Meet Elaine Watson | Global Education Director of Light Elegance

At Light Elegance, we are thrilled to introduce you to our Global Education Director, Elaine Watson! We encourage you to get to know Elaine's story below and connect with her as she officially joins the LE Family as an incredible asset to the LE Team! 


Elaine Watson's journey is a tapestry of colorful experiences that have shaped her into the remarkable professional she is today.

Born and raised in the picturesque state of Maine, Elaine hails from a family where the extraordinary is the norm. Her parents, against the odds, have maintained a loving partnership, providing the steadfast foundation upon which her journey would unfold.

Elaine was a spirited sports enthusiast in her younger years, harboring dreams of leveraging her athletic talents to fund her college education. However, as time passed, her passion for sports waned, and the allure of a college degree lost its sparkle.

A turning point arrived when Elaine's older sister embarked on a journey into cosmetology school, introducing Elaine to the world of artificial nails. Elaine became her sister's canvas, honing her own nail skills in the process. College no longer seemed like the perfect fit, and in 1994, she set off on a new path, obtaining her nail tech license.

The Watson family's story took an intriguing twist when Elaine's father retired from his civilian Navy career to venture into the beauty industry as a Cosmetologist. This unexpected move transformed the Watsons into a dynamic family team poised to leave an indelible mark on the world of nails and cosmetology.

In 1995, Elaine crossed paths with Tony Cuccio, embarking on her career as a brand educator. By 1999, a local distributor presented a compelling opportunity - they sought her as their in-house educator while she continued to manage her nail business. That very year, she had the privilege of training with Jim McConnell, the genius behind Light Elegance, as well as the brand EzFlow. Subsequently, she joined INM as an educator, with the California training experience forever altering her career's trajectory.

captured in a moment of pure joy while vacationing in Dunoon, Scotland. This charming island holds a special place in Elaine’s heart, as she once spent a memorable summer there with her mom and dad during her teenage years.

In 2003, Elaine exchanged vows with Mike, the love of her life. The following year, they boldly bid farewell to their Maine roots and journeyed to California. Her role evolved from "Elaine, the Educator, and Nail Technician" to "Elaine, the Executive" at Cuccio. She would later embrace the role of Executive Vice President at KUPA. In 2020 a decision influenced by the pandemic-induced shifts in her professional landscape and facing the challenge head-on, Mike and Elaine embarked on a brave move to Arizona, a decision they have not regretted.

A STARRING ROLE IN NAILS

Elaine's professional journey is nothing short of extraordinary:

Her globetrotting adventures saw her sharing her nail expertise with professionals worldwide.

Elaine's talents took center stage as the lead artist in a New York Fashion Week team.

In an unprecedented feat, she graced the covers of both Nails and Nailpro magazines within a single month.

With a keen eye for marketing, media, and video artistry, she skillfully added numerous facets to her professional repertoire.

Nail Drama

Here’s Elaine on the “Nail’d It” set, doing what she does best - judging nails in a nail-biting competition. Taking a closer look at a competitor’s creation during one of the show’s epic challenges.

Elaine's unique vantage point came from her role as a judge on the Oxygen network's reality competition show, Nail'd It.

Serving as the Head Booth Judge at Nailympia, she ventured to exciting destinations, contributing her invaluable expertise.

Her touch of glamour left a lasting impression on the nails of illustrious celebrities, including Rihanna and Serena Williams.

Elaine's dedication to education shone as she led as the Subject Matter Expert for the 2023 Edition of Pivot Point's Nail School educational materials.

LOVE, FUR BABIES AND ADVENTURE

On a more personal note,

Mike, her husband, is more than a life partner; he's her confidant and the love of her life. Their affectionate connection may be envy-inducing, but it's their love story in full bloom. They are fur parents to two crazy Boston Terriers, Lily (the athletic 15-year-old) and Daisy (the crazy 11-year-old).

Elaine's unwavering commitment to four days a week at the gym serves as a necessary counterbalance to her indulgence in her all-time favorite guilty pleasure: Kraft Mac and Cheese.

Tiffany Blue is her preferred hue, with light Pink as a close second, though Rose Gold holds a special place in her heart.

Her music tastes gravitate towards alternative rock tunes, but she's also known to groove to contemporary pop hits, and you might just catch her in a Taylor Swift sing-along.