Guest post by Rahresha Thomas, TUBC student at our Harlem campus.
This past weekend I was fortunate enough to attend The America’s Beauty Show 2013. It was absolutely A-MA-ZING; to say that I enjoyed myself would definitely be an understatement. The ABS show was located at the beautiful McCormick place towards the downtown area of Chicago.
Immediately, walking into the building I was overcome with excitement, anxiety, and anxiousness. In that moment I was so proud to be a part of the beauty industry. The show screamed ((( DIVERSITY))), it was great to see professional, successful, aspiring students gaining the same knowledge as me. All the vendors, artist, barbers, stylist, performers had something different to demonstrate. I learned different tricks to haircutting, styling, braids, eyelash application, and nail services.
There were a wide range of vendors with so many new products and tools that would be helpful to everyone in the beauty industry. I was able to view the transformation of some of the models and it made me want to work harder so that I can one day be a part of the ABS show. I was able to pick up some very nice shears, makeup brushes, eyelashes, round brushes, and a reconstructing kit at very affordable prices. You get the chance to get up close and personal with very talented stylist & barbers. They are able to provide you with their insight of the industry and inside tricks of the trade. I am grateful for the opportunity because as a student it’s refreshing to see that there are about of successful people in the business that I am aspiring towards.
I got to see a few hair stylists that performed demos as well. Some were very different, to say the least. You could just tell by looking at them that they were cosmetologists with their hairstyles and clothing. Three stylists from WELLA did a color, cut, and style on models. The color and cut came out nice, but the cut was not something I would ever want to see on someone. It was very creative, but not in my liking. Aquage had a big stage setting with more than 10 models all dressed in an aqua dress. Each of them had a different hairstyle with vibrant colored hair. That was probably my favorite part of the beauty show.
I would recommend all students to attend America’s Beauty Show because if for one moment you aren’t sure about your career choice, confirmation will be the first thing that greets you when you walk in the “Pearly Gates of Beauty”.