Educators
Educators
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@hilarydawnherrera
With a passion for education, self-expression and business, Hilary Dawn Herrera (@hilarydawnherrera) has built an empire doing and teaching nails that she wants to share with you. She works with top brands in the industry as well as her own brand, HDH, to provide you with nail education. Together, with her handsome husband and two young sons, they own a nail-exclusive salon, Lacquered Loft, and run a multi-faceted nail education businesses. Hilary finds great joy in teaching nail design and learning from others and craves to empower them in their careers.
@nailthoughts
KATIE MASTERS IS A SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA BASED NAIL ARTIST.
She opened her own private nail studio 7 years ago and ever since then has become known for her whimsical and abstract nail art style. Her socials are filled with not just nail inspiration, but also business ownership tips, mindset and social media guidance, and a LOT of raw behind the scenes of what it's like to have a beauty industry business.
@paolaponcenails
Paola Ponce is a Japanese Gel aficionada! Once she crossed paths with Japanese Gel in 2015, she wanted nothing to do.. with nothing else. After niching down and achieving booked-solid success as a specialized soak-off gel specialist, primarily with potted gel systems, Paola decided to close up shop and start a new career as a nail educator. She now shares her success with the world through her YouTube channel, blog, and online courses so that the next generation can quickly find success in this industry specializing in soak-off gel.
@reireishnailart
Reina Santos is based in Fairfield in Northern California, where she specializes in Gel Extensions and Structured Gel Manis, as well as nail art! She has been in the nail industry for 9 years and started her nail career in LA where she worked on set as a celebrity nail artist, as well as doing editorial work. Her work has been featured in Nylon Mag, Entertainment Weekly, Vogue China, Marie Claire Indonesia, Paper Magazine, Nails Magazine and more. In 2017, she was given the honor to do the cover nails for NailPro Magazine.
She opened her nail salon, Luxe Nailscape in 2018 in Fairfield, CA. Luxe Nailscape was voted Solano County’s Best Nail Salon from 2019-2022. In December of 2022, she decided to sell Luxe Nailscape to begin her new journey as an Independent Nail Artist and Educator.
"My passion is all things nails and I’m so excited to start my new journey as a Kokoist Educator. " - Reina Santos
@rachel.messick
Rachel Messick is a Southern California based manicurist, industry educator, and salon owner. She specializes in natural nail care and gel overlays as well as impactful, accessible nail art. Her work has been featured in NailPro Magazine, Allure, Nylon, InStyle and Cosmopolitan.
@thenailwhisperer
With over 13 years of experience in the industry, Dylan has seen it all. Through his experiences in the field in the major cities of Toronto, New York, Miami, and Las Vegas, he has collected wisdom from the heaviest hitters in the industry, in order to master and refine his techniques.
Dylan’s monicker “The Nail Whisperer” is a name that he truly strives to embody. His specialties lie in structural gel overlays and custom design, which he uses to let his clients love and embrace their natural nails.
After being part of the KOKOIST USA team for the past 2 years, it is a very exciting step for Dylan to embark on his journey as an educator.
@noellefuyunails
@beeladynails.and.goods
Hi, I’m Tori aka the Bee Lady 👋
I’m a nail artist who runs a Melbourne-based nail studio called @naughty_nail_bar.
I created Bee Lady Nails & Goods around 1 year ago based on my struggle in finding nail products to do nail arts as well as Japanese Gels in Australia - and that’s how this little store was born!
Inspired by the bond between the Bee and flowers, when the bee collects honey, also helps the flower bloom. I’m hoping to build a supportive environment for the nail artist community with our high-quality Japanese nail products and knowledge, while also providing a new alternative for the Australian nail industry—something different, quick in service but also offering room for creativity and expressions, without sacrificing quality.
