Featuring top-notch education along with the opportunity to check out the hottest launches and collections, the Professional Beauty Association’s International Salon and Spa Expo (ISSE) hosted 40,000 beauty professionals in Long Beach California from January 27 to the 29. If you missed it—have no fear—here’s what we think you should notice.

On the stage

The conference started with hands-on hairstyling demos featuring Allen Ruiz of Aveda on opening day, followed by award-winning husband-and-wife hairstyling duo The Teals on the NAHA stage. The pair showcased their Mastery collection and the business benefits of being a complete master of techniques, and Mainentrance artists DJ Riggs and Berry Bachen rounded out the day teaching the trend interpretations. On the final day, Martin Parsons gave a long hair presentation and Moroccanoil showed us how make the most of silhouettes in hairstyling. It was also another year of giving as PBA’s Sally Beauty Scholarship Fund received $10,000 from Sally Beauty; the cheque presented by Jan Roberts, director of corporate communications for Sally Beauty.

On the floor

Not surprisingly, we noticed a huge increase in nails, including CND, Morgan Taylor and OPI. In addition, more than 15 eyelash extension and growth vendors, such as Ardell and Blinc Inc. were in attendance. We also walked away wondering about how the trend in men’s styling will take off, seeing that the spotlight was often cast on barbering and shave services (even for bearded dudes!), including Jatai, Johnny B and American Crew and the new Major League Barber’s Barber Brawl competitions.

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 Images courtesy ISSE