Beauty Icons Gather for Intimate Brunch After Bronner Bros. Awards in Midtown

The weekend's Bronner Bros. Beauty Icon Awards festivities wound down Sunday with a more relaxed affair: the Beauty In Good Company Brunch at The Starling in Midtown Atlanta, presented by SALT.XO Handcrafted Skincare. The invite-only gathering brought together beauty entrepreneurs, celebrity hairstylists and brand founders following Saturday's awards ceremony, which honored figures including Topicals founder Olamide Olowe, makeup artist Derek Rutledge and hairstylist Tokyo Stylez. Executive producer Kelly Keith said she wanted attendees to network on a more personal level after the bigger event, likening the vibe to a family reunion rather than a traditional after-party. Guests dined on shrimp and grits, herb-roasted chicken and baked salmon, while a champagne bar served bellinis and mimosas. A Baroma Parfum Bar activation let attendees blend custom fragrances to take home. During a panel discussion, Olowe shared that Topicals is expanding into Nigeria and other African markets, that she's relocated to Lagos and stepped down as CEO to focus on growth, and that she acquired BREAD hair care last year. Colorist Greg Gilmore also discussed a forthcoming book on the influence of cosmetologists and announced an educational class in Houston next month. Keith said planning is already underway for a bigger Beauty Icon Awards next year, marking Bronner Bros.' 80th anniversary in 2027.