Beauty Launchpad Welcomes Its 2027 Advisors

Beauty Launchpad continues to be a source and a voice for everything beauty, nails, salons, and stylists. We keep our readers up to date on trends, launches, education, and how to thrive in a growing, ever-evolving industry.

To truly inspire our readers, we share perspectives straight from the professionals.

That’s why Beauty Launchpad is proud to announce our 2027 Advisors. These professionals and experts provide firsthand experiences, techniques, and insights to continue to push the industry forward.

Meet Christopher Aaron

Christopher Aaron is a Chicago-based dedicated hairstylist and educator with over 20 years of experience in the beauty industry. His journey began at a young age, inspired by a trip to the salon with his family, which ignited his passion for creativity and artistry in hair. He believes wholeheartedly in the power of personal narrative, stating, “No one can write your story better than you.”

For the past 12 years, Christopher has proudly operated his salon studio, where he focuses on creating a thriving environment that fosters client satisfaction and loyalty. Through his space, Christopher continuously brings new experiences and innovative ideas, making each visit memorable.

Education is at the heart of Christopher's mission. He embraces every opportunity to learn and evolve within his craft, living by the mantra, “Once you stop learning, you stop growing.” This dedication to knowledge allows him to share valuable insights with clients and fellow stylists alike.

Meet Elizabeth Faye

Elizabeth Faye’s journey into the beauty industry began with a single life-changing salon experience. As a young, troubled girl, one stylist showed her what it meant to be seen, loved, and empowered and it sparked her purpose. From a rebellious teen and high school dropout to a thriving hairstylist, TEDx speaker, trauma-informed coach, and founder of an award-winning education platform, she built her life in service to the idea that beauty professionals are healers, leaders, and change makers.

Today, Elizabeth serves the industry as a mentor, educator, and wellness advocate. Through Hair Love University, she’s supported over 30,000 beauty professionals and partnered with 50+ leading brands. Elizabeth's mission is to blend wealth, well-being, and impact, helping stylists not just grow careers, but build lives they deeply love.

Elizabeth is also the founder of The Vitality Project, the industry's first Workplace Wellness Program designed to help beauty pros take care of their mental, emotional and physical well-being to have a long, healthy career and sustainable success. It's a home for the soul-led beauty professional, where personal development meets wellness, healing, health and soul-led career evolution.

Meet Erin Vars

Erin Vars is a passionate nail professional with 12 years of experience in the nail industry. As a licensed nail technician, educator, and distributor, she has spent the last 6 years helping fellow nail professionals grow their skills, confidence, and businesses through hands-on education and product support.

As the owner of Southern Charm Nail Supply & Events and Nails by Erin and Company, Erin is dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for learning and connection within the nail community. For the past 5 years, she has successfully hosted nail events, workshops, retreats, and educational experiences that bring nail professionals together to learn, network, and be inspired.

Known for her approachable teaching style and commitment to elevating the industry, Erin continues to share her knowledge through classes, events, and mentorship while helping nail artists turn their passion into lasting success.

Meet Hirsch Hunty

Hirsch Hunty is an award-winning nail artist, educator, judge, and content creator based in Charlotte, NC. He has built a reputation for luxury nail artistry, trend-setting designs, and a passion for elevating the beauty industry. Hirsch’s work has been featured on the cover of NailPro Magazine and has been featured in Allure, Scratch Magazine, and SalonEVO Magazine. As a Top 10 finalist of North America’s Star Nail Artist and a Nailympia judge, Hirsch is recognized for his luxurious, trend-setting artistry, innovative education, and lasting impact on the nail industry.

Meet Julie Kandalec

From global beauty campaigns to backstage at New York Fashion Week, Julie Kandalec is the nail artist that A-list celebrities, top beauty editors, and the world's biggest designers trust when every detail matters. She is the nail artist behind some of the most iconic names in the world: Emily Blunt, Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, Rachel McAdams, and P!nk, to name a few – and for Emily in The Devil Wears Prada 2.

