NAIL NEWS
Nailing It: Alisha Rimando Leads the Charge at Nailympia Competitions in San Antonio
Article by Alisha Rimando | Published in 2024
Alisha Rimando, founder of GlossaryLive.com, recently had the honor of serving as the head judge for the Nailympia Competitions at the Premiere Beauty Show in San Antonio, Texas. This year’s event, held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, was a remarkable celebration of the nail industry’s resilience and growth post-COVID. The atmosphere was electric, with thousands of beauty professionals in attendance, demonstrating the industry’s revival and the excitement surrounding nail artistry.
The Premiere Beauty Show has long established itself as a key event for beauty enthusiasts, and in its second year in San Antonio, it was bigger and better than ever. From well-known hair brands like Amika and DNA to innovative new players like Beard Octane, vendors showcased a plethora of styling products and tools. Attendees, many dressed in cowboy hats to honor the Texas venue, eagerly filled their carts with professional gear, embodying the spirit of community and commerce in the beauty industry.
What stood out this year was the significant presence of the nail segment, which occupied a substantial portion of the show floor. The Nailympia Competitions, hosted for the second consecutive year, highlighted the growth in participation, with 11 competitions featuring 44 live seats filled by nail techs from around the globe. Competitors hailed from countries including Portugal, Germany, Argentina, Poland, and the USA, reflecting the event’s international appeal.
Being part of the judging panel felt like a reunion with family. Alisha was joined by Alex Fox, the organizer of Nailympia for over two decades, whose expertise ensured the event ran seamlessly. The international panel of judges included notable names such as Vitaly Solomonoff, Serge Korchagin, Jenny Nguyen, Michelle Soto, Kirsty Meakin, Max Estrada, April Ryan, Anastasiia Rozbutko, Hirsh Hunty, Morgan Haile, Natalia Nowicki, Analuisa Franklin and Koko Kashiwagi. As competitors worked against the clock, floor judges moved between stations, marveling at the intricate nail art that emerged under the spotlight, while booth judges had the unique opportunity to observe the intricate nail work up close during scoring.
This year’s competition saw a staggering 143 entries in various art categories, with themes that celebrated Texas culture, such as runway looks themed “Ranch Life” and “Stiletto & Beyond,” celebrating the NASA Johnson Space Center. The winners exemplified the talent on display: Nicolas Paggi from Argentina claimed the title of Art Winner of Winners, while Polish artist Natalia Trefon-Ociepka shone brightly, securing multiple top honors, including the Premiere Cup and the Americas Cup. Veronica Luviano won USA Top Tech, showcasing the exceptional talent of American nail techs.
Alisha Rimando’s experience as head judge in her home state was deeply fulfilling. The palpable energy of the event and the camaraderie among competitors and judges alike underscored a collective joy in the nail industry’s ongoing revival. The growth and innovation in nail artistry, coupled with the sense of community, made this year’s Premiere Beauty Show an unforgettable celebration of the nail industry’s resilience and future potential.
