Interview with Amanda Viviers and Jerilee Aligning Aloud

Every year, nail technician from across Aotearoa gather to compete, connect, and celebrate the art of nail design at the New Zealand Nail Competition. Behind the scenes of this vibrant event are two powerhouse women: Amanda Viviers and Jerilee Aligning Aloud. More than just organisers, Amanda and Jerilee are passionate leaders and creatives who have helped shape the competition into a cornerstone of the local beauty industry.

In this interview, we delve into their personal career journeys—how they first stepped into the world of nail artistry, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the milestones that have defined their path. We also explore the origins and growth of the New Zealand Nail Competition, the vision behind it, and what it means for the next generation of artists.

Brillbird: Let’s start at the beginning – when did you first discover the world of the nail industry, and what drew you to it as a career? Were there any early inspirations or mentors who influenced your path? Looking back on your journey, what achievements or moments in your career are you most proud of?

Amanda: I first discovered nails in South Africa in 2009 while living in Yzerfontein. After moving back to NZ, I finished my studies in 2011, between having kids. The creativity is what drew me into the industry.

Back when I started, there weren’t any major mentors. People were just starting to get online with it all, so I didn’t have anyone I followed back then. That came later once I started to compete—people like Lance Hazlett and Rachel Stevens, both from NZ, and Caroline Morgan, Desiree Dowling, and Alex Freeland from Australia.

Looking back, I’m most proud of my first ever time competing in 2014, having to go to Australia to do it. I placed 3rd in Salon French. Then the next year, I competed in the NZ Nail Competition, won Overall Champion, and got to meet Jerilee for the first time there too. In 2019, I was runner-up NZ Nail Tech of the Year, and then in 2021, I won NZ Nail Tech of the Year.

Jerilee: I first discovered nails in 2006 when I was gifted a set of square, glitter-backed, white French acrylic nails. That set had a deeper meaning for me, and from that moment, nails held a permanent place in my heart.

Fast forward a few years (and many fresh sets) later, I was in a new city without a nail tech. I was pregnant, working a job I hated, and honestly, feeling a little stuck. That’s when one too many late nights turned into a Google deep dive and a message to my old tech. In 2012, I officially decided to give nails a go myself. At the time, I had no idea it would become a career or where it would all lead. I just wanted to quit my job, be home with my kids, and buy glitter guilt-free. I paid for one-on-one training and spent hours on YouTube, endlessly practising application and ratios.

There weren’t many nail influences back then, but when Kirsty Meakin hit the scene through Naio Nails, I was obsessed.

As for competitions and the medals—they’re great, and I value them most for the growth they sparked. They challenged me, opened doors, and helped shape the career I have today.

Brillbird: When did the idea of organising a national nail competition first take shape in your mind? Can you tell us about the first event – what went well, and what did you learn? What were some of the biggest challenges in establishing the competition in its early years?

How has the event evolved since then in terms of scale, recognition, and participation?

Amanda: We didn’t come up with the original competition for NZ—we started out as competitors. It wasn’t until 2021 that we took the reins from Darrell Harris at the last minute to run that year’s competition. So our first event was pretty crazy—we had about four weeks from taking over to competition day. You can imagine the chaos behind the scenes, but we pulled it together, and it turned out to be a successful year. We learned that together, we can pull off miracles and make it look professional—even though we had no idea what we were doing or if it was even going to work.

After that year, we completely rebuilt the competition. We rewrote the rules and categories to make more sense and be clearer. We adjusted how things were judged and made everything as simple and straightforward as possible for our competitors. All of this took a huge amount of time—on top of our everyday lives.

Over the years, our competition has gone from strength to strength. Competitors are stepping out of their comfort zones, and the work coming through gets more mind-blowing each year. As Head Judge, this makes me incredibly proud of all our competitors.

Jerilee: The honour of running the NZ Nail Comp kind of landed on us unexpectedly. I’d been competing since 2015, with wins here in NZ, Australia, and even the US. In 2019, I was invited to train with INJA (International Nail Judges Association)—a total pinch-me moment. Amanda, already successful in her own right, joined too, and thanks to a room mix-up and a shared bed, our friendship was officially born. That same year, we helped judge the NZ Nail Comp, and by 2021, we were set to return as full INJA judges.

But in the lead-up to that event, my involvement kept growing. What started as judging turned into supporting sponsors, running social media, shaping the brand, and helping behind the scenes. I was juggling clients, kids, and a competition that was clearly becoming something bigger. After a real conversation with the original founder, Amanda and I stepped up as co-owners. Amanda became Head Judge, and I took on the role of Event Coordinator. It was a big shift—and a steep learning curve. We were nail techs, not event planners! But we had guts, passion, and trust in our ability to figure it out.

