INDUSTRYACHIEVEMENT
A Polished Act
As Jan Arnold is honoured with the Beauty Changes Lives Legacy Award, Scratch reflects on how she has shaped, elevated & redefined the nail industry
BY ALEX FOX
F ew people can change the dynamic of a room with a whisper of their name. Fewer still possess an effortless magnetism that captivates every generation, holding an audience spellbound without even trying. More exceptional are those who seem to silence the world around them as they pass by, like a breath of air that leaves you captivated and quietly in awe. Jan Arnold is all of this and more.
The industry icon will receive the Legacy Award from philanthropic organisation, Beauty Changes Lives, at its annual Gala this month, in honour of her footprint on the global nail stage. Through her vision and unwavering dedication, Jan has given her life and soul to uplifting and shaping the nail sector. She has helped to propel it to new levels, earning it recognition, respect and admiration.
The story so far
Jan’s industry journey started in 1978, when her father, Dr. Stuart Nordstrom, a practicing dentist, had the idea for a nail enhancement product and launched
SolarNail™ Liquid. This set a benchmark for liquid & powder systems. “Our company, Creative Nail Design formed in 1979,” Jan recalls. “My father shared his vision with myself and my siblings, Jim and Tom, as well as my mother, Mary. From the sidelines, my sisters, Ann and Carol, witnessed the madness.” The Nordstroms built the CND™ brand on a commitment to advancing the nail industry through ground-breaking innovation and world-class education.
In March 2025, the CND™ co-founder stepped down from her role at the brand, sharing that she felt ‘immensely blessed to have had an extraordinary career, filled with entrepreneurial adventures’ and was
‘beyond excited to continue [her] missions in beauty and the arts.” In September, Jan was appointed executive advisor to Glitterbels, with the move announced backstage at The Blonds SS26 New York Fashion Week show, where Glitterbels products were used. In her role, she focuses on product innovation, distribution channels and education programmes.
Jan with her mother, Mary, and brother, Jim.
Jan has also worked with Scratch to deliver two online nail contests: World’s Star Nail Artist (WSNA) and North America’s Star Nail Artist (NASNA), and describes these experiences as ‘incredibly rewarding’.
The Nordstrom family.
Glitterbels founders, Annabel and Elliott Maginnis, with Jan.
“Nails do for the hand what a stiletto does for the leg!”
JAN’S SAYING
Instagram.com/glitterbels
Lauren Wireman, founder of Wildflowers Nail Academy &
NAILS
NTNA winner, doing Jan’s nails.
Jan with fellow
Beauty Changes Lives
founding board members, Robert Passage and Lynelle Lynch.
An insight into
Beauty Changes Lives
Jan’s connection to Beauty Changes Lives (BCL) is both personal and deeply aligned with her values. She is a founding member of the charity, which is dedicated to making beauty and wellness a first-choice career through seasonal scholarships, mentorships and advocacy. Jan has led efforts to raise scholarship donations through the creation of the BCL CND™ Tippi Hedren Nail Scholarship Fund and BCL CND™ Masters Scholarship Fund.
What began as a mission to champion the dignity and value of a career in beauty has grown into a powerful platform for ‘opportunity, education and transformation’. The organisation equips the next generation of professionals with the tools to build meaningful, long-term careers, as Jan explains: “Beauty Changes Lives creates real pathways for people to succeed and thrive in this industry.”
She believes that the organisation plays a critical role in shifting perception and positioning beauty – particularly nails, as a respected and aspirational career choice. Jan values the collective power behind BCL, which brings together some of the most influential leaders in the global beauty industry under one shared purpose. “If we want our industry to thrive, we have to invest in the future,” she highlights. “Supporting the next generation means building a more creative, empowered and respected industry for years to come.” www.beautychangeslives.org
The power & the purpose
Reflecting on being named the recipient of the prestigious Legacy Award, Jan says: “As a co-founder of Beauty Changes Lives, this recognition is profoundly meaningful. Since 2012, I’ve poured my heart into championing the idea that professional beauty is not a backup plan; it’s a powerful, first-choice career. To see how far our industry has come is both humbling and exhilarating.
