Beautycon Could Be The IRL Event You Need For Making Friends As An Adult
Usage Guide
Overview
Whether you’ve landed in a new city, started a new job or simply want to meet some new, interesting girlies, making friends as an adult is hard — for everyone. Add into the mix that it feels like we’re all more “chronically online” than ever before, so it is any wonder then that forging new friendships right now can feel like facing an impossible feat? Fear not — at Refinery29 we’ve been hyping up the need for IRL events (hello, Club R29!) for this very reason for quite some time now.
So, mark your calendars, and prepare to make some new friends, because Beautycon is back in LA for another year. On September 19th, 2026, for one day only, the R29 team — and lots of incredible guests — will be enrolling everyone who comes along at Beautycon University at Rolling Greens. Just like the first day of school, it’ll be filled with new names and faces, so what better way to make some new friends? In case you haven’t heard, community-maxxing is in, and doomscrolling is out.
Why now, you ask? “On an average day in 2023 one in 10 US young adults did not spend a single minute interacting face-to-face with another person,” the Financial Times reported earlier this year. Gen Z has been branded the ‘loneliest generation’ and millennials are constantly wondering why they can’t make more friends in their 30s — but there’s a change afoot because, according to our own reporting at R29, we’re seeing an uptick in women joining book clubs. Not to mention, women are seeking out new connections through hiking groups and/or a shared love of baking cakes. In short: women want to change this by finding their community through in-person events in the age of AI. So, if you love all things beauty then you may just find your people at our next event.
People who love Cardi B, Keke Palmer and Sir John. That’s right; they’ve signed up and enrolled. Singer Cardi B will be bringing her Grow-Good beauty line to campus, and make-up artist Sir John will be our Head of School. To put it simply, we’ll all learn together. It’ll be filled with masterclasses, founder panels, and the brands you haven’t heard of but definitely need to know about. Just like university, you’ll also get to pick your own major — fun! You’ll learn in the classroom, and from creators onstage, and even get to try out some products, too.
Details
So, instead of downloading a friendship app yet again, pop along with your ticket in-hand and enroll yourself at Beautycon University. You never know who you might meet on your first — and only — day on campus.
Beautycon will take place on September 19th, 2026, in LA. You can buy Beautycon tickets here.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
The Best Beauty Advent Calendars Are Already Here
Anthropologie’s Sellout Advent Calendars Are Here
Best Weekend Sales Across Fashion, Beauty & Home
Source
Originally published at www.refinery29.com.