ABS 2011 Hair Show Wrap-Up!

by Alicia Ward on Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

Yesterday marked the end of another magic year at America’s Beauty Show in Chicago. We had a blast and absolutely loved the A-list of hair and salon professionals that showed up and flew in from all over the country and world. In addition to the A-list salon professionals were thousands of cosmetologists, hailing from every state in the US. It was a great show, big on theatrics and big on big hair! We wandered the show for days and rounded up the best of the best of the people at America’s Beauty Show.

2011 Hair Styles: Trends from the hair show!

by Alicia Ward on Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

Do you know where trends come from or wonder why every magazine is telling you that something is the latest and hottest look? It’s because of events like America’s Beauty Show. America’s Beauty Show is where thousands of salon professionals like you will converge to learn from top industry pros about the latest products and techniques in hair, skin and nails. Then what you learn will be available at your salon – thus, creating the trends.

This year at America’s Beauty Show there were lots of hot new trends. Below we detail the hottest trends for curlies.

Platinum locks!

Make your client’s dark locks a thing of the past with the new hot trend of platinum curls! Everywhere you looked woman and men were rocking platinum locks. If you want to be give your client a bold look this season offer them a shade of platinum to kick their color up a notch.

Seeing Red!

Big bold red is very hot this season. The red of this season is a deep almost maroon and looks amazing on olive and dark skin tones – however, those with plate skin can pull it off too! This color will make your client stand out and add some serious dimension to their curls.

Cut it Short!

Say goodbye to those long layers and hello to short curl bobs! The bob has always been a classic style for curlies but it’s being taken to new extremes this year with fun layers and super short styles. Is your client ready for a big change? Give them a super short style today. Short styles allow your clients to show off their other features and play with accessories.

Vidal Sassoon The Movie | How One Man Changed The World

by Alicia Ward on Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

America’s Beauty Show hosted the Chicago Premiere of the inspiring documentary, Vidal Sassoon The Movie at Cadillac Palace Theater Saturday night. The movie documents the life of the legendary hair guru rose from humble beginnings to start a hair revolution and create one of the most recognizable brands in the world.

The red carpet was rolled out and the theater was packed. The premiere was packed with top stylists and industry leaders to name a few: Mario Tricocci, Nick Arrojo, Robert Cromeans, Stephanie Kocielski, Angus Mitchell and Takashi Kitamura.

The movie displayed the story of his life from his impoverished childhood in an jewish orphanage to the start of his business in London through today. The story captivating and touched on many famous Sassoon moments like the first salon on New Bond street, his television appearances in the 70’s, divorce of his first wife, model Nancy Kwan, and partnership with designer Mary Quant. The film was made over the course of three years, the movie includes interviews with key Vidal insiders including Tony Beckerman.

Vidal Sassoon (center) at the Premier of “Vidal Sassoon The Movie,” Frank Gironda, president of Cosmetologists of Chicago (far left).

The movie displayed and told the story behind his innovation and his revolutionary haircuts, such as the five-point and the geometric bob. You may recall that some of the most famous models and celebrities sported his cuts: Grace Coddington, Twiggy, Rita Hayworth, and Jean Shrimpton.

The film highlighted the first appearance of his cut in a film—Mia Farrow’s famous short haircut first debuted in the 1968 film Rosemary’s Baby, directed by Roman Polanski.

The film ended on an inspirational note with the 83-year-old:

“If you can get to the root of who you are, and you can make something happen from it—my sense is that you’re gonna surprise yourself.”

After the film, Michael Gordon, legendary hairdresser, founder of Bumble and bumble and author of Hair Heroes and producer of the movie, had a question and answer session and assisted the Cosmetologists of Chicago in presenting the Steuben Crystal Hair Icon Award.

This film will truly move you! You will laugh, cry and feel so proud to have seen this man’s amazing journey!

This movie is a must-see for every hairdresser, new, old or those considering a career as a stylist. You will be inspired and moved by this amazing story! You definitely don’t want to miss this inspiring look at the man who “changed the world with a pair of scissors.”