“Today, nail professionals are building six-figure businesses, sending their children to top universities, travelling the world and earning global acclaim as artists working on the smallest yet most expressive canvases. Witnessing that transformation, and knowing our foundation helped spark it, is one of the greatest honours of my life.
“My personal mission has always been to raise a million dollars to support the future of the nail profession, and I’m proud to say that I’m halfway there. Receiving the Legacy Award fuels my determination even more. It reminds me why we started Beauty Changes Lives: to elevate, celebrate and secure the future of our thriving professional nail community – and we’re just getting started. I hope we can continue expanding scholarships, mentorship opportunities and innovative programmes that empower the next generation of talent.”
With fashion designer, Manish Arora.
Fashion-forward fingertips
Reflecting on her career, Jan is clear that her vision for the nail industry was never small. From the very beginning, she has wholeheartedly believed that nails belong on the global fashion stage. For her, it was about moving nails beyond grooming and into the realm of true fashion accessories. She recognised early on what many had yet to see: that nails are tiny canvases, each with the power to elevate an outfit, spark conversation and express personal style in an intimate and unique way. It was this unwavering belief that not only defined her work, but contributed to a wider transformation – one that would eventually see nails earn their rightful place within global fashion.
“Innovation was the catalyst,” Jan shares. “As science and technology advanced, we created products that prevented longstanding challenges and focused on performance, safety and beauty. Suddenly, nail pros had tools that not only solved problems, but unlocked endless creative possibilities.
At The Blonds SS26
New York Fashion Week
show.
Photo by Jennifer Graylock (@graylockphoto)
“Earning our place in the fashion world didn’t happen overnight. It took investment, relationships, persistence, a talented team and a lot of ‘no’s before the big ‘yes’. But we stayed the course, and when fashion designers finally embraced nails as an integral part of their runway looks, the shift was undeniable. What once felt impossible became the new norm.”
Jan continues: “Today, bare nails on the runway are almost unheard of, which is a dramatic change from decades ago. Seeing our industry fully integrated into global fashion still fills me with pride. It’s proof that vision, tenacity and belief in the artistry of nails can reshape an entire industry.”
Jan’s connection between nails and high fashion was driven by a clear and instinctive understanding of fashion as a complete, cohesive narrative – plus an iconic personal style. From the outset, she drew inspiration from designers who recognised that nails were never an afterthought, but an integral part of the overall story. Visionaries such as The Blonds, Libertine and Marc
Jacobs understood that nails act as the final punctuation mark in a look, adding depth, personality and often an unexpected twist. “While not everyone may embrace a head-to-toe trend, such as a bold seasonal colour, nails offer a more accessible, expressive entry point,” Jan enthuses. “A flash of colour on the fingertips can become a statement in its own right: wearable, striking and undeniably fashion-forward.”
‘‘ I wake up energised by the same passions that have always driven me: innovation, science and the thrill of solving real challenges for nail professionals and clients. ‘‘
Jan and late brother, Jim Nordstrom (right), with Sweet Squared co-founders, Samantha and Samuel Sweet.
Central to bringing this vision to life was the exceptional calibre of nail professionals working alongside Jan. “They did far more than provide a service; they translated runway concepts into intricate, miniature works of art,” she smiles. “Working under the intensity and time pressures of backstage environments, they demonstrated remarkable precision, creativity and discipline.”
Harnessing this collaborative energy, Jan helped redefine nails not as an afterthought, but a powerful artistic medium – firmly securing their place within the language of high fashion. “Of course, not everyone saw nails this way at first. Many designers initially requested ‘quiet nudes’ or bare, buffed nails,” she reflects. “My response was always a firm ‘no’. A bare nail is a missed opportunity for creative expression, visual impact and press coverage that elevates beauty. Runway shows are meant to be heightened, theatrical and visionary. Nails should amplify that energy, not mute it.
