<p>From left to right, NSI&rsquo;s Marty Cooke, Rick Slack, Staci Noble, and Heather Hall pose for a snapshot in their booth.</p>

From left to right, NSI’s Marty Cooke, Rick Slack, Staci Noble, and Heather Hall pose for a snapshot in their booth.

<p>Entity Beauty celebrated its fifth anniversary at the same beauty show where it launched its product line five years ago with a party at Club Cohiba. Some Entity employees and educators take a break from the dance floor to pose for this shot.</p>

Entity Beauty celebrated its fifth anniversary at the same beauty show where it launched its product line five years ago with a party at Club Cohiba. Some Entity employees and educators take a break from the dance floor to pose for this shot.

<p>Entity president and CEO Vicki Heller gives a short (very enthusiastic) speech during the cake cutting.</p>

Entity president and CEO Vicki Heller gives a short (very enthusiastic) speech during the cake cutting.

<p>The anniversary cake, a blend of vanilla and mousse-like chocolate, was stunningly pretty.</p>

The anniversary cake, a blend of vanilla and mousse-like chocolate, was stunningly pretty.

<p>Entity educator Cyndi Van and managing editor Sree Roy can&rsquo;t resist a shot by the sparkly &ldquo;5&rdquo; that graced Entity&rsquo;s trade show booth.</p>

Entity educator Cyndi Van and managing editor Sree Roy can’t resist a shot by the sparkly “5” that graced Entity’s trade show booth.

<p>Newton Luu, president of LeChat, was enthusiastic about the company&rsquo;s &ldquo;Mardi Gras&rdquo; trade show booth theme.</p>

Newton Luu, president of LeChat, was enthusiastic about the company’s “Mardi Gras” trade show booth theme.

<p>Greg Salo, president of Young Nails, does a demo with the company&rsquo;s new Sunflower dust collector working to remove particles as he works.</p>

Greg Salo, president of Young Nails, does a demo with the company’s new Sunflower dust collector working to remove particles as he works.

<p>From left to right, Nail Labo&rsquo;s Yuya Fujinami, Toshiaki Seki, Shinya Fujinami, and Yoko Ohno take a break from discussing the company&rsquo;s Presto LED Gels to pose for this picture.</p>

From left to right, Nail Labo’s Yuya Fujinami, Toshiaki Seki, Shinya Fujinami, and Yoko Ohno take a break from discussing the company’s Presto LED Gels to pose for this picture.

<p>NAILS associate editor Tim Crowley tries out European Touch&rsquo;s Sogno Spa, which measures the client&rsquo;s body to deliver precise massaging to the entire arms, back, head, and neck.</p>

NAILS associate editor Tim Crowley tries out European Touch’s Sogno Spa, which measures the client’s body to deliver precise massaging to the entire arms, back, head, and neck.

<p>The Essie booth showed off its wide array of colors, as well as introducing its new ejuvenate skin care line and Art of Spring polish collection.</p>

The Essie booth showed off its wide array of colors, as well as introducing its new ejuvenate skin care line and Art of Spring polish collection.

<p>Nail tech Christy Phan held the Colour while CND&rsquo;s Southern California sales consultant Kelvin St. Pham held the Effect in CND&rsquo;s Colour and Effects line.</p>

Nail tech Christy Phan held the Colour while CND’s Southern California sales consultant Kelvin St. Pham held the Effect in CND’s Colour and Effects line.

<p>The newly named Bellissima International had great energy at their booth. From left to right are John Hadley, Marnie Hadley, Debra Martin, and Joaquina Pedrasa.</p>

The newly named Bellissima International had great energy at their booth. From left to right are John Hadley, Marnie Hadley, Debra Martin, and Joaquina Pedrasa.

<p>New product In The Buff vice president Joyce Baker (left), and president Sunny Stinchcombe demoed their natural buffing cream kits. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s an old concept, but new technology,&rdquo; said Stinchcombe of the product, which brings natural nails to a high-shine.</p>

New product In The Buff vice president Joyce Baker (left), and president Sunny Stinchcombe demoed their natural buffing cream kits. “It’s an old concept, but new technology,” said Stinchcombe of the product, which brings natural nails to a high-shine.