ABS Texture! Panel with Top Curl Experts was a Huge Success

by Alicia Ward on Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

America’s Beauty Show was underway and thousands of stylist and salon owners gather to expand their knowledge, see top stylist and enjoy the entire “show” experience. Sunday March 13th was a huge day at ABS as it was the second annual “Texture” programming.

Texture! returned to ABS this year! This one-of-a kind free event showcased leading texture experts and educators in an intimate, interactive forum which included live hair demos. Texture! was hosted by NaturallyCurly.com founder Michelle Breyer and Modern Salon’s Editor-in-Chief Laurel Nelson, highlights of the event included:

Texture Trends: Fashion, Entertainment and Pop Culture Influences
Texture Cut, Color and Style: How-To Demos and Advice
Texture Opportunities: Make More Money Serving Curly Clients
Texture for Men: What’s New for Curly Guys?
Texture Q&A: Our experts, your questions!

Attendees were able to meet and greet the leading texture educators and brand leaders. The panel included the following:

John Benedetto, Director of Education for GK Hair: John has over 25 years of experience in the salon industry. In his prior role as Aveda’s Director of Global Hair Color Education, John was instrumental in creating Aveda’s Brands of Full Spectrum Hair Color and creating techniques for Aveda Collections at Video and Photo Shoots.

Shari Harbinger, “The Go To Curl Girl”: In her double-duty role as Director of Education for DevaConcepts and Color Director for Devachan Salon and Departure Lounge, Shari has both a loyal group of clients that rely on her for shiny, vibrant shades that are as modern as they are beautiful, and an enormous following in the salon industry for her eponymous training sessions.

Ouidad, the “Queen of Curl”: She is an internationally recognized stylist, salon owner mother, author and global educator. In 1984, as the pioneer of the curly hair industry, she opened the first salon in the country to cater exclusively to curly hair. Since then her trademarked cutting and styling techniques and specialized line of award winning products, have instilled confidence in curly and wavy haired people everywhere.

Anthony Dickey: He has spent the better part of his styling career—both on set and in the salon—trying to dispel the myth among women with kinky, curly and wavy hair that their texture is problematic or unruly. Touted as a “Style Svengali” by the New York Times, Dickey has mastered the mystery of textured hair to create iconic hair styles for designers, advertisers, photographers and celebrities alike.

Veronique Morrison: As Director of Education for MIZANI, a division of L’Oreal, USA, Veronique creates and manages the production of all technical curriculum, training programs, and creative trend presentations for a national salon audience.

Erica Grabczyk: American Crew’s International All-Star Erica Grabczyk certainly knows how to talk and cut men’s hair at the same time. She swiftly became the Director of Education at Groom Salon in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, specializing in male-specific design. Erica is top-rated in the City of Milwaukee for men’s hair (Milwaukee Magazine), having worked at Groom since 1999 as both a Lead and now Master Stylist. She trains nationally and internationally as an American Crew International All-Star Educator.

Ana Daniel, Artistic Director & Educator for Ouidad: This Dominican Republic native has spent several years working with Ouidad and loves ensuring that her clients not only have a style they love but also have the information they need to care for their curls at home. Ana’s work has appeared on the pages of many magazines and on the heads of numerous celebrities.

America’s Beauty Show Chicago: Day One!

by Blog from America's Beauty Show on Saturday, March 12th, 2011

America’s Beauty Show is in full swing this weekend, and we are amazed at all of the great products, education and information that is available this weekend at the McCormick Place convention center in Chicago.  First things first: textured tresses are everywhere we look!  Models are sporting natural waves, kinks, and curls.  Even better, the Hair Rules ladies were passing out buttons that promoted textured hair on your way into the show.  Needless to say, we were in heaven.

A model works the Mizani runway.

Keratin is still huge this year, but we saw a huge increase in curly hair specific brands being represented, including Ouidad, Mixed Chicks and Hair Rules.  Moroccan Oil had a great set-up where they were doing demos, and we actually saw them promoting curly hair!  Mizani was in full force with natural hair as far as the eye could see.  We even stopped a woman to tell her she had great curls—and it was a perm!  Proof that everyone is digging the curls.

