Full Circle Youth Empowerment

Full Circle Youth Empowerment is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping underserved teens achieve self-suffiency and success. Through this initiative, we had the opportunity to introduce young women to different trades, industries and career paths by sharing our knowledge and experience in nail artistry.

During our time with Full Circle, we taught the girls various nail design techniques, including line art, French tips, and rhinestone designs. Using individual nail tips, they were able to experiment with different colors, styles, and techniques, almost as if they were creating their own custom press-on nail sets. This allowed them to explore their creativity and express themselves through beauty and fashion in a way they may not have experienced before.

Throughout the experience, we noticed that some of the girls were hesitant and not entirely confident in their designs. This gave us the opportunity to remind them that art is subjective and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There isn't always a right or wrong way to express yourself creatively. Sometimes, it's simply about having confidence in what you're creating and wearing it with that same confidence.

As they worked on their designs, we helped them with different techniques, suggested color combinations, and encouraged them to keep going and trying even when something didn't turn out the way they initially envisioned. It was also refreshing to see the girls helping one another, sharing ideas, laughing, talking, and bonding over something as simple as doing nails together

Beyond the nail artistry itself, we appreciate the initiative behind Full Circle Youth Empowerment. One of the challenges faced by many underserved and inner-city communities is the limited availability of accessible programs and activities that provide young people with productive outlets. Programs like Full Circle help address the gap that desires to be filled by creating opportunities for teens to learn new skills, explore their interests, build relationships and spend time participating in activities that can positively contribute to their development

We also wanted the girls to understand that there are opportunities beyond the traditional 9-to-5 career path. Nail artistry, for example, can begin as a hobby or creative outlet and develop into a career or business. Even if they never pursue cosmetology professionally, the creativity, patience, problem solving and confidence can develop through experiences like these are skills they can carry into other areas of their lives.

Overall, it was a rewarding experience to witness the young women learning, experimenting, encouraging one another, and growing more comfortable with their creativity. It reminded us of the importance of providing spaces where young people can come together, try something new and discover interests they may not have otherwise explored.

We're grateful to Full Circle Youth Empowerment for allowing Honey Nail & Beauty Studio to be part of an initiativ e that encourages young women to recognize their potential, explore different possibilities, and express themselves with confidence.