Dawn Sterling Invited Your Favorite Celebrity Beauticians To Her First-Ever ‘Beauty Unlocked’

Over BET Awards weekend, Black beauty pros behind the red carpet arrived at Sun Rose Hotel in West Hollywood for another kind of celebration: Beauty Unlocked. Founded by veteran nail artist Dawn Sterling, this iteration was her first-ever, born out of the desire to confront the lack of Black representation in high fashion.

Hosted by Darian Symone, guests received beauty services from your favorite celebrity’s beauticians, from hair and makeup touch-ups to manicures. Then, Sterling invited those same artists to the stage for a panel discussion moderated by Candis Grace: hairstylists Jawara Wauchope and Tym Wallace, and makeup artist Sir John. “Beauty Unlocked is synonymous with opening up doors to every aspect of the beauty business,” says Wallace, who’s known for his work on Mary J. Blige, Taraji P. Henson, and ESSENCE Festival performer Cardi B.

The panel opened up rarely-answered questions about the industry, from intimate stories on the roadblocks they’ve faced to how the business can realistically change, in front of an audience of 150 guests including. “[We’re] not gate keeping information, but making sure we all can walk through those doors,” Wallace says.

With beauty legends often leading teams, Sir John, who’s done the makeup of Beyoncé, Zendaya, and Serena Williams, said Beauty Unlocked honors collaboration. “Not just around beauty, but around economics, community, and what it truly means to move our industry forward together,” he says. Sponsored by Gran Coramino, Kevin Hart’s tequila brand, Sterling was intentional about valuing Black businesses in Black spaces.

“Dawn has built a brand and community that embodies those values—elevating the beauty experience through craftsmanship, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to quality,” says SVP of brand operations at Gran Coramino Kristin Turner. “Beauty Unlocked was a beautiful reflection of that vision.”

For Wauchope, who’s had a hand in Beyoncé and Solange’s hairstyles, it’s a dream come true to support Sterling’s vision for the Black community. “Creating a space where our experiences can benefit and encourage up and coming creatives and Beauty enthusiasts is such an honor,” he says. “What Dawn has created will be the catalyst for the future of the beauty industry.”