We had the privilege to and the honor of meeting Vidal Sassoon and listening to him speak.  It was definitely a “we’re not worthy” situation.  He spoke of Chicago being a place of inspiration—the architecture always speaking to him.  We think he’s the inspiration in Chicago this year!  We are heading to the screening of his feature film tonight at the Cadillac Theatre, where hundreds of stylists and beauty gurus will walk the red carpet and get to ask Vidal Sassoon questions after the film.

And some of the thousands of stylists who will attend ABS over the next two days may be the next Vidal Sassoon.

Industry Groups Battle Over Midwest Trade Shows

by CurlStylist on Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

Two large industry groups have issued dueling statements in regard to the Professional Beauty Association’s recent announcement that it will launch a major trade show in a Chicago suburb next year, two weeks after Cosmetologists Chicago (CC) holds its big America’s Beauty Show, another major show.

At ABS this year, held shortly after PBA’s startling announcement, many industry insiders expressed shock and surprise at the timing and location of the newly announced show. One noted executive said, “It was like they dropped a bomb.”

“When one seeks change or improvement, it is rarely the heavy handed wielding of a big stick that supports progress,” the executive (who declined to be named) said. “It is a sad day for our industry that such a tactic was used to in an attempt to force change in the show arena in Chicago, whether the change was needed or not.”

Many wonder if the industry, and the midwest, can support two large shows so close together, and what the ramifications for both shows will be. Will manufacturers be able put on their often-lavish productions at two shows so close together, many wonder? Will one show outshine the other? Will one show be forced to cease to be?

We’ll find out eventually, of course, but some industry insiders have thoughts on the matter.

“It’s totally f’ed up,” said an industry veteran, who also asked not to be named. “When you look at the overall picture and how fragmented the industry is and all the acquisitions that have taken place and the dollars and cents, the last thing this industry needs is more fragmentation. ABS (formerly the Midwest Beauty Show) has played the strongest role in the Midwest, and has been nothing but a success. For someone to come and disrupt this for unknown reasons is the worst thing that can happen to the hairdresser in the Midwest.”

Longtime beauty industry publicist Janice McCafferty has a different take on the changes: “Chicago and the Midwest is a huge market for the beauty industry. I feel our profession can handle another show in order to better serve us. Plus, competition never hurts. Maybe in the end we will wind up with the best show in the country serving our industry in the way it should be.”

PBA’s statement indicated, “It is PBA’s desire to work with Cosmetologists Chicago . . . in order to create an event providing increased value for exhibitors and attendees, expanded education, and the opportunity for a more unified industry. PBA is not trying to undermine the ABS show and believes by working with ISSE - Midwest, Cosmetologists Chicago can actually benefit more from this new relationship versus their current situation.

CC responds, “PBA has never provided us with any formal business plan for a relationship between the two groups, or how CC could benefit from such an arrangement. At the only formal meeting between PBA and CC’s management about this issue—which occurred on March 15, just one week before the opening of ABS 2010—PBA failed to provide any explanation as to what benefit CC, its members, or ABS exhibitors would receive in return for CC’s sharing its years of brand equity with PBA.”

PBA also states, “ISSE - Midwest was created in response to a desire from members for an alternative event in the Chicago market. PBA had no intention of engaging in predatory practices, but rather answered the call from members and non-members alike who desired a show with substantially less cost involved, that was located at the popular Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, and that could deliver the professionalism that exhibitors and attendees have come to expect at ISSE - Long Beach and Cosmoprof North America. As an example, PBA’s offer to cover drayage will provide substantial cost savings to exhibitors, which would ideally be passed along to show attendees.”

CC’s response: “Exhibit space rates for ABS 2011 will be the same as for ABS 2010. In most cases, these rates are actually lower than listed rates in PBA’s exhibitor application. We also note that CC does not require exhibitors to become “members” in order to lease space at the ABS. Some materials that PBA has distributed indicate that exhibitors must become PBA members in order to obtain exhibit space.”

