Sugared Poppy

In 1995 Alisha Rimando started her journey in the nail industry working in a salon and soon became an educator. She immediately fell in love with teaching and found herself traveling the world as an educator, competitor and hand model for World Champion, Tom Holcomb. Working alongside him, she studied his techniques and after 10 years she achieved her World Championship title in 2005 in the art of pink and white sculptured nails.
In 2008 Alisha moved to New York and took another leap in her career by contributing to the 6th edition of Milady Nail Technology. Since 2008 Alisha has authored and/or contributed to more than 10 textbooks and supplements for Cengage Learning including Standard Cosmetology and continues this honor year after year.
Being so close to NYC Alisha became a session artist for magazines, designers at NY Fashion Week and was even featured in Jennifer Hudson’s Spotlight video. She also spent 3 years as Training Director at Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas where she earned her reflexology license and trained over 360 nail technicians in 31 locations across the USA in the art of natural nail care.
When her mentor and best friend, Tom Holcomb passed in 2011 she was compelled to rejoin the professional market and resume teaching the methods of nail enhancements he had taught her. Over her vast 25+ year career her work has been featured in hundreds of trade publications worldwide and she has conducted training seminars for nail students, professionals, and top educators in more than 25 countries.
Now she brings her experience and passion for the industry to GlossaryLive, a passion project to honor her mentor and celebrate the nail artists of the world.