“So, we took a stand together. We educated designers by inviting them into a creative universe where anything was possible on a nail: colour stories, texture, dimension and emotion. I insisted on contracts that honoured nail artistry with two or more colours and ensured nail professionals were given proper backstage space, lighting and time to execute their work at the level of excellence they’re known for.
“When we first arrived backstage, hair and make-up teams weren’t always sure how to integrate nails into the process. But our teams led with professionalism, collaboration and generosity, working in rhythm with the larger beauty ecosystem. Sometimes it was small gestures: manicures for fellow artists, shoulder massages or cuticle oil left on their stations. Over time, respect grew naturally. We weren’t just present; we were essential.
“What ultimately drove me was the belief that elevating nails means elevating the nail professional,” Jan continues. “Today, nail artists are recognised as creative partners in fashion. Seeing their work celebrated on the runway and in editorials affirms everything we stood for. This success is thanks to the persistence, artistry and integrity of the professionals who helped transform nails into a true fashion art form.”
With Libertine founder & creative director, Johnson Hartig.
Innovation with impact
Throughout her career, Jan has navigated multiple roles, from product innovator to creative visionary, yet it is the impact of her work that has defined both her greatest challenges and deepest fulfilment.
At the heart of this lies a commitment to chemistry and genuine innovation. In some cases, this meant pushing boundaries to the extent of developing entirely new molecules – a process as demanding as it was pioneering. Yet for Jan, the challenge was always part of the reward. The pursuit of what once seemed impossible, and the ability to turn breakthroughs into real-world impact, is what has made her journey profoundly meaningful.
“From my father’s groundbreaking creation of SolarNail™ to the invention of Shellac™ Gel Polish, the ride was wild, challenging and magnificent,” she cites. “Shellac™ alone took over five years to develop, guided by crystal clear objectives: two-plus weeks’ wear, the CND™ ‘butterfly removal’ method and no nail damage. Achieving that was a monumental challenge, but we did it, and it reshaped the nail universe.
“Shellac™ changed the consumer experience with long-lasting, durable, high-shine beauty, and it empowered nail pros to charge premium prices at a time when the country was emerging from recession. The product didn’t just enhance services; it brought clients back into salons in droves, revitalising an entire category.
“Equally fulfilling for me was the education behind every innovation,” Jan smiles. “Translating complex science into accessible, memorable concepts and creating analogies that sparked true understanding was one of my greatest joys. CND™ education ambassadors embraced that knowledge and carried it across the globe through certification programmes that ensured consistency, mastery and professional elevation. We created a system where consumers could trust that they were receiving a scientifically sound, premium service.”
The bold & the beautiful
Over the decades, Jan has drawn powerful lessons from the industry, particularly around creativity, resilience and leadership. She believes that building a global brand demands unwavering focus, relentless dedication and a deep sense of optimism, even in the most challenging moments. For Jan, creativity is inseparable from joy, and true innovation comes from fostering an environment where people feel valued, energised and empowered to contribute. She credits much of her success to listening – recognising that great leadership is not about having all the answers, but continuously learning and evolving.
Clarity of vision has also been essential. By focusing on ‘fewer, bigger, better’, Jan has learned to channel energy into what truly matters, avoiding distraction and maximising impact. Ultimately, she sees creativity as the driving force, resilience as the foundation and leadership as the ability to lift others.
Jan’s influence on the industry extends far beyond innovation and education – it is deeply rooted in the values she has consistently embodied and instilled in others. Central to her legacy is a philosophy built around five traits: professionalism, polish, principle, passion and boldness. Over time, these qualities became more than a framework for her company culture; they came to define her journey as a leader. Reflecting on this, Jan shares: “These aren’t just words – they represent an attitude, philosophy and commitment to how we show up for each other and our industry. When you model these traits and inspire them in others, you create alignment, strengthen leadership and build the kind of momentum that drives real change.”
