My name is Lynn Lammers. I have 20 years of experience in the nail industry. And I’ve spent the last five years honing my meticulous skills in the competition arena, gaining four national titles (two years running in the top spot on NAILS Magazine’s Top 25 list and winning the Nailpro Cup). In March 2009, I was invited to compete at Beauty International in Düsseldorf, Germany, where I won the prestigious International Nail Championship — the equivalent of a world championship title. I travel the world speaking, teaching, judging, and inspiring other nail stylists, as well as contributing articles to major trade publications. My art/nail work has graced the covers of many magazines.

Although my specialty is pink-and-white acrylic enhancements, I (if I do say so myself) excel in all forms of nail enhancements and care. I have a sharp eye for detail and strict personal guidelines for sanitation, as it pertains to the industry — whether in the salon, at a photo shoot, or on the competition floor. Last year, I developed an educational curriculum to train and lead my own competition team. We won 2^nd place in the Nailpro Cup Team Championship.

I’m writing this blog hoping to inspire those of you in the salon with untapped talent to come out and compete — and that goes for anyone else that needs a little competitive inspiration. I believe that the competition arena is like our “Masters Program.” Many of the industry icons took the road through the competition arena. It is the only place where you can put your work out there to be judged (and see how you hold up against the rest of the industry). You will learn a whole bunch about yourself, too.

I’ll be offering tips and tricks within these writings, hoping to save you from the novice mistakes that could be made. And I’ll be commenting on all my competition experiences throughout the whole year. That’s right. I said the whole year.

— Lynn Lammers