Beauty Changes Lives Gala 2025: A Night of Glamour, Gratitude, and Giving Back

Beauty Changes Lives Gala 2025: A Night of Glamour, Gratitude, and Giving Back

Orlando, FL – May 31, 2025 – The 2025 Beauty Changes Lives Gala, held on Saturday, May 31, at the Hilton Orlando in collaboration with Premiere Orlando, was an unforgettable evening celebrating the transformative power of beauty and wellness. The event brought together over 400 industry leaders, professionals, and supporters to honor excellence and raise funds for the organization’s mission to make beauty and wellness careers a first choice.

The gala was emceed by industry icons Sam Villa and Elizabeth Faye, whose dynamic presence set the tone for an inspiring night. A highlight of the evening was the generous $300,000.00 paddle raise studded by record-breaking contributions by brands and individuals alike. A surprise match-gift of $50,000 was made by Linh and Tam Nguyen of Advance Beauty College, turning ten $5,000 donations into $100,000.00 on the spot! Thanks to the collective generosity of our guests, the event raised over $700,000.00 to support the mission and programs of Beauty Changes Lives.

This year’s Legacy Awards honored three trailblazers whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the beauty industry:

Legacy Awardee in Hair: Reuben Carranza, Group CEO of Bansk Beauty, recognized for his visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to mentorship and philanthropy.
Legacy Awardee in Wellness: Michael Q. Pugliese, CEO of Circadia, celebrated for his commitment to education, innovation, and empowering skincare professionals worldwide.
Legacy Awardee in Nails: Minh Tam Nguyen & The Nguyen Family, honored for their profound legacy in the nail industry and their transformative impact on the Vietnamese-American beauty community.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our sponsors, whose generous support made this event possible:

Presenting Sponsor: L’Oreal Professional Products Division
Diamond Sponsor: Regal Nails Salon & Spa
Platinum & Scholarship Sponsors: amika, Bellus Academy, Circadia, CLICS, Ulta Beauty, Wella Company
Gold Sponsors: Aveda, Innersense Organic Beauty, Neill Corporation, Pivot Point International, Reuzel, Sam Villa, Universal Companies, Vitality Project
Silver Sponsors: Associated Hair Professionals, Associated Skincare Professionals, KAO Salon Division
Bronze Sponsors: Borboleta Pro, Paul Mitchell, Qnity for Schools, Sola Salons
Copper Sponsors: Martinni Beauty

The Beauty Changes Lives Gala 2025 was more than an event—it was a testament to the power of community, innovation, and the enduring impact of giving back. As the #1 Resource for Industry Scholarships, Beauty Changes Lives is fueled by the generosity of our supporters, volunteers, and advocates. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for beauty and wellness professionals.

“Thanks to the Circadia scholarship I received through Beauty Changes Lives, I was able to follow my passion and build a career that I absolutely love!” – Filsen Adam, BCL scholarship recipient, Licensed Advanced Practice Esthetician, and Circadia Skin Global Educator

Special thanks to the BCL Gala Committee:

Co-Chair, April McCoy, Reuzel
Co-Chair, Karen Short, Universal Companies
Beth Carson, Sam Villa
Elizabeth Faye, Vitality Project
Linh Nguyen, Advance Beauty College
Steve Reiss, Pivot Point
Julia Travaglia, amika

The Beauty Changes Lives Gala will return to Orlando, Saturday, May 30, 2026!

View more photos from the Gala

Beauty Changes Lives is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to making careers in beauty and wellness a first choice. Through its scholarship, mentorship, awareness and advanced education programs, Beauty Changes Lives is empowering the next generation of professionals and elevating the Industry. To get involved or make a donation, please visit https://beautychangeslives.org