MENU
SEARCHThe launch of Keune Haircosmetics’ new Blend styling line was celebrated with an explosive party in Atlanta, followed by the kick-off of the line’s corresponding education tour the next day.
Keune Blend models. Credit: Eric Ellis
The Event: On January 22, Keune Haircosmetic's Blend launch party celebrated the brand’s new Blend line of styling products. Set in a 7,000-square-foot plow-factory-turned-event-space, Southern Exposure, in Atlanta the Sunday-night soiree welcomed nearly 300 guests to a multi-room sensory experience complete with on-stage presentations from the Keune education team and guest stylists, an on-location prep area, and performing artists, including a street artist, performers and DJ, and more.
The Details: Keune is rolling out its 14-product line of stylers, which includes everything from volume powder and to sea salt spray to fiber wax, clay, gel and dry shampoo, meant to be used alone or blended together into creative styling cocktails. The new line and launch event aims to embody the fun, creative personality of the brand, and appeal to a broad customer scope, from the hairdresser who just graduated to the industry professional who owns a highly successful salon.
“We’re here because we care about our industry,” says CEO George Keune. “We want to create a culture where people feel happy and do something with their creativity. It’s unique because Blend is just for salons; we keep that reservation for salon owners and their creativity. That’s what we celebrate.
Southern Exposure also acts as a makeup school, complete with a studio space. Within the window-surrounded “fishbowl,” guests were treated to a 180-degree view of stylists prepping models before they hit the event floor.
Keune’s newer talent, including Cory A. Wallace, Taylor Sellers, Meghan Harrah and Chris Combs, as well as industry veterans George Alderete, Amber Skrzypek and Edward Woody, took to the party’s three smaller stages and main stage for live creative styling presentations that were going on for the entirety of the event, demonstrating how to use Blend in all of the looks.
After styling, models strut their stuff around the event space and mixed and mingled with guests.
Several well-known salons were in attendance, such as Salon Red, Salon Gloss, Van Michael, Ross the Boss and Salon 124. Industry icons, such as Intercoiffure President Frank Gambuzza and his wife Belinda, were also in attendance.
The Education: The following day, Keune kicked off the education tour surrounding the product line—the Blend Tour. The Blend Tour Team guides stylists through the collection of seven Blend-specific looks created by Keune’s Shannon King and inspired by modern street fashion around the globe. On January 23, the Blend Tour’s official North American launch, four tour stops occurred almost simultaneously, with classes going on in Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix and Orlando. The Blend Tour has 30 dates across the U.S. and Canada.
Tour stops for 2017:
January 23 Atlanta, GA
January 23 Chicago, IL
January 23 Orlando, FL
January 30 Rochester, NY
February 06 Louisville, KY
February 13 Biloxi, MS
February 13 Omaha, NE
February 13 Philadelphia, PA
February 13 Redding, CA
February 27 Cleveland, OH
February 27 Denver, CO
February 27 Richmond, VA
March 06 Grand Rapids, MI
March 06 Tulsa, OK
March 13 Fairfax, VA
March 13 Minneapolis, MN
March 13 Pleasanton, CA
March 20 Hoboken, NJ
March 20 Sioux Falls, SD
March 20 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
March 27 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
March 27 Kansas City, MO
March 27 Los Angeles, CA
March 27 Ocean City, MD
April 03 Boston, MA
April 03 Bridgeport, WV
April 10 Chicago, IL
April 24 Detroit, MI
April 24 Milwaukee, WI
April 24 Long Island, NY
April 24 Oklahoma City, OK
LifeSpa leader Ali Yanez explains why strong mentorship, predictable income, meaningful recognition and the right work environment help beauty professionals build careers that last.
Whether a beauty professional chooses a commission salon, booth rental, salon suite or salon ownership, the common thread is having more choices than ever before.
Sport Clips Haircuts will host its inaugural "Level Up Live," a first-of-its-kind virtual event that combines live haircutting education, career inspiration, product knowledge, and employment opportunities for licensed stylists and cosmetology students nationwide.
Orthopedic PT reveals three daily exercises plus ergonomic advice that can help salon professionals avoid the aches and injuries caused by standing, bending and repetitive overhead work.
Four publications for beauty industry professionals to enhance their leadership skills, financial awareness, professional growth, and joy!
Salon suite pioneer Karen Kaminski argues that the next evolution of independent beauty businesses won't be defined by beautiful spaces alone, it will be driven by smarter systems that help professionals spend less time on administrative work and more time serving clients.
At a time when many LGBTQ+ people felt compelled to hide parts of themselves, Carlos Valenzuela found a career in beauty and a community that offered opportunity based on what you could do and how well you could do it.
Whether it's social media, fashion, film, art, or culture, Chaz Dean advises stylists to stay aware of what's inspiring people. Take the elements that make sense for you in these five lessons learned through a life in beauty.
For Jessica Domoney, building a successful career isn't about saying yes to every opportunity, it's about protecting your time, investing in yourself and creating an experience clients won't forget.
MODERN SALON sat down with Samuels to discuss the book, beauty education, mentorship and the habits that help beauty professionals thrive.
"The mistake people make is treating AI like a vending machine instead of a personal assistant." Digital marketing expert Scott Moon shares how beauty professionals can use AI while staying authentic
Real-world advice on creativity, consultations, color, burnout, business, boundaries, inclusivity, client care, and career growth from educators and industry experts.
Real-world advice on creativity, consultations, color, burnout, business, boundaries, inclusivity, client care, and career growth from educators and industry experts.
Today's clients are hearing more about longevity, biohacking, inflammation, and healthy aging than ever before. This article explores the science and language behind the skin longevity movement, and what it could mean for client consultations, treatment recommendations, and professional credibility.
Licensed to Thrive, Anna Manukyan's all-in-one beauty career and financial masterclass, is being gifted to professionals who enroll in L'Oreal LEVEL Rewards for a limited time.
From breaking free of external validation to creating joy-based goals, discover a more sustainable and fulfilling path to success.
A full day of education for hairstylists and salon pros focused on pricing, personal branding, client experience, social media, and long-term career growth.
