Long Island Beauty’s Glo Up
Christopher George Photography
This first-of-its-kind expo shines a spotlight on the local industry
If you’re in the beauty biz, you’re probably familiar with beauty trade shows. These showcases are typically held in big convention halls with many vendors, demonstrations, classes, and the covetable swag bag. Well, this Sunday, July 31st, the traditional beauty expo gets a makeover—Long Island style.
The visionary behind the event, 34-year-old Ashley Stevens, owner of Beauty Equation in Bayshore and For Brides Only, and her team wanted to feature the talent and small businesses here on the island differently. The expo, dubbed “Glo,” will be housed at Stereo Gardens in Patchogue, a live music venue. It will include exclusive-to-Long-Island beauty professionals and businesses, live demonstrations, and classes, all with a unique party vibe: live music, a DJ, and a gl0w-in-the-dark, 30-model runway show.
The Expo Inspo
“I named the show Glo because it’s our job to make people glow—internally and externally,” says Stevens. “It’s more important than coloring someone’s roots or giving a really nice blow-out; it goes deeper.” Having attended big beauty trade shows in major cities, Stevens felt it was time Long Island had a large-scale exhibition of its own. “We have so much talent here,” she says. It also seemed like prime time to launch the show as Long Island has recently become home to many urbanites who moved to the suburbs during the COVID pandemic. “When NYC people think of Long Island, they think of the Hamptons, but we have so much going on from Nassau to the east end,” she says. Unlike other beauty expos, this one isn’t just for professionals. It’s open to the public because “who doesn’t love beauty?” as Stevens says. (And, yes, that means you can snag the same sample-filled swag bag the beauty pros take home.)
An Inclusive Approach
The impressive roster of beauty vendors highlights diversity in the Long Island beauty industry, with Black-owned businesses such as K&D African Braiding doing live demonstrations on stage and the makeup artistry of Theresa Francine Beauty. The overall goal is to showcase Long Island’s inclusive beauty with an all-encompassing show. “I want to point out that on Long Island, we have a product, a company, a salon, a spa, a makeup line for everyone—every skin tone and texture, every hair texture and color,” says Stevens. “We have something for everyone; no one will be missed.”
A Spotlight on Education
Of course, cosmetology students and licensed pros will also get what they came for: education and networking. “One of the biggest complaints I’ve heard from vendors participating in other shows is that there is so much competition,” says Stevens. To allow everyone to be seen, Stevens aimed to have vendors of all sorts with not too many duplicate businesses. And the pro classes are scheduled so that attendees don’t have to pick and choose between two. What can you expect? Hair color, a Hydrafacial demo, brow contouring, and much more.
Want to get your Glo on? The expo will be held Sunday, July 31st from 2-7 p.m. at Stereo Gardens, 9 Railroad Avenue, Patchogue. Tickets are available online at globeautyshow.com and also at the door. Price: $50.50 — $60.50.
