Beautycon 2024 Wins Gold for Community and Content – Essence

There was no shortage of icons, activations, and top-notch beauty at Beautycon 2024. The two-day convention, once again landing in Los Angeles, offered a variety of experiences for beauty lovers and entrepreneurs alike. Beauties of different nationalities, ages, genders and abilities were present to soak up all the knowledge and heartfelt messages the lineup had to offer.

The first day was dedicated to beauty from a cultural and social perspective. It allowed Afro-Latino creators Monica Veloz and Iris Beilin to talk about how being black Dominican and Panamanian influenced their views on beauty and allowed them to connect as they navigated the creative space. The sisterhood between the two creators was obvious. Monica remembered her first meeting with Iris and immediately thought, “Someone got me. We are loud, unapologetic, and take up space.”

Social topics continued throughout the day, with coverage from Hairtok 101, Inside Mielle, and the first Beauty Trailblazers panel for Summer Fridays. On Hairtok 101, senior beauty editor Akili King spoke with creators and hair educators Dana Patterson and Julissa Prado, who offer nuanced, no-nonsense approaches to hair care and self-acceptance. The two hair fanatics had an exciting conversation about the benefits of science-leading hair treatments such as acid and pH-balanced treatments.

King’s conversation with Mielle Organics founder Monica Rodriguez gave the audience a closer look at Rodriguez’s goals and her vision for the brand, which she is committed to investing in for years to come. Refinery29 Beauty Director Sarah Tan spoke with the founders of Summer Fridays, who emphasized the importance of connecting and listening to their organic community.

The weekend featured informative conversations focusing on today’s digital landscape, its impact on the industry, and what current or aspiring creators can do to improve their content. With gems from creator Tonya Bravo and CANVAS Beauty founder Stormy Steele, the aspiring creators had quite a few notes to think about.

Sir John’s candid chat with curious makeup enthusiasts was a warm and educational experience as he demonstrated how to achieve the “dopamine glam” look. Keen observers asked him about everything from his favorite foods to milestones in his career path, and came away with insightful advice. His secret to achieving a radiant, captivating and sophisticated makeup look is to stick to cream products and skip setting powder.

When it came to Serena and JaN, the girls flooded onto the stage. The eager crowd screamed and cheered the moment these two beauties – and their supporting guys – came into view. Loyal fans stood ten fingers down to secure their seats and hung on every word uttered by their reality TV favorites.

The duo shared a refreshing conversation with R29 Unbothered’s Go Off Sis co-hosts Kathleen Newman-Bremang and Chelsea Sanders. They shared a sense of relief when they spotted another black girl in the park. Love Island the villa that allowed them to instantly connect, how they dealt with their newfound fame and what lies ahead for them personally and professionally.

R29 Unbothered’s Kathleen Newman-Bremang also led a powerful discussion about the intersection of beauty, self-love, and sexual health with a phenomenal panel of Black healthcare professionals. Dr. Andrea Alexander, OB/GYN, licensed internist, and AIDS activist Shadow McCants and Dr. Alftan Dyson educated a multi-generational audience on how to embrace sexual activity, destigmatize and educate about HIV, and how to actively advocate for your sexual health. As Dr. Dyson aptly noted, “Sexual health is great too.”

One of the best parts of the weekend was seeing how other beauty founders and creators were intrigued to hear and support each other’s stories. Makeup icon Danessa Myricks can be found in the front row of almost every panel, soaking up what others are saying and exuding the warm energy she projects so well. S’able Labs’ Sabrina Elba and Javon Ford were also among the crowd, closely watching what their colleagues had to say.

We received a priceless array of advice and concerns over the weekend, complemented by the mic-drop moments provided by Law Roach, Saweetie and Sloane Stephens during the “Beauty Like Me” panel. The image architect spoke with such passion about leaving the door open for those who come after you, especially when you are the first of your kind to achieve something. Saweetie echoed this sentiment by sharing a promise she made to herself to encourage the girls coming into the industry after her, despite the lack of support she and others have experienced firsthand. Stevens gave the room permission to tap into itself and listen to its needs because, in her words, “if you rest, you will rise.”

Finally, NaturallyCurly closed out the weekend with its signature “Texture On The Runway Fashion” show, showcasing the elegance and ingenuity of textured hairstyles that add high fashion moments.

There was an atmosphere of compassion, self-acceptance and mutual support amidst the reunions between participants, the forging of new friendships and the acquisition of invaluable knowledge. Overall, Beautycon 2024 was a reminder that beauty lies in the value and light we see in each other.