Her work has graced the hands holding SAG Awards, Golden Globes, Emmys, and multiple Oscars. Julie’s clients include Gucci, Lemme, Kiss Nails, Maybelline, and Essie, and her expert commentary appears regularly for Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Allure, PopSugar, Harper’s Bazaar, and The New York Times.

The founder of  Nailpreneur and Julie K Nail Academy, paired with co-ownership of Star Touch Agency, she has dedicated herself to giving the next generation of nail artists world-class education, hands-on mentorship, and career opportunities to match.

Beyond the red carpet, she curates beauty retreats for those who live for it – gorgeous spas, wellness rituals, and insider shopping - from rare designer finds to the most coveted nail & beauty products on the planet.

Meet John Mosley

John Mosley, known throughout the industry as “Popular Nobody,” is a globally respected barber, educator, creative strategist, content producer, entrepreneur, and brand visionary whose impact reaches far beyond the barber chair.

With a career built on authenticity, creativity, leadership, and excellence, John has helped shape the grooming industry through education, curriculum development, content, culture, mentorship, and community.

John authored the barbering curriculum for Paul Mitchell Schools and previously served as one of their Artistic Directors, playing an instrumental role in advancing barber education nationally. Today, he serves as the Creative Lead for Tommy Gun’s Original Barbershop, one of Canada’s premier grooming brands, while also working with Andis Company as a Creative Strategist Adviser, bringing creative vision, industry insight, education, and storytelling to one of the most recognized names in professional grooming.

John currently serves as the Executive Barber Director for six barber programs,  owner of PN Campus, and creator of Hustle Economics, his online education platform hosted on Skool.

Meet Kimberly Loomis

Kimberly Loomis is an award-winning beauty industry educator, stylist, and entrepreneur, recognized as Top 100 Colorist in the World with Davines, and Beauty Launchpad’s Top 25 Most Influential Beauty Pros under 50K followers. She is also a proud Face of Sola Salons, Ambassador for Green Circle Salons and holds a certification degree from Cornell University in Consumer Behavior and Psychology, blending artistry with business and behavioral insight.

Kimberly’s career has taken her across the globe, collaborating and educating with renowned brands, styling for editorial magazine shoots, working on set, and serving as Lead Stylist at New York Fashion Week for brands such as Alice + Olivia. Passionate about shaping the future of the industry, she has mentored with Beauty Changes Lives, serves on the advisory board of a local beauty school, and is a member of the Beauty Launchpad Board of Advisors, helping guide education, curriculum, and professional development for the next generation of beauty leaders.

Meet Monaè Everett

Monaè Everett is an award-winning celebrity hairstylist, author, educator, and speaker with more than 20 years of experience creating hair for red carpets, editorial, advertising, television, and fashion. Known for her ability to work confidently across all hair textures, she has styled talent including Tia Mowry, Yara Shahidi, Brenda Song, Maleah Joi Moon, and Brittany Howard, with work appearing at the Met Gala, Tony Awards, Oscars, and more than 25 seasons of New York Fashion Week.

Beyond creating the look, Monaè is passionate about helping people better understand their hair and the artistry behind great styling. She brings the perspective of both a working beauty expert and longtime industry educator, sharing practical techniques, product knowledge, trend insight, and an inclusive approach to beauty that helps readers make more informed choices about their hair.

Meet Mireya Villarreal

Mireya is a distinguished hairstylist with a rich professional background, whose journey has taken her from a modest 600-square-foot salon to the helm of Pink Pewter, a globally recognized beauty brand. Her passion lies in inspiring others through her own story of triumph, challenges, and unwavering determination. Mireya blends her personal and entrepreneurial experiences to share a proven formula for success, offering an authentic look behind the scenes of building a business from the ground up.

