This past weekend (Sat Apr 9 – Monday, Apr 11) the SalonEVO and BarberEVO team packed their bags and took off to Chicago to attend the 99th annual America’s Beauty Show put on by Cosmetologists Chicago.

Beauty professionals, from barbers, cosmetologists, and beauty and skincare experts gathered for a weekend full of education, inspiration, demonstrations, networking, and of course, a little bit of fun too!

This year, EVO took their booth to the next level, offering attendees a unique opportunity at being on the coveted front cover of SalonEVO, with an incredible life-size, interactive, walk-in front cover photobooth. The EVO booth was also the spot to be if you wanted to learn from amazing educators, such as Miguel Rosas from Wahl Pro and Lici Febo from Andis who both performed live demos to an inspired audience.

The EVO front cover photo booth was graced by many of North America’s leading hair and beauty lights, such as the Ulta Beauty Pro Team, with Nick Stenson and Anna Manukyan, Danielle Keasling, David Lopez and Michelle O’Connor. As well as educators like the effervescent Kristin Kaide, Queen of the South, Nieves Almaraz and many, many more!

The team also had the enormous privilege of attending the 10th Annual Beauty Changes Lives Experience, which was an incredible night of fun, inspiration and education, bursting with industry icons all keen to support this wonderful charitable cause.

Thanks to all who stopped by and said hello! Until next year at ABS!

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The JVN haircare line is a collaboration between Amyris and Jonathan Van Ness: hairstylist, Emmy-nominated TV personality, New York Times best-selling author and podcaster. Jonathan Van Ness introduced JVN as a haircare line that see all beauty, serves all beauty, and honors the uniqueness in each person.

Before becoming a TV personality, author and podcaster, Jonathan worked as a professional hairstylist between Los Angeles and New York. His role on the hit TV show, Queer Eye, is to help both men and women build hair and skincare routines, and feel empowered by their grooming routines, to feel their most confident self.

The tagline for the JVN is “Come as you are.” Jonathan Van Ness said: “JVN allows everyone that uses it to find their best hair self, feel beautiful, and show the world that they can look better than ever while being confident in their choice to bring clean beauty to their hair.”  With this sentiment in mind, the JVN line is both gender and texture inclusive.

The JVN line also prides itself on having the most innovative and up-to-date ingredients, prioritizing the performance of its products. They have also made efforts to make the line as sustainable as possible, saying@ “We stand as allies with other mission-driven organizations, and find unexpected ways to take care of our community and the planet. JVN products are packaged in infinitely recyclable materials like aluminum and glass.”

For more info, go to jvnhair.com

The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) announced the winners of the 2021 North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA). The announcement took place on Sunday, August 29th at their awards ceremony at the Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada, during Cosmoprof North America.

NAHA is known as the beauty industry’s most prestigious competition in North America – honoring the top artists and creative talents who have pushed the boundaries of skill and creativity.

NAHA celebrates the industry’s leading talent and features 15 categories of excellence across hair and makeup artistry, including the new Inspiring Salon of the Year and Educator of the Year award categories.

“This was an unprecedented year for NAHA, yet the heightened creativity and sheer artistry represented were among the most impressive in the competition’s history,” shares Nina Daily, PBA’s Executive Director. “The industry rallied to channel energy into groundbreaking innovation and camaraderie, and we couldn’t be prouder of the winners, finalists and everyone who put so much passion and energy into making tonight such a success.”

NAHA 2021 was hosted by A-list celebrity stylist and Living Proof Global Creative Director Michael Shaun Corby and featured artistic presentations by Silas Tsang and the Ulta Beauty Pro Team. The event was live-streamed and available on-demand for those who were not able to attend in person.

