HUE Affair NYC 2026: Celebrating 10 Years of Beauty, Culture, and Community
If there is one thing I love, it’s being in a room full of people who understand the beauty, versatility, and power of textured hair. That’s exactly what I experienced at HUE Affair NYC 2026 on May 30, 2026.
This year was especially meaningful because HUE Affair celebrated its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of creating space for beauty brands, entrepreneurs, creators, and consumers to connect through culture, commerce, community, fashion and hair. Founded in 2016, HUE, short for “Hair Unites Everyone” has grown into one of the premier beauty and lifestyle marketplaces dedicated to showcasing brands made with us in mind.
Held at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City, the 10th Anniversary Marketplace brought together beauty, wellness, lifestyle brands, hundreds of beauty lovers, and countless opportunities to discover your new favorite items. From product activations and live demonstrations to founder meet-and-greets, food and giveaways. Every corner of the event reflected the creativity and innovation that continues to shape our beauty.
Working with Cantu Before the Event
One of the highlights of my HUE Affair experience happened before I even stepped onto the show floor.
I had the opportunity to work with Cantu, interviewing attendees and capturing their excitement leading up to the event. It was inspiring to hear firsthand what HUE Affair means to the community. Some attendees were longtime supporters who have attended for years, while others were experiencing HUE for the very first time.
What stood out most was the shared enthusiasm for discovering Black-owned brands, seeing your favorite brands, learning about new products, and connecting with people who share similar beauty journeys. Whether someone was searching for the perfect moisturizer for their curls, a restock of their favorite products, or simply wanting to support businesses built for textured hair, beauty and lifestyle, there was a genuine sense of anticipation in every conversation.
Here’s a snippet: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZLhH9lJgCc/?igsh=YXgyZnVwNmhremM0
Photo from outside of HUE conducting interviews for Cantu
Supporting the CVS Beauty Experience
Inside the event, I also had the opportunity to work the CVS booth, one of HUE Affair’s presenting sponsors. CVS has continued to invest in multicultural beauty, making products more accessible to diverse consumers, which makes their partnership with HUE a natural fit.
Throughout the day, I assisted attendees at the CVS activation by helping collect surveys, guiding attendees to activations and distributing product samples. It was exciting to watch guests engage with the brands, share feedback, and walk away with products to try at home and share with their friends and family. Because one thing we know, HUE is not stingy with the gifting! Brands show up and show out each and every time.
One of my favorite parts of the experience was seeing the enthusiasm on attendees’ faces as they discovered products they may not have otherwise encountered or seeing their favorite products and restocking. Moments like these remind me why events such as HUE Affair matter in our community because creating opportunities for brands and consumers to connect in ways that go beyond a store shelf is exactly what makes us feel seen, heard and appreciated.
Photo from HUE in the CVS booth
A Marketplace Built for Us
What makes HUE Affair special is that it isn’t just another beauty event.
It’s a celebration of Black entrepreneurship, innovation, representation and community. This year’s marketplace featured an impressive collection of brands across haircare, skincare, cosmetics, wellness, and lifestyle categories. From well-known favorites to emerging founders, attendees had the chance to shop directly from the people behind the products.
While walking the floor, I was reminded of how much the natural hair beauty industries have evolved over the last decade. HUE Affair has played an important role in helping that growth happen.
Why HUE Affair Continues to Matter
Ten years later, HUE Affair remains more than a marketplace, the community comes together to celebrate itself. The event continues to demonstrate the power of supporting and investing in spaces where our voices, stories, and experiences are centered.
As someone who loves natural hair, beauty, and community-centered experiences, I left the Pavilion feeling inspired, energized, and excited for what the future holds for the community and all the brands.
Congratulations to the entire HUE Affair team on an incredible 10 years! Thank you for continuing to create a space where beauty, culture, and connection thrive.
Until next year, HUE!
PS - Yes, I did change my outfit!😆
HUE Affair Website: www.hueaffair.com
HUE Affair Instagram: www.instagram.com/hueaffair
xoxo Charrisse
Photos from HUE 2026 with @foxylous