopsis of no more than 50 words in English must be provided with your photograph detailing how the look was achieved. This is for the judges to mark complexity & understand the journey to completed look. Please note points will be deducted for failing to include the text.
4. It is the whole picture that will be judged, not just the work on nails.
5. Points awarded for the nail finish & overall wow factor. The style, background & theme of the picture will also be judged.
6. Think nail magazine cover when creating this poster.
7. Image must be in colour. No black & white or sepia photos.
8. All designs must be original & not seen in previous competitions or images.
9. Finishing on the nails can be in any media. It´s a chance to go wild with nails & imagination but showcase a style.
10. It is allowed to use the nails crafted for the Art on Nails competition ONLY for the Extreme Styling Poster Competition for Nailympia London 2026. DO NOT use your To Stiletto & Beyond entry for the photographic category.
11. No entries that have been changed from previous competitions allowed.
12. A maximum of ONE entry per competitor is allowed.

TIP

Read the content of the score sheets. Check out the point distribution. Where you will gain the most points & where you gain the least. This

will help your timing & focus. Knowledge of where you can gain points & where you can unnecessarily lose them is helpful.

Submit into the Nailympia London judging portal. 

Enter one photo taken of the completed poster. (Photo size minimum 2MB / maximum 10MB.) Create a word document in English with a description of your work.

 

Poster 2 - AI NAIL VISION STYLING POSTER 

NO Theme: OPEN

1. Anything Goes! – Your entry can be a completely AI-generated image or a mix of real photography & AI enhancements. Get creative!

2. Nails in Focus – Whether AI-generated or real, the nails must be the star of the image, with strong styling & visual impact. The image must feature at least 5 nails. Full body, face or just hand(s) is all allowed.

3. High-Quality & Professional – Submit a clear, high-resolution image (minimum 300 DPI). No low-quality or pixelated entries.

4. Original & Unique – The design should be fresh, bold & innovative, pushing the boundaries of nail artistry in a digital space.

5. Submission – Enter via the official Nailympia portal.

6. Judging – Entries will be scored on impact, originality, execution, styling & AI creativity.

Step into the future - let your imagination run wild!

Submit to the Nailympia London judging portal. 

Enter – One photo taken with no light reflection of the complete work. This means only 1 photo is required. (Photo size minimum 2MB / maximum 10MB.) Create a 50-word text document with a description of the skills & techniques undertaken.

 

Poster 3 - MANICURE POSTER - 1 or 2 hands in any composition

NO THEME: Open 

1. It is the ‘whole picture’ that will be judged, not just the work on the nails. Points will be awarded for the manicure finish & overall ‘wow’ factor. The style, background & theme of the picture will also be judged. Think ‘magazine cover’ when creating this poster.

2. A written synopsis of no more than 50 words in English must be provided detailing how the look was achieved. This is for the judges to mark complexity & understand the journey to completed look. Please note 5 points will be deducted for failing to include the text.

3. One or two hands, short, square, oval, almond elegant nails to be showcased in one colour, French can be in colour or a mix of colours or natural. No nail art to be added.

4. NOTE: Can you see the nails clearly? Points are lost if the judges cannot see the nails clearly. They need to judge the quality of the finish of the manicure.

5. All entries must be new to Nailympia & can only be entered one time in this competition. Must be an original photograph that has not been previously published or displayed in public, seen in any format/place or on social media.

6. Image must be in colour. No black & white or sepia.

ALLOWED

1. Finish on nails can be in nail polish or gel polish.

2. Only 1 photograph is required.

NOT ALLOWED

1. All entries must be new to Nailympia & can only be entered one time. No repeat entries from prior years allowed.

2. No faces – only hand or hands in the photo. This is a close-up image celebrating nails!

3. No black & white or sepia image.

4. A maximum of ONE entry per competitor is allowed.

5. No nail extensions. Do not use UV hard gel or L&P acrylic systems to extend the nail.

6. No nail art to be added.

TIP

Read the content of the score sheets. Check out the point distribution. Where you will gain the most points & where you gain the least. Knowledge of where you can gain points & where you can unnecessarily lose them is helpful.

Submit to the Nailympia London judging portal. 

Enter – Jpeg, tiff or PNG file or the poster.  This means only 1 photo is required. (Photo size minimum 2MB / maximum 10MB.) Create a 50-word text document with your description of your work.

Poster 4 - PEDICURE POSTER - 1 or 2 feet 

NO THEME: Open

TASK

• Photo submission. Make a poster that would look stunning on any salon wall. 
• All entries must be new to Nailympia and can only be entered one time in this competition. Must be an original photograph that has not been previously published or displayed in public or social media.
• It is the whole picture that will be judged, not just the work on the nails. Points will be awarded for the nail finish/styling and overall wow factor. The style, background & theme of the picture will also be judged.
• Think nail magazine cover image or large wall poster when creating this image.
• NO text on this poster.
• Finish on nails can be in nail polish, gel polish, gel, nail foils, wraps or airbrushing. No 3D sculpting; ONLY rhinestone embellishment allowed.
• Full-colour nails, French, natural/nude or add nail art /crystals etc for this pedicure poster.
• Image must be in colour.
• 50 words on product & techniques used.

ALLOWED

• Finishing on nails can be in gel polish or nail polish or gel / acrylic reconstruction natural finish. It´s a chance explore your imagination to create an elegant photo.
• Can depict hands, feet, toes, full body, part body, face, more than one person.

NOT ALLOWED

• All entries must be new to Nailympia and can only be entered one time. No repeat entries from prior years allowed.
• No black & white / sepia image.
• The work must not have been published, on social media or entered any competition or published in any journal beforehand.
• A maximum of ONE entry per competitor is allowed.

Submit to the Nailympia London judging portal. 

Submit a jpeg/PNG/tiff file - over 2MB in size for good clarity & resolution. This means only 1 photo is required. (Photo size minimum 2MB / maximum 10MB.) Create a 50-word text document with a description of your work.