The magnificence trade’s greatest names traded the crimson carpet for champagne, dialog, and a little Sunday self-care as the 2026 Bronner Bros. Beauty Icon Awards festivities continued with an intimate brunch celebrating neighborhood, creativity, and Black excellence.
Source: Lauryn Bass / @itslaurynbass
Following Saturday’s second annual Beauty Icon Awards, BOSSIP’s very own Lauryn Bass was on the scene for the Beauty In Good Company Brunch, held at The Starling in Midtown Atlanta. Presented by SALT.XO Handcrafted Skincare, the gathering welcomed magnificence entrepreneurs, superstar hairstylists, model founders and trade tastemakers for an afternoon centered on significant connections.
The invitation-only expertise also adopted an awards ceremony honoring trade innovators, including Topicals founder Olamide Olowe, superstar make-up artist Derek Rutledge, hairstylist Tokyo Stylez and other influential figures shaping the future of magnificence.
Good Company, Great Conversations And A Luxury Experience
For Kelly Keith, government producer of the Bronner Bros. Beauty Icon Awards, the brunch was an alternative to create something more private after the earlier night’s celebration.
“I really wanted to encourage people to come together after a bigger event last night and network on a more personal level,” Keith completely instructed BOSSIP.
Keith defined that the theme was designed to unite professionals across totally different corners of the trade, whether they work behind the chair, develop merchandise or function their own companies.
“We’re all together, we’re all one community,” she said, emphasizing her need for attendees to let their hair down while having fun with a luxurious expertise.
Rather than organizing a conventional after-party, Keith envisioned a leisurely gathering that felt more like a household reunion, permitting honorees and company to reconnect before returning dwelling.
The ambiance mirrored that intention. SALT.XO branding appeared all through the venue, including picture alternatives in the bogs, while company loved a buffet-style brunch that includes shrimp and smoked Gouda grits, herb-roasted hen, baked salmon, buttermilk waffles, recent pastries and miniature desserts.
A champagne and prosecco bar supplied bellinis, mimosas and specialty cocktails, complementing the pink-and-purple aesthetic.
Beauty Is Personal, And So Is Fragrance
One of the afternoon’s interactive highlights came courtesy of Baroma Parfum Bar, where company created miniature customized fragrances to take dwelling.
Guests could layer up to three fragrances to develop their own signature scent and be a part of the model’s on-line Scent Society membership to protect their creations for future purchases.
The expertise underscored the afternoon’s emphasis on individuality, significantly as conversations turned toward artistic partnerships and the significance of manufacturers embracing unconventional collaborations.
Host Jasper Hagan set the tone with a becoming encouragement:
“Let’s have an amazing time on purpose!”
Olamide Olowe Talks Topicals, Expansion And The Black Women Who Opened Doors
The Topicals founder supplied a candid look at entrepreneurship, illustration, and her evolving relationship with the magnificence trade.
Introduced by Erica Views, Beauty Icon Awards honoree Olamide Olowe joined the dialog to focus on her skilled journey and the significance of creating alternatives for Black magnificence entrepreneurs.
“Excited to put our culture on the forefront,” Olowe instructed attendees.
During the open dialogue, Olowe revealed that Topicals is increasing into Nigeria and other African markets. She shared that she is at present dwelling in Lagos and has stepped down from the CEO place to focus on enlargement efforts.
Olowe also mentioned in-the-know trade notes with attendees like Beauty Hut as a retail companion and shared that she acquired BREAD hair care last 12 months.
Despite her accomplishments, the entrepreneur acknowledged the ladies whose contributions helped make her success doable.
“So many black women have opened the door for me to be sitting here right now,” she said.
Her feedback also revealed a rising curiosity in reconnecting with the artistic foundations of the trade.
“I’m a black woman who doesn’t know how to braid. I want to go back to artistry and education and really want to lean into creativity,” Olowe shared.
The dialog supplied a reminder that even completed magnificence founders are still discovering new methods to study, evolve and broaden their affect.
Greg Gilmore Reminds Beauty Professionals That Influence Starts Behind The Chair
Celebrity colorist, educator, and Moroccanoil world shade ambassador Greg Gilmore also shared his perspective on artistry, skilled identification, and the cultural significance of cosmetologists.
Source: Lauryn Bass / @itslaurynbass
During the gathering, Gilmore gave company a behind-the-scenes glimpse into his work with actress Storm Reid, recalling a crimson carpet transformation that concerned chopping her hair and coloring it ash blonde.
“It’s important to have a point of view and stick to it,” Gilmore instructed attendees.
In an unique dialog with BOSSIP, Gilmore revealed that he not too long ago accomplished a guide exploring the heritage and often-overlooked affect of cosmetologists.
“It’s really about sharing some of the secrets behind why cosmetologists do what they do, why we’re so influential in our communities, and how come we’re so overlooked?” he defined.
Gilmore emphasised that magnificence professionals have lengthy contributed to their communities in methods that prolong beyond their technical experience.
“A lot of times people look for influence, but the influence is right behind the chair,” he said.
The hairstylist is also making ready to launch a workbook before the finish of the 12 months to assist shoppers higher perceive their hair and construct more healthy relationships with it.
Additionally, Gilmore announced a Nov. 15 academic class at Mane and Tailored in Houston, Texas, focusing on ready-to-wear hair, coloring, chopping and styling strategies across totally different hair textures.
A Celebration Of Beauty That Goes Beyond The Awards
The gathering also welcomed hairstylist Nicole M. Hill, who contributed to the mannequin displays during the earlier night’s Beauty Icon Awards.
Between conversations, company celebrated their accomplishments, exchanged contacts, and even took a break for the Tamia line dance, bringing a little motion to the afternoon’s networking.
Attendees also departed with magnificence merchandise, including SALT.XO Erotica Gel, SALT.XO Seedless Yoni Gel and AddABang Hair Extensions’ pink powder dry shampoo.
Source: Lauryn Bass / @itslaurynbass
As the Bronner Bros. group approaches its eightieth anniversary in 2027, Keith confirmed that plans are underway to make next 12 months’s Beauty Icon Awards an even larger expertise.
“We are planning to have it next year in a bigger, better way because next year is their 80th anniversary,” she instructed BOSSIP, including that she hopes to start planning in November.
Although the particulars stay undecided, Keith distinguished the Beauty Icon Awards from the group’s longstanding hair and magnificence commerce present, describing the awards as a newer extension of the Bronner Bros. legacy.
Ultimately, Beauty in Good Company supplied something beyond another trade occasion. It created room for the individuals accountable for shaping magnificence tradition to rejoice one another with out the stress of a stage, competitors, or crimson carpet.
From founders increasing internationally to hairstylists preserving their trade’s historical past, the conversations strengthened an necessary message: Black magnificence is more than a enterprise. It’s an ecosystem of artistry, schooling, entrepreneurship, and neighborhood.
Sometimes, the most significant connections occur after the awards have already been handed out.
