Beauty professionals across the country are invited to unite for a transformational day of inspiration, education and empowerment at Beauty Gives Back 2025, taking place Monday, September 15, 2025, at the Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center.
Beauty Gives Back is more than an event — it’s a full-circle experience designed to equip stylists, barbers, students and educators with the tools they need to thrive at every stage of their beauty journey on a personal level.
A Mission Rooted in Mentorship and Impact
Beauty Gives Back is more than an event — it’s a full-circle experience designed to equip stylists, barbers, students and educators with the tools they need to thrive at every stage of their beauty journey on a personal level.Courtesy of Beauty Gives Back
Created by industry changemakers Mireya Villarreal, Founder and CEO of the Pink Pewter Foundation, and Julie Hightower, Executive Board President of the Daisie Foundation, Beauty Gives Back was created as a response to the growing need for deeper support in the professional beauty space.
“We know that it’s not always glitz and glam when it comes to success in the beauty industry,” says Villarreal. “This day is about pulling back the curtain —offering raw, honest conversations alongside real resources to elevate careers and lives.”
All proceeds from the event fund grants and scholarships for students and beauty professionals, with a focus on artists facing financial hardship, reinforcing the event's mission: INSPIRE. DEVELOP. EMPOWER. GIVE.
“This is about giving back in every sense of the word,” says Hightower. “Our speakers are here to pour into others, and help lift the next generation of stylists and barbers who might otherwise be left behind.”
A Powerhouse Lineup of Industry Visionaries
This one-day event gathers some of the most respected names in professional beauty — across salon, barbering, retail, education and entrepreneurship—to share actionable insights, personal journeys and the tools to thrive in today’s evolving industry. 
This one-day event gathers some of the most respected names in professional beauty — across salon, barbering, retail, education and entrepreneurship—to share actionable insights, personal journeys and the tools to thrive in today’s evolving industry.Courtesy of Beauty Gives Back
“The lineup isn’t just stacked — it’s intentional,” says Villarreal. “These are artists who’ve walked the walk and are here to give back with their whole heart.”
For the full lineup for this year's show, read our previous coverage here.
What to Expect: A Day Designed for Development
Each presentation is crafted to inspire and inform, with a program schedule that covers every angle of professional growth — from mental wellness and personal branding to inclusive practices and legislative advocacy.
All proceeds from the event fund grants and scholarships for students and beauty professionals, with a focus on artists facing financial hardship.Courtesy of Beauty Gives Back
Featured Sessions
Breaking Cycles, Building Empires: A Latina Founder’s Road to Impact
Nadine Ramos, CEO and Founder of LASIO and Blessed Bananas, shares how she turned obstacles into opportunity—building a thriving brand and paving the way for every stylist ready to lead, grow, and leave their mark.
Beauty Beyond the Chair: Cultivating Community and Wellness in Your Career
Join Ulta Beauty for an inspiring panel on how belonging, wellness and continuous education can elevate your career. Learn practical ways to grow your skills, foster inclusivity, and thrive—both behind the chair and beyond from Dani Darmanin, Beto Sanchez and Bianca Donahue
Building a Beauty Community with SalonCentric #ItTakesAPro
Join SalonCentric Team Artist Siiri Parks as she shares her secrets to building a thriving online community, focusing on education and authentic connection.
Breaking Into Fashion & Beauty as a Hairstylist
Discover what it really takes to succeed on set — portfolio must-haves, bookings, set etiquette and the unspoken rules of the industry from Naeemah LaFond.
From Beauty School to Viral Success: Turning Your Craft Into a Career
From incarceration to 1.5M+ followers and over $10 million+ in affiliate sales, Jeremy Pugh shares how he built a powerful personal brand, grew a loyal audience and turned his talent into a thriving career.
Redefining Beauty Standards: Driving Change in Hair Care Legislation & Culture
Presented by Amika, join industry leaders and change-makers Gianne L. Doherty, Jody Tyvela, Keya Neal and Cara Crafton as they challenge outdated norms and push for inclusive haircare legislation. This panel explores how beauty, identity and policy intersect. Learn how efforts to protect textured hair are reshaping cultural standards and empowering future generations.
Beauty on Your Terms: Entrepreneurial Journeys from Every Angle
Hosted by Hairdustry's Corey Gray, hear bold, unfiltered stories from beauty pros Jesse (Kirby) Perez Gil, Steve Wren, Dylan Pritchard and Kim Roxie, who’ve built careers on their own terms. This session dives into the highs, lows and lessons of entrepreneurship from all corners of the industry.
The Psychology of Beauty: How Your Work Impacts Client Wellness & Confidence
Presented by UI Health, discover how beauty professionals play a powerful role in shaping client confidence and emotional well-being. This session with Dr. David Camacho explores the deeper impact of your work — and how connection, care and creativity can transform more than just appearance.
Legacy Through the Clippers: The Ripple Effect of Barbering
From the barbershop to correctional facilities, Larry Roberts shows how barbering can restore lives, create opportunity and spark second chances.
More than a Moment, Beauty Gives Back is a Movement
What sets Beauty Gives Back apart is its genuine emphasis on giving back and lifting up. This is not a marketing push disguised as education. It’s a boots-on-the-ground, heart-led initiative to ensure the beauty industry remains not just creative and inclusive — but sustainable for every professional in it.
Villarreal and Hightower agree their promise is simple.
“No matter where you are in your journey — beauty school, suite owner or somewhere in between — you will leave this event with a renewed sense of purpose and tangible tools to take your next step.”
Event Details
Date: Monday, September 15, 2025
Time: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center (3500 Midwest Road, Oak Brook, IL 60523)
For tickets and more info, visit the Beauty Gives Back website.
