By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Natural hair care founder Nicole Schuler is set to host the inaugural Hair Education and Beauty Summit (HEBS) on July 7-8 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, N.J. The two-day event will feature panel conversations, live demonstrations, workshops, musical performances and competitions. 

Nicole Schuler is the founder of PureO Natural Products, a brand for multicultural hair care. She will host the Hair Education and Beauty Summit on July 7 and 8 in Secaucus, N.J. (Photo courtesy of Nicole Schuler)

Schuler was inspired to create the summit after attending hair shows herself. She realized the high costs associated with the events could deter hair professionals from attending them and getting the exposure they need to build their brand. 

“There’s so much bureaucracy that goes into it. You might have to spend $10,000, and an average person is not going to spend that to be able to expose their unique talents,” said Schuler. “The Hair Education and Beauty Summit is providing you with that platform. It’s a big network that brings people together feasibly and affordably.” 

The Nigeria native is the creator of PureO Natural Products, a multicultural hair care line she started in 2012. Growing up, Schuler recalled her hair being shaved in the fifth grade—a practice that was commonplace in schools at the time. 

When she moved to the states, she discovered that her shaved head was unconventional. 

“Being thrown into America in the seventh grade, coming here baldheaded was not acceptable. My normal became abnormal in America, and it became a struggle finding a look that I could embrace,” said Schuler. “I think it took me 10 to 15 years to find the look that speaks to me.” 

HEBS is her way of creating opportunities for hair professionals in the state she spent much of her life in. The exhibition is divided into seven specialities, including barbering, locs and braids, protective styling, nail art, skincare, make-up and hair coloring. Each experience has experts sharing their techniques through group discussions, demos and consultations. 

Terrence Davidson is a celebrity hair stylist from New Jersey. He will serve as a judge during the fantasy hair competition. (Photo courtesy of Terrence Davidson)

HEBS will also feature four contests, including a barber battle, wild and crazy hair competition, a business pitch competition and a fantasy hair challenge for cosmetology students. 

Celebrity hair stylist Terrence Davidson, affectionately known as the “King of Hair,” will serve as a judge for the latter. 

“You can’t have a fantasy hair competition without having someone who kills the game and has been winning for years in this category. I’m all in for that,” said Davidson. “I love seeing people create. I love giving back to those who are trying to come up in the game and build the same way I built.” 

In highschool, the New Jersey native designed hairstyles for his female peers. Although he intended to obtain a business degree in college, he discovered he didn’t have a passion for it. Davidson decided to go to cosmetology school instead. 

After running a few hair salons in Atlanta, he started working for celebrities. His first client was the late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes of R&B girl group, TLC. He’s since worked with Remy Ma, Lil’ Kim and Patti LaBelle. 

Davidson commended Schuler for putting on HEBS. 

“We need more Black beauty brands to put on shows like this,” said Davison. “That way, we can support each other in the best way we can.”

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