On 28 March 2026, Jeju Island, Korea, hosted the highly anticipated annual event of Asia's beauty industry – the ABIL (Asia Beauty International League) International Beauty Technology Convention. This gathering of top beauty professionals, judges, and instructors from around the world was not only a platform for technical exchange but also a bridge for cultural dialogue within Asian beauty. Notably, Hong Kong IQA Management President Lawrance WONG, Hong Kong IQA Executive President Pauly TSE, and Hong Kong IQA Executive President Joey WONG were invited to attend and speak at the opening ceremony. As founder of ABIL, Hong Kong IQA President Lawrance WONG detailed the membership services and support system of Hong Kong IQA both locally and overseas, highlighting that the association has successfully organised six professional beauty competitions and several inspiring award ceremonies. The thousand attendees gave high recognition and affirmation to the work of Hong Kong IQA. In this grand event, the Hong Kong student delegation became one of the brightest highlights: among them, senior instructors served as international judges, young students competed on the professional stage, and countless members participated firsthand, writing a glorious chapter for Hong Kong beauty professionals under the blue sky and cherry blossoms of Korea.

As Asia's authoritative beauty industry competition, ABIL covers multiple professional fields including skin management, eyelash extensions, semi-permanent makeup and microblading, professional makeup, and trendy hairstyling. It focuses on popular techniques such as Korean semi-permanent makeup, non-invasive skin repair, light-oxygen ombre brows, eyelash extensions, delicate makeup styling, and trendy hair design – fully aligned with mainstream global beauty trends. Every year, ABIL attracts outstanding participants from Korea, China, Malaysia, Singapore, and many other countries. The 2026 convention, themed around cherry blossoms, perfectly blended Korea's romantic charm with the professionalism of the beauty industry – from the themed posters hanging around the venue to the rows of trophies and honour sashes, every detail highlighted the professionalism and grandeur of the event. Notably, Hong Kong IQA President Lawrance WONG served as the Scoring Advisor for the competition, providing expert advice on judging with his rich industry experience and professional insight, ensuring fairness and impartiality so that every contestant's skill could be objectively evaluated. Our Hong Kong student team, a total of 16 people including many Hong Kong IQA members, participated in the event. Carrying great enthusiasm and long-polished solid skills, they embarked on this meaningful trip to Korea, determined to showcase Hong Kong's beauty expertise on the international stage. We extend our sincere gratitude to all IQA members for their active participation and full support.

Walking into the ABIL convention, the first thing that caught the eye was the strong professional atmosphere: the stage was brightly lit, the ABIL logo on the backdrop was striking, and hundreds of gold trophies neatly lined up backstage bore witness to the hard work and skill of every competitor. In the competition area, participants from around the world were focused on their live operations, and our Hong Kong students were no exception. High-level beauty skills competitions took place, covering semi-permanent eyebrow/eyelid/lip makeup, sensitive skin repair and care, 3D eyelash extensions, Korean natural makeup styling, delicate makeup design, and trendy hairstyling. The makeup competition focused on foundation clarity, eye makeup refinement, and overall styling harmony, while the hairstyling competition emphasised creative hair design, hair texture shaping, and overall coordination. Every technique reflected the forefront of current beauty trends and high search‑volume topics.

In the photos, senior instructors and students, dressed in uniform white workwear with professional gloves and masks, operated with extreme rigour. They demonstrated exquisite and comprehensive skills: in the semi-permanent field, light‑oxygen ombre brow colouring techniques and three‑dimensional sculpting methods for brows, eyes, and lips; in skin management, deep cleansing, hydration, moisturising, and anti‑ageing care; in eyelash extensions, single‑lash application, Y‑shaped application, and natural curl techniques; in makeup, Korean natural looks, translucent base makeup, fine eyeliner detailing, and full‑face styling; in hairstyling, trendy waves, straight styling, setting, and creative braiding. Every move was precise and skilled, every detail strictly controlled, fully displaying the professionalism and work ethic of Hong Kong beauty professionals. Here, technique is not merely a skill but an art of conveying beauty; the competition is not just about winning but an opportunity for beauty professionals worldwide to exchange ideas and learn core techniques. On‑site exchanges were abundant, with participants sharing tips on semi‑permanent colouring, skincare formulas, eyelash extension durability, makeup and hairstyling techniques – all high‑interest core skills in the beauty industry.

