America's Beauty Network ... sign me up!

Do know what it's like trying to be creative by yourself? Well, I think it's really hard.

A few things can happen. You can get locked up in a world where you think everything you do is amazing and then you step out of your "happy bubble" and people may chop you down, you start thinking you're just not good enough to hack it in the real world. You might have ideas of quitting. I know it's harsh. But that's what everyone who is creative risks. Everyone who is great at what they do has to take risks. It's part of life.

In my line of work I like feedback. Sometimes more. Sometimes less. ha ha. But I make sure I have a group of people I can ask and go to to help me be better at what I do.

America's Beauty Network can do this for every salon professional on the planet! No joke.
This network is made up of four individual associations dedicated to Hair, Latino Stylists, Nail Techs and Estheticians, ruled by a board of actual salon professionals who know what they are talking about. They are dedicated to making good salon professionals, good salon owners, good nail technicians, good cosmetologists and good estheticians ... GREAT! Through education and experience.

Our staff takes pride in creating economical ways for you to feed your creative desire by bringing the best of the best in the beauty industry to the stage every time we plan an event for our members. I MEAN EVERY TIME!

Sometimes I feel so empowered that I think I could just grab a pair of scissors and become a rock star stylist. I actually cut my husband's hair one time when we first started dating and it was so crooked and there was a bald spot in the back. Yikes. It was harder than I thought. I was going to art school at the time. I thought, I'm creative, I took 3-D sculpture class, I can do this.

I also get that same feeling walking through an art museum. It makes me want to paint and draw instantly. Do you know the feeling I'm talking about? You feel you need to do it your way. It's really personal.

Are you getting educated at a beauty school? ... Good for you! You can make it to graduation I know you can! Educating yourself after beauty school is important too! That is where the GREATNESS steps into your life. I'm talking about walking on water stuff!

All I'm saying is if you want to be a legend, it will help you tons to have America's Beauty Network on your side. Our education is the ticket to becoming GREAT!

Join now and get into to America's Beauty Show for FREE!
That's one of the largest benefits you can get by joining. No one else can offer this to you.

Visit www.AmericasBeautyShow.com to become GREAT!

The ABS 2009 photo shoot with Luis Alvarez of Aquage

Have you ever collaborated with another artist on a project and during that creation period know that creative magic has just happened?

Well I sure did when America's Beauty Show collaborated with Luis Alvarez of Aquage for the ABS 2009 photo shoot.
This year we wanted to show models in and around Chicago. Our shows city.

This shot was taken at North Beach in Chicago. The clouds were so weird that day. It had rained to whole day before. In this photo Cindy, our model, is the sun. Just like the the weekend of America's Beauty Show, we are the sun for Chicago.

All these shots will be used in all the marketing and media pushes for ABS this year. Check us out especially in Modern Salon, Estetica and Canadian Hairdresser and VIBRA Magazines.

We hired four AMAZING models. It was a four day shoot. During that time is when the creative magic happened.

Luis Alvarez was the photographer. Here's his bio. The VP of Creative & Education and cofounder of Aquage. Named one of the Top 75 Educators of the Century by Modern Salon, Luis was recently honored by Intercoiffure with the Knight of the Ordre de la Chevalerie in Paris.
Luis personally photographs all Aquage images as well as many covers and editorial spreads for trade publications. Luis believes that knowledge is an energy source we can all tap into to
inspire creative growth. He encourages every professional hairdresser to become
a student for life and to take advantage of every educational opportunity to enrich both mind and soul.

I just want to say from my personal experience Luis Alvarez is an amazing stylist, educator, photographer and person. He's the kind of guy that you want to listen to every word that he says because you will learn a lot about everything you do and how to do it better. Now I'm saying that as a print/web graphic designer/creative director.
If you are a salon professional listen up and do this right now ...

STEP 1: Get a pad of paper and a pen and sit down somewhere comfortable

STEP2: Make a list of all the big name salon pros you would like to meet. If you don't know anyone by name, page through a trade publication like Modern Salon, Estetica or VIBRA.

STEP 3: Put Luis Alvarez on the top of your list. Right at #1!

STEP4: Come to America's Beauty Show March 28-30, 2009 at McCormick Place | Chicago AND MEET HIM IN PERSON! He'll be at the Aquage booth and on 'The Runway @ABS".

The amazing hair stylist at the shoot was Ann Bray! I remember her holding wads of hair that she was preparing for the next days hair sculpture and I thought, I wonder what she's going to do with that? Then the next day comes around and wham I see the model with this amazing, you wouldn't know how she did it updo and then you realize what a powerhouse designer/stylist you have in front of you and she is the sweetest lady you could ever meet. This is Ann's bio. She is a long hair NAHA winner and winner of Intercoiffure's Createur de Mode award, a master of competition dresswork and has trained winners at every level of competition including the only gold medal in U.S. history during the World Championships.

Put her on your list too!

Wanda Alvarez was the Make-up artist for the shoot. She put the tattoos on the models and even added colors to some of them with body paint and a watercolor brush. She designed all the models with a dramatic eye and light colored lips. Just beautiful work as an end result. Thank you so much for your artistry Wanda! We had so much fun laughing at the end of the day. I can't wait to see you again.

This kind of artistry of course takes time to build. ABS can help you with finding the best products to work with, talking to your peers, mentors and salon stars from all over the world.
The beauty industry is so personable, I love everyone I've met so far in it.

Thanks again for a great shoot. It was unforgettable.

Kristen

Here's the 411 on the show!

I work for America's Beauty Show. If you are a Salon Professional or student it is truly amazing what you can see, learn and what you can take home from this event!

Here's the 411.

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Come experience one of the largest professional beauty shows in your industry, owned and managed by salon professionals just like you!

• Shop for new innovative products that your clients and you will love!

• Get educated real fast with our wide range of workshops, Master classes and Manufacturer Classrooms (we call it Product Knowledge College)! (Hands-on and lectures)

• Learn from and network with the beauty stars in your industry like Nick Arrojo of Arrojo and Wella Professional, Robert Cromeans of Paul Mitchell Systems, Luis Alvarez of Aquage, Anthony Mascolo of TIGI and many, many MORE!

Because they REALLY want to meet you! No kidding!

• Our Program Book will be out and online in December 2008!
Make sure you see it!

• Save gas and carpool to Chicago, Illinois for the weekend of
March 28 - 30, 2009 to McCormick Place.

• Book a hotel in the Show room block and take the shuttle to and from the show!

Our show is co-located with America's Expo for Skin Care and Spa.

So bring your salon professional friends! It will be an amazing experience for all!

Like we always say, Learn More Earn More®

• SAVE MONEY! Get in FREE if you join one of our associations created just for you within our America's Beauty Network.

Call 800.648.2505 or visit us at www.AmericasBeautyShow.com to find out more and to how to register!

Hope to see you there!

If you want to meet ask for me at the information desk at the show.
I'd love to meet you!

-Kristen