Bellus Academy continues to elevate its profile as a destination school for advanced beauty education with the announcement of Emanuel (Manny) SanMartin as Creative Director.
San Martin stepped into the Creative Director role effective August 1, after serving in various leadership positions since 2013.
In addition to serving as a Nioxin Top Artist, San Martin has led Bellus Academy’s male grooming curriculum and introduced a signature series of barbering cuts featured in leading trade publications. His Homme barbering collection created in 2015 received national industry attention and positioned Bellus Academy has a barbering innovator.
An artist with a passion for digital content, San Martin develops and curates the Academy’s digital curriculum. He recently developed a series of video tutorials for, providing both left-handed and right-handed techniques for styles ranging from pixies and bobs to asymmetrical cuts. From a social media perspective, San Martin recently reenergized Bellus Academy’s YouTube channel with content covering a range of services from emerging hair trends to advanced makeup and nail designs.
San Martin’s new position as Creative Director reflects Bellus Academy’s investment in education to support hairstylists’ art across the professional spectrum, from newly licensed hairstylist to award-winning platform artist. The focus on creativity includes editorial and video resources to support hairstylists. In June, Bellus Academy installed an in-house photo studio available to serve alumni and students. The studio is equipped with lighting and technology to support high-definition print, broadcast and digital work. “Bellus’ investment in technology is allowing students and alumni to share their creativity beyond the chair and the classroom– making it available to the world at large,” said San Martin.
“As Bellus continues to revolutionize beauty education, we look forward to how Manny’s creative leadership will influence emerging programs and offerings,” said Lynelle Lynch, owner of Bellus Academy. “Manny’s new role elevates not only the art and science of hairstyling but also informs a strategy for sharing and showcasing our team’s extraordinary talent using innovative digital approaches.”