2021 NAHA Awards Winners:

• Men’s Hairstylist of the Year- Nieves Almaraz

• Avant Garde- Sharie Valcin

• Editorial Stylist of the Year- Danielle Keasling

• Educator of the Year- Sam Villa

• Haircolor- Suzanne Sturm

• Haircutting- Stephen Moody

• Hairstylist of the Year- Silas Tsang

• Inspiring Salon of the Year- Square Colour Salon + Spa

• Makeup Artist of the Year- Nohemi Capetillo

• Master Hairstylist of the Year- Ruth Roche

• #NAHAMoment- Lauren Moser

• Student Hairstylist of the Year- Alisha Kemp

• Styling and Finishing- Nick Stenson

• Team of the Year- Julie Vriesinga

• Texture- Ammon Carver

To watch the awards ceremony on demand, including interviews from the red carpet, please visit https://www.bigmarker.com/professional-beautyassociat/NAHA-2021-Livestream

Celebrating their 100th Anniversary, MIZUTANI is running their World Cutting Photo Contest, with entries open until the 31st of August, 2021.

MIZUTANI announced: “Upon popular request, from all around the world, the World Cutting Photo Contest is back! Show us your passion and creativity! STYLE GOES ON!”

This year the contest will be separated into three categories, with a special prize for each winner. With world-class judges from around the world, such as Bertus and Leen from Shorem Barber in the Netherlands, Josh DeMarco from the DAPR Grooming Parlor in the USA, Julius Caesar, Alan, and Reece Beak from RUGER. Barber in the UK, Whitney VerMeer from USA, and many more huge names.

The categories are:

Classic Men’s Style. In this category, Judges are looking for the best classic cuts, with detail and accuracy.

Men’s Avant-Garde Short Style. Judges are looking for barbers who are willing to break out of their shells and show the most innovative styles.

Ladies Avant-Garde Short Style. Test your limits, and let your creativity fly in this category, creating striking ladies’ short styles. Some of the prizes include a Live Virtual Class at Shorem, MIZUTANI’s Cut Master Set, and an opportunity to appear in Japanese and international barbering magazines.

Don’t miss your chance, entries are open until August 31st! Enter NOW!

Last call for Mizutani’s World Cutting Photo Contest!

Mizutani, the scissor experts, are inviting the last entries to their incredible 100th anniversary special event, the World Cutting Photo Contest 2021.
Show your passion and creativity by entering this photo contest before entries close on July 31st, and put your creativity forward for judging by industry giants.

There are three categories: The Classic Men’s Style, with judges from across the globe deciding on the winner. Then there is the Men’s Avant-Garde Short Style category, giving a chance to showcase that innovation and style. This class is judged again by incredible barbers from both the UK, the USA and Japan. And finally, there is the Ladies’ Avant-Garde Short Style category, which will see the likes of Whitney VerMeer, Stephen Moody, Sofia Justine Pok Emu Okamoto and Jean-Baptiste Mazella selecting their chosen winner.

There is a special prize for the winners of each category including an exclusive live virtual class with Schorem/Mazella and Partners One to One Education, a Mizutani’s Cut Master Set (five scissors), a trophy and certificate, and the opportunity to appear in both Japanese and international magazines.

The final results will be announced on 10th November, 2021. Go to https://www.mizutani-scissors.com/en/wc_photo_contest_2021/ to enter.

The search is on for the Barber Of The Year 2021, as the Professional Barber World Series announces a brand new competition aimed at finding the best in the business.

The competition which is sponsored by Dapper Dan, with BarberEVO as proud media partners, is calling all barbers to sharpen their scissors and enter this prestigious competition.

Competition organisers said: “After an uncertain year for the industry, it is finally time to pick up the scissors once more and get snipping. With this in mind, what better time to introduce a brand new photographic competition for all barbers worldwide? The Professional Barber World Series is designed as a springboard for all barbers looking to hone their skills and test their talents against the best in the business. Judged by industry stalwarts and highly qualified educators, this simply can’t be missed. Top prizes and media coverage for all winners and runners up.

The competition has three categories:

UK BARBER OF THE YEAR

INTERNATIONAL BARBER OF THE YEAR

YOUNG BARBER OF THE YEAR

Prizes include a DSLR camera, Barberblades vouchers up to £500; BarberEVO front cover photoshoot; a five day Sid Sottung Academy Course; up to £400 in Nearcut credit.

MEET THE JUDGES:

Sid Sottung: international educator with 30+ years in the business, 20+ years in education and Global Andis educator.

