The first iqnails French manicure championship is now history. The nail industry has never seen an event like this before

Friday, June 12, 2026, will go down in IQNails history as a truly special day. It was on this day that the 1st IQNails French Manicure Championship took place—an event created for nail technicians who prove every day that classic beauty never goes out of style and that a perfectly executed French Manicure remains one of the industry's greatest technical challenges.

While participants and guests experienced the excitement, competition, and emotions of the event in a single unforgettable day, the truth is that the story of these championships began many months earlier.

AN IDEA THAT TOOK MONTHS TO DEVELOP

The idea for the championship was born in the mind of Katarzyna Włodarczyk, (link) CEO of IQNails, long before the event became reality.

From the very beginning, the goal was clear: to create an event that would be more than just a competition—a celebration of professional nail styling where talent, technique, and precision would be recognized at the highest level.

This is where Patrycja Borto (link) stepped in, helping organize every aspect of the project down to the smallest detail.

Behind the scenes, there were dozens of phone calls, hundreds of messages, numerous planning meetings, and countless brainstorming sessions. Every detail mattered. Creating the competition rules, selecting the judging panel, preparing the event schedule, choosing partners and sponsors, and developing fair judging criteria required months of dedicated work.

How do you create an event that is truly fair? How do you design a competition that allows both newcomers and experienced champions to showcase their skills? How do you ensure that the challenge becomes a genuine test of professionalism?

The answers to these questions led to the creation of the first-ever IQNails French Manicure Championship. Today, one thing can be said with certainty—it was absolutely worth it.

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WHY FRENCH MANICURE?

In the world of nail styling, French Manicure is the equivalent of the little black dress in fashion.

Timeless.

Elegant.

Loved by clients around the world.

At the same time, it is one of the most technically demanding nail styles to perform. The perfect smile line, flawless proportions, symmetry, and impeccable finish have made French Manicure a true test of a nail technician's skills for decades.

That is precisely why it was chosen as the theme of IQNails' inaugural championship.

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FRENCH MANICURE BEGINS LONG BEFORE THE WHITE TIP

What distinguished the 1st IQNails French Manicure Championship from many other industry competitions was its comprehensive approach to nail artistry.

As a manufacturer (LINK) of professional manicure and pedicure drill bits, IQNails has long emphasized that a perfect nail design does not begin with product application—it begins with proper nail plate and cuticle preparation.

For this reason, participants were required to do much more than create a flawless French Manicure.

Each competitor had to independently prepare her model’s hands by performing professional cuticle work using IQNails drill bits before moving on to the competition styling itself.

This requirement made the championship truly unique. Judges evaluated not only the final result but the entire working process—from cuticle preparation and nail plate refinement to the execution of a perfect French Manicure.

The judging panel assessed every detail, including:

• Cuticle preparation

• Cleanliness of the nail folds

• Nail plate preparation

• Working technique

• Precision of execution

• Final overall appearance

This approach perfectly reflects the IQNails philosophy: beautiful nail styling always begins with perfect foundations.

THREE CATEGORIES, ONE GOAL – PERFECTION

Participants competed in three categories:

NEWCOMERS

A category designed for nail technicians taking their first steps into the world of competitions and championships.

EDUCATORS

A category dedicated to instructors and trainers who share their knowledge with the next generation of nail professionals.

VETERANS

The most prestigious category, bringing together competitors with extensive championship experience and impressive industry achievements.

Regardless of category, the challenge remained the same.

Every participant was required to complete a full competition manicure—from professional cuticle preparation using IQNails drill bits and proper nail plate preparation to the execution of a flawless French Manicure within a specified time limit.

Sounds simple?

Only on the surface.

Because it is often in simplicity that even the smallest imperfections become visible.

A JUDGING PANEL OF TRUE CHAMPIONSHIP EXPERTS

The competition entries were evaluated by respected industry professionals whose experience commands tremendous respect within the nail world.

The judging panel consisted of:

KATARZYNA WŁODARCZYK (LINK)

CEO of IQNails and creator and organizer of the championship.

MAGDALENA ŻUK-MURATOW (LINK)

Multiple-time nail styling champion, respected educator, and owner of an instructor training academy.

JUSTYNA REMBIASZ (LINK)

Multiple-time champion, international nail competition judge, and highly regarded industry educator.

The evaluation process was exceptionally detailed.

Judges assessed:

• Cuticle preparation

• Nail plate aesthetics

• Smile line quality

• Overall proportions

• Symmetry

• Precision

• Technical cleanliness

• Final appearance

PARTNERS AND SPONSORS OF THE 1ST IQNAILS FRENCH MANICURE CHAMPIONSHIP

An event of this scale would not have been possible without the support of outstanding partners and sponsors.

Among them were: (LINKS)

• Akademia Kobiet Monika Lichota

• Katarzyna Tyrka

• VEZZI

• Krawat i Muszka

• eWoman

• Elite Business Club by Akademia Kobiet

• Justyna Rembiasz Nail Academy

• Magda Żuk Akademia Paznokcia

• Pink Princess Sylwia Dębska

• Kwiaciarnia Queens Land

• Szefowa Systemu Patrycja Borto

• Beauty Forum Magazine

We sincerely thank all partners for their support and commitment in bringing this exceptional event to life.

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RESULTS OF THE 1ST IQNAILS FRENCH MANICURE CHAMPIONSHIP

After many hours of competition, the moment everyone had been waiting for finally arrived—the announcement of the winners.

The excitement was immense, as the level of work presented throughout the competition was truly outstanding.

🏆 NEWCOMERS CATEGORY

This was where competitors took their first steps into the world of championships, stepping outside their comfort zones and embracing the challenge.

Winners:

🥇 Ewa Zubrzycka
🥈 Aleksandra Zasuń
🥉 Paulina Marcinkowska

🏆 EDUCATORS CATEGORY

This category showcased a true masterclass in nail artistry.

The standard of work was exceptional from the first entry to the last, making it the most competitive category of the entire championship. Point differences were minimal, and every participant demonstrated podium-worthy skills.

The judging panel faced an extremely difficult task, as the final rankings were determined by the smallest details.

Winners:

🥇 Małgorzata Zakrzewska
🥈 Natalia Romaniuk
🥉 Wiktoria Ziętkiewicz

🏆 VETERANS CATEGORY

This category brought together competitors who have mastered the art of French Manicure and set industry standards every day.

The level of work was extraordinary. Every set demonstrated exceptional craftsmanship, flawless technique, and remarkable attention to detail.

It was a true battle of champions.

Winners:

🥇 Marta Ramza
🥈 Ewelina Staszak
🥉 Aleksandra Dworzyńska

MORE THAN A COMPETITION

The 1st IQNails French Manicure Championship was much more than a contest.

It was a gathering of beauty industry enthusiasts, a space for sharing knowledge, exchanging experiences, building relationships, and finding inspiration.

It was also proof that the Polish nail industry is developing at an impressive pace and that the skill level of Polish nail professionals continues to rise year after year.

The event highlighted the importance of strong foundations—proper nail preparation, expert drill-bit work, and attention to every detail.

THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING

One thing is certain.

The IQNails French Manicure Championship proved that the industry needed an event like this.

The overwhelming interest, exceptional level of competitors, incredible support from partners, and emotions that accompanied the entire event have already made one thing clear: this was not the first and last edition.

At IQNails, we have no doubt that future editions are only a matter of time.

After the success of the inaugural championship, expectations are even higher.

More participants.

More excitement.

An even higher level of competition.

And an even bigger event.

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