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This past weekend, L.I.V.E.312 — the official after-party of America’s Beauty Show — returned for an electrifying night of creativity, connection, and high-energy entertainment. Produced by CBC — Chrystofer Benson Collective, this one-of-a-kind event is a total celebration of creativity and collaboration that brings together the beauty industry’s top talent.
Pulp Riot educator Sabrina Vellender, known for leading classes across the country, was one of the select few to take the stage at this year’s event for an on-brand, neon fairy-inspired transformation and she shared all with The Tease. Read for our conversation!
The Tease: How did you get involved with LIVE312? And how does it feel to be part of that lineup?
Sabrina Vellender: I had the absolute honor of being invited by my amazing friend and fellow Pulp Riot educator Cory Hoffman and the incredible CBC team. Cory is the National Artistic Director for Pulp Riot and the Artistic Director for CBC, and I’m so beyond grateful they thought of me for this opportunity. Being a local Chicago artist and stepping into a lineup filled with so much insane talent felt incredibly special. It’s something I’ll never forget — and I’m still pinching myself that I got to be part of it!
Talk to us about your presentation — what did you get up to on stage?
Vellender: I brought a little psychedelic, neon fairy fantasy to life! I created a bold, fiery color melt using all Pulp Riot neons — Lava, Candy, and Firefly. My model was cloaked in a cape for most of the presentation, and then — surprise! — the cape came off to reveal glowing light-up fairy wings. It was such a fun moment, and I wanted the audience to really feel the blend of creative color, storytelling, and artistry.
Huge shoutout to my amazing friend Ashley for helping me with model prep — couldn’t have done it without her!
LIVE312 is a very different format than traditional hair shows, and it obviously ends America’s Beauty Show — so what was the response like?
Vellender: The energy was next-level. It felt like a concert meets art show — so immersive and electric. The audience was totally locked in from the moment we stepped on stage. People came up to me afterward saying they felt inspired to try new things and push their creativity further, and that’s everything I could’ve hoped for. It was so cool to see people connect with not just the hair, but the whole experience.
What was the best part of being on stage?
Vellender: That final reveal moment was definitely a highlight — the wings lit up, the crowd cheered, and I got chills! But honestly, the best part was looking out and seeing some of my very best friends front and center, screaming their hearts out for me. That support meant the world. Sharing that stage with so many brilliant artists and feeling that community energy… it was pure magic.
What do you hope attendees learned from you?
Vellender: I hope they walked away knowing that vivid color doesn’t have to be scary or complicated. It can be intentional, approachable, and still make a huge impact. I wanted to show that with the right placement and a little confidence, they can create something that’s bold and beautiful. And most importantly—I hope they felt inspired to trust their creativity and just go for it.
And a massive thank you to the entire CBC team for having me be part of this incredible event. It was such a meaningful experience and one I’ll carry with me forever. The energy, the artistry, the love — it was everything I hoped for and more. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
For more on L.I.V.E.312, be sure to visit CBC – Chrystofer Benson Collective.