Baldy: Owner of Baldy’s Barbers, Andis International European Lead educator.

Simon May: Dapper Dan founder, 20+ years barbering, owner of Wolf & Co Barbers

Brandi Lashay: Owner of the Barber Doll House LLC, 24+ years in the industry, BaByliss Barberology Platform educator.

Colin Petrie: Founder of Hard Grind barbershops, 10+ years in the industry, part of the American Crew Elite Team, Matakki Scissors Ambassador.

Tyrik Jackson: CEO Premier Barber Institute and Sharper Image Barbers, international educator.

Follow @probarber_wordseries on Instagram or @probarberworldseries on Facebook for up to the minute updates on this not to be missed competition.

The industry lost one of its greats on 17th July with the unexpected passing of Kurtis ‘the Stache’ Lawrence.

On 22nd July the Reuzel family shared a statement to their official Facebook page to announce Kurtis’ passing. Part of the Reuzel team since 2016, Kurtis was an important member of the brand’s education team as Education Coordinator, as well as a proud Scumbassador.

Before becoming part of the team at Reuzel, Kurtis had previously worked with Tigi and Pivot Point, honing his skills before finding a passion for the Reuzel brand.

Reuzel described Kurtis as a ‘model coordinator extraordinaire’ and a ‘social media master.’ They also shared heartwarming words reflecting Kurtis’ larger-than-life character: ‘He had a kind heart, always had a smile, was always the social butterfly, and would go out of his way to help you in any way he could. He was taken too young and our hearts are grieving. We are all left with a big hole that simply cannot be filled by anyone, but we are blessed to have known and loved Kurtis.’

Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Kurtis’ family, friends and colleagues.

Award-winning barber, men’s stylist and photographer Kevin Luchmun has launched Luchmun Studios, a new creative space combining hairdressing, barbering and photography facilities.

The 600 sq.ft space in London features 9ft high ceilings, with an elegant infinity wall and a spacious, open feel. Photography equipment is available for hire, with a range of Canon, Panasonic and Sony cameras and a mix of lenses ranging from 16mm to 200mm. Creatives can book the space for up to 10 hours, whether for photography purposes or to cut hair (by appointment only). Kevin will also use the space to hold classes and seminars, as well as one-to-one teaching.

With 11 years of experience, Kevin’s name has become synonymous with traditional barbering and high-end male hairdressing. His clear artistic vision saw him rise through the ranks to become International Art Director for Toni & Guy and label.m and head up the men’s education division.

Parting ways with Toni & Guy and becoming an independent artist in February 2017, Kevin says that he is ‘so grateful to have been able to travel to so many beautiful countries, sharing my knowledge, meeting people that I now call my friends and it has been absolutely incredible.’ Luchmun Studios however, means that Kevin can be closer to home, something that travelling has made him value even more: ‘Spending so much time away from what means the most to me, my wife and son made me realise I need a base in London.’

With an ideal location and an inspiring space, Kevin has teased the studios on his Instagram page as ‘where creative ideas are brought to life.’ You can find out more at www.luchmunstudios.com and on the studio’s Instagram page, @luchmun.studios.

After announcing last month that legendary barber A Rod would be joining the Wahl Professional family, their first video collaboration has been revealed.

A Rod’s content on his social media channels has engaged followers from across the globe, and these new videos with Wahl will educate and inspire barbers and stylists to create diverse cuts using the brand’s wide range of tools. The videos will also feature Wahl’s Education and Artistic Team (WEAT) members who will share their own expertise in creating a range of cuts. A Rod will also be a guest on Wahl’s Disruptour, the travelling, barbering and business educational tour.

A Rod has had a wealth of success in using content creation to grow his brand – he currently has over 2 million followers on Instagram, 2 million on YouTube and 800,000 on Facebook who look to his online presence for a mix of education and entertainment.

For their first collective effort, A Rod created a unique prism design and textures cut on none other than Wahl Global Creative Consultant, Byrd Mena, using his favorite Wahl tools.

Watch the full video by clicking here.