The Event: America’s Beauty Show (ABS), April 28-30, 2018, was held at MCormick Place North, Chicago, and for those three days Chicago became the center of the beauty world to more than 58,000 professionals from around the globe.

ABS is owned and produced by Cosmetologists Chicago (CC). Professional cosmetologists, nail technicians, stylists, and colorists attend ABS every year to experience superior education and innovation in all aspects of beauty, as well as gain inspiration to take back to their salons. For many Midwest beauty professionals, ABS is a must-attend event.

The Stages: America’s Beauty Show offered several Runways @ ABS with creative artists at the CosmoProf Center Stage, Midway Star Salon Services stage, Premier Beauty Supply stage, and the SalonCentric Stage. These presentations with live models featured cutting, color, and styling demos.

The Trends: Hair extension brands dominated the show floor and the booths and stages of male-centric brands were always busy. Hair color saw more semi-permanent options for low commitment color.  CHI and Hot Tools had strong showings in the continuation of the CHI Lava Ceramic series and the Hot Tools Curl Bar. The esthetics section was set apart from the bustle of the show floor; anti-aging skincare and lash enhancements had a big presence.

The Winners: The show was used as a great platform to make industry announcement.  North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) finalists were announced during ABS. The Jerry Gordon Salon Business Award was presented to Eric Fisher, Eric Fisher Salons and Mr. Hidetaka Yoshikawa, President of Takara Belmont was awarded the Fred A. Piattoni Award for Industry Service. The Presidents’ Scholarship Awards were also presented.

The Classes: Advanced education included business panels, all kinds of barbering, hands-on design classes, color, cutting, makeup and more. Returning for the second year, Chicago Says No More: Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Training Classes taught more than 3,000 professionals to Listen. Support. Connect. on this important topic.

Save the Dates: ABS returns to Chicago on April 27-29, 2019, at McCormick Place North.