The ELLEGirl Model Search (ellegirlmodelsearch.com), an online photo-based contest, began in 2007 to empower women ages 13 to 25 to follow their modeling dreams while instilling the importance of self-confidence in an industry that’s often clouded by self-doubt. Quarterly, three winners are flown to New York City for career jumpstart packages, where they get inside-out and head-to-toe modeling help from a team of experts that includes a life coach, a fashion designer, a nutritionist, and, of course, several nail gurus.

The three sisters that are the backbone of nail product manufacturer NailEZEE — Ryan, Jordan, and Erin Wolf — were happy to help the ELLEgirls put their best hands and feet forward. “Our mission and ELLEgirl’s are one in the same: instilling the importance of self-esteem, inspiration, and empowerment in young women today. Beauty begins on the inside and as young girl-trepreneurs ourselves we believe this to be more than true,” says Ryan Wolf.

The first event NailEZEE participated in was in June of this year, when they visited the current search winners, Jazzlyn and Maggie, at the ELLEgirl pad in downtown New York City. They spent quality time with the girls, relaxing with manicures and gifting the winners a kit that included products from the company’s first polish collection (Moon Over Miami Beach), their nail maintenance formula, and a clear travel beauty supplies storage box. Wolf says, “It was amazing to see how each girl’s personality dictated which colors she was drawn to: Jazzlyn, a California girl at heart, loved the metallics (Golden Beach and Deco Drive) and some of our brighter colors (Fountain Blue and SouthBeach Sunset), while Maggie was drawn to the more natural/softer shades (Mint Mojito and TuTu Tango Mango) to complement her fair complexion and gorgeous fiery locks.” The winners also received manicures from nail tech Olga Amimov, who polished them in natural shade Sand Storm, to make sure the girls nailed their go-sees and shoot the next day.

Wolf says, “The girls were so grateful, sweet, polite, and gracious — it was really an honor to spend the afternoon with them. We especially loved it when they lined their colors out on the table and traded shades, giggling the entire time. Watching them reminded us of ourselves when we were younger…how much fun we had with colors!”