We couldn’t be here without your support, so thank you! And for those who are new, welcome to the Bee Lady Nails & Goods. 💛🐝
@novanailsoficial
Born and raised in California, Priscila is currently based in Temucla, CA and has been doing nails for almost 10 years. Originally only doing acrylics, Priscila started working with gels 5 years ago and fell in love. "I was introduced to Japanese gels, specifically KOKOIST gels and it made my job so much easier that I never went back! The pigment, consistency, and quality was IT for me." She enjoys teaching, as she has given many classes for beginner nail technicians in both Spanish and English. She also enjoys teaching and sharing turtorials on what she has learned through her various social media channels. You can find her on YouTube (English & Spanish), TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.
"[I'm] excited to see what the future brings.. the sky is the limit!" - Priscila
@nailjerks
A nail Artist from the Bay Area, CA, now located in Los Angeles, Lila has been in the industry for over 14 years and has been teaching specialized art classes since 2017. She has traveled and had art residencies in major cities 🌃 over the U.S : New York, LA, Miami, San Francisco and internationally, most recently in Tokyo
Lila specializes in airbrush and bringing innovative trends to the nail industry. “Foundation is everything but Art is what sets YOU apart”
Her work has been featured in Vogue, Allure, LA Times, New York Magazine, Office Magazine just to name a few 💖
@grownglobeautybar
Tianna Webb is a Canadian based manicurist located in Whitby, Ontario. Her idea for Grow N Glo Beauty Bar was manifested out of a passion for personal grooming and the desire to create a space that prioritized self-care--especially for the BIPOC community. Since opening her private studio in 2019, Tianna's journey as a nail artist and educator has only just begun. She remains dedicated to providing luxury nail care, accessible product knowledge, and a personalized experience for her clients and students alike.
@toothandnailnc
CHANCEY FURNAS is a North Carolina native and has surprisingly never lived anywhere else.
"I'm a triple scorpio-- which really just means I tend to cry over everything and have a lot of emotions. (But in the fun way!) I recently married my best friend at a little Elvis chapel in Las Vegas and now we've settled down permanently in Asheville, NC with our two precious dogs. My favorite part about being a nail technician is getting to create tiny designs and finding the details that set it apart from others. If I'm not at the nail studio messing around with new shop layouts or a nail design you can usually find me exploring the food and beverage scene of Asheville. We. Love. To. Eat. I'm so excited for this opportunity to educate for my favorite brand and I can't wait to see how everything goes!" - Chancey
@fourthrocknails
Mars is a San Antonio, TX based Nail Artist who started her nail journey 11 years ago. For the last 4 years she has brought to life the haven that is FourthRockNails Studio (voted Top 3 rated nail salons in SABest '22) . Her nail art has been featured in the local San Antonio Current as well as InStyle. She is known for her character art and attention to detail. Mars has been an educator for the last 2 years, focusing on teaching Nail Art and is extremely excited to join KOKOIST to bring awareness to the amazing products and techniques she fell in love with back in 2018. Previously an acrylic tech, Mars attended a demo for KOKOIST USA and decided that gel was her calling.
"Creativity has sparked my passion and I hope to inspire others in the same ways." - Mars
@polishedbymei
Meilani DeBlois is a Metro Detroit based nail artist. She has been licensed for almost 10 years and specializes in natural nails and gel extensions with minimalist nail art. After discovering KOKOIST USA in 2020, her journey and love with Japanese Gel began. She loves being able to share her knowledge and love of gel products through her teachings and social media.
@cassprostudios
CASSIE MCLEOD has been doing nails full time now for 4 years, doing only semi hard gel on natural nails. She started mobile, traveling to her clients homes, and in April 2021 Cassie opened Cass Pro Studios.
"We now have 3 nail techs here including myself performing only gel services. I love to be creative with my clients, I am passionate about nail art and nail health, and love connecting with other nail techs in my community. My staff and I volunteer once a month at a local Assisted Living Facility, giving free manicures to the residents. Doing nails is my first love and I feel blessed to have been able to make it a career." - Cassie
@lavendergracenails
GRACE GARNER is 26 years old, living and working in Yorkshire in the UK.
