ONE HAND - 45 minutes - onto natural nails

• 45-minutes to complete a set of nail enhancements on ONE hand only - using the acrygel hybrid system.
• Sculpt on a disposable form (no pretailoring allowed) 3 fingers - index, middle & ring.
• Tip & overlay the thumb & pinky nails.
• No moulds or moulds labelled as nail forms – just nail tips & disposable sculpting forms allowed.
• No white tips. Use clear or natural tips only.
• Competitors are required to use professional products. No glitter, coloured powder, additives etc to be used – judges are looking for the most natural set of nails that suit the hand shape and skin tone.
• Camouflage colours to best suit skin tone allowed.
• No embellishment or encapsulation – judges want to see natural looking enhancements in any shape.
• The nail bed can be elongated.
• The competitor is to choose the most relevant shape & length to suit the fingers and hand.
• 2 nails must be in a crisp French finish with smile line - camouflage & white or pink & white.
• Cleansing and moisturising products (oils, creams, lotions, etc) are allowed. Excessive use of oil is not permitted. Judges will deduct points for excess oil.
• Gel top coats and sealants are allowed. No nail polish colour.

UV GEL & L&P ACRYLIC Sculpture & Tip & Overlay

Sculpture is undertaken on the MODEL’S RIGHT hand

Tip & Overlay on the MODEL’S LEFT hand.

• Competitors are required to sculpt on the model’s RIGHT hand with L&P acrylic and tip/overlay in UV hard gel on the model’s LEFT hand. This means there is an opportunity to enter 2 competitions in one sitting.
• Competitors can take just one comp on one hand. One-hand competitors will be given 75-minutes to complete the hand and be positioned in one area together. Those doing both hands will be asked to stop after 75-minutes and have a 10-minute break before starting on the second hand.
• Competitors must polish 2 fingers on each hand (thumb and pinkie) of the model with a red cream polish/lacquer only – no base coat, ridgefiller or top coat may be used. The polish may be of the competitors’ choice.
• NOTE - On the underside of the nail – the judges do NOT need to see white under the 2 red nails.
• The nail bed CAN be extended.
• NEW - NO premixing of camouflage cover pink or whites before the event. All overlay products must be in original packaging – with clear correct label.
• These are French style pink & white competitions with 2 red polished nails. Cover pink products are allowed.
• Cream, lotion, oil and polish dry products may be used. Excess lotion and oil will afford point deductions. If a competitor is seen cleaning hands and nails after the competition is closed with any product, such as canned air, it is immediate disqualification. Models may not put fingers in their mouth or rub them on their clothing.
• No UV gel products/sealers to be used on the L&P acrylic categories.
• Water and soap may be used in finishing.
• NEW - Tips must NOT be pretailored or touched before the comp starts. Competitors may not touch the nail tips prior to the start of the competition.
• NEW - Every competitor must arrive with an organised tip box with at least 10 tips of each size in each allocated size compartment of the box. A disorganised tip box will be removed from the desk by a floor judge.
• For sculpture a roll of JUST 25 forms per comp. Floor judges will be closely inspecting every form.
• Adhesive is allowed for tip & overlay. NO adhesive for the sculpt categories and must not be on the nail desk.
• E-Files are allowed.
• Gel competitors must bring a UV or LED gel lamp.
• You are only permitted to use Natural or Clear tips in both UV gel and acrylic tip & overlay categories.
• NOTE - It is not necessary to create lunula/moons on the nail – there are no extra points for lunulas.
• NEW - No acry-gel products allowed in the traditional P&W comps. No hybrid UV gels, no gel polish.
• Only UV hard or soak off gels allowed.
• TIP – Read the score sheets. Check out the point distribution. Where you will gain the most points and where you gain the least. This will help your timing and focus. Knowledge of where you can gain points and where you can unnecessarily lose them is helpful.
• NEW – For those doing both competitions – the hands will be compared for the Perfect Match competition and judged on three areas – apex, finish, c-curve - for a maximum of 30 points.
• NOTE - No tools to aid the creation of smile lines are to be used. Smile lines are to be created using a brush and/or hand file. (NO smile line cutters allowed.)

