Lammers traveled far and wide to retain her title this year. She competed in eight tradeshows, one online event, and a total of 31 competitions to earn her score of 117 points, and she practices hard to earn her success. Lammers often hires a hand model to practice on in preparation for competitions, sometimes practicing for an entire day to get her skills sharp. Her competition season culminated this year with her world championship win in Dusseldorf, Germany back in March. She wowed the crowd with her stunning work that garnered a 28-point lead over the next closest competitor.
#1: Lynn Lammers
How long have you been competing?
Four years.
Where do you live?
Banning, Calif.
How many shows/competions this year?
Eight trade shows, one online event, 31 different competitions.
Biggest show highlight?
To go to the World Championship in Dusseldorf, Germany, and win on my first time there.
Biggest lowpoint?
During one show this year, we had two days of competitions, and on the first day I wasn’t able to eat much and I didn’t get enough sleep either. So I missed winning the competition on the second day by just two points, and it was a big let down.
What is your favorite competition category?
The long sculptured pink-and-white nail.
Do you have any advice for new competitors?
Keep your goals realistic and just jump in to get your feet wet.
#2: Trang Nguyen
How long have you been competing?
On and off for 17 years.
Where do you live?
Orlando, Fla.
How many shows/competions this year?
Three competitions, ISSE Long Beach, Dusseldorf, and IBS Las Vegas.
Biggest show highlight?
Seeing nail technicians starting to explore and make that leap toward new and modern nails with different shapes and colored acrylics.
Biggest lowpoint?
Not seeing new competitors.
What is your favorite category to compete in?
Salon nails and French Sculpture Nails.
Do you have any advice for new competitors?
Keep trying and seek advice that will further your career and better your skills. I always say that anyone who participates in competitions is already a winner because they have had to practice and improve.
#3 Kristy Meakin
How long have you been competing?
Four years.
Where do you live?
Staffordshire, United Kingdom
How many shows/competions this year?
I’ve only competed in Las Vegas this year, it costs so much to travel to the states.
Biggest show highlight?
Meeting amazingly talented people, and holding the winners trophy next to Trang Nguyen and Catherine Wong, whom I admire and have the upmost respect for.
Biggest lowpoint?
Having to leave Las Vegas and travel home. Even though I missed my two little girls and their daddy.
What is your favorite competition category?
Anything arty. I really enjoyed the handpainted nail art category and it was my first time entering
Do you have any advice for new competitors?
If anyone wants to compete they definitely should do so. You get to showcase your skills, pick up tips from the best, meet fabulous people, and most of all have an amazing experience.
#4: Vu Nguyen
How long have you been competing?
Four years.
Where do you live?
Oceanside, Calif.
How many shows/competions this year?
Three competitions this year.
Biggest show highlight?
Being on stage with my brother Robert in Las Vegas.
Biggest lowpoint?
I got frustrated with a set of nails that I was doing and felt that I had no chance of completing them. So I gave half the effort into them.
What is your favorite category to compete in?
My favorite category is One Hand Nail Art. I like it because I like being timed on my art, and I only have to do one hand.
Do you have any advice for new competitors?
My advice to new competitors is to practice what you want to improve on. Watch seasoned veterans demo at the booths and try to learn from them, and above all have fun with what you are doing.
#5: Catherine Wong
How long have you been competing?
Four years.
Where do you live?
Singapore.
How many shows/competions this year?
Three shows this year: The Global Cup (Korea), Premiere Orlando, and IBS Las Vegas.
Biggest show highlight?
To be able to compete amongst the best talent and learn from them, and also meeting all my wonderful nail tech friends I’ve been in touch with through the Internet.
Biggest lowpoint?
The low point was seeing the “dark side” of some people’s character in competition.
What is your favorite category to compete in?
Design Sculpture and Mixed Media 3.
Do you have any advice for new competitors?
Read and follow the rules. I see so many beautiful works that get disqualified or did not place because they didn’t comply with the rules. Also, find a mentor to train you if you’re serious about competing because you don’t win a professional competition by luck.
#6: Ami McClure
How long have you been competing?
12 years.
Where do you live?
Cape Coral, Fla.
How many shows/competions this year?
Two; Las Vegas and Orlando.
Biggest show highlight?
My sister Traci Dungan placing second for her amazing fantasy art work.
Biggest lowpoint?
Not placing myself.
What is your favorite category to compete in?
This is a tough one because I am a pretty competitive person and I love any type of competition, but if I had to pick only one it would be design sculpts. It’s so amazing to see what everyone comes up with.
Do you have any advice for new competitors?
Any techs considering competing should model first if possible. This really gives you an idea of how things work from start to finish. Competitions can be extremely intimidating, so modeling first helps you get prepared for it.
#7: Viv Simmonds
How long have you been competing?
Nine years.
Where do you live?
Melbourne, Australia.
How many shows/competions this year?
Two: Singapore in February and IBS Las Vegas in June.
Biggest show highlight?
Catching up with all of my American friends.
Biggest lowpoint?
Having to leave them all again!
What is your favorite category to compete in?
Acrylic Design and 3-D Fantasy Nail Art.
Do you have any advice for new competitors?
Give it a go! You will get the opportunity to meet so many amazing artists and it is a great way of developing your skills to take you to a new level.
#8: Kyoko Amemiya
How long have you been competing?
Five years.
Where do you live?
Huntington Beach, Calif.
How many shows/competions this year?
Two: ISSE Long Beach, and IBS Las Vegas.
Biggest show highlight?
I got fourth place at Las Vegas.
Biggest lowpoint?
In Long Beach I could not get into the Top 10.
What is your favorite category to compete in?
Sculpture Nail.
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