As the creator of From Chair to BossTM, including the live event and online course, she equips beauty professionals with the mindset, financial literacy, and business strategy to confidently transition from behind the chair to ownership. In addition to her business achievements, Mireya leads The Pink Pewter FoundationTM, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides grants and scholarships to aspiring beauty professionals. Through these platforms, she continues to fuel a movement that empowers the next generation to build sustainable, independent careers in beauty.

Meet Nethan Nguyen

Nethan Nguyen is a Cranberry, Pennsylvania-based Nail Artist, Educator, and CEO of Nails & Co. With over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, he specializes in editorial nail artistry, innovative Gel-X designs, and luxury nail education. He’s worked with celebrity clients and was a speaker at Nailpro 2024. Through his work, content creation, and education, he strives to inspire fellow nail professionals while continuing to push creativity and innovation within the industry.

Meet Nina Tulio

With 29 years in the beauty industry, Nina Tulio is a globally recognized salon business coach, motivational speaker, and proud Business Education Ambassador for Oligo Professionnel. As a former hairstylist for 20 years, commission salon owner for 11 years, and former chain

salon executive, Nina brings not only extensive experience—but also deep empathy and a true

passion for uplifting the beauty industry. Her mission is to empower salon owners and stylists to grow with confidence, lead with authenticity, and build profitable, people-first businesses. Through real-world strategy and heartfelt guidance, Nina continues to inspire beauty

Meet Presley Poe

Presley Poe is a stylist of 25 years, specializing in Haircutting services. She’s a BTC One Shot winner, co-creator of Presley Poe and Friends,  global educator, and brand ambassador for BaBylissPro and an international educator for Hattori Hanzo. Presley is the owner of Gold Studios Salon, an all-inclusive space in Portland, Oregon dedicated to uplifting culture & community through the magic and love of hair art.

Meet Patricia Reign

Patricia “REIGN” Reign has two decades in the beauty industry. Reign’s journey began in middle school as a hair braider. Her love and passion for self-care reflect her ongoing commitment to staying informed about beauty and wellness trends. This knowledge allows her to recommend and use the finest products and services to her clients and team.

Beyond her entrepreneurial pursuits, Reign is committed to sharing her knowledge. She has conducted private classes for local beauty schools, mentoring other industry professionals in one-on-one sessions. Reign’s dedication to giving back through pampering and education has always been a driving passion. Her commitment to philanthropy shines through her work and dedication to working with the youth and many other organizations.

In her current phase, Reign has transitioned into speaking and educating. She shares insights on the benefits of self-care and wellness, emphasizing practices to prevent burnout.

Meet Scarlett Wooldrick

Scarlett brings a unique perspective from building a client-focused beauty business and specializing in acrylic nail services. She is passionate about education, product knowledge, and helping artists understand how to get the best results from the products they use behind the chair. Through her work, she hopes to continue supporting artists, improving the client experience, and contributing to the growth of the nail industry.

Meet Vivian B. Valenty

Vivian B. Valenty, Ph.D. is the founder, president and executive chairwoman of VB Cosmetics, Inc., a Chandler, Arizona-based manufacturer of clean, science-driven beauty products. A bio-organic chemist with a Ph.D. from Penn State University, Valenty spent decades in academia and corporate R&D — including roles at Skidmore College, the New York State Department of Health, Staley, and GE — before turning her chemistry expertise toward solving problems in the professional nail industry.

Valenty runs VB Cosmetics alongside a CEO, and her husband and co-founder, Steven Valenty, who serves as executive vice president. Under her leadership, the company has planted more than 1 million trees in Zambia and India through a partnership with WeForest and donates to nonprofits supporting women’s education, including the Girls Opportunity Alliance, Fresh Start, A Call to Men and Beauty Changes Lives. In 2025, she expanded her legacy with the launch of Vivian Valenty® Skincare, a results-driven, toxin-free line born from her own 25-year search for effective, non-paraben skincare.