Good Morning and hello! I would like to take you on a journey, let’s head on down to Orlando, Florida where I experienced Premiere Orlando 2026. This was snail show like no other and I can’t wait to tell you why. But before we get started, let’s dive in to why we are even headed there.
You see, it all began with an invitation. While I have been before, I was invited to be a Nail Judge for Nailympia, the world’s biggest nail competition. They are based in the UK but have competitions all around the globe. One of the largest is in Florida, and well thats the largest in America, so I was on top of the world for this huge and unfathomable opportunity.
The show started on a Saturday for classes if you were taking additional education, and the show floor for the expo was open Sunday and Monday. I had arrived Saturday evening as I brought my puppy in with me and I needed to check into the hotel in enough time he had somewhere to go. Once we arrived I fell in love with the location as it was next to theme parks, my favorite! And of course what do I get dressed to go do? THEME PARKS!! Thats right I took my happy butt right on down to Seaworld Orlando! I already have a season pass, so of course I had the time of my life.
Funny story, while I was at Seaworld I was talking to a nail tech friend who said they missed me and I was thinking no I am here in Orlando, and they were saying no they were at Seaworld too and missed me in passing, I was like ohhh. Slow moment I know lol
But anyway, here comes Sunday, I am well rested and ready to start the day! Now mind you I still have to park, and pick up my badge so I was there very early like 7:30am and the show isn’t even open until 9am early. I just knew the place was gonna be bombarded with people and I didn’t want to be late. Well I was so early I was making friends with the janitors and I didn’t mind at all lol I actually hid in some corner so I didn’t look lame until more people showed up. But now, the floor is filling up around 8 as all the vendors are arriving and getting ready, now its time to meet friends!!!
I had already walked the floor numerous times to make sure I knew where every booth was, so it was very easy to pinpoint where people would be. Of course I snuck in a selfie as well to show I have arrived.
But also, my whole theme for the weekend was mainly Batman outfits and one Superman for the Scratch party. And I mean Batman head to toe boobear, and of course I did my very first set of Batman nails, using all Magic Gel products. you can see that very busy set here. Oh I was so proud, they were the perfect amount of busy, blue, and full of stones and charms. I even took the time to encapsulate Batman stickers. Oh I was on top of the world with my nails. *pats back*
Now the Nailympia show floor opened as soon as the Premier floor opened, but we had to be there earlier to make sure we were in place and ready, so I got a chance to finally meet my international and new friends, and I couldn’t possibly contain myself! Didn’t even try. Everyone was so fun and pleasant and as my good friend Scarlett says, I was chuffed to bits.
Competition has started and while I forgot the first one I do remember I was there for two that day, one morning and one afternoon. I was a floor judge, so I walked in-between chair and tables examining work and supplies ensuring everyone has what they need, and things they don’t need are put away. Also, making sure everyone sticks to the rules and no one is cheating. It’s a very attentive position. I will say I learned a lot about competing. And I got to meet the most amazing head judge, Giselle. She was super sweet and made sure I knew exactly what to do. Also, it was amazing to see American competitors and competitors from other countries as well. Their work was noticeably different.
Once the competition was over I was free to walk around and enjoy the show floor, shop if I liked and so forth until the next competition. I did use this time to talk around the floor, and I also spent time getting to know my international and local judges as well. Meeting Scarlett, Hazel, Terrance, Mino, and more were all a highlight for me. Throughout the day as I walked around I got to meet a lot more people at their booths, a lot of new friends and connections. Ya know, when ya go to a show and you have a shy personality, shocking I know, wear really flashy nails, they open conversations lol they really do. And so thats what my nails did and well always do for me. Because I will talk to anyone, but it’s nice just having that ice breaker, so I am sure will always have my nails done.
I did go back and judge the next competition and it was also amazing, and with a quick rush, I had to leave the floor and run to my room, because tonight is the night for the Scratch Stars Nail Party. This is where they were going to announce the winner to the North American Star Nail Artist competition. So I had to quickly walk my dog and change into some good parry clothes, Superman themed of course. And boy oh boy was this an amazing party, I showed up, got a cute lil VIP bag and a drink tickets, which later turned into a lot of drink tickets, it pays to have friends. teehee. And honestly, if you don’t drink, pass em to me, I will fully use them.
