Allied Beauty Association Montreal 2007

The annual ABA show took place at Palais de Congres Sunday March 11th and Monday March 12th, 2007. Now there are other hair shows in Montreal throughout the year, but this is by far THE show to attend, whether you want to expand your business, get new ideas or pick up the latest products and tools.

All the usual suspects (the big players) were there, complete with elaborate stages and backdrops and lots of fun stuff going on all day. Smaller companies also had a chance to shine, with the centre floor filled with presenters and goodies. The platform artists could only be described as genius, putting on showstopping displays teaching cutting, coloring, perming and styling. They demonstrated so many tips, tricks and techniques, you would have to clone yourself at least a dozen times to catch them all.

They demonstrated so many tips, tricks and techniques, you would have to clone yourself at least a dozen times to catch them all.

There were literally hundreds of models in flash outfits displaying the new styles. What styles prevailed? We saw lots of disconnection in cuts, with heavy asymmetric bangs taking the spotlight. Of course, we are in Quebec, so every shade of red was represented, as well as pale blondes and dark browns, contrasted in eye-catching combinations. As for texture, there was some unmissable crazy teasing, and we’re still seeing tons of curls and waves, but they’re not perfect. More disheveled and ready for the catwalk.

Extensions were more popular than ever this year, as long hair makes a comeback. At the show you could have your hair perfectly matched up, buy fake hair at bargain prices, and see demonstrations of both the permanent and "for a night" variety.

And products! You could see pretty much every hair product known to man. There were products to make your hair thicker, healthier, sleeker, stronger, less frizzy, stop thinning... and all at prices better than you would ever find in a salon. You could find beauty products, too, at great prices... creams, lotions, gels, makeup and cleansers. All the latest hair and beauty tools were also available for sale, and without losing your shirt! Time to stock up!

The updo competition was unbelievable, and competitions for cut and colour were absolutely mind-blowing. Of course the hair was the showstopper, but makeup and wardrobe took a close second. There were airbrushed body designs, metallic leggings, and custom costumes. There wasn’t a single colour that was not represented. Ranging from blue to teal, pink to purple, red to orange to bright yellow, we saw it all. For women, it was mostly short cuts that gave the optimum shock value. We saw several different levels & layers of hair within the same short cut. And when it came to the men, it was no holds barred: crazy colours, crazy cuts and amazing things done with a trimmer. Creativity was in the air, big time! Congrats to all the competitors on an inspirational performance. I’m sure they were living it up at the show afterparty at Time Supper Club Sunday night. They certainly deserved a drink after that high-pressure day of hairstyling!

If you missed the show and will be in one of the following cities, you can see the ABA in Vancouver March 25-26, Toronto April 1-2, Winnipeg April 15-16 or Edmonton May 6-7. However, in my opinion the Montreal show is the funkiest, the phattest and the baddest, so don’t miss it next year!

TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS OF THE ABA SHOW, CLICK HERE