
The Industry Remembers and Mourns Educator and Artist Dominique LyVar
Dominique LyVar, an influential educator and artist, is remembered by those who loved him for his significant impact on the industry and contributions to the community.
The Independent Academy Sessions brings independent education to Delray Beach in Florida next February.

IAS or Independent Academy Sessions is a group of the salon industry’s top educators who will share their expertise, passion, and talent on stage at the famed Delray Beach Marriott Resort on February 5, 2017
The event is called IAS because it claims its independence from manufacturers. The event is being branded as raw unfiltered education; because salon industry professionals can gain incredible knowledge without being specific to any brand, making the content of powerful education available to all salons and salon professionals regardless of what they use and sell in their salons. More importantly, the group is bringing unity through education. Education is the common ground that binds our industry regardless of business model.
The history of hair is being featured as an integral part of this event. The legendary Robert Lobetta (the face of British Hairdressing in the 1970s-80s) will serve as Master of Ceremonies along with two-time NAHA Winner Charlie Price, who appeared on the television hair competition Shear Genius, and is one of today’s most recognizable faces in the North American hairdressing.
Joining these powerhouses are several other top professionals. Albie Mulcahy, of the John Sahog Salon, is known as an editorial commercial stylist and educator and is a rock star talent who constantly gives back to the industry. Chad Clark from California has wowed audiences nationwide with the multigenerational message of outstanding education. Phil Ring known as the pixel hair color illusionist, has joined IAS to represent the new generation of innovative hair color concepts. And, Misael Aponte is an internationally renowned master colorist and educator as well as the international color director for Oligo Professional. With his infectious enthusiasm and innovative visuals, he will show attendees the fine art of color placement.
IAS is beauty-on-the-beach education. It’s a chance for salon professionals to get up close and personal with five generations of talent on one stage. IAS is about the history of hair, a continued learning process in the age of art and science, and giving professional hairdressers the most up-to-date career growth through education and inspiration.
In addition to the mainstage class to stage education, there will be small classroom opportunities throughout the venue to meet peer to peer professionals, educators and sponsor companies.
For more details about the event, please visit www.iasraw.com. To purchase tickets, click here.
Eric Charles Mokotoff, founder of The Independent Academy Sessions has been educating hair color for two decades, sharing knowledge from top color companies during his early career in NY. Now, the owner of Hair Studio Artists Salon in Delray Beach. Florida, it’s been his dream to bring outstanding education to South FL where the message is industry unity, history and education being more important now than ever before. Offering his unique brand of independent education, Mokotoff still travels nationwide to the top hair shows to teach. For the past four years he has been inspiring participants at the American Board of Certified Haircolorists’ annual summit. When creating IAS, he simply reached out to his salon industry friends. IAS is not backed by anyone, it’s simply a dream to be lived out to be shared by all.

Dominique LyVar, an influential educator and artist, is remembered by those who loved him for his significant impact on the industry and contributions to the community.

Known for his buttery blondes and a technique for highlighting hair with more precision that he called chunking, Brad Johns died on August 27. His friend and fellow colorist, David Stanko, shares thoughts on his talented colleague and close friend.

As technology evolves at an accelerated rate, you want to make sure you have the best in your business toolkit to help you grow sales, motivate your team, communicate with your current and future clientele, and streamline your managerial tasks. The 2026 SALON TODAY Technology Solutions Guide is designed to help you navigate today's growing landscape of salon and spa technology. In this guide, you'll find a curated look at more than 50 of the latest software platforms, digital solutions, and innovative features to help you compare options and identify the best fit for your business.

The Davines Edit reflects the brand’s passion for people and planet.

RÜTE Wash introduces a shower cap designed specifically for crown washing, helping clients with hair extensions cleanse the scalp while protecting the lengths from water.

Premiere San Antonio Presented by SalonCentric returns for its fourth edition August 30-31 at the Henry B. González Convention Center, delivering its biggest and boldest event to date.

One-Day Personal and Professional Development Education Event for Beauty Professionals Set for October 25, 2026, at the Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue.

A live education series explores the ideas, collaboration, creative decisions and processes behind the winning work.

According to the report, people are moving away from copy-paste trends and toward community, using real experiences to develop a sense of taste and beauty that reflects who they are.

Hairstylists and barbers can showcase their creative and technical vision in two global categories with cash prizes and a chance to represent in Portugal.

The BBR Beauty Show featured a prominent speaker lineup including Lacy Redway, Karrueche Tran, Danessa Myricks, Chelley B., Sabrina Elba, Jessica Harris-Dupart, and more.

The Professional Beauty Association and Pivot Point team up to develop an ongoing study that measures the confidence of salon owners, stylists, school owners, and students.

This shared recognition celebrates the strength of industry collaboration in advancing professional mobility.

In Dubai, a salon visit isn’t an appointment. It’s a weekly routine, and clients can spend $800 to $1,400 a month on it, according to Gaurav Tripathi of MADI International. On October 6-8, 2026, the market behind those numbers opens its doors as Beautyworld Dubai marks its 30th edition at the Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together distributors, brands, stylists and salon owners from all over the world.
Sponsored by BeautyWorld Dubai

The Good Patch is a leading wearable wellness patch brand, offering wellness and skincare patches that support everyday needs including energy, sleep, relaxation and more.

Four publications for beauty industry professionals to enhance their leadership skills, financial awareness, professional growth, and joy!

Ulta Beauty has announced its partnership with Black Beauty Roster to launch the pilot of All Textures Certification (ATC). The new program is aimed at addressing gaps in education within the beauty industry and raising the level of skills and guest satisfaction for all.