Crown Royal and Juicy Couture turned back the clock Tuesday night, bringing a dose of early-2000s nostalgia to Fairfax for the launch of their new limited-edition collection.
As we are barreling through the final weeks of summer, the long beach days, parties and late nights are endless. However, even amid its high-energy offerings and extensive entertainment, Ocean Casino Resort wants to ensure that guests don’t leave their wellness rituals and routines in the dust.
The sunny beachfront of the Hamptons sparkled brightly this summer when guests delighted in the spectacular Sofwave Beach Club.
Guests can now step directly into the world of high fashion and iconic film moments from The Devil Wears Prada 2 at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City.
After a one-year hiatus, CURLFEST 2026 returned this weekend to Randall’s Island, bringing together thousands of attendees for a celebration of textured hair, culture, and community.
CURLFEST honors the glory of textured crowns, the richness of our skin, and the boundless joy of our culture,” said co-founder Charisse Higgins. Higgins is one of the five founders of CURLFEST as a member of the Curly Girl Collective, alongside Tracey Coleman, Gia Lowe, Simone Mair, and Melody Henderson.
What started as just an email thread evolved into the women curating small events around the city that would quickly sell out. As demand grew, they moved the event to Prospect Park in Brooklyn. A 500-person event turned into almost 2,000 people, and in 2014, CURLFEST was born, growing to a whopping 30,000 attendees at its peak.
This year, guests were treated to brand activations from iconic beauty brands such as Dark & Lovely, Carol’s Daughter, and Creme of Nature; a vibrant marketplace featuring dozens of Black and African-owned brands, and the Empowerment Stage, which hosted discussions on wellness, entrepreneurship, career development, and more.
Radio host Angela Yee set the tone for an incredible occasion by hosting an exclusive press reception. From there, festival hosts Anowa Adjah, Scott Bernard, and CoachCassfit kept the momentum going throughout the day.
One standout activation was by hair artist Susan “Susy” Oludele, also known as @hairbysusy, who is known for transforming textured hair into wearable art. For the installation, she crafted an 8-foot sculpture complete with Bantu knots, a traditional African hairstyle created by sectioning and twisting hair into small coiled buns.
“I love this festival,” said Oludele. “I had to come out, show out, and represent Africa. I just wanted to show people that Black hair is art, and I’m so excited to be here.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 25: The crowd at CURLFEST 2026 on Randall’s Island in New York City. (Photo by Gerold Picard Shellbair)
Over on the Empowerment Stage, one conversation that drew attention was the “Boss Up: Scaling Your Personal Brand in the Creator Economy” panel, moderated by the founder of Gyrl Wonder, Tola Lawal. The panel featured makeup artist Keanda “Keys” Vivar, entertainer Lala Milan, L’Oréal Marketing Director Keyanna Thompson, and Zeus Network producer Janeisha John.
Together, they discussed the importance of staying authentic in the digital space while navigating brand partnerships with both integrity and financial strategy. The conversation highlighted that building a personal brand requires balancing genuine self-expression while also making thoughtful business decisions.
Another memorable conversation was the HelloBeautiful panel, which featured Dosso Beauty founder Kadidja Dosso, makeup artist Jaleesa Jaikaran, Black Girl Sunscreen Senior Marketing Manager Candace Bullock, and En Love Beauty founder Gabrielle Zallina. The panel explored the importance of innovation, the experiences of scaling as a Black woman founder, and the role of transparency in building a successful beauty brand.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 25: Model Diarra Fall at CURLFEST 2026 on Randall’s Island in New York City. (Photo by Lea Raymond)
Overall, despite the heat and blazing sun, the festival served as a powerful celebration of beauty and a reminder of the importance of creating spaces where the next generation of curly girls can feel celebrated for who they are.
Gemstone-infused skincare brand Novéra celebrated the launch of its first NYC retail space at Emanuel New York.
Fashion rental platform Pickle celebrated its fourth anniversary on June 24 with a runway show and cocktail reception at the Woolworth Building in Tribeca, bringing together creators, media, and fashion enthusiasts for an evening centered on community, style, and the stories behind the clothes.
Guests were welcomed into a lush floral installation from the moment they arrived at Docks Off Fifth in Manhattan. Cascading blooms and greenery lined the staircase leading into the venue, setting the scene for the 2026 Beauty Guru Awards.
Dr. Martens celebrated the 65th anniversary of its iconic 1461 shoe with an intimate gathering at Bar Benjamin in West Hollywood on June 17, bringing together musicians, creatives, and tastemakers for an evening hosted by R&B singer-songwriter Destin Conrad.
The Black Beauty Club hosted its first-ever Beauty on the Block event at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Plaza in Harlem during Juneteenth weekend.
Guests gathered for the outdoor celebration and had the opportunity to purchase products from over twenty of their favorite Black-owned brands, including Dosso Beauty, Good Weather Skin, KOBA Skincare, and Harlem Perfume Co.
Photo by Jacques Morel
Tomi Talabi, founder of The Black Beauty Club, has hosted over 100 global events and cultural experiences since the organization’s start in November 2020, and her dedication to building community events within the beauty space keeps her going everyday.
“To see more than 4,000 people come out, meet these founders, try their products and purchase from them was incredibly powerful,” said Talabi. “Several brands sold out, consumers found products and services they had never experienced before, and Harlem showed exactly what can happen when culture, community and commerce are brought together with intention.”
The block party also included activations where guests had the opportunity to get braided at the JolieDen Braiding Pop-up, their nails done at the Cash App Nail Shop, and a free hand massage at the KOBA Skincare booth.
Photo by Darryl Jones
One of the event’s highlights was a live braiding competition hosted by JolieDen, which allowed talented hairstylists to show off their artistry and braiding technique. Albany-based hairstylist Shataya Scott, known online as @braids4grades, an initiative where local K-12 students who maintain an A or B average on their report cards can receive free professional braiding service, took home the top prize.
“Harlem is more than a venue, it is a cornerstone of Black beauty culture, and to be celebrated there, among so many talented Black women gathered in the name of artistry and heritage, was both humbling and deeply inspiring,” said Scott.
Attendees also expressed their excitement for the event, including Fatou Barry, the founder of PR Girl Manifesto, who described the gathering as a meaningful celebration and a necessary staple of New York’s cultural scene.
“I’m a fan of everything The Black Beauty Club does, and it feels especially meaningful to celebrate Black beauty here today,” she said. “This event is no exception and I am so excited to be here and support.”
Talabi closed the eventful day with a few words about the event’s purpose.
Photo by Darryl Jones
“Black beauty does more than influence trends. It builds businesses, shapes consumer behavior, and moves markets,” she said. “More than a celebration, Beauty on the Block showed what is possible when Black-founded brands are given the space, infrastructure, and audience to be discovered and supported at scale.”
The Black Beauty Club will bring the second installment of Beauty on the Block to Chicago on August 8.
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