<p>Minx hosted a VIP party after the show floor closed at a hip new hotel across from the convention center. Between product demos, snacks, and cocktails, NAILS editor Hannah Lee (left) caught up with nail techs (from left to right) Kristina Estabrooks, Kimmie Kyees, and Roxanne Valinoti.</p>

Minx hosted a VIP party after the show floor closed at a hip new hotel across from the convention center. Between product demos, snacks, and cocktails, NAILS editor Hannah Lee (left) caught up with nail techs (from left to right) Kristina Estabrooks, Kimmie Kyees, and Roxanne Valinoti.

<p>NAILS managing editor Sree Roy spoke with OPI executive VP Suzi Weiss-Fischmann about trends and the process of naming polish collections. Listen to the six-minute podcast at www.nailsmag.com/suzipodcast.</p>

NAILS managing editor Sree Roy spoke with OPI executive VP Suzi Weiss-Fischmann about trends and the process of naming polish collections. Listen to the six-minute podcast at www.nailsmag.com/suzipodcast.

<p>Orly and SpaRitual&rsquo;s new communications manager John Galea worked the show floor and said he was excited to be working for the company as Orly approaches its 35th anniversary in the beauty industry.</p>

Orly and SpaRitual’s new communications manager John Galea worked the show floor and said he was excited to be working for the company as Orly approaches its 35th anniversary in the beauty industry.

<p>The Backscratchers team had a great time at the show. Here the educators pose around CEO Michael Megna (left to right): Carol McCoy, Diana Snipe, and Christine Vargas.</p>

The Backscratchers team had a great time at the show. Here the educators pose around CEO Michael Megna (left to right): Carol McCoy, Diana Snipe, and Christine Vargas.

<p>Lynn Lammers proved why she&rsquo;s been the top competitor on the NAILS Top 25 list for two years running with her three first place finishes.</p>

Lynn Lammers proved why she’s been the top competitor on the NAILS Top 25 list for two years running with her three first place finishes.

<p>Kupa&rsquo;s Sara Smith (left), Richard Hurter (second from right), and Vicki Peters (right) posed with Urawa Corporation sales manager Hirofumi Matsugi, whose company manufactures the Upower Cordless Electric File.</p>

Kupa’s Sara Smith (left), Richard Hurter (second from right), and Vicki Peters (right) posed with Urawa Corporation sales manager Hirofumi Matsugi, whose company manufactures the Upower Cordless Electric File.

<p>Light Elegance&rsquo;s Lezlie and Jim McConnell were ecstatic about their show results, saying by the end they had sold out of many popular gel colors, including their new Glitter Gels.</p>

Light Elegance’s Lezlie and Jim McConnell were ecstatic about their show results, saying by the end they had sold out of many popular gel colors, including their new Glitter Gels.

<p>Trang Nguyen (center) and his Odyssey Nail Systems&rsquo; competition team performed well at this year&rsquo;s competition. Nguyen, himself, took two seconds in the veteran category.</p>

Trang Nguyen (center) and his Odyssey Nail Systems’ competition team performed well at this year’s competition. Nguyen, himself, took two seconds in the veteran category.

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<p>From left to right, NSI&rsquo;s Marty Cooke, Rick Slack, Staci Noble, and Heather Hall pose for a snapshot in their booth.</p>
1/21
 
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From left to right, NSI’s Marty Cooke, Rick Slack, Staci Noble, and Heather Hall pose for a snapshot in their booth.

<p>Entity Beauty celebrated its fifth anniversary at the same beauty show where it launched its product line five years ago with a party at Club Cohiba. Some Entity employees and educators take a break from the dance floor to pose for this shot.</p>
2/21
 
Slider

Entity Beauty celebrated its fifth anniversary at the same beauty show where it launched its product line five years ago with a party at Club Cohiba. Some Entity employees and educators take a break from the dance floor to pose for this shot.

