Premiere Columbus demonstrator Libby Brenner styles a client’s curls inside her salon, North and Ivy Natural Curl Studio. Photo Credit: Briana Krites Photography.
Premiere Columbus will bring beauty professionals, educators and brands to the Greater Columbus Convention Center Oct. 11-12 for two days of classes, demonstrations and networking opportunities.
The annual expo will feature more than 130 education classes including 80 educators and influencers teaching those classes and connect with over 100 exhibiting brands, said Erin McDonald, event director of Premiere shows. Most of the classes are complimentary with the show pass and each category of education is hosted across two days, she said, including business and marketing classes.
“It’s for students as well as new and emerging professionals, and also classes for seasoned or advanced professionals in the industry,” McDonald said. “It really is the Midwest’s ultimate classroom for students and professionals really wanting to grow their skill.”?
Industry professionals will host live demonstrations and classes that will share techniques ranging from styling curly hair and creating updos, to building a social media presence, according to the event’s website. The programming gives beauty students and new stylists an opportunity to learn beyond the classroom.?
The main stage will host 10 presentations throughout the weekend, McDonald said, including a Barber Battle on Monday afternoon. Ulta Beauty will participate for the first time, offering hands-on education and ear piercing, while LASHCON, a conference designed for lash artists, will host more than nine classes over the two days.?
Premiere has been in Columbus for 28 years, and McDonald said the event is dedicated to Ohio and the Columbus community. Being at the Greater Columbus Convention Center allows Premiere to continue that commitment, she said.
The expo will also have giveaways Monday morning. McDonald said the first 250 attendees at the show will receive sample bag of products from the event.
Curl specialist Libby Brenner, owner of North and Ivy Natural Curl Studio located in Wooster, Ohio, will host multiple demonstrations on the main stage of Premiere Columbus. Her demonstration, “Crafting Curls,” will be held twice on Sunday and twice Monday, Brenner said.
The demonstrations will cover different aspects of working with curly hair, including color placement, shaping and styling, Brenner said.?
“I just don’t want them to feel like they have to be scared to style people with curly hair, because you know, curly hair clients need color and trim, and their hair needs love, too,” Brenner said.?
Brenner described her approach to styling curls as simple, focusing on techniques rather than overwhelming clients with products. She said her goal is to teach people techniques they can use to confidently style their hair at home.
“To try to fight [your natural curl pattern] because you’re ashamed, or you don’t feel you can rock it and look good, and it’s not professional – like, that’s insane,” Brenner said.
Brenner said beauty shows can expose students to education and perspectives beyond what they typically experience in the classroom.
“I think it’s super important to get out there as somebody who’s absorbing education and get a taste of things that you may not be exposed to in beauty school,” Brenner said.
Kell Grace, owner of KellGrace Makeup and Hair Studio, has worked in the beauty industry for more than 20 years and now focuses on education.?
At Premiere Columbus, Grace will present “5 Minute Updos and Cutting the Perfect Tendrils” on the main stage. She said her presentation is intended to show attendees fast updo techniques, including ways to create structure, shape and detail without making the process overly complicated.?
“My goal is for attendees to leave with techniques they can actually use behind the chair, not just something that looks great on a stage,” Grace said.
Social media has had a huge influence on hair trends, Grace said. Clients have access to thousands of hairstyle ideas every day through Instagram, TikTok and other platforms. Softer, higher updos with face-framing pieces that don’t look overly perfect have become increasingly popular on social media and in her salon, she said.
“For stylists, that means we have to pay attention to trends, but we also need to know how to translate an inspirational photo into something wearable and flattering for the individual sitting in our chair,” Grace said.?
To balance current beauty trends with teaching techniques that stylists can continue using after those trends change, Grace teaches foundational techniques that are timeless.?
“I would much rather teach someone how to understand and build a style than have them memorize one hairstyle,” Grace said.
Grace urges newer stylists to develop their own way of doing things by learning the fundamentals and learning from as many educators as possible. Then, stylists can take those techniques and make them their own, she said.
Olivia Thompson, a global blonding specialist and social media expert, said in an email that social media has changed the beauty industry by educating clients about the condition of their hair, the products they’re using and what healthy hair actually looks like.?
“A stylist can post a technique today and suddenly clients everywhere are screenshotting it, saving it and bringing it into their appointments. Things move so fast now,” Thompson said.
On Sunday, Thompson will teach “Becoming the Director of Your Social Media Brand,” which will show attendees how to take control of what they’re putting online and being intentional about the story being told.?
Thompson said younger stylists are more comfortable questioning why techniques are done a certain way instead of accepting how the beauty industry has always worked.
“You don’t have to be behind the chair five or six days a week anymore to have an amazing career in this industry,” Thompson said. “You can specialize. You can teach. You can create content. You can work with brands. You can do extensions. You can build multiple sides of your career around what you’re actually good at and what you enjoy doing.”
Beyond classes and demonstrations, McDonald said the weekend provides attendees with opportunities to meet new people in the field.
“The entire weekend is a networking opportunity,” McDonald said. “It might be that you’re waiting in line for merch or something on the show floor, and it’s really about having the confidence to speak to someone next to you,” McDonald said.
The ultimate goal of the expo, McDonald said, is for every attendee to leave feeling inspired, empowered and equipped with new skills that can be used immediately.?
“Premiere Columbus, specifically with education, should ignite your passion for the craft and really give you confidence to go back and take your career to the next level,” McDonald said.
McDonald said student show passes are available online through Oct. 10 for $65 but increase to $85 at the door.
