Vanity Projects Institute—
a hybrid online education platform & in-person nail art seminars.
Vanity Projects, the premier nail industry leader working with the most creative nail artists, launched Vanity Projects Institute in June 2021, and has since expanded its curriculum to include in-person instruction with top-tier talent in New York.
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Our hybrid online nail education program offers both Beginner and Intermediate Level courses that provide vital tools for professionals and hobbyists alike. In addition to the 7-day comprehensive programs, there are 12 accelerated courses focused on individual designs.
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The in-person masterclasses officially launch in January 2026, featuring the Hard Gel Extension Masterclass with Kanae Yagi and the Advanced Anime Character Design class with Naomi
Nato. Both instructors are JNA-certified Japanese nail artists dedicated to bringing your nail artistry to the next level. Registration for in-person classes opens now—discover more and secure your place below.
BECOME A SUPER TALENT
The Vanity Projects Institute vision is to elevate nail education and develop highly skilled professional nail artists.
Our rigorous curriculum comprises both technical and artistic training to form a foundation we believe is vital for a successful career in the nail industry.
A WORD FROM OUR FOUNDER
Our mission is clear; now is the time for innovation, reinvention, and investing in your future.
More than ever, investing in self-improvement to develop new skills will make a big impact in your future earnings, grow your book, and create new and significant opportunities within the nail industry. We are invested in this process with you 100%. Our courses propel your skills to enable expansive possibilities.
We offer two different styles of hybrid online curricula: Comprehensive & Accelerated.
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Comprehensive Curriculum:
There are two levels of comprehensive hybrid curricula: Beginner Level and Intermediate Level. Beginner and Intermediate Level courses each contain 6 pre-recorded class videos and a live Q&A session with the instructor. Students will have assignments throughout the course, and a final test. Each level requires 7 days to complete; the students will obtain the VPI diploma upon completion.
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Accelerated Curriculum:
Our accelerated courses are design-centric and can be completed in less than one week. Students will skip the nail prep education portion (as they would learn in Beginner and Intermediate) and solely focus their education on design skills. Students will only have one homework item to complete, and still, receive a live Q&A session with the instructor.
For optimal results which include learning more designs, manicure duration, and client retention, we highly encourage you to enroll in our Beginner and Intermediate level courses so you have the full scope of skills to become a MASTER of your craft.
We currently offer two in-person masterclasses in New York:
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Hard Gel Extension Masterclass
This class focuses on one of the most essential skills for professional nail artists—combining technical precision with creative design to create durable, natural-looking enhancements. This three-hour intensive includes a live demonstration, hands-on practice, and personalized guidance to ensure you master each step of the process.
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Advanced Anime Character Design
This class takes your artistry to the next level. In this four-hour course, you’ll learn how to translate inspirational images into refined, expressive nail art. Through live demos, hands-on practice, and one-on-one instruction, you’ll develop the precision, layering techniques, and attention to detail required to bring characters to life.
REGISTRATION IS EASY
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ADD COURSE TO CART
CHECKOUT & PAY
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RECEIVE WELCOME PACKAGE AND ACCESS TO THE COURSE
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START LEARNING
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COMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS AND FINAL TEST
ATTEND A LIVE SESSION WITH THE INSTRUCTOR
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*Welcome Package contains a list of suggested products and other information you will need to complete the course.
RECEIVE VPI DIPLOMA
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Meet your instructors
Courses are instructed by our Artistic Director Kanae Yagi, Japanese Nail Association (JNA) certified educator and master nail artist. With over fifteen years of experience, Yagi is one of the leading international celebrity nail artists working in the United States. Her curriculum is based on a Japanese methodology that provides the tools and knowledge focused on quality nail preparation and technical design execution.
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Our Lead Instructor is Gena del Portillo, with over 10+ years of experience. Gena is one of the founding artists at Vanity Projects Miami with an extensive nail education background based in Florida. She is key to the success of this hybrid program as she gently guides students to improve beyond measure!
Scholarships
Committed to providing opportunities for the nail technician community at large, VPI will offer two scholarships
yearly for BIPOC and AAIP nail artists. A full tuition scholarship will be awarded to one Beginner Level and one Intermediate Level student during the Spring and Fall seasons, affording four nail technicians each year the means to experience VPI’s career-catapulting curriculum. In addition, 5 Accelerated Curriculum Design courses will be gifted throughout the year. Sign up today for consideration!
History
Vanity Projects is a luxury nail salon concept that merges a Japanese style nail art atelier with video art programming. Established in 2010, with locations in both New York and Miami, we specialize in innovative gel manicures from the most sought-after nail artists. Vanity Projects was founded on the premise of elevating the nail salon context within a dialogue rooted in culture and a passion for art. Inspired by leading international nail artists, Vanity Projects has become synonymous with quality and talent.
Vanity Projects Institute was conceived and developed by Vanity Projects founder, Rita Pinto. The same principles of merging top-tier talent with fine art sensibilities are core to our vision.
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Inspired by the Vanity Projects Artist-in-Residency program, which features leading international celebrity nail artists, in both their New York and Miami locations, Pinto saw a meaningful impact on her resident artists within this incubator like environment. This critical exchange of ideas and techniques has in turn developed some of the top nail artists working in the industry today.
