
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.
Last night was Hollywood’s annual Oscar broadcast and biggest beauty night. MODERN SALON chatted with readers on Facebook throughout the show and dished about what we loved and hated. Opinions ran the gamut on hair and dresses and nobody held back. Check out the conversations on facebook.com/modernsalon.

Last night was Hollywood's annual Oscar broadcast and biggest beauty night. MODERN SALON chatted with readers on Facebook throughout the show and dished about what we loved and hated. Opinions ran the gamut on hair and dresses and nobody held back. Check out the conversations on facebook.com/modernsalon.
In the meantime, forget about the actors who took home the trophies, here are my Oscar-winning hair picks!
Best Sleek and Straight
Gwyneth Paltrow. That perfect champagne blonde … it's hard to go wrong. And last night, she looked just right. Glowing skin, chic, form-fitting gown and a blowout that managed to be super-sleek, yet not plastered to her head.

Best Ponytail
Anne Hathaway. About half way through the show, Anne donned a tuxedo for a musical number and took the stage with a voluminous ponytail. Unlike Reese Witherspoons ponytail (see below), Anne's was modern and super flattering.

Best Charo Impression
Reese Witherspoon. What happened here? Reese is usually so perfectly coiffed and contemporary. This look was, well … dated. My husband asked me if she had a bump it on and I kept thinking she was wearing Brenda's prom dress from a 90210 episode in the late 90s.

Best Cropped Cut
Tie: Michelle Williams and Helen Mirren
Michelle Williams makes me want to run out and chop all my hair off. If you have any clients who have the right face shape and hair texture, show them a photo of Michelle from last night. She looked amazing in her pixie cut and uber-blonde shade of hair color.


Helen Mirren was no slouch, either. She out-classed and out-styled every other 20-something actress on the red carpet. Her cut was chic, modern and most of all, face-flattering.
Best Updo
Mila Kunis. Mila sported one of the more elaborate styles of the evening and she wore it well. The intricate waves and side-swept fringe complemented her gown and added interest to the overall look. Now I'm not quite sure why she looked so angry in every red carpet shot--maybe the hair was pulled a little tight? Dress to small?

Best Headband
Ok, so it might have been the only headband, but I thought Hailee Steinfeld looked totally age appropriate, and the slim, sparkling headband added just the right touch.


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.