The Joy of Nails

• One hand only – competitor can work on his/her own hand.
• Liquid & powder, UV gel, tip & overlay, sculpting on natural nails are all acceptable – anything is allowed!
• Looking for desirable & gorgeous shapes, design, beauty, style & skill.
• Inviting professionals to show their most favoured and best nail designs, shapes and styles.
• Anything can be applied to the nails. No restrictions on shape and length.
• These nails can be commercial salon nails; they can be extreme; they can be fantasy; they must be original and inspirational.
• NEW - Each nail must be different in length, shape and design. (Points will be deducted if 3 different nails are not shown.)
• They will be judged on the skill of a true nail professional. The judges will be looking for the ‘wow’ factor. The more skills and creativity used, the better. It’s a showcase for what YOU can bring to the nail industry to innovate and inspire.
• NEW - NO more than 20% crystal embellishment on each nail.
• All nail work is to be done on the comp floor - no pre-made work allowed. NO pre-tailoring or touching of tips or forms etc.
• Please design 3 nails (no pinkie or thumb included).
• NOTE – This competition is designed to showcase a range of your creative and technical skills. This is an aspirational competition where you show other nail professionals what you are capable of.

STILETTO NAILS

• Nails to be sculpted on forms. No tips permitted. 25 forms only on the nail desk.
• Nails can be made using L&P acrylic or UV gel systems.
• The application and length can be designed to the competitor’s desire and ability.
• 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.
• Gel sealers and top coat are allowed.
• Paint, striper foils, rhinestones and 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.
• Oil, lanolin, cream, lotion and polish dry products may be used.
• Water and soap may be used for finishing.
• E-Files are allowed.
• Gel competitors must bring a UV or LED gel lamp.
• All designs must be original and not seen in previous competitions or images.
• NEW – Pinkie and thumb nails must be pink & white with crisp smile line.
• NOTE – Stiletto Nails offers opportunity to demonstrate perfect structure plus showcasing creative art and design skills.
• TIP – Any debris or dust under the nails will lose points.
• NOTE – A traditional stiletto nail tapers symmetrically and consistently in a straight line from the natural free edge into a sharp point. From the side view, the free edge must extend straight out from the lateral folds to its point. A true stiletto ends in a point.

FANTASY NAILS – The Complete Look – open theme

• All entries must be new to the Nailympia competition arena and can only be entered one time at this competition. No repeat entries from prior years allowed.
• The fantasy work must be adhered to natural nails only. NO polish colour, no French or natural enhancements, no gel polish – just natural nails only on the competition floor. The natural nails can be pre-manicured. 10-points deducted if the nails have polish or base coat on them.
• Only the model and competitor are allowed on the competition floor. The costuming, make-up and hair may be assembled before the competition and can be a team effort. The nails must be added to the complete look during the one-hour competition by the competitor with no additional help.
• All pieces or embellishments to go on the nails may be completely created prior to the competition, then assembled and placed/adhered to the nails during the competition. You must create 10 separate tips to adhere to the 10 nails during the competition. It must be 10 nails for 10 fingers.
• Three dimensional, pre-cast embellishments, feathers, decals, gems, accessories, ornaments or any form of fantasy is allowed.
• Models must wear their costume prior to the start of the competition, with final touches completed during the competition.
• The costume is a large part of this competition (1-20 points), as this competition stresses creativity, difficulty and how well the theme of the entire design and costume work together. Dress the model in the theme from head to toes.
• Complete your work with no more than 50 words on a small card (to be placed at the model’s feet during judging). Outline your theme and nail art media used. Explain what techniques, products and materials have been used for the creation.
• No step-by-step photographs accepted. Photos of the work or artist involved will lead to point deductions or disqualification.
• NOTE – Points can be lost if elements of design are bought ready-made and embellished.
• TIP – Keep all elements neat & well finished with no visible signs of glue, dust or debris.
• TIP – Difficulty is evaluated by the level of detail & intricacies noted within each element. Less is sometimes more and big does not always mean better.