The party was amazing, Jessica Vero from Canada won the competition, and I got to see my good friend Anastasia there passing down her crown. It was all so beautiful, and then my goodness did those drinks start to hit. And honestly, after they announced the winner more than half the room left, but I made sure the party kept going. I happily walked my butt over to the DJ booth and cut the elevator music and brought on the cha cha slide and the wobble, it was time to PARTY. don’t know if anyone asked for it, but those drinks had me ready tot run at a party I wasn’t sure was even supposed to go that way lol
I didn’t care, I wanted to dance, and so did Hazel Dixon so here we are getting our good boogie on.
I had the most amazing time at the party because a lot of industry professionals were there and everyone lowered their walls to have a good time. After a while, everyone was dancing and singing and it was just amazing.
After minute I saw Jan Arnold and I was like OOP gotta go, I ran away from everyone, and immediately got in line, because other people were so excited to meet her as well. I patiently waited as someone was in front of me, and people kept wanting to see her nails, and so i’m thinking to myself, if you are not ready and Jan looks at me, I am 100% cutting you to not miss this opportunity. AND GUESS WHAT! I did, Jan was done talking to the person, and looked straight at me and I walked right on up. I said hi I am Calvin and I am dying to show you something. Had the picture already ready. It was my bird I recreated because she wore the corset made out of nails, that inspired me to make it. When I tell you she was FLOORED, my goodness I couldn’t have been more proud. I was so happy she loved it. She even showed her friends and everyone around us. I was like omg dreams are being made this weekend hunny!!
And then to my surprise she wanted to see my nails and of course loved those too, I was just so happy, we had a whole photo shoot moment and I kept them all. I said yup this is an amazing experience. After meeting her I saw Elliot from Glitterbels all the way across the room. I mean literally at the entrance to the door I think he was on the phone, and I happily skipped my way right over to him, I sure did, and introduced myself. Ya know, after all these drinks, that isn’t the smartest thing to keep meeting really high profile people, but I guess thats just the ballsy person I am. Kinda thankful, because missed opportunities can happen to shy people. SO anyway, I said hello, and told him I’ve seen him from social media, and I had to let him know his wife, Annabel is the number reason I do my art the way I do. From the marbles to the ombre, the glitter swooshes, (thats a technical term), it’s all inspired by her. And he was shocked and was pleased to hear it.
So overall I was really on a high that night, I was able to dance on the floor with Alex Fox, and somehow made it to the stage and led the wobble. It was a really enjoyable time! Now let’s go to bed, and finish our day, we have an even bigger day tomorrow! Dinner provided by Kate night KFC,
It’s day 2!
Oh my goodness! I am back, refreshed and dressed in more Batman Gear! Now competition day is so much shorter as we are having the nail awards today. I judge two competitions back to back and then a third as another judge didn’t make it in. And I was really getting the hang of it, thoroughly enjoying my time, and I got to sneak in some pictures as well. Y’all know I have ya covered.
After that was all said and done, I returned to the show floor and remembered to take pictures with my new friends and old alike as well. It was a good time, I never did any shopping, one day I will, I’m just so used to buying online it never dawns on me to shop in person. But I gotta start supporting my friend’s booths.
Of course as I walked around I got to see more fun things on the show floor as well, and bumped into amazing friends.
Once time was up and I had to return to the Nailympia stage, it was time to announce the winners. And to my surprise, judges got a certificate as well. I was so happy! I didn’t expect that at all. Oh look at how happy I was!!!
Each judge received a certificate, and we all took a group photo. There’s me cheesing really hard, and the next photo is all of us together.
After the group photo, each winner of the competitions were announced, including top three or two depending on how many entered the categories. It was nice to see everyone I’ve been watching win, and I just loved all the happiness that surrounded it. It was such a fabulous time.
After that, all the highs of the weekend were starting to come to a close. The show was over, and all of the goodbyes were happening. It was bittersweet, and honestly I didn’t want it to end. I was having the time of my life. But all good things must come to a close. As I made my way back to my room, I hugged my puppy, got some good sleep and left for home in the morning. I reflected on everything that happened, and I was non stop smiling.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the show and being a judge, I hope someday I get the opportunity to do it again. I also would like to start competing so that I can eventually win my own awards, and make it to judging behind the panel. I have a lifetime to go, but I know I will push myself to get there someday, no rush, but continue to enjoy the ride of course. I hope you all enjoy this piece today, I had the most fun sharing it with you. As always I want to thank Alex Fox for having me, and Vitaly Solomonoff for recommending me, you two I will be forever grateful to. Until then, I’ll see you later sweets.
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