"I have been a nail technician for 6 years. I began working from a home studio, now I am based in a luxury salon in a busy town center. I completed my teacher training in 2021 and have had the pleasure of training talented students for the past 18 months. I am really passionate about my job, and enjoy every challenge and job that comes my way. For the past 12 months I have been working alongside TAFS who are the sole stockist for KOKOIST in the UK. We have begun creating some content for their social media using their fantastic products. In return from this course, together with TAFS, we are excited to be able to offer an education center for new and existing nail technicians." -Grace
@dayna.boissoneault
Dayna Boissoneault is from Cranston, RI and has been a licensed nail technician since 2005.
"Shortly after starting my career, I started working with gel and have been dedicated to continuing my education in all aspects of my profession. In 2017, I became an educator for Akzentz and have taught classes since then part time along with a full clientele. I have received numerous certifications over the years and the ACE Gold level of achievement from Akzentz. Recently, I’ve shifted my focus more on education and continue to service a small clientele and create educational content. I look forward to learning and growing more myself as I continue to educate new and veteran nail techs." -Dayna
@naileeeen
Eileen, a seasoned nail artist with a passion for precision and creativity, brings her expertise to the forefront as an educator for KOKOIST. Since 2018, Eileen has been honing her craft, specializing in structured nail overlays and bespoke nail art using Japanese gels. With a clientele spanning Miami and Orlando, she has established herself as a go-to expert in the industry. Eileen's talents have caught the attention of celebrities, and her work has graced the screens of commercials, showcasing her exceptional skill and attention to detail. As an educator, Eileen is dedicated to sharing her knowledge and passion, empowering others to excel in the art of nail design.
@jacindanails
JACINDA VARGAS is from Chicago IL and has been doing nails for 3 years now. Nails started as a hobby and quickly turned in to a passion of hers.
"I love that the nail world never stops. There is always something new to learn and always new trends/styles to wear." - Jacinda
@darlingtonbeautyco
NIKITA DARLINGTON is a private nail tech working from my home studio for 8 years, specializing in structured manicures and detailed nail art (@darlingbeautyco). She has owned Beauty Bestie NZ for 2 years.
"Our mission is to elevate the standard of the nail industry in New Zealand & Australia by providing modern education and the highest quality nail products." -Nikita
@nailtechsocialclub
"Hi, I'm Calene! I like Drake, Diet Coke, nail art and making people laugh. I'm a natural nail tech of 5 years, a gel product distributor of 2 years and a Virgo of 29 years. The goal and focus of my career these days is to help other Canadian nail technicians find access to quality education, resources, products and community. I am also incredibly passionate about small business and I want to inspire other nail techs to discover the full potential of their income in this industry!" -Calene
@donna_cao
DONNA CAO has been a nail artist for 11 years. She is originally from Wichita Kansas, but is currently living in Brooklyn New York.
"I co-own a nail salon called Ciaonailco in Kansas with my two business partners and share a small studio room with a coworker in New York. I really love learning about spirituality and this year I want to start running and maybe someday run a marathon. I love all things art and enjoy creating." - Donna
@nailsbymel.co
"Born and raised in the vibrant landscapes of Puerto Rico, my life has been an intricate tapestry of art, science, and a deep love for nature. From my early days spent exploring the School of Arts, nurturing my passion for creativity, to eventually diving into the world of biology, where I study bachelor degree exploring the wonders of life. Later on I started another bachelor in the field of architecture pursuing my passion for art.
Despite my scientific pursuits, my heart always finds solace in art. The canvas and the microscope have both been my companions, each offering a unique perspective on the world around me. Alongside my professional journey, I’ve embraced outdoor adventures, relishing the sun-kissed beaches and cherishing moments with friends and family, often over a glass of wine or a plate of food (I’m a foodie).
This year marked a new chapter as an educator in the nail industry. And unexpectedly, I found joy and fulfillment as an educator, relishing the chance to share my knowledge and passion with others, bringing happiness through learning.