REALITY NAIL ART – brief given on the competition arena

• This competition is an open, freestyle competition allowing all competitors to work to their strengths.
• Competitors will be given 45-minutes to complete 3 nail tips supplied by the competition organiser.
• At the start of the competition, competitors will be given a sheet with 3 images. These will represent 3 women (or clothing styles) of different styles and age ranges.
• You need to design a nail that is suitable for a commercial salon service that is applied to all 10 nails. NOT a statement nail. The expected timing to apply the design to all 10 nails will be taken into account, so it will fall within a suitable commercial timing.
• No model necessary.
• Judges will be looking for commercial salon nail art that would appeal to clients that are depicted in the images i.e style and age range.
• No 3D art is acceptable. Flat art or embellishments with rhinestones etc only.
• Media
Paints (non-toxic); Gel Polish; Glitters; Foils; Charms; Rhinestones; Flat stones; Decals; Embellishments; One stroke: Dip System – anything goes – just NO 3D.
• The 3 tips must be displayed by sticking them to the paper supplied with tape or tack. Do not offer any explanation or mood board or any extra design to the display. Just 3 tips on the paper provided – adhered next to the images of the 3 women. DO not touch the tips after the comp is complete and the tips are adhered to the paper.
• NO mood boards necessary.
• E-Files and LED/UV lamps are allowed.
• All work must be created during the competition.
• The tech must work alone at the nail desk during the competition.
• The organiser will keep hold of all entries for display on the arena and for photographic purposes until the event closes on Sunday or Monday depending on location.
• Nail tips are provided by the organiser during the brief.
• NEW - Bring a form of adhesive to stick the nails to the brief sheet at the end of the competition for safe judging purposes.

MIXED MEDIA BOXED NAIL ART – open theme

• NOTE - All entries must be new to the Nailympia competitions and can only be entered one time. No repeat entries from prior years allowed. All work must be ORIGINAL and not added to after a previous comp, copied from a masterclass or another tech’s work. Completely original.
• It must not have been seen in any competition in the world - whatever size.
• The work must not have been published anywhere, been on social media or entered into any competition beforehand. It must be new and fresh.
• This competition is a ‘show & tell’ format. Nails to be designed on varying sized nail tips and placed in a display case (no lid or cover required) in the arena. DO NOT stick the 10 nails together to create one large canvas – there must be a gap between the tips and there must be at least 5 different sized tips used. This is art on many tiny canvases.
• Displays cannot be larger than 10 inches in either direction and no more than 4 inches in height. Having a display any larger may result in it not being displayed and if it’s too large, it may not be accepted. This is left to the discretion of the Nailympia The displays are measured by the judges.
• All entries to be 100% complete before the competition. A full set of 10 tips must be created and reflect the different nail sizes, as real nails – judges need to see 5 different nail sized tips. Anyone using all one-size tips will have an automatic 10-point deduction to their final score.
• NOTE - A maximum of ONE entry per competitor is allowed.
• No entries left after the close of the competition will be returned to the competitor. Unless organised beforehand with relevant postage and packing.
• All entries must be submitted by the agreed registration – this differs with each location.
• All entries must be accompanied by a typed description (50 words MAXIMUM) of the work involved on one small piece of paper/card, including types of nail art media and techniques used. Points will be deducted if no description is provided.
• For continuity please describe the theme that is featured.
• 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 to use 3 will result in a 10-point deduction for each media less than 3.
• No decals allowed. No stamping art allowed. All three media used must be used in an artistic way or they will not count towards the required 3 nail art media. It is the competitor’s responsibility to clarify anything questionable prior to the event and the judges’ decisions are accepted as final.
• No embellishment or L&P acrylic product may extend further than 1⁄4” from the original nail surface in any direction, if it does, there will be a 10-point deduction.
• Any embellishment to the actual tips, whether attached to the tip or not, will count and must not extend further than 1⁄4” from the nail surface or 10 points will be deducted.
• It is possible to send your box in via mail, courier or with another tech if you can’t be at the event in person.

