Succeeding in the fast-paced beauty industry means staying on top of the latest trends and styles. Sure, social media is a useful place to see what’s new and in, but beauty trade shows are where you can find inspiration and network with your peers face-to-face. This article will explore the different types of beauty trade shows and how they can be pivotal to your success, as well as the top trade shows you can attend in the U.S. to fuel your beauty career.

Top 14 Beauty Trade Shows to Attend as a Professional

Beauty trade shows, sometimes referred to as beauty conventions or beauty expos, are large events where professionals in the beauty industry come together to talk shop and build their networks. Beauty trade shows not only allow you to interact with other people in your field but give you a first-hand look at new products and techniques. While the digital age has made it seem like everything can be experienced through a camera lens, there is nothing like in-person interaction with your fellow professionals and getting an intimate look at things like textures, colors, and fragrances.

Why Should You Attend a Beauty Trade Show?

Attending a beauty trade show should be considered an investment in you—especially since setting up a booth at one can cost thousands of dollars. However, taking the initiative to educate yourself, improve your skills, and showcase your talents is an action that will never go to waste. Whether your focus is in makeup, hair, nails, or skincare, every professional can benefit from a beauty trade show. 

Learn From the Best

Beauty expos can be fun (and you should have fun at them!), but they are first and foremost an important step for your business. Beauty conventions provide professionals with a unique opportunity to learn how to better themselves and their services. You can often find leading experts at these events holding panels, discussions, or demonstrations about new styles, techniques, or other modern advancements in the industry. This will not only help you improve your own skills, but connect with those who have long-term experience in their field—and these connections can lead to something much more meaningful than Instagram followers, like partnerships or collaborations. 

Discover Innovative Products

Want to find out about the latest and greatest products before they go viral on TikTok? Beauty trade shows give you an opportunity to research and test out all the most recent products, discover new ingredients, get first-hand information from brand representatives, and find out what the new hottest drop is going to be so you can stay ahead of the curve. Beauty conventions are where you can learn about the newest, cleanest formulas, or which surprising ingredient is going to change the beauty game as we know it. 

Grow Your Clientele

Beauty trade shows are where you go to learn about the latest beauty products, but it’s also where your potential future clients can go to learn about you! Beauty trade shows are how you can market yourself, your services, and your products to those looking for a professional just like you. You can set up an exhibition booth, meet new people or influencers, hand out business cards or social media handles, and let your personality shine to help draw interest to your business. 

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14 of the Best Beauty Trade Shows

If you’re a beauty business professional who is ready to attend their first trade show but aren’t sure which one is right for you, see our breakdown below for the best 14 beauty expos out there. 

CosmoProf North America (CPNA)

July 23 - 25, 2024 - Las Vegas, Nevada: Mandalay Bay Convention Center

January 21 - 23, 2025 - Miami, Florida: Miami Beach Convention Center

CPNA is currently the leading beauty trade show giant in the United States, operating for over 20 years. In 2023, over 25,000 visitors attended this show, which exhibited over 1,100 brands. You can find some of the biggest names in the beauty industry at CPNA, along with new products and formulas, and even learn about the supply chain and how raw ingredients move through their processing cycle to end up on shelves. 

Premiere Orlando Beauty Show

May 31 - June 1, 2025 - Orlando, Florida: Orange County Convention Center

This organized showcase is one of the largest in the United States, with over 50,000 visitors and 450+ brands exhibited in 2024, along with hundreds of educational classes and dozens of workshops. The Orlando Beauty Show features the latest in hair, nail, skincare, and wellness trends, and offers professional development as well as creative competitions. 

America's Beauty Show

April 5 - 7, 2025 - Rosemont, Illinois: Donald E. Stephens Convention Center

With over 20,000 attendees in 2024, America’s Beauty Show is a massive event dedicated to helping beauty professionals learn from and connect with one another. Not only can you discover innovative formulas and the trendiest styles, but this event offers free continued education courses so that you can keep your business licenses and permits up-to-date. 

International Beauty Show (IBS) & IECSC

June 21 - 23, 2025 - Las Vegas, Nevada: Las Vegas Convention Center

The International Beauty Show (IBS) and the International Esthetics, Cosmetics, and Spa Conference (IECSC) co-locate at one convenient convention center for a weekend of beauty and wellness. IBS is open to nail techs, salon owners and managers, estheticians, makeup artists, manufactures, as well as teachers and students. IBS also offers classes and hundreds of hours of education for attendees.

The IECSC is a cosmetology and esthetician convention geared specifically toward spa and wellness professionals who want to learn the latest in anti-aging technology, lasers, lashes, peels, and even cannabis treatments. You can also buy products in bulk or acquire the newest equipment for your spa. This cosmetology/esthetician convention is open to professionals only. 

