It was the hellafun, irreverent and unedited evening everyone has come to expect from BTC’s Stylist Choice Awards, as more than 50 presenters let their hair down for a few crazy hours at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, FL. From high-energy runway presentations to zany presenters to a heartfelt tribute to Guy Mascolo and a touching and unexpected Unlocking Hope Award presentation to Michelle Kelly, this year’s show ran the gamut of emotion and just might have been the best Stylist Choice Awards to date!

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE PARTY PICS!

But the real reason for the annual party at the in Orlando, FL (in a new location this year—the Rosen Centre) is to celebrate professional products, education and companies and this year, more than a half million loyal behindthechair.com members chose 30 deserving winners.  On Sunday, June 7th 2009, the victors claimed their shiny crystal trophies in front of an audience of more than 2,000 salon pros and company VIPs at the hottest party of the year.

Special guests included industry superstars Nick Arrojo, Robert Cromeans, Sam Villa, James Morrison, Charlie Price and Joe Anthony Pena and Rocky McCormick, to name a few.  The highlights of the night came in the form of exclusive runway and video presentations from the Stylist Choice Awards Hall of Fame. Fierce models pounded the runway in the Wella, Redken and TIGI presentations. Paul Mitchell Future Professionals danced to a remix of Michael Jacksons’ “Thriller” in Paul Mitchell’s presentation. Farouk artists did a high-energy cutting and lip-synching routine to “Devil Went Down to Georgia.” And Mizani, Joico/ISO and Nioxin shared specially-made, exclusive videos with the audience. Plus, back by popular demand was Mary’s BTC-TV Newscast, featuring all-new material guaranteed to keep the industry talking for weeks! 

Tears and a standing ovation came when James Morrison shared a special video tribute and memorial for Toni&Guy’s Guy Mascolo, who passed away unexpectedly on May 6. The beautiful video paid tribute to Mascolo and celebrated his impressive and inspirational career as founder of Toni&Guy. Mary also presented a surprise Hairdressers Unlocking Hope award to Michelle Kelly. Those of you who read Michelle’s story in behindthechair.com On Paper know that she has overcome unimaginable adversity, including abuse and homelessness, and is now working hard and attending cosmetology school to build a better life for herself and her daughters.  Not only did Michelle receive this award, (and spend the weekend with her girls at Disney World,) but Mary and the generous folks at the Paul Mitchell Schools decided to take the money that would have covered Paul Mitchell’s sponsorship and presented it to Michelle the night of the awards show.
 
With this year’s Stylist Choice Award winners, there were some surprises, some tried-and-true and some upsets.  TIGI was the big winner of the night, taking home awards for Favorite Professional Make-Up Line, Favorite New Styling Product, Favorite Step-by-Step on BTC and their first win for Favorite Overall Professional Products Company. Nick Arrojo got the big win for Favorite Platform Artist of the Year–his first time winning the coveted award! Redken picked up awards for Favorite Permanent and Demi-Permanent Color Line and Favorite Shampoo for Color Extend. PureOlogy nabbed trophies for Favorite Prestige Shampoo/Conditioner and Favorite Color Protecting Product, both for Hydrate. Farouk Systems dominated in the styling tools categories once again, winning for Favorite Blow Dryer and Favorite Flat Iron. Wella received a win for Favorite Lightening System with Blondor while Sebastian accepted trophies for Favorite New Shampoo/Conditioner for Drench and Favorite Styling Product for Whipped Crème. Joico received wins for Favorite Deep or Restorative Conditioner and Favorite Conditioner while ISO took home the win for Favorite Permanent Wave with ISO Options. Moroccanoil also made a splash at the show, picking up wins for Favorite Prestige Styling Product and Product You Can’t Live Without.

SEE THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS HERE!

As always, big names from throughout the industry gathered in the Rosen Centre to enjoy the show.  Presenters included Nick Arrojo, Robert Cromeans, James Morrison, Sam Villa, Nicholas French, Stephanie Kocielski, Angus Mitchell, Luis Alvarez, David Raccuglia, Kris Sorbie, Chris Baran, Charlie Price, Joe Anthony Pena, Rocky McCormick, Shauky Gulamani, Lisa Marie Garcia, Stephen Moody, Traci Sakosits, Kevin Givens, John Simpson, Patrick McIvor, Phillip Wilson, Kurt Kueffner, Andy Bodine, Dee Adames, Lorraine Massey, Michael Noragon, Mario Argenti, Melka Davis, Paula Malloy, Larry Soloman, Martino Cartier, Mia Luguori McHugh, Rene’ Antonio, Robert Heim, Ralf Metz, Tyson Daniel, Wendy Belanger, John Moroney, Paige Fadden, Nicole Obert, Gianni Brocato, Jim Roberts, Gerard Carusso, Carmen Tal and Karrie Fonte.

VIPs from top beauty manufacturers in attendance included TIGI, P&G Professional Beauty, Redken, Farouk, Joico/ISO, Kenra, Matrix, Moroccanoil, Nioxin, Aquage, Rusk, Mizani, KPSS-Inc., PureOlogy, Scruples, Hairdreams®, FHI-Heat, JCPenney Salons, ghd Professional, Sexy Hair, American Crew and tons more!

Of course, the Stylist Choice Awards wouldn’t be complete without the blastin’ after-party. DJ Chemist kept the party going, the drinks flowin’ and the dance floor packed while he spun original mixes of the hottest music until 2 a.m.

SPECIAL THANKS: A big shout out to the wonderful, talented and always entertaining Kevin Givens from TIGI who did Mary’s makeup (and made sure she shared plenty of laughs before the show started)! Next, thanks to Charlie Price for making Mary’s hair so lovely she didn’t want to wash it the next day…or the next!  Thanks, beauty boys, for making Mary stage-ready and FABULOUS throughout the night!

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE PARTY PICS!

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