<p>Entity president and CEO Vicki Heller gives a short (very enthusiastic) speech during the cake cutting.</p>
3/21
 
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Entity president and CEO Vicki Heller gives a short (very enthusiastic) speech during the cake cutting.

<p>The anniversary cake, a blend of vanilla and mousse-like chocolate, was stunningly pretty.</p>
4/21
 
Slider

The anniversary cake, a blend of vanilla and mousse-like chocolate, was stunningly pretty.

<p>Entity educator Cyndi Van and managing editor Sree Roy can&rsquo;t resist a shot by the sparkly &ldquo;5&rdquo; that graced Entity&rsquo;s trade show booth.</p>
5/21
 
Slider

Entity educator Cyndi Van and managing editor Sree Roy can’t resist a shot by the sparkly “5” that graced Entity’s trade show booth.

<p>Newton Luu, president of LeChat, was enthusiastic about the company&rsquo;s &ldquo;Mardi Gras&rdquo; trade show booth theme.</p>
6/21
 
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Newton Luu, president of LeChat, was enthusiastic about the company’s “Mardi Gras” trade show booth theme.

<p>Greg Salo, president of Young Nails, does a demo with the company&rsquo;s new Sunflower dust collector working to remove particles as he works.</p>
7/21
 
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Greg Salo, president of Young Nails, does a demo with the company’s new Sunflower dust collector working to remove particles as he works.

<p>From left to right, Nail Labo&rsquo;s Yuya Fujinami, Toshiaki Seki, Shinya Fujinami, and Yoko Ohno take a break from discussing the company&rsquo;s Presto LED Gels to pose for this picture.</p>
8/21
 
Slider

From left to right, Nail Labo’s Yuya Fujinami, Toshiaki Seki, Shinya Fujinami, and Yoko Ohno take a break from discussing the company’s Presto LED Gels to pose for this picture.

<p>NAILS associate editor Tim Crowley tries out European Touch&rsquo;s Sogno Spa, which measures the client&rsquo;s body to deliver precise massaging to the entire arms, back, head, and neck.</p>
9/21
 
Slider

NAILS associate editor Tim Crowley tries out European Touch’s Sogno Spa, which measures the client’s body to deliver precise massaging to the entire arms, back, head, and neck.

<p>The Essie booth showed off its wide array of colors, as well as introducing its new ejuvenate skin care line and Art of Spring polish collection.</p>
10/21
 
Slider

The Essie booth showed off its wide array of colors, as well as introducing its new ejuvenate skin care line and Art of Spring polish collection.

<p>Nail tech Christy Phan held the Colour while CND&rsquo;s Southern California sales consultant Kelvin St. Pham held the Effect in CND&rsquo;s Colour and Effects line.</p>
11/21
 
Slider

Nail tech Christy Phan held the Colour while CND’s Southern California sales consultant Kelvin St. Pham held the Effect in CND’s Colour and Effects line.

<p>The newly named Bellissima International had great energy at their booth. From left to right are John Hadley, Marnie Hadley, Debra Martin, and Joaquina Pedrasa.</p>
12/21
 
Slider

The newly named Bellissima International had great energy at their booth. From left to right are John Hadley, Marnie Hadley, Debra Martin, and Joaquina Pedrasa.

<p>New product In The Buff vice president Joyce Baker (left), and president Sunny Stinchcombe demoed their natural buffing cream kits. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s an old concept, but new technology,&rdquo; said Stinchcombe of the product, which brings natural nails to a high-shine.</p>
13/21
 
Slider

New product In The Buff vice president Joyce Baker (left), and president Sunny Stinchcombe demoed their natural buffing cream kits. “It’s an old concept, but new technology,” said Stinchcombe of the product, which brings natural nails to a high-shine.