We look forward to seeing how this situation plays out, and will keep you posted as we find out more information. If you have thoughts, please post them below in the comments area. We’d love to know what you think.

ABS Texture! Panel a Big Success

by Gretchen Heber on Friday, April 2nd, 2010

“Texture!”—a programming event presented by NaturallyCurly.com, CurlStylist.com and Modern Salon Magazine—is being heralded as one of the most interesting and successful panels at this year’s American Beauty Show.

The Texture! panel featured a veritable who’s who of the curly hair industry, including Dickey of Hair Rules, Titi and Miko Branch of Miss Jessie’s, Veronique Morrison of Mizani, Ouidad, Shari Harbinger of DevaConcepts, Jonathan Torch of Curly Hair Solutions and Edwin Johnson of KMS California.

America’s Beauty Show is a large (tens of thousands in attendance) trade show for beauty industry professionals that draws stylists and manufacturers from around the world. It was held this year in Chicago March 27-29.

The panel, held Sunday, was a longtime dream of NaturallyCurly co-founders Gretchen Heber and Michelle Breyer, who long wished for the opportunity to get so many curl experts in the same room together.

Judging from the audience’s reaction, the dream was successfully fulfilled. Dozens of stylists piled into the chilly convention center room to hear these legends of the industry describe their background, talk about their philosophies and offer concrete advice.

And while not all curl experts think alike, the event was a harmonious one, with the panelists all realizing the significance of the gathering.

“This meeting is a wonderful example of the shift in our customers’ belief in their natural hair,” said Harbinger.

“No two people are the same. The left side is different from the right side. You have to deal with each person differently,” said Torch, as several panelists’ heads bobbed in agreement.

More practical tips came from Titi Branch: “The consultation is so important. Typically, the curly hair client is traumatized, skeptical. You have to patiently work with her.”

“You’ll have a client for life if you do what you say you’re going to do,“ said Harbinger.

Added Jonathan Torch, “There’s a lot of common sense to working with curly hair. With certain techniques you can remove bulk. The next challenge is to remove frizz. Everybody with curly hair has frizz issues. You can have the greatest haircut but if you don’t know how to manage the frizz, it’s no good.”

At one point, Breyer, who moderated the event, asked the audience how many of them had received specific training in working with textured hair when they were in cosmetology school. Only four raised their hands.

Mizani demostration

The panel lauded the audience members for attending the session to gain more education. “We all need to be educated so that we can all deal with all types of hair,” said Morrison. “As our culture has evolved, we’re looking at curly hair as being more accepted now. The more we know curls, the better.”

“I was self-taught. I needed to develop special techniques to cut curly hair,” Johnston said.

Torch stressed the importance of today’s experts helping the next generation of stylists, “A curly hair style is always moving, from morning to noon to night. It’s hard for a new stylist to fathom. Now that curly hair is mainstream, it’s our responsibility to teach the next generation.”

Curlyheads, too, need special training to work with their curls, said Ouidad. “Many people with curly hair have never been taught; they’ve never been guided to work with their curly hair. It’s important that you stylists educate their clients. Every human being who has curly hair is able to learn to manage their chair.”

Following the panel were demonstrations by some of the panelists, a very popular part of the programming where the stylists were invited to come up close and have a back-and-forth with the presenters.

Each audience member received an enormous bag filled with hair care products, brochures and a super-cool CurlStylist apron.

Miko Branch offered perhaps the loveliest line of the day: “Bringing beauty to natural hair is my goal,” she said.

Mizani Highlights New True Textures Line

by Blog from America's Beauty Show on Thursday, April 1st, 2010

Mizani wowed the ABS crowd with an energetic and dramatic stage show that started off with amazing African-style dancing and drumming.
Mizani, which launched its True Textures line last month, highlighted the variety of hair textures the products are suitable for, with a variety of styles.

Curliness from Salon Tech

by Blog from America's Beauty Show on Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Curly beauties graced the Salon Tech stage. Salon Tech makes professional styling tools such as flat irons and hair dryers.