The Left Brain Group, a woman-owned and founded agency, also architects of the indie artist revolution, is set to make history again. Bayou St. Blonde, the Left Brain Group’s cornerstone event now in its 10th year, returns March 16-18, 2025, transforming New Orleans, Louisiana into an epicenter of artistic rebellion and innovation.
This isn’t just another salon professional industry event. Bayou St. Blonde has consistently challenged the conventional playbook, creating a movement where the most innovative minds in beauty converge — no corporate rules, no boundaries, just pure creative liberation.
“When everyone else was focused on branded education, I saw the untapped power of indie artistry,” says Aryn Detres, industry vet and The Left Brain Group founder. “Now, the Hair Index marks our next evolution. We’re not just celebrating independent artistry—we’re defining its future.”
This Year’s Key Activations
- Technical Demonstrations: 2 stages showcasing advanced techniques in cutting, coloring, and styling from elite artists.
- The Hair Index Unveiling: The blueprint for indie education’s next chapter, empowered by The Left Brain Group.
- Queers for the Crown: Ballroom culture meets hair culture in this epic celebration of queer artistry in collaboration with The Dresscode Project. Live hair competition, drag performances, panel discussion and live deejays.
- Amen: VIP Supper Club celebrating the past, present and future of industry activist Keya Neal. Storytelling, music and hair paired with the culinary delights of Chef Maya Mastersson.
- The Wellness Portal: enriching conversations, panels, and demonstrations focused on holistic well-being.
- Boss Brunch followed by Closing Pool Party: Discover a new era of possibilities and opportunities designed for success with presentations and group breakouts.
Featured Bayou St. Blonde Artists
- Garrett Markenson: Celebrity Stylist and Reverie founder, Markenson is dedicated to creating luxury botanical products that perform as beautifully as they look. The brand’s newest SKU Hymn Hair Gel is redefining what a gel can be while SUNA, was awarded “Best of Beauty” by Allure in 2022 and continues to grace the pages of Refinery 29, Byrdie, Cosmopolitan, among others. Most recently, Markenson cut and styled the hair for notable artists, such as Trent Reznor, Chelsea Wolfe, Zola Jesus and Shirley Manson. He is also the author of Reforma: Disciplines of Hair Culture. (Editor’s note: Markenson’s episode of the Volume Up by The Tease Podcast is available here).
- Keya Neal: Founder of Texture Vs. Race and Kolour Kulture, Neal is a seasoned beauty industry pro with over 30 years of experience, has transitioned her expertise into a multifaceted consultancy role specializing in leadership training, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, campaign activations, and engaging fireside chats with internal groups. She is the 2024 NAHA winner for “Educator of the Year,” and can be seen in the HBO Documentary “Not So Pretty.” (Editor’s note: Neal’s most recent appearance on the Volume Up by The Tease podcast is available here.)
- Chelsea Caruso: Internationally acclaimed colorist, Caruso is known for her revolutionary hair painting techniques and founder of The Platform Group Collective. She is a Whittemore House Hairpaint Ambassador whose signature contouring methods have redefined dimensional color.
- Lo Shabino: The former sculptor turned revolutionary haircutting specialist, is the founder of Strange Bird salon in Austin, Texas. Shabino transforms hair into art through her texture-celebrating approach. A mentor breaking free from hustle culture, she’s reshaping how cutting specialists build sustainable businesses.
- Nick Arrojo: Celebrity Stylist and industry icon, British-born Arrojo is founder of Arrojo Studio in SoHo. Former resident stylist of TLC’s “What Not to Wear,” he’s transformed the education landscape through Arrojo Education while building a global product empire.
Click here for the full Bayou St. Blonde artist lineup.
Key Bayou St. Blonde Venues
- The Contemporary Arts Center: Main Event
- The Country Club Boss Brunch + Closing Pool Party
- The Church at Hotel Peter & Paul: Amen VIP Supper Club
- The Rabbit Hole: Queers for the Crown
How to Register
Tickets for the 3-day, Bayou St. Blonde 2025: Past, Present, Future event can be purchased here. General Admission tickets start at $1,299 and VIP tickets start at $1,799. Payment plans are also available.
Sponsors Reverie, Arrojo, FORM, WhizKid Hair, Texture Vs. Race, The Dresscode Project, Hui Hui Essentials and more.