Luxe Pack Los Angeles & MakeUp in Los Angeles

February 12 - 13, 2025 - Los Angeles, California: LA Convention Center

Much like how the IBS and IECSC run concurrently, Luxe Pack LA and MakeUp in Los Angeles are two combined events that give exhibitors and business professionals exposure to a large audience. With over 5,000 attendees visiting in 2023, the Luxe Pack / MakeUp in LA event isn’t as massive as some other trade shows, but may feel less overwhelming to some. Luxe Pack LA focuses on helping business owners discover how to get creative with their packaging and labeling designs, while MakeUp in Los Angeles focuses on B2B skincare and makeup trade. 

Luxe Pack New York

May 7 - 8, 2025 - Manhattan, New York: The Javits Center

With over 200 exhibitors and thousands of attendees, Luxe Pack New York works with business owners to help them figure out the most creative luxury brand and label designs for their products. If you’re struggling with your business’ branding, looking for a packaging partner, or simply looking for eco-friendly packaging solutions, Luxe Pack New York is an event designed specifically for you. 

American Association of Cosmetology Schools AACS Show

October 25 - 27, 2024 - Houston, Texas 

This annual conference is specifically geared toward educators in the beauty industry. If you’re a wellness school owner, director, or part of a wellness staff, you can attend this show to learn more about things like government regulations, marketing, compliance, or any other issues that could affect the operation (or success) of the school. 

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The Aesthetic Show

June 27 - 30, 2024 - Las Vegas, Nevada: The Wynn

Billing itself as a convention “where science meets beauty,” The Aesthetic Show (TAS) is where you can experience helpful workshops and innovative demonstrations relating to the skincare and wellness industry. With over 2,000 visitors and 175+ exhibitors, TAS is where beauty professionals can go to find inspiration, connect with their peers, and participate in brand-elevating events. 

Face And Body Skincare Show

September 8 - 9, 2024 - Sacramento, CA: SAFE Credit Union Convention Center

Bundled with the NailPro Show, this dual event offers exhibitors and attendees full-scale access to quality spa “edu-tainment.” With thousands of attendees and hundreds of exhibitions, the Face And Body Skincare Show features major skincare brands, as well as services like teeth whitening and brow work. The theme for 2024’s show is “Next Gen Beauty,” presenting new advancements in beauty and wellness technology. 

The Image Expo

October 27 - 28, 2024 - Houston, Texas: George R. Brown Convention Center

With an estimated 7,000 attendees, the Image Expo is an event geared towards all types of beauty professionals—salon owners, hair stylists, estheticians, cosmetologists, nail techs—to help improve the way their business looks and operates. Aside from providing access to thousands of quality products and new tech, the Image Expo boasts a high reputation in providing exhibitioners the marketing support they need to thrive. 

Black Beauty Expo

August 4, 2024 - Atlanta, Georgia: Georgia International Convention Center

An entire makeup, modeling, fashion, photography, and hair show for black creatives looking to market their unique talents and perspectives. With approximately 2,500 attendees and over 100 exhibitions, the Black Beauty Expo serves as a dedicated space for black entrepreneurs and beauty professionals to network and immerse themselves in a number of products and services. 

Flavorcon

October 8 - 9, 2024 - Atlantic City, New Jersey: Harrah’s Resort & Casino

Flavorcon is an event geared towards perfumers and flavorists, providing the latest in formulas, ingredients, research, and technology. With a number of panels, exhibitions, and demonstrations at the ready, you can surround yourself with leading experts in the world of scents and aromas. 

World Natural Hair Health & Beauty Show

No dates announced at time of writing. Follow Taliah on EventBrite for updates. - Atlanta, Georgia

This beauty and hair show celebrates natural hair and promotes self-love, providing a space for all who attend to discover and explore their own natural beauty. Running for over 20 years, this expo promotes positivity and a strong community for black beauty professionals, along with networking opportunities, professional workshops, wellness panels, and professional seminars. 

The International Make-Up Artist Trade Show (IMATS)

January 11 - 12, 2025 - Los Angeles, California: Pasadena Convention Center

IMATS is a makeup trade show that focuses on the artistry behind the tools, where makeup professionals in the film and fashion industry come together to learn from and inspire one another. This beauty trade show celebrates the passion behind artistic makeup but also provides educational seminars and live demonstrations to those looking to expand their skill sets. 

Thrive In The Beauty Industry With GlossGenius

Staying up-to-date on the latest trends, products, and technologies can help your business get ahead and stay there. Whether your focus is makeup, nails, barbering, or general wellness, beauty trade shows give professionals like you a unique opportunity to learn and grow your brand in a setting that not only puts you in contact with leading industry professionals but also offers mass exposure. 

Aside from putting yourself out there in the beauty business world, GlossGenius offers several solutions to help grow and maintain your beauty business. With features like appointment scheduling, marketing, and client insights, our software can take care of administrative tasks while you focus on providing exceptional service to your clients. 

‍Start your free trial of GlossGenius today to find out how we can help you thrive beautifully.