The Hong Kong instructors serving as international judges carried the industry's mission, and Hong Kong IQA President Lawrance WONG, as the competition's Scoring Advisor, participated throughout the judging process, from refining scoring standards to overseeing the scoring process, providing professional advisory opinions to ensure fairness, transparency, and openness, allowing every contestant to be recognised on their own merit. At the same time, among the Hong Kong instructors acting as international judges, many hold semi‑permanent makeup instructor and assessor qualifications, as well as BHL Level 5 Professional Microblading Certificates. Leveraging their years of experience and authoritative qualifications, they strictly evaluated and fairly judged the participants, focusing on skill proficiency, attention to detail, and innovation – especially the evenness of colour in semi‑permanent makeup, the standardisation of skin management techniques, the durability and naturalness of eyelash extensions, the refinement and creativity of makeup styling, and the uniqueness and suitability of hair designs. Their work not only safeguarded the professionalism of the competition but also demonstrated the high standards of Hong Kong's beauty industry to the world. From on‑site judging to post‑competition technical exchanges, the Hong Kong instructors, together with IQA President Lawrance WONG, engaged with international counterparts in discussing innovative semi‑permanent techniques, cutting‑edge skin management approaches, makeup trends, hairstyling methods, and common pitfalls in eyelash extensions – earning unanimous respect and recognition from peers worldwide.

The climax of the competition was undoubtedly the award ceremony. As the host read out the list of winners, the names of Hong Kong students rang through the venue time and again, and countless applause and cheers witnessed their hard work and achievements. The three Hong Kong IQA leaders also attended the award ceremony personally, presenting honours to the winning students and witnessing their shining moments, further demonstrating Hong Kong IQA's commitment to nurturing local beauty talent.

In the photos, students hold heavy championship trophies, draped with honour sashes bearing the flags of various countries and the ABIL logo, their faces radiant with confident smiles. These award‑winning students stood out with solid core skills: some won grand prizes in the semi‑permanent category with light‑oxygen ombre brows and Korean three‑dimensional brow/eyelid/lip sculpting, showing even colouring and smooth lines that perfectly restored natural contours; others gained recognition for professional skin management techniques such as deep repair for sensitive skin, hydration, and moisturising, demonstrating precise control of skincare rhythms and excellent results; still others excelled in the eyelash category with 3D lash extensions and natural curl setting techniques; and some achieved outstanding results in the makeup and hairstyling categories with exquisite makeup styling and creative hair designs, with makeup that fit the theme and showcased fine details, and hair designs that were trendy, well‑coordinated, and stylish – fully demonstrating the depth of Hong Kong's beauty industry in makeup and hairstyling. Each trophy is not only an affirmation of their technical ability but also recognition of the overall technical level of Hong Kong's beauty industry, and the best reward for the students' years of persistent learning, constant refinement, and mastery of every beauty skill. This success would not have been possible without the professional guidance of IQA President as Scoring Advisor, and the joint efforts and support of the 15 attending members and fellow IQA members. From novice young students to seasoned industry veterans, every Hong Kong representative gained their own glory in this international event and brought honour to Hong Kong's beauty industry.

At the opening ceremony, Hong Kong students joined representatives from Korea, mainland China, and elsewhere on stage, waving national flags and demonstrating the unity and strength of Asian beauty professionals. This scene was not only ceremonial but a testament to the collective effort of beauty professionals worldwide to promote industry development. At the award podium, Hong Kong students took group photos with international colleagues and the three IQA leaders, exchanging techniques and sharing insights – from innovative colouring techniques and brow/eyelid/lip sculpting methods in semi‑permanent makeup, to advanced skin management concepts and sensitive skin repair techniques, to methods for improving lash extension durability, trendy makeup styling combinations, and creative hairstyling ideas. These exchanges covered many high‑search‑volume beauty skills and provided valuable material for upgrading Hong Kong's beauty techniques, while also fostering deep friendships and building a broader international exchange platform for Hong Kong's beauty industry. A total of 16 people participated in the event, including many IQA members. It is thanks to the active participation and full support of all members that this trip to Korea was so meaningful. Once again, we thank every IQA member for their companionship and dedication.

For the Hong Kong students who participated in this ABIL convention, this trip to Korea was never just a competition – it was a rare growth experience and a comprehensive upgrade of their beauty skills.

On the technical level, they had close contact with the world's top beauty techniques and trends, focusing on advanced Korean core skills in semi‑permanent makeup, skin management, makeup styling, and hairstyling, supplementing their own expertise – for example, adopting the latest Korean light‑oxygen ombre brow colouring and 3D brow/eyelid/lip sculpting methods to optimise their technique details and solve common problems like uneven colouring or stiff lines; in skin management, absorbing advanced local concepts and practical skills for sensitive skin repair, deep hydration, and anti‑ageing care, mastering more scientific skincare formulas and techniques; in eyelash extensions, learning Korean 3D application and long‑lasting setting techniques to improve the durability and natural look of extensions; in makeup, borrowing Korean natural makeup, translucent base makeup, and delicate eye makeup techniques to master styling for different occasions; in hairstyling, learning Korean trendy hair design, hair repair, and setting techniques to enhance their own hair creation and shaping abilities. These cutting‑edge techniques are not only core search‑volume topics in the beauty industry but also broadened the students' professional horizons, helping them identify areas for improvement. Through exchanges with international contestants, they not only honed their skills but also absorbed beauty philosophies from different countries, gaining valuable experience for their future careers. This too would not have been possible without the professional guidance of IQA President and the mutual support among the 15 attending members and fellow IQA members.

