Topicals founder Olamide Olowe is expanding into African markets while emphasizing the Black women who paved her path to success.
Celebrity colorist Greg Gilmore highlights how cosmetologists wield overlooked influence and cultural significance in their communities.
The event prioritized personal networking and creative collaboration over traditional awards ceremony formality, fostering genuine industry relationships.
The beauty industry’s biggest names traded the red carpet for champagne, conversation, and a little Sunday self-care as the 2026 Bronner Bros. Beauty Icon Awards festivities continued with an intimate brunch celebrating community, creativity, and Black excellence.
Source: Lauryn Bass / @itslaurynbass
Following Saturday’s second annual Beauty Icon Awards, BOSSIP’s very own Lauryn Bass was on the scene for the Beauty In Good Company Brunch, held at The Starling in Midtown Atlanta. Presented by SALT.XO Handcrafted Skincare, the gathering welcomed beauty entrepreneurs, celebrity hairstylists, brand founders and industry tastemakers for an afternoon centered on meaningful connections.
The invitation-only experience also followed an awards ceremony honoring industry innovators, including Topicals founder Olamide Olowe, celebrity makeup artist Derek Rutledge, hairstylist Tokyo Stylez and other influential figures shaping the future of beauty.
Good Company, Great Conversations And A Luxury Experience
For Kelly Keith, executive producer of the Bronner Bros. Beauty Icon Awards, the brunch was an opportunity to create something more personal after the previous evening’s celebration.
“I really wanted to encourage people to come together after a bigger event last night and network on a more personal level,” Keith exclusively told BOSSIP.
Keith explained that the theme was designed to unite professionals across different corners of the industry, whether they work behind the chair, develop products or operate their own businesses.
“We’re all together, we’re all one community,” she said, emphasizing her desire for attendees to let their hair down while enjoying a luxury experience.
Rather than organizing a traditional after-party, Keith envisioned a leisurely gathering that felt more like a family reunion, allowing honorees and guests to reconnect before returning home.
The atmosphere reflected that intention. SALT.XO branding appeared throughout the venue, including photo opportunities in the bathrooms, while guests enjoyed a buffet-style brunch featuring shrimp and smoked Gouda grits, herb-roasted chicken, baked salmon, buttermilk waffles, fresh pastries and miniature desserts.
A champagne and prosecco bar offered bellinis, mimosas and specialty cocktails, complementing the pink-and-purple aesthetic.
Beauty Is Personal, And So Is Fragrance
One of the afternoon’s interactive highlights came courtesy of Baroma Parfum Bar, where guests created miniature custom fragrances to take home.
The activation featured six scent profiles:
NOIR:Truffle, patchouli and orchid
FIRESIDE:Chestnut, vanilla and woods
GOLD DRIP:Vanilla, caramel and musk
PARADISE:Sandalwood, cardamom and violet
QUIET:Vanilla, musk and amber woods
THE STUDY:Amber, sandalwood and cedarwood
**Lauryn’s personal scent profile: Base Scent (Gold Drip 70%), Blend 2 (Noir-Dark 15%), & Blend 3 (Paradise 15%)**
Guests could layer up to three fragrances to develop their own signature scent and join the brand’s online Scent Society membership to preserve their creations for future purchases.
The experience underscored the afternoon’s emphasis on individuality, particularly as conversations turned toward creative partnerships and the importance of brands embracing unconventional collaborations.
Host Jasper Hagan set the tone with a fitting encouragement:
“Let’s have an amazing time on purpose!”
Olamide Olowe Talks Topicals, Expansion And The Black Women Who Opened Doors
The Topicals founder offered a candid look at entrepreneurship, representation, and her evolving relationship with the beauty industry.
Introduced by Erica Views, Beauty Icon Awards honoree Olamide Olowe joined the conversation to discuss her professional journey and the importance of creating opportunities for Black beauty entrepreneurs.
“Excited to put our culture on the forefront,” Olowe told attendees.
During the open discussion, Olowe revealed that Topicals is expanding into Nigeria and other African markets. She shared that she is currently living in Lagos and has stepped down from the CEO position to focus on expansion efforts.
Olowe also discussed in-the-know industry notes with attendees like Beauty Hut as a retail partner and shared that she acquired BREAD hair care last year.
Despite her accomplishments, the entrepreneur acknowledged the women whose contributions helped make her success possible.
“So many black women have opened the door for me to be sitting here right now,” she said.
Her comments also revealed a growing interest in reconnecting with the creative foundations of the industry.
“I’m a black woman who doesn’t know how to braid. I want to go back to artistry and education and really want to lean into creativity,” Olowe shared.
The conversation offered a reminder that even accomplished beauty founders are still finding new ways to learn, evolve and expand their influence.
Greg Gilmore Reminds Beauty Professionals That Influence Starts Behind The Chair
Celebrity colorist, educator, and Moroccanoil global color ambassador Greg Gilmore also shared his perspective on artistry, professional identity, and the cultural significance of cosmetologists.
Source: Lauryn Bass / @itslaurynbass
During the gathering, Gilmore gave guests a behind-the-scenes glimpse into his work with actress Storm Reid, recalling a red carpet transformation that involved cutting her hair and coloring it ash blonde.
“It’s important to have a point of view and stick to it,” Gilmore told attendees.
In an exclusive conversation with BOSSIP, Gilmore revealed that he recently completed a book exploring the heritage and often-overlooked influence of cosmetologists.
“It’s really about sharing some of the secrets behind why cosmetologists do what they do, why we’re so influential in our communities, and how come we’re so overlooked?” he explained.
Gilmore emphasized that beauty professionals have long contributed to their communities in ways that extend beyond their technical expertise.
“A lot of times people look for influence, but the influence is right behind the chair,” he said.
The hairstylist is also preparing to release a workbook before the end of the year to help clients better understand their hair and build healthier relationships with it.
Additionally, Gilmore announced a Nov. 15 educational class at Mane and Tailored in Houston, Texas, focusing on ready-to-wear hair, coloring, cutting and styling techniques across different hair textures.
A Celebration Of Beauty That Goes Beyond The Awards
The gathering also welcomed hairstylist Nicole M. Hill, who contributed to the model presentations during the previous evening’s Beauty Icon Awards.
Between conversations, guests celebrated their accomplishments, exchanged contacts, and even took a break for the Tamia line dance, bringing a little movement to the afternoon’s networking.
Attendees also departed with beauty products, including SALT.XO Erotica Gel, SALT.XO Seedless Yoni Gel and AddABang Hair Extensions’ pink powder dry shampoo.
Source: Lauryn Bass / @itslaurynbass
As the Bronner Bros. organization approaches its 80th anniversary in 2027, Keith confirmed that plans are underway to make next year’s Beauty Icon Awards an even bigger experience.
“We are planning to have it next year in a bigger, better way because next year is their 80th anniversary,” she told BOSSIP, adding that she hopes to begin planning in November.
Although the details remain undecided, Keith distinguished the Beauty Icon Awards from the organization’s longstanding hair and beauty trade show, describing the awards as a newer extension of the Bronner Bros. legacy.
Ultimately, Beauty in Good Company offered something beyond another industry event. It created room for the people responsible for shaping beauty culture to celebrate one another without the pressure of a stage, competition, or red carpet.
From founders expanding internationally to hairstylists preserving their industry’s history, the conversations reinforced an important message: Black beauty is more than a business. It’s an ecosystem of artistry, education, entrepreneurship, and community.
Sometimes, the most meaningful connections happen after the awards have already been handed out.
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