My life’s journey continues to weave a beautiful tapestry of diverse passions and pursuits, each contributing its unique hue to the masterpiece that is my autobiography." -Melanie
@karanailedit
KARA CREVIER is a nail artist and educator based in Portland, OR. Originally loyal to regular nail polish, she was looking to switch to gel products to grow her nails, was introduced to the world of KOKOIST, and everything has changed for the better. Now she is extremely passionate about natural nail health, and empowering others to learn and use the best techniques to keep their nails as healthy and beautiful as possible using gel polish. She shares daily videos and art tutorials on her socials (@karanailedit) and is so excited to offer formal education to you all.
@kioko.nails
JESSICA CHEUNG is from Vancouver, B.C. Canada. She is a Blanche MacDonald Nail Pro ‘19 graduate, complemented by multiple nail certifications from Japanese and Korean educators.
As the owner of KIOKO NAIL SUPPLY @kiokonailsupply and the creative mind behind @kioko.nails, her passion for the Asian nail industry drove her to create a platform offering premium products, resources, and education in Canada.
"My mission is to empower and inspire fellow nail enthusiasts by providing top-notch products that elevate their work. I'm dedicated to guiding them in discovering their passion and unlocking their full potential in the thriving nail community.
Beyond nails, I’m a travel enthusiast and foodie, always up for new adventures and experiences. And when I’m not on the go, I’m at home enjoying quality time with my fur-baby." - Jessica
@_gelcoco
"Hi! My name is Coralis Rodríguez, best known as Gelcoco from Puerto Rico. I love love to travel and have fun creating memories, as much I like to spend time with my loved ones.
I’ve started in this industry in early 2018, where my hobby turned out to be my passion. Art has been part of my life since I can remember and it plays a big part as a Nail Artist; it allows me to express myself by creating tiny little art and inspiring others to elevate their creativity. Finding quality in my work is a big part of the never-ending education I’ve taken. My focus will always be providing exceptional service to my clients and educating with love and passion to help others elevate their techniques.
Over the years I have come to understand that even if you feel scared you should do it anyways, because once you visualize your highest self you just have to start showing up as her." -Coralis
@luxury.nailshop
KATHLEEN SALCEDO is from Puerto Rico.
"My passion is to embrace others to believe in them and conquer whatever they visualize.
I love to learn and teach. I will be a forever student. I decide to take this path in life with the main purpose of impact people, one at the time and with God first. I am a true believer that any goal with a plan can be real. " -Kathleen
@nailmasterdallas
IRYNA PALIANSKAYA is a practicing manicurist and highly sought educator from Dallas (Texas), an owner of a popular Nailmasterdallas.com store (NMD Store) that distributes several great professional brands such as KOKOIST, Akzentz, STALEKS, Marathon, ULKA, FARB and many others (from 9 countries). Almost 15 years in nail industry, Iryna is known for her great training, impeccable artistic works, and excellent customer service of the NMD Store. She, her husband Alex, and son Robert reside in North Dallas, Texas.
@beautybytzarna
"I'm a 27 year old dog and cat mum, no they do not get along! I've always done my own nails and at 19 I decided to do one class and ended up loving it and now almost 8 years later, I can't believe I thought I need to finish my degree as a "back up" because I couldn't imagine a world now that I would ever go into speech pathology. I have a home studio where I do nails, waxing, spray tans and facials and steady clientele that keep me busy. I spend all my spare time with my nose in a book, usually on the beach with my husband." -Tzarna
@lasalonriiko
Riiko was born in Japan and spent most of her life in Hawaii. Riiko has 21 years experience in the industry and has been an Educator for Kokoist for the last 8 years. She specializes in Kokoist gel nails. Riiko started her nail career in Honolulu, HI working with Koko, CEO and Founder of Kokoist, then to Japan assisting in the opening of Nail Salon Koko and now owns and operates La Salon Riiko Nail Studio in San Antonio, TX where her nail artists and herself exclusively use Kokoist. Riiko enjoys Educating and introducing Kokoist to new clients and nail techs.