diff --git a/api/ethos/verification.ts b/api/ethos/verification.ts
index 01f4db80..15bdaebd 100644
--- a/api/ethos/verification.ts
+++ b/api/ethos/verification.ts
@@ -267,19 +267,40 @@ export default async function handler(req: any, res: any) {
           .eq("id", request.user_id)
           .single();
 
-        if (userData?.email) {
-          await sendEmail({
-            to: userData.email,
-            subject: "Ethos Guild Artist Verification - Application Decision",
-            html: `
-              <h2>Ethos Guild Artist Verification</h2>
-              <p>Thank you for your interest in the Ethos Guild.</p>
-              <p>Unfortunately, your application was not approved at this time.</p>
-              ${rejection_reason ? `<p><strong>Feedback:</strong> ${rejection_reason}</p>` : ""}
-              <p>You're welcome to reapply with updates to your portfolio or qualifications.</p>
-              <p><a href="https://aethex.dev/ethos">Learn more about the Ethos Guild</a></p>
-            `,
-          });
+        if (userData?.email && emailService.isConfigured) {
+          try {
+            // Send rejection email using nodemailer
+            const nodemailer = require("nodemailer");
+            const transporter = nodemailer.createTransport({
+              host: process.env.SMTP_HOST,
+              port: parseInt(process.env.SMTP_PORT || "465"),
+              secure: parseInt(process.env.SMTP_PORT || "465") === 465,
+              auth: {
+                user: process.env.SMTP_USER,
+                pass: process.env.SMTP_PASSWORD,
+              },
+            });
+
+            await transporter.sendMail({
+              from: process.env.SMTP_FROM_EMAIL || "no-reply@aethex.tech",
+              to: userData.email,
+              subject: "Ethos Guild Artist Verification - Application Decision",
+              html: `
+                <div style="font-family: Inter, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; color: #0f172a;">
+                  <h2 style="color: #db2777;">Ethos Guild Artist Verification</h2>
+                  <p>Thank you for your interest in the Ethos Guild.</p>
+                  <p>Unfortunately, your application was not approved at this time.</p>
+                  ${rejection_reason ? `<p style="margin: 16px 0; padding: 12px 16px; background: #fee2e2; border-left: 4px solid #ef4444; color: #7f1d1d;"><strong>Feedback:</strong> ${rejection_reason}</p>` : ""}
+                  <p>You're welcome to reapply with updates to your portfolio or qualifications.</p>
+                  <p style="margin: 24px 0;">
+                    <a href="https://aethex.dev/ethos" style="background: linear-gradient(135deg, #db2777, #9333ea); color: #fff; padding: 12px 20px; border-radius: 999px; text-decoration: none; font-weight: 600; display: inline-block;">Learn more about Ethos Guild</a>
+                  </p>
+                </div>
+              `,
+            });
+          } catch (emailError) {
+            console.error("Failed to send rejection email:", emailError);
+          }
         }
 
         return res.status(200).json({ data: request });