Nail Tales from Olympia Beauty 2017
By Kat Hill | 04 October 2017 | Events, News
What a weekend! Visitors across Sunday 1 and Monday 2 October were in for a treat! From the latest product ranges and services, educational offering to competitions, the trade-only event was the place to be for beauty professionals.
The show floor and stages were bursting with nail and beauty experts, all eager to impart wisdom and product knowledge on attendees. Linda Nordstrom of Famous Names revealed the all-new IBX Boost, while Anthony Buckley was on hand on the Nail Harmony UK to demo the likes of PolyGel and Gelish Dip. Instagram sensation, Tony Ly, visited the show with Miss U, and celebrated nail artist, Sophie Harris-Greenslade, showcased her skill on the OPI stand.
The Scratch team spent the two days scouring the show floor for the latest nail news and socialising with readers and brands alike. On both days, we held a networking event for nail pros, the Scratch Social. Techs were invited to sip prosecco, mingle and create connections. We were also on hand to renew subscriptions and hand over goodie bags stuffed with treats.
Nailing Mental Health returned to Olympia Beauty this year. Nail technicians offered their services and visitors donated £5 to the charity drive’s cause in return for a manicure. Celeb singer, Fleur East, paid a visit to the talented tech behind the campaign, Stephanie Staunton, and received a glittering manicure. The full amount raised for mental health charities will be announced very soon!
While at the show, assistant editor Kat was lucky enough to be offered the chance to try The Eyelash Emporium’s latest treatment – Gravity Defying Lashes. The treatment straightens lashes from the root to create a lifted and extended lash look. With the added tint, the whole treatment creates the effect of wearing mascara. The lash technician on hand explained how the treatment offered busy clients a quick, low-maintenance lash option while lasting for up to eight weeks. Perfect for mobile technicians or busy salons, the treatment doesn’t require much specialist equipment to offer the service. The result of the treatment was longer looking and lifted lashes, creating a wide-eye effect.
Editor, Helena, was invited to try the HD Brows treatment. The service sought to create the perfect, bespoke brow. Thanks to the treatment’s thorough consultation and the brand’s brow mapping formula, a custom-blended tint was created and along with the combination of waxing, tweezing, threading and trimming, a striking brow look was created for Helena. Finished with a few High Definition beauty products, the finished result was a fuller, beautifully shaped brow.
I also paid a visit to the Faby and Palms Extra stand, where Faby educator, Alessandra Marchesi, was on hand to demonstrate Faby and its latest collection, Ego, with a swift show time manicure. In Faby’s Laquering Gel formula, Kat selected two shades from the new collection. Smokey grey-navy, I.D., served the perfect accompaniment to the fine glittery gold hue, E-Gold. Alberto Viale, from the founding family of the brand, was also wearing the navy shade, I.D.!
Olympia Beauty saw the live reveal of The Great Scratch Shoot Out 2017’s winner. Hannah Missen was cheered to the stage as she collected her framed print, trophy, cash prize and certificate. Karina Perematko scooped a close second place and Becca Butterworth third.
The show also played host to Nailympia London. The three-day competition saw competitors travel from 32 countries to compete in the biggest Nailympia competition to date. You can see the full results by clicking here. Competition fever could also be felt as The Brush Wars, Lash Games and The Next Generation Beauty Influencers Awards saw skillsets tested and emerging talent recognised. Lucky winners who tagged #loveolympiabeauty on their social media won £250 every hour in the show’s social media competition.
We’ve bumped back down to reality after an incredible show. We can’t wait to share all the snaps and news from the show floor in the November issue!
We’ll see you at Olympia Beauty 2018.