<p>Minx hosted a VIP party after the show floor closed at a hip new hotel across from the convention center. Between product demos, snacks, and cocktails, NAILS editor Hannah Lee (left) caught up with nail techs (from left to right) Kristina Estabrooks, Kimmie Kyees, and Roxanne Valinoti.</p>
14/21
 
Slider

Minx hosted a VIP party after the show floor closed at a hip new hotel across from the convention center. Between product demos, snacks, and cocktails, NAILS editor Hannah Lee (left) caught up with nail techs (from left to right) Kristina Estabrooks, Kimmie Kyees, and Roxanne Valinoti.

<p>NAILS managing editor Sree Roy spoke with OPI executive VP Suzi Weiss-Fischmann about trends and the process of naming polish collections. Listen to the six-minute podcast at www.nailsmag.com/suzipodcast.</p>
15/21
 
Slider

NAILS managing editor Sree Roy spoke with OPI executive VP Suzi Weiss-Fischmann about trends and the process of naming polish collections. Listen to the six-minute podcast at www.nailsmag.com/suzipodcast.

<p>Orly and SpaRitual&rsquo;s new communications manager John Galea worked the show floor and said he was excited to be working for the company as Orly approaches its 35th anniversary in the beauty industry.</p>
16/21
 
Slider

Orly and SpaRitual’s new communications manager John Galea worked the show floor and said he was excited to be working for the company as Orly approaches its 35th anniversary in the beauty industry.

<p>The Backscratchers team had a great time at the show. Here the educators pose around CEO Michael Megna (left to right): Carol McCoy, Diana Snipe, and Christine Vargas.</p>
17/21
 
Slider

The Backscratchers team had a great time at the show. Here the educators pose around CEO Michael Megna (left to right): Carol McCoy, Diana Snipe, and Christine Vargas.

<p>Lynn Lammers proved why she&rsquo;s been the top competitor on the NAILS Top 25 list for two years running with her three first place finishes.</p>
18/21
 
Slider

Lynn Lammers proved why she’s been the top competitor on the NAILS Top 25 list for two years running with her three first place finishes.

<p>Kupa&rsquo;s Sara Smith (left), Richard Hurter (second from right), and Vicki Peters (right) posed with Urawa Corporation sales manager Hirofumi Matsugi, whose company manufactures the Upower Cordless Electric File.</p>
19/21
 
Slider

Kupa’s Sara Smith (left), Richard Hurter (second from right), and Vicki Peters (right) posed with Urawa Corporation sales manager Hirofumi Matsugi, whose company manufactures the Upower Cordless Electric File.

<p>Light Elegance&rsquo;s Lezlie and Jim McConnell were ecstatic about their show results, saying by the end they had sold out of many popular gel colors, including their new Glitter Gels.</p>
20/21
 
Slider

Light Elegance’s Lezlie and Jim McConnell were ecstatic about their show results, saying by the end they had sold out of many popular gel colors, including their new Glitter Gels.

<p>Trang Nguyen (center) and his Odyssey Nail Systems&rsquo; competition team performed well at this year&rsquo;s competition. Nguyen, himself, took two seconds in the veteran category.</p>
21/21
 
Slider

Trang Nguyen (center) and his Odyssey Nail Systems’ competition team performed well at this year’s competition. Nguyen, himself, took two seconds in the veteran category.

From January 30 through February 1, 40,000 beauty professionals attended ISSE, up 21% from 2009 and breaking the show’s all-time attendance records. The show featured 397 exhibitors, which is up 3% from 2009.

Bruce Selan, the Professional Beauty Association’s (PBA) new chair, spoke about trade show attendance and his predictions for the rest of 2010. Selan noted that trade show attendance was down across most industries last year, including regional beauty shows, because of the economy, then said: “What we’ve seen so far this year is that in January — whether you’re talking to salons, to distributors, or to manufacturers — I haven’t talked to one person who has not said that January was not an absolutely terrific month. And if the salon business was good in January, chances are distributor and manufacturer business will be good in February and March. I think we’re off to a very, very strong first quarter. Overall, for the industry, the month of January has been terrific.”

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