Max Estrada is an experienced veteran of the competition circuit. Representing Odyssey Nail Systems and having trained under a nail competition master Trang Nguyen, Max is an established nail artist who has traveled the world educating and competing. (Caption: Max [right], with Russian educator Olga Esakova)

Last weekend at IBS Las Vegas, NAILS got a chance to interview Max for this blog.

NAILS: How long have you been doing nails and how long have you been competing?

It all started before I was born with my mom doing nails for about 25 years, so i grew up in the beauty industry. But I really got interested in doing nails when i was about 15, which was 2005. That's when I started training and competing.

My first competition was at a show in Pasadena and I ended up getting 7th place, which is not bad for a first competition.

NAILS: What was it like when you first started competing?

It was strange the first time, but a real rush of adrenalin. I remember my first competition was a salon style nail category, and we had 90 minutes to complete our nails. The girl next to me was crying because she was not going to finish on time.

NAILS: What kinds of success have you found as a result of your experiences competing at nail shows?

For me the most important thing is being able to prove to myself that I can be great at what I do and find a unique style that people recognize. The people I've met and the places I've seen have been incredible too. I don't know many 23-year-olds who have been halfway around the world — and it's all thanks to competitions.

I built my salon, career, and clients around my accomplishments from nail competitions. Trophies aren't the only thing you win from competing; afterwards the doors that open up are some of the most tangible rewards.  

NAILS: Where are some of the places you've traveled to compete? 

I have been blessed to go to South Korea to train and compete. And Ukraine and Russia are a very important place for me because that is where I really developed my style and skills, and I also made great new friends.

NAILS: What show are you competing in next?

I don't know for sure. I just got back from Russia, and I am super busy at work. If it were up to me I would compete every day, but I have to make a living to be able to compete and it can get very expensive for a professional competitor to be able to attend all the events. So unfortunately this year I have to stick to the west coast but next year I hope to be able to compete in every event of the 2012 competition season.

NAILS: Finally, what would like to say to new competitors or other techs who are thinking of competing?

Don't be scared to go out and just try it. If you fall pick yourself up and try again. And practice. The only way you will get better is practicing. There is no magic trick to make great nails. It's just good old fashioned practice.