Of all these values, it is boldness that holds the deepest personal significance. Naturally reserved in her early years, Jan describes her evolution into a confident leader as one of her greatest achievements. Stepping forward, confronting insecurities and embracing visibility became essential in shaping both her voice and impact. Her journey towards boldness was not instantaneous, but built over time – through challenges overcome, successes earned and a growing belief in herself.
Next gen nurture
The passage of time has done nothing to diminish Jan’s passion for the nail industry – if anything, it has deepened it. Her motivation today remains as strong as it was in the beginning, driven by a continued curiosity for the ever-evolving possibilities within the profession. At the heart of it all is her connection to the nail community and the impact she knows the industry can have on people’s lives.
As she explains: “Everything still excites me. After all these years, I wake up energised by the same passions that have always driven me: innovation, science and the thrill of solving real challenges for nail professionals and clients. But more than anything, it’s the people. My connection to the pro community inspires me every single day, and the opportunity to create positive change and shape the future of our industry is what keeps me moving.”
Looking ahead, it’s the next generation that fuels Jan’s greatest sense of purpose. Inspired by the enthusiasm she sees in young people discovering nails as a form of self-expression, she states: “What excites me most is seeing how much the next generation loves nails. They see it as creativity, fun and identity, and I often find myself asking, ‘What do they need? How do we support that passion and turn it into something meaningful, even a career?’”
For Jan, the future of the industry is something that must be actively nurtured. Investing in education, opportunity and empowerment is not just important; it’s essential to sustain growth and innovation. “This industry is a living, evolving force,” she reflects. “If we want it to thrive, we have to plant the seeds today – give back, pay it forward and equip the next generation with the tools, confidence and support they need.”
Jan presenting the finale nail look she conceptualised for the
Avant-Garde Global Nail Art Show
in Shanghai, 2025.
Photo courtesy of Shanghai Muzer Cosmetics Co. Ltd
Reeling in the years
Far more than professional success, Jan credits the nail industry as having given her a deep sense of connection, belonging and purpose. “It’s provided me with something far greater than recognition,” she notes. “It’s given me a sense of family. The relationships, shared passion and creativity – there’s truly nothing else like it.” The people within the industry: from educators to nail pros around the world, have been a constant source of inspiration, fuelling her passion and reinforcing the meaning behind her work. For Jan, this was never just a career, but a calling. Ultimately, it is this sense of home – built on trust, artistry and shared purpose, that she values most.
Believing the most dramatic evolution in the nail industry has been driven by innovation, Jan cites that what began with a singular focus on the L&P system has expanded into a sophisticated world of advanced coatings, gels and creative possibilities, placing the industry at the forefront of beauty technology. Performance, longevity and artistic expression have reached unprecedented levels, yet in Jan’s view, progress has not been matched in business confidence.
She explains: “We’ve advanced far in innovation, but many professionals are still undervaluing their work. Clients recognise excellence – and they are willing to pay for it.” Jan also highlights the need for greater discipline in technique and education, and believes the sector’s next stage of growth lies in raising standards, valuing expertise and fully stepping into its worth.
When quizzed on her industry footprint moving forward, Jan smiles and shares: “The future continues to call me forward with possibility. I remain deeply inspired by the evolving landscape of the nail profession, where artistry, innovation, wellness and technology intersect. In the coming years, my focus will be on advancing nail innovation that elevates both the professional and client experience: smarter products, healthier systems, creative education and platforms that empower artists to thrive as respected professionals and entrepreneurs. I will continue to champion the nail industry as a powerful force for creativity, economic opportunity and personal transformation, while expanding my dedication to the arts and Beauty Changes Lives.
“At the heart of it all is a commitment to joy, wellness and meaningful connection, plus living fully, creatively and generously with the family, friends and community that have inspired me every step of the way.”