That first year was a blur of spreadsheets and stress, but somehow, we pulled off an amazing event. Oh, and we were also competing against each other for NZ Beauty Association’s “Nail Tech of the Year”—and Amanda took the crown!

The comp has continued to grow with each event. This year, we moved to a new location and ran the comp alongside a Nail Extravaganza, which we opened to the general public. We did this to help uplift the industry and make it more accessible—so you could even bring your friends along to have a look. It was by far our biggest challenge yet: 65 competitors, 127 entries, 14 categories, and 18 sponsors. On paper, the numbers matched 2023—but this one felt different. The energy, the connections, the growth… it felt like the start of something truly special.

Brillbird: How was the experience of organising this year’s competition, and what stood out for you in 2025? Were there any standout performances or stories from participants that left a lasting impression? Why did you choose Napier as the host city this year? How did the local community and industry professionals respond to the event?

Amanda: This year’s experience was extremely hard work—and stressful, to say the least. Life wasn’t easy at the time of organising, and there were moments when we thought it might not even happen or get finished in time. But we did it once again, and it was so worth it after seeing all the competitors’ work and excitement on the day!

Two stories really stood out to me and showed true dedication. One of our competitors was literally working on one of her entries while driving to the competition on the first day. Another two competitors ran a 10km marathon the morning of the event—talk about a way to shake off the nerves!

We chose Napier this year thinking it was more central for both our North Island and South Island nail techs. We even had three competitors travel all the way from Australia to compete in the arena! It definitely felt like a great location—we received loads of positive feedback from competitors and visitors on the day, as well as in the lead-up. There was also a real buzz of excitement that the competition wasn’t being held in Auckland this time around.

Jerilee: Organising the 2025 comp felt like a big exhale after holding our breath through 2024’s postponement. We’d built up momentum and had big plans, but then had to hit pause. So, this year wasn’t just “another event”—it was a comeback. And it came with all the emotions that usually bring.

We also took a leap by running it as a standalone event for the first time. The Hair & Beauty Expo had been a great host, but we knew it was time to step out and give the comp its own spotlight.

That decision brought pressure, but it also came with purpose. Napier was a no-brainer for me—I live here, and Amanda’s in Tokoroa, so logistically it made sense to bring it closer to home. Auckland tends to dominate the beauty scene, but Napier is more central, has an airport, and a buzzing vibe with tourists, creatives, and just enough quirk to match our energy. It gave us the space to focus and deliver something special.

One standout story that’s stayed with me was a competitor who lost track of time and nearly pulled out. She decided at the last minute to create her entry, then drove 2.5 hours to hand-deliver it just in time. And guess what? She ended up taking out first place! That’s the spirit this comp is built on: showing up, trusting your gut, and going all in—even when it feels too late.

While 2025’s numbers were similar to last year, the heart of it felt different. More focused, more connected. Maybe it was the solo format, maybe the comeback energy. That’s not to say it was all smooth sailing—we had competitors, judges, and sponsors pull out last minute, and each of us were dealing with chaos in our personal lives. Honestly, there were moments we were left scratching our heads, asking, “What is this even for?”

But thankfully, I’ve got a great teammate in Amanda, and with our powers combined, we always manage to get it over the line. Then the messages start rolling in—the feedback, the tags, the gratitude, the growth stories. That’s when we remember exactly why we do this. It’s bigger than the event. It’s about the impact.

Brillbird: What are your broader goals with the New Zealand Nail Competition? When you dream about the future of the New Zealand Nail Championship, what does that vision look like? What advice would you give to young or emerging nail technicians who might be considering entering future competitions?

Jerilee: Our goal has never just been to run a good event—it’s to create a space where we can elevate and celebrate the entire industry. The New Zealand Nail Competition is a platform, yes, but it’s also a pathway. A place where techs can test their skills, grow their confidence, and discover what’s possible beyond the salon chair.

When I dream about its future, I see a fully recognised championship with support from industry leaders, education providers, and sponsors who get it. I see more categories, more opportunities, and more nail techs stepping into leadership roles. The industry is an ecosystem. For it to truly thrive, we need movement—competitors becoming judges, judges becoming organisers, winners returning as sponsors. That’s how we build sustainability. Not just for the comp, but for the industry as a whole. That’s the kind of full-circle growth that inspires us to keep going.

To any emerging or seasoned nail techs thinking about competing: do it. Even if you’re not ready. Even if you’re terrified. Especially if you’re terrified! The comp isn’t just about taking home a medal—it’s about discovering what you’re capable of under pressure, learning how to level up, and finding your place in a community that genuinely wants you to win. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be willing. The rest unfolds from there.

Amanda: We want it to be an amazing community of competitions—one that supports all the Australasian comps and grows together.