The beauty industry came out in force for Professional Beauty London on March 2–3 to see new brand launches, and some of the biggest names in beauty and spa on the stands and stages.
This year, the show's headline sponsor was Vagaro, and UK managing director Jason Downes said, "We're super-excited to be headline sponsor of Professional Beauty London, we had £575 of offers available for customers at the show and we spoke to so many business owners about how award-winning software Vagaro can help you grow your business."
The show was a launch pad for new innovations, including the debut of Skin Rocks Pro, a first appearance for cult makeup brand Mac and the return of iconic names like HD Brows.
All sectors of the beauty industry were represented, including spa, skincare, medical aesthetics, nails, lashes, brows, makeup, software and more.
Exhibitors were happy to see the buzz and excitement around the event. Caroline Hirons. founder of Skin Rocks Pro said, "It's our first year at Professional Beauty as a brand and, of course, if you're going to launch into the pro market there's only one place to do it, and that's Professional Beauty London."
Kimberley Shing, director of Phat Lash said, "Professional Beauty London lets you really connect with your customers in person. Obvious we meet them online but in person is so much better."
Luke Doolin, Phorest's country manager UK&I said, "We tried something different this year - we had an educational section with roundtables which meant we could really reconnect with clients and we got a buzz around the new tools we launched."
Visitors agreed the show provided the perfect opportunity to connect with suppliers and other industry professionals.
Shannice Brown, owner of BINC Beauty in London, said, "I love to network and it's just so great to see what is new in the beauty industry. I'm here to see new devices, electrical beds and I'm always on the look out for anything exciting I can offer my clients. The show also helps me expand on my own industry knowledge."
Freelance beauty professional Portia Campbell said, "I come to network, find out what's new and make connections for our business. We also to come and see the new products on the market that I can use to enhance the work that I do."
There was also a huge programme of talks and demos across for free live stages: Trends & Techniques, Skin & Advanced Treatments, and the brand new PB Live Lounge where we interviewed major industry names live, including makeup pro Dominic Skinner, skincare expert Caroline Hirons, nail pros Shea Osei and Anouska Anastasia and brand founder Karen Betts.
Speakers across the other stages included The Skin Priest Okikiola Emaleku, advanced facialist Lola Dansu and aesthetics trainer Andrew Hansfor on the Skin & Advanced Treatments stage, plus business expert Hellen Ward, hair, makeup and prosthetics artist Paige Cole and Glow Up makeup artist James Mac on the Trends & Techniques stage.
The show also featured a wide range of conferences including the International Manufacturers and Distributors Forum and the World Spa & Wellness Convention.
Visitors were also able to attend round-table discussion sessions at the Beauty Roundup and as part of the business programme on the Phorest stand.
There were also workshops run by Gelish, Glitterbels, Skin Philosophy Training and many more.
The show also hosted nail, makeup and facial competitions run by competition directors Jacqui and Sean O'Sullivan.
On the Sunday night of the event, winners of the Professional Beauty Awards and the World Spa & Wellness Awards winners were announced at a black-tie event at The Brewery in London.
