
Entries Are Open for Wella Professionals’ Trend Vision Awards 2026
Hairstylists and barbers can showcase their creative and technical vision in two global categories with cash prizes and a chance to represent in Portugal.
It was a fierce display of creativity presented live before a Los Angeles audience. Sebastian's What's Next Awards lived up to the brand's promise of hair innovation and beauty excitement.















The Sebastian Professional’s What’s Next Tour came to a halt in Los Angeles last night, April 28, but the end of the tour was the beginning of some big, hair-raising excitment.
Sebastian What's Next Awards are the culmination of a multi-city "Black Ops" tour during which Sebastian Design Team Members shared inspiring styling with each market's audience while encouraging them to enter the What's Next Challenge. The What's Next Awards are an opportunity for established and up-and-coming stylists to design the next great leap for hairdressing and create their own design interpretation of Sebastian's "Urban Explorer" theme, an homage to the energy of four "urban markets on the rise" as Sebastian's Education Director Carole Protat aptly put it.
From an original field of nearly 400 entries, finalists were narrowed down to four in each category (Established Stylists and New Talent/Student Stylist). These remaining eight competed by creating their designs on site at St. Vibiana's Cathedral in downtown Los Angeles under the watchful eyes of four discerning judges. Then, with their work complete, they went on stage during the show in front of hundreds of fellow stylists and salon owners to have the winners announced.
Rachel Carr from Salon Vivace in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania won the New Talent Category with her riff on the uber-cool energy of San Francisco.
Daniel Lozado of Puerto Rico won the Established Talent Category. He described his design, inspired by Sao Paolo, as an homage to the Latin woman and to Latin culture, both containing plenty of heat.
A runway show featuring Design Team Headliners Anthony Cole, Omar Antonio, Marylle Koken and Diva Poulos kept the crowd engaged, entertained and always wondering What's Next? The answer is Alter Ego, a new collection launching in July that had its debut last night.

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.

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.