On a personal growth level, this international competition greatly boosted the students' self‑confidence and professional identity. From repeatedly refining each beauty skill during preparation – tackling difficulties in semi‑permanent colouring, skin care, eyelash application, etc. – to calmly performing on stage, and then to the joy and emotion of winning, every step strengthened their belief in pursuing a career in beauty. Meanwhile, participating in the international convention gave them a clearer vision for the industry's future, inspiring them to deepen their core skills in various fields, become more professional and internationally‑minded beauty practitioners, and inject new energy into the development of Hong Kong's beauty industry.

More importantly, this trip allowed Hong Kong students to deeply feel the warmth and power of the beauty industry. Beauty is never merely a technical trade – it is a cause of conveying and creating beauty. At the ABIL convention, they not only witnessed the peak of technical excellence but also felt the passion and dedication of beauty professionals worldwide for beauty. This spiritual strength will accompany them as they continue to advance on their career paths, constantly refining their beauty skills, conveying beauty, and creating beauty.

This ABIL 2026 Korea convention was not only a glorious journey for Hong Kong students but also an important milestone in the internationalisation of Hong Kong's beauty industry, pointing the way for the development of beauty techniques in Hong Kong. As an industry leader, Hong Kong IQA, through the attendance and speeches of its three leaders, further expanded the international influence of Hong Kong's beauty industry. The six professional beauty competitions it has successfully organised have also provided more platforms for Hong Kong beauty talents to compete and showcase their skills, earning widespread recognition from the industry.

As a key hub in Asian beauty, Hong Kong has always served as a bridge connecting the mainland Chinese and international beauty markets. The outstanding performance of Hong Kong students in this convention not only demonstrated the strength of Hong Kong's beauty industry but also injected new momentum into its international development. In the future, Hong Kong IQA will continue to play its leading role, improve member services and support systems, organise more professional beauty competitions and exchange activities, and encourage more Hong Kong beauty students to participate in top‑level international events, building a broader international exchange platform so that more Hong Kong beauty professionals can step out of Hong Kong, go global, and showcase their superb skills and style on the international stage.

At the same time, Hong Kong beauty practitioners will integrate the advanced techniques and concepts learned at this convention into their own skill enhancement, focusing on polishing core skills in semi‑permanent makeup, skin management, eyelash extensions, makeup styling, etc., absorbing international front‑line experience, addressing their own weaknesses, and driving the overall technical level of Hong Kong's beauty industry forward. This will help cultivate more outstanding beauty talents in Hong Kong with international vision and professional competence, securing a more prominent position for Hong Kong's beauty industry on the global stage.

Looking back on this trip to Korea, there was tension and focus on the competition floor, joy and emotion at the awards, gains and growth in exchanges, and the glory and hope brought home. The attendance of the three Hong Kong IQA leaders, especially IQA President Lawrance WONG serving as Scoring Advisor, provided strong support for the fairness and justice of the competition and added weight to this journey, witnessing the rise of Hong Kong's beauty industry. A total of 16 people participated in the event – we thank every IQA member for their active participation, full support, and companionship. It is through our collective effort that we could perfectly showcase the strength of Hong Kong's beauty industry on the international stage. Every Hong Kong student who took part in this ABIL convention, with their own efforts and superb beauty, makeup, and hairstyling skills, wrote a wonderful chapter for Hong Kong beauty professionals and proved the professionalism and value of Hong Kong's beauty industry.

Beauty is a never‑ending practice, and skill is the foundation that supports that practice. The end of ABIL 2026 is not a finish line but a new starting point. In the future, Hong Kong beauty professionals will continue to uphold the philosophy of "professionalism first, individuality as soul", constantly refining all core beauty skills in semi‑permanent makeup, skin management, eyelash extensions, makeup, etc., absorbing international cutting‑edge experience, and exploring and progressing on the road of beauty. Hong Kong IQA will continue to play its guiding role, providing more support and platforms for beauty talents, leading more Hong Kong students onto the international stage – in the name of beauty, embarking on the next sea and mountain of Hong Kong's beauty industry.

Special thanks go to the 16 members who accompanied the delegation to the 2026 ABIL Asia Beauty International League Convention in Korea. The list of names is as follows:

Thank you all for your wholehearted efforts and companionship, interpreting the style of Hong Kong beauty professionals with expertise and passion. At the same time, sincere thanks go to all Hong Kong IQA members for their support and participation. It is thanks to your generous help that this journey was successfully concluded and that Hong Kong's beauty industry could shine on the international stage. Grateful to every partner who has contributed to the development of Hong Kong's beauty industry – we shall walk together into the future and embark on a new journey for the beauty industry.