“Festival” was the theme of the evening at the 7th Beauty Changes Lives (BCL) Experience, where color, texture, light and sound fused into a multi-sensory, kaleidoscopic display that celebrated the primal essence of oneself. The night was truly a magical place to be on Sunday, March 31, 2019, at the renowned Geraghty in downtown Chicago with its soaring ceilings, energetic ambiance and eye-catching light shows.

 One of the most significant fundraisers of the year, the BCL Experience is a high-energy event and creative celebration that supports BCL’s administration of programs for emerging beauty professionals throughout the year. Scholarships funded by generous sponsors range from cosmetology, esthetics and makeup to licensed professionals and nails. This year’s emcee was celebrity stylist and Redken Global Artistic Ambassador,Sam Villa, known for his encouragement to stylists and their growth.

 BCL is a nonprofit driven to empower the next generation of beauty entrepreneurs, beauty influencers and beauty visionaries (NextGen). Under BCL’s leadership, brands and professionals across the industry invest in emerging and established talent—giving them the education and expertise necessary to realize their full potential and lead the industry forward.

 This year honored the late Paul Mitchell at the exclusive Legacy Award Dinner, with remarks from his son, Angus Mitchell, and JPMS Global Artistic Director, Robert Cromeans. Nearly 40 years ago, Mitchell along with business partner, John Paul DeJoria, launched a revolutionary hair care system that became an iconic brand in the beauty industry. During the evening, Angus remarked on his father’s lifelong commitment to professional excellence across the hairstylist’s journey. “We honor the late Paul Mitchell and celebrate his passion and dedication to our profession,” said Lynelle Lynch, Founder of Beauty Changes Lives.

 The awards were followed by an evening of inspiration, flair and talent. The 2019 ABS Global Image Awards winners were announced, along with the Leo Passage Gold Trophy Award presentation. In addition, the Fred A. Piattoni Award was given to Dr. Faouk Shami. Next, the venue transformed into a vivacious, edgy runway presentation delivered by the inspiring artists of the NextGen of beauty talent by Matrix, Pivot Point, Redken, TIGI, UltaBeauty and Wella.

Matrix’s NextGen were inspired by the color schematics seen at Caribbean festivals; featuring bold makeup, headpieces, adornments in the hair and tropical-inspired hair color. Pivot Point’s show took inspiration from “Cosplay Goth” with dark, mysterious fashion elements, feather embellishments and rainbow-colored hair. Wella brought in strong shapes with pops of color, contrasts of texture and refined details to the runway; while Pulp Riot celebrated the anarchistic and rebellious spirit evocative of the brand and the punk culture. Inspired by Alexander McQueen’s fashions, Pulp Riot presented a “street realistic” version of the design aesthetic, while using metallic elements, and bright and bold colors. TIGI illuminated a fusion of hair, fashion and music festivals into one presentation that interpreted a “Festivals Through the Decades” theme.  

 In addition to presentations, CND sponsored the Bumbys, a performance art group who did “fair and honest appraisals” of attendees using nothing more than analog typewriters and charming wit.  

Proceeds Work to Elevate Beauty Industry

BCL unites the professional beauty industry through fundraising and celebration of the next generation of beauty professionals.

 Other speakers at this year’s event included several scholarship winners whose lives have been changed through BCL scholarships. For example, Make-up Designory (MUD) scholarship winner Shelby Mellard was a police officer before winning the scholarship that allowed her to enroll in beauty school. Beyond Mellard, other scholarship winners speaking at the event included, Ratner Companies’ Danielle Long, Vidal Basic NC’s Joanna Grant, CosmoProf’s Wade Beesley and CND’s Tiffany Williams.

 Media Partners for the BCL Experience and the Legacy Award Dinner assisted BCL by encouraging attendance and support. The 2019 Media Partners included: Beauty Industry Report, Beauty Launchpad, Estetica, Modern Salon, Salon Magazine, Sophisticate’s Black Hair, Sophisticate’s Hairstyle Guide, and Salon and Stylist Newspapers. A special thanks to the hairbrained.me community.

 The event was co-hosted by America’s Beauty Show by Cosmetologists Chicago and PivotPoint International. BCL is grateful to all these sponsors for their continued support: Platinum: Bellus Academy and The Geraghty; Gold: Ratner and TIGI; Silver: Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes, Great Clips, JPMS, KMS, Matrix, MUD, Pivot Point, Pulp Riot, Redken, Ulta, Wella; Bronze: American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), DevaCurl, Hattori Hanzo Shears, Shark Fin Professional Shear Company. Event Advocates: Associated Hair Professionals, Coleman/Harrison, Paul Mitchell The School Houston, Paul Mitchell The School Cincinnati, Sexy Hair, Sunlights Balayage; Journal sponsors: Ergo, It’s a 10, MiladyPro, Paul Mitchell Schools.

 For more information, visit www.beautychangeslives.org.