
ASCP, ISPA and PBA Receive 2026 Power of Associations Award for Esthetics Licensure Compact
This shared recognition celebrates the strength of industry collaboration in advancing professional mobility.
"Hey Alexa, open Kenra Color" - Amazon Alexa now gives professional stylists a helping hand by alleviating the messiness of a traditional color manual with innovative skill feature by Kenra.



The Kenra Color Voice Assistant Skill, an industry first hands-free smart assistant feature, available on Amazon Alexa.
Kenra Professional
Kenra is bringing the future of hair care to salons this year with the Kenra Color Voice Assistant Skill, a hands-free smart assistant feature, available on Amazon Alexa. The innovative tool will allow professional stylists to focus on client care and alleviate the messiness of digging into a color manual.
The assistant offers three primary educational areas: color conversions, mixing instructions and processing times. With the hands-free assistant - industry professionals will be able to get the information they need quickly without skipping a beat.
"We believe that voice is the perfect technology for the private color bar section of the salon, and we continue on our mission to find and develop simpler, more efficient ways to combine tech innovation with education, specifically for our professional stylists," said Ryan Brown, digital director at Kenra Professional.
The AI assistant offers conversion support for the top twenty-five permanent shades of the industry's leading brands. Additionally, the feature works fast to determine best mixing ratio for Kenra Color permanent and demi-permanent lines, including often tricky gray coverage ratio.
One of the most familiar smart assistants in the United States today, Amazon Alexa is being utilized more and more by businesses as individuals are starting to understand the productivity advantages of the device.
"Voice is one of the fastest-growing segments in the technological industry. We firmly believe that voice is the future in private spaces of homes and businesses," added Brown. "From smart speakers to portable smart headphones, the frictionless, time-saving aspects of voice technology will only accelerate the adoption."
Now professional hair stylists can get in on the trend as the tool enables them to work better, in turn, boosting salon reputation and services. The feature is available on the Amazon Alexa Skill Store, with plans to further update the tool and develop its abilities for later this year. Kenra has dedicated much effort into researching and creating additional tools that could be utilized through the Amazon Alexa, promising to "solve tomorrow's issues, today."

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.

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.

Mireya Villarreal, founder of From Chair to Boss™, is bringing together beauty industry leaders for a new one-day educational event designed to help salon professionals strengthen the business side of their careers. From Chair to Boss Live! will take place September 28 at the Hilton Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center in Oak Brook, Illinois.

Salon owner, tech founder, and educator Universe Walker will bring her signature workshop, The Art of Dry Cutting, to Brooklyn on July 20, offering stylists a chance to deepen their understanding of shape, movement, texture, and dry cutting.

As part of our ongoing commitment to sharing resources that help beauty professionals stay informed, we thought it was worth introducing our audience to The Chatter and the unique perspective it brings to industry conversations.

Celebrating 60 years in haircare, Dippity-Do is honoring its styling heritage with its Girls with Curls collection, a reimagined Light Hold Gelée inspired by the brand's original 1965 styling gel.

Covet & Mane has expanded its Pro Color System with the launch of Color Boost Drops, completing what the company says is the first professional color system engineered specifically for hair extensions.

The 2026 Beauty Changes Lives Legacy Award has been awarded to Sam Villa for his trailblazing contribution, advocacy and mentorship that has profoundly transformed and elevated the professional beauty industry.

CND is relaunching its SHELLAC system with a new CND Visible Light Lamp, updated packaging, and an expanded shade offering.

Curl Cult founder Janine Jarman, a hairstylist, salon owner, educator, and product creator, is opening a community investment round that gives hairdressers and clients the opportunity to own a stake in the company they helped grow.

The night honored the artists and collections shaping the future of professional beauty during PBA NAHA 2026.

The ultra-lightweight, handle-free dryer is designed to reduce wrist strain while delivering powerful performance behind the chair.

Aura Salonware is proud to announce its 2026 scholarship recipients. This first-time scholarship in partnership with the Professional Beauty Association awarded three different scholarships to support beauty professionals at every point in their professional journey.

SalonCentric has announced its expansion into Alaska, marking the distributor’s presence across all 50 states and bringing additional access to professional beauty products, education and business support to licensed salon professionals in the region.