As nail influencers’ talent is increasingly in the spotlight on fashion runways and across digital platforms, OPI and Beauty Changes Lives are excited to announce emerging nail talent and winners of the “A Great Opera-Tunity” Fall 2021 scholarship. The national competition invites students enrolled in a nail education program to compete for a $3,000 tuition award. Winners are selected based on their video applications describing a nail influencer they admire, how winning the scholarship will support their career goals, and their submission of a nail lacquer name expressing their personality.
Winners and their respective AACS member schools are as follows:
Denise Johnson, @craft
Christine Valmy Intl. School of Esthetics and Cosmetology, Pine Brook, NJ
Mothering two daughters while pursuing a doctorate in education has taught Denise that she can dream big and achieve her goals. A nail influencer she admires and has been honored to work with is The Editorial Nail. And as this scholarship will allow new opportunities to blossom in her life, Denise imagines a nail lacquer aptly named “Blossom.” “Blossom big, blossom strong,” says Denise, noting that what started out as a hobby has evolved into a new platform of personal and professional growth. Watch her video here.
Loryn Hubbard, @conceptnotvague
Phagans Cosmetology College, Bend, OR
Being a Black male with tattoos in the nail industry, Loryn says he wants to break industry norms and blend a sense of fun and boldness with detailed, precision design. He is inspired by nail influencer Trailer Nails. “Her work is very fun and cool, while still being detailed,” he says. Imagining a future nail lacquer shade, Loryn describes “Diamonds R 4 Eva” as a holographic color that stands out and leaves a long-lasting impression on the industry. “This scholarship will relieve some of the cost of my nail program and the only thing I’ll have to worry about is perfecting my craft,” says Loryn. Watch his video here.
About Beauty Changes Lives: With a mission to educate and equip next generation talent, Beauty Changes Lives is uniting the industry and building awareness of the extraordinary career opportunities in the professional beauty industry. Learn more at www.beautychangeslives.org or find us on Facebook and Instagram.