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SEARCHAnother ABS is in the books. Here are some of our our favorite moments, and favorite memories, from the show floor, in the classroom, and onstage.
Taking a pause from education at America's Beauty Show.
America’s Beauty Show (ABS) 2025 took place from April 5–7, 2025, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.
This year's theme, GROW, emphasized personal and professional development, community building, and innovation within the beauty industry. The event focused on expanding skills, networks, and overall well-being for beauty professionals.
300+ classes offered across various disciplines, including hair, nails, skincare, esthetics, makeup, and business development
On the show floor, a dedicated section hosted by Fruitful Yield offered classes on topics like hair loss, weight management, mental health, fitness, and stress management, highlighting the importance of holistic well-being in the beauty profession.
The ABS Global Image Awardscelebrated creativity and artistry across multiple categories. The awards ceremony featured live entertainment by Libido Funk Circus, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.
At the ABS Press Conference, Van Council, renowned American hairstylist, salon owner, and industry educator, best known as the co-founder of Van Michael Salons, a prominent salon group based in Atlanta, Georgia, received the Jerry Gordon Salon Business Leadership Award. Since opening the first location in 1984 with his brother Michael, Van has expanded the brand to include multiple salons in the Atlanta area and numerous affiliated salons internationally.
Reflecting on his years in business, Council said: “Anybody who can run a salon for 40 years deserves an award.”
One of the educators in the classroom, Meg King from Empowering You, shared the importance of investing in education:
“To borrow from Benjamin Franklin, for every coin invested in your mind, your purse will overflow.”
One the show floor, a brand out of Virginia, Veg Out Organics, an organic clean beauty plant-based skincare line, impressed attendees with its efficacy. Katie Wynne, co-founder with her husband, Brad, shared:
“A woman bought a tube of our Magnesium Body Lotion and she came back the next day to buy more. She said her husband has a chronically painful neck, but he applied and was so happily surprised to feel so much relief.”
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.
