The 2025 Beauty Changes Lives Gala, held on Saturday, May 31, at the Hilton Orlando in collaboration, for the first time, 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, including The Tease, to honor excellence and raise funds for Beauty Changes Lives’ 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 the gala’s 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.
As the #1 resource for pro beauty industry scholarships, Beauty Changes Lives is fueled by the generosity of its supporters, volunteers, and advocates. “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!” says BCL scholarship recipient Filsen Adam. Adam is now a Licensed Advanced Practice Esthetician and Circadia Skin Global Educator.
The Beauty Changes Lives Gala will return to Orlando next year on Saturday, May 30th, 2026. See you there?
