As a beauty writer, I love attending events where I can learn, discover new products and connect with others in the industry. My second time attending the Black Beauty Roster Beauty Expo reminded me why the event is so important. I’m often one of the only Black men in the room at beauty events. At the BBR Beauty Expo, Black beauty professionals weren’t treated as an afterthought. Instead, experts, innovators and storytellers were leading the conversation.
The event, all thanks to the founder Maude Okrah Hunter and presented by SalonCentric, featured master classes, live demonstrations, brand activations, and candid conversations with some of the industry’s most influential professionals. Returning gave me a deeper appreciation for the community the expo fosters and the access it provides to emerging beauty professionals and creators. The event also featured a fireside chat with model Anok Yai and celebrity makeup artist Aston Em.
Throughout the day, I discovered products and connected with representatives from Design Essentials, DIBS Beauty, 4U by Tia, Tarte Cosmetics, Ruechi Beauty, S’Able Labs, Camille Rose, Pattern Beauty, Fenty Beauty, NARS Cosmetics, Oribe, D’Hair, Amika, Armani Beauty, Danessa Myricks Beauty, Olaplex, Ulta Beauty, DevaCurl, LYS Beauty and Bask & Lather Co.
From Lacy Redway’s advice for creating voluminous curls to Danessa Myricks’ reminder to pursue your own path, here are 10 things I learned at my second Black Beauty Roster Beauty Expo.
Build the foundation before adding volume
While demonstrating how to create a big, curly hairstyle using TRESemmé products, celebrity hairstylist Lacy Redway advised us to “get the meat of the style” before adding more volume. In other words, you need to establish the shape and structure first. Once the foundation is in place, you can make the hair as big and dramatic as you want without losing the original style.
DIBS Beauty gave us a first look at its newest complexion product
I love getting a sneak peek at a new beauty product, and DIBS Beauty delivered. The brand introduced its Edit Stick, a dual-ended brightener and concealer designed to brighten and conceal in an easy-to-use format. Makeup artist Jaray D. Banks demonstrated how to use it, and I was impressed by how seamlessly the product blended into the skin while still creating a natural-looking finish.
Karrueche Tran is bringing consumers along on Ruechi Beauty’s journey
Karrueche Tran isn’t simply putting her name on a beauty brand and walking away. During an interactive live conversation, she gave attendees more insight into Ruechi Beauty and the journey behind its development. The session showed how giving consumers access to the founder and making them feel included in the process can help build a stronger connection to a new brand.
Amika is bringing its colorful energy to body care
I’ve always associated Amika with colorful packaging and hair-care products, but the brand is officially expanding beyond hair. Its new body collection includes a body mist, body oil, body wash and body butter. Now, fans can bring the full Amika experience into the rest of their beauty routines.
Danessa Myricks reminded us to run our own race
“The world needs you. Run your own race,” Danessa Myricks told the audience. It was one of those simple statements that stay with you. The beauty industry is filled with trends, launches and constant comparison, but Myricks reminded me that individuality is still your greatest advantage. You don’t have to follow someone else’s path or timeline to build something meaningful.
Hair is technique, creativity and performance
The Ultimate Hair Battle was one of the most exciting moments of the day. Janel Sealy Smith took home the win after competing alongside Susy Oludele and Agnes “Agee” Ashi. Jesseca Harris-Dupart, Julee Wilson and Greg Gilmore served as judges. Vernon François was also there to show his support. The competition was about more than creating a beautiful hairstyle. It showcased the technique, creativity and storytelling required to turn hair into a complete visual moment.
Creators need to stop rushing to what’s next
During the “Beyond the Feed: The Creator Impact in Beauty & Culture” panel, Chelley Bissainthe said something I needed to hear: “Stop asking yourself what’s next. We don’t allow ourselves to live in the moment enough.” As creators, we’re constantly thinking about the next post, opportunity, campaign or milestone. Sometimes, we move on so quickly that we don’t give ourselves a chance to appreciate what’s happening right now. Her advice reminded me that being present is also part of building a career that feels sustainable and fulfilling.
People connect with the journey, not just the polished result
Sly Huncho spoke about sharing experiences that reflect what his audience may also be going through. “People can relate to the things I’m doing,” he said. “They’re going through the same thing I’m going through.” That message resonated with me because I’ve learned that audiences don’t always want perfection. They often connect more deeply when they can watch someone learn, evolve and figure things out in real time. Jeannette Reyes echoed that idea of growth, saying, “You don’t owe the old version of yourself a lifetime subscription.”
Voiceovers are a great place to start
For aspiring creators who are afraid to speak directly to the camera, Huncho offered a practical tip: “Start doing voiceovers if you’re scared of being in front of the camera.” Not everyone feels comfortable showing their face or talking on camera immediately, and that’s OK. Voiceovers can help you develop your storytelling skills, find your voice and build confidence without putting too much pressure on yourself. You don’t have to wait until you feel completely ready to begin.
Give yourself permission to do it
Achieng Agutu left us with one of the most energizing messages of the day: “You can be. Give yourself permission to just do it.” Whether you want to launch a brand, become a creator or take up more space in the beauty industry, you can’t always wait for someone else to validate the idea first. The Black Beauty Roster Beauty Expo reminded me that access matters, but so does believing you belong once the door opens.
