It’s that time of year again! The time when beauty professionals flock to Orlando, Florida in well-dressed, made-up, hairstyled, glowy-skinned droves to attend none other than…(drumroll)…Premiere Orlando! Premiere Orlando is one of several recurring beauty conferences that takes place across the United States each year, where estheticians, hair professionals, and nail techs alike come to learn, shop, and mingle. It’s a great place to attend classes, earn certifications (often at a steep discount), discover new products, rep your band, network, and enjoy yourself in the company of people who are really into what you’re also really into. (And not necessarily in a kinky way, but the world’s your oyster.) After all, who doesn’t want to spend all day getting into the nitty gritty of the skinny skin skinny? (Besides your partner whose idea of skincare is a three-in-one body wash/shampoo/motor oil, your BFF who works at Home Depot and beautifies with actual motor oil, and probably everyone else in your life who doesn’t work in beauty.) I was lucky enough to attend last year with my esthetics school, Elan Prep, and this year, in only TWO short days, I’ll be strutting through the Golden Gates again…by which I mean the doors to the conference center, because this place truly is a heaven of its own kind. So to really get into the spirit of things, I’ve created this scavenger hunt.
1. Get a certification
Last year I was able to nab two certifications: one in lip blushing (which I still don’t feel qualified to perform on an actual living human with real skin and nerve endings and stuff), and a Sensory Safe Solutions Certification, which gave me the knowledge required to best serve clients with diverse needs. This year, I don’t know what classes I’ll end up taking, but I’m after a piece of shiny new paper to hang on my wall…which I don’t yet have, but someday!
- Sensory Safe Solutions booth
Speaking of Sensory Safe Solutions…I’m planning to stop by their booth to say hi, and maybe score a cool colorful worm or something to keep my brain from eating itself alive. They gave me one last year, but it met the fate of most neurodivergent-owned trinkets…it simply disappeared into the Great Unknown. #RIPwormyboi2024
- Find Molly!
My hairdresser, that is. She’ll be attending with her salon on Sunday, so I’m hoping we can meet up just long enough to say, “Hey this place is pretty cool, right?,” before dashing back to our respective conference corners.
- Most outrageously priced food item
Y’all, I am not exaggerating when I say my coffee last year was around $14….which puts its price tag on par with that of the spicy margarita I had the previous night at dinner. The margarita definitely made me feel more funky ‘n free. Get it together, conference coffee people!
- Get permanent makeup
Okay, this is the only part of my list I feel iffy about, but hear me out. Last year the (very reputable) company I took the lip blush class with was offering permanent makeup for insanely cheap…as in, eyeliner was around $150. I was all gung ho to get on that sign up list, but my classes ate up every single time slot, and I’ve had AFHMO ever since. That’s agony from having missed out, for those not fully versed in Storyface lingo. Not making that mistake again…if the price is right, that is. (Cue The Price Is Right theme song.)
- Find motivation to take the State Board Exam.
This one speaks for itself. Meh, scary.
- Most novel thing on the sales floor
Whether it’s the esty, hair, or nail side, I aim to find a product that wows, dazzles, and captivates, and to bring it home with me. Well, maybe. I really don’t need a Brazilian Wax machine powered by AI. (Don’t I, though?)
- Something new I learned
With all these classes within my reach, I better learn at least one thing worth keeping in my noggin!
- Something I want but can’t afford
It can be a product or a service…it just has to make my wallet cry…and me, from the agony of not being able to have it in my grasp. Maybe it’ll be that AI-powered Brazilian wax machine…
- Favorite class I took
Because I know there will be one…although depending on which rooms I end up in, they may have to battle it out in my head for the title of Number One Ultimate Coolest Class. We shall see.
- Something that points me toward my specialty
Please, Esty Goddess, show your lost child a guiding light! Like a magnifying lamp, or, or…a Wood’s lamp, even. Just SOMETHING to show me WTF I should be doing with my hard-won education…
- All the freebies
Last year, I came home with tattoo needles. That’s a pretty hefty temptation… let’s see if I can top it…with something less likely to stir up 2am impulsive whims, ideally.
- Best freebie
Most likely, it’ll be tattoo needles again., but you really never know.
- Most WTF product, service, class, or moment
Because there’s bound to be one. Maybe it’ll be that AI-powered Brazilian blaster…last time I’ll bring that up, I promise.
- A class I wanted to take but couldn’t take
With time constraints and conflicting schedules, there’s bound to be at least one that got away.
BONUS: How long can I last in heels?
I’ve decided to wear a pair of white chunky Mary Janes platforms…mostly because they match my outfits for both days, thus minimizing packing space, and also because they’re oddly comfortable for shoes with that much height goin’ on. But will they stand the test of time (and standing?) Just in case the answer is a blistering “No,” I’ll also be carrying emergency flats in my bag. But do I also subscribe to the sentiment, “No pain, no gain?” Absolutely! (At least when it comes to walking in awesome shoes…not so much to the gym.)
The counter starts when I set foot in the building…or when I remember—because brain fog is real, y’all!
I’m hoping this ‘lil scavenger hunt will help me really experience Premiere Orlando, and be mindful about what I’m experiencing. Plus it just seems like a fun way to spice up an already sizzlin’ trip. Stay tuned to see how many of the above I manage to cross off that list! (And how my poor feet hold up.)