More than 30,000 salon and spa professionals descended on New York’s Javits Center recently for the collaborative International Beauty Show and International Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa Conference. As you might imagine, they walked off with their favorite and most coveted pro tools and supplies.
Here are 10 of the big sellers at the March 3-5 event, open only to industry professionals. All photos were taken right there on the show room floor, except one (you’ll see why!):
ANDIS
In a twist surprising to no one, barbers in droves took home the tried-and-true Master Adjustable Blade Clipper.
BEAUTE TSURU
Makeup, brow, and skin-care artists loved the grip and precision of their Diamond Tip Tweezers.
CHI BY FAROUK SYSTEMS
The CHI team said their biggest seller was actually a toss-up between two popular draws: the Lava 1-in. Hairstyling Iron and the brand’s Royal Treatment Professional Line.
COMFORTEL
Salon owners looking to luxe up their shampoo rooms went for the Hazel Tan II Shampoo System with White Basin and Tan Ottoman. Among several shades to choose from, this neutral camel color was the big winner.
DNA HAIRTOOLS
The DNA stylists doing all-day demos reported that hair artists gravitated to the Styling Comb Pro, due to its lightning-fast turnaround from damp or unruly hair into sleek waves or glassy sheets.
GELISH
While their Spring 2024 collection Lace is More flew off the shelves, it was Gelish’s Go File IQ that got the most love from serious nail artists.
HALOCOUTURE EXTENSIONS
Though the extensions powerhouse can (and did) sell plenty of luxe locks, the retail Display Rack (and its long list of freebies) was the big draw for salon owners wanting to spark more interest in extensions among clients and walk-ins.
OLAPLEX
They sold out of their entire inventory of No. 7 Bonding Oil by Day 2, before we could even get over to take a photo!
SENSEI SHEAR SYSTEMS
The GSC Tough-Blade Cutting Shear is what barbers and stylists walked off with after trying them out.
TURBO POWER
Stylists and barbers liked the lightness-to-power ratio of the Twin Turbo 335 Digital Power Hair Dryer. "Our sales this year were tremendous," said Damiano Petruccelli of Turbo Power. "We showcased our new dryer and sold out in the first two days.”
Organizers called the dual shows this year the best they've seen in both events' long histories.
“We could not be more pleased by the success of this year’s New York shows,” said Elizabeth Fantetti Trevorrow of Questex, the events’ producer, citing the “education, incredible brands, empowerment opportunities, and our self-care initiatives” at the shows.
“And we’re just getting started,” she said. “With the shift in the industry towards solopreneurs — which was reflected in a large percentage of the attendee turnout at both shows — connecting them to our exhibitors was paramount.”