SALON NAILS (one hand)

Show your skills as a salon nail professional: everyday nails for everyday clients.
Choose between one of these artificial systems (L&P acrylic, UV gel, fibreglass, hybrids) then shape, style and lengthen nails accordingly.

(No gel polish or dip systems to be used.)

• 60-minutes to complete a set of salon-style nail enhancements on ONE hand only - using any suitable artificial nail system.
• Sculpt or tip & overlay techniques to be used only. NO moulds or moulds labelled as nail forms – just nail tips & paper sculpting forms allowed.
• NO white tips. Use clear or natural tips only.
• Competitors are required to use professional products. NO glitter, coloured powder, additives etc to be used – judges are looking for the most natural set of nails that suit the hand shape and skin tone. (NB: This rule does not apply to the ring finger.)
• Camouflage powders or gels can be used if appropriate for the ‘client’.
• No embellishment or encapsulation – judges want to see natural looking enhancements in any shape. The competitor is to choose the most relevant shape to suit the fingers and nail condition. (NB: This rule does not apply to the RING finger.)
• NEW - RING FINGER is to be embellished to create a feature nail. This nail must complement the overall look, not detract, but enhance the complete look and can be embellished in any way you choose. Foils, glitters, rhinestones, powders, hand painting are allowed. NO decals, pre-designed or printed appliqués to be used. No Stamping of art allowed.
• No tip sizing, touching or pre-blending allowed before the comp begins.
• NOTE - No tools to aid the creation of smile lines are to be used. Smile lines are to be created using a brush only. (NO smile line cutters allowed.)
• Cleansing and moisturising products (oils, creams, lotions, etc) are allowed. Excessive use of oil is not permitted. Judges will deduct points for excess oil.
• The nail enhancements must be finished in a natural or French style pink & white – gel top coats and sealants are allowed. No nail polish colour.
• NOTE - Extra points are awarded for smile lines or a beautifully blended pink & white - baby boomer / ombré.

BOXED FLAT NAIL ART – open theme

Submission in box 10 tips - Boxed Nail Art

• All entries must be new to the Nailympia arena and can only be entered one time
at this competition. No repeat entries from prior years are allowed. NO entries that have been changed or embellished from previous competitions allowed.
• The work must not have been published, on social media or entered into any competition beforehand.
• This competition is an ‘Art painting’ format. Nails to be designed on varying sized nail tips and placed in a display case (no lid or cover required). DO NOT stick the 10 nails together to create one large canvas – there must be a gap between the tips and there must be at least 5 different sized tips used. This is art on many tiny canvases.
• Displays cannot be larger than 10 inches in either direction and no more than 4 inches in height. Having a display any larger may result in it not being displayed and if it’s too large, it may not be accepted. This is left to the discretion of the Nailympia team. The displays are measured by the judges.
• All entries to be 100% complete before the competition. A full set of 10 tips must be created and reflect the different nail sizes, as real nails – judges need to see 5 different nail sized tips. Anyone using all one-size tips will have an automatic 10-point deduction to their final score.
• NOTE: A maximum of ONE entry per competitor is allowed. No entries left after the close of the competition will be returned to the competitor. Unless organised beforehand with relevant postage and packing.
• All entries must be submitted during check-in/registration.
• All entries must be accompanied by a typed description (50 words MAXIMUM) of the work involved on one small sheet of paper/card, including types of nail art media & techniques used. Points will be deducted if no description is provided.
• Contestants use only artistic painting or one stroke.
• Art acrylic paint and gel paints are allowed.
• No decoration or acrylic product L&P to be used; if this happens, there will be a 10-point deduction. This is flat painted art only.
• Any embellishment of actual tips, whether attached to the tip or not, will be considered a violation and 10-points will be deducted.
• Send your box via mail, courier or with another tech if you can’t be at the event in person.

Do not infringe any copyright rules – steer clear of themes that are protected by copyright. By displaying / creating a design inside copyright – Nailympia will disqualify.

NOTE to ALL

The Nailympia team welcomes and encourages competitors to police the competitions. Please let the team know if you have seen any artwork before at any other competition, anywhere in the world. You must be able to prove it with evidence.