Ultimate NAHA Survival Guide

Let’s be honest… traveling to a major hair event can be daunting. Now throw in the fact that most of us have spent the last year climbing the walls of our homes in quarantine and it feels extra scary.

If we know ANYTHING, it is how to navigate the world of hair shows on the cheap and without losing our minds. (Fun fact before pro beauty, Erin worked for the airlines, so we know some things.)

Where to Stay

Mandalay Bay

Pros: You are as close as you are going to get to the actual convention center and nerd stalking is in PRIME form. Pretty much everywhere you turn you will run into a NAHA Finalist or Hairlebrity.

Cons: There is no downtime. The property is massive so you are still walking a million miles to get to everything.

Delano

Pros: The Delano is a luxury property and truly, incredibly relaxing. You are connected to Mandalay Bay but get the feeling of being off-site.

Cons: The Delano is definitely the priciest of all the “NAHA” hotels and doesn’t offer enough in the way of extra experiences to merit the cost. Not because it isn’t a great place to stay but because you aren’t there for a relaxing vacation if you are a Hair Nerd.

Luxor

Pros: Luxor is the real MVP when it comes to price. It has a convenient tram to scoot you over to Mandalay while you wear heels and is connected to the Mandalay Bay property via Mandalay Place, if you don’t mind an indoor walk. (There is a Lush Cosmetics in Mandalay Place right outside of Luxor in case you need bath bomb for after the NAHA ceremony)

We also really enjoy being away from the main hotel sometimes because it gives you a chance to disconnect for a tiny but before throwing yourself back into the action of NAHA weekend.

Cons: Luxor isn’t a property offered through Par Avion (PBA’s housing partner) for the 2021 NAHA so you won’t be seeing any group block discounts. We like to use hotels.com when it is a casino or place we don’t visit often because you will earn points and reward nights no matter which property you are staying at.

Travel Life Hacks

Stop Raiding the Mini Bar

Eating in Vegas is a rich nerd’s game, mmmkay? If quarantine taught us anything, it was that you can have virtually everything delivered to you. The same rings true with groceries and Vegas. Pop on to Instacart and let your friendly, local shopper snag you a bottle of rum, Reese’s peanut butter cups and those Cheetos you swear you would never touch… (lies, that bag is gonna be half empty at 2am while you are sitting in bed scrolling through insta, giggling with your hair nerd bestie)

Do yourself a real favor and order a pack of water because 1. The avg. temp is around 465 degrees everyday in the summer and 2. Water costs the equivalent of a small mortgage payment in Vegas.

Pro Tip** Have your instacart shopper meet you right outside the hotel. Not all properties allow deliveries to your room and this will save you from a last minute crisis.

Pack Snacks

The Mandalay Convention Center has a handful of places to grab lunch but the lines get reallllll long and put a strain on your credit cards. Rather than waiting in like 35 minutes for a mediocre sandwich from Subway, do yourself a favor and throw a couple of bars in your bag.

We discovered Sans Bars during quarantine and dig them because they are super filling and pack a caloric punch while only having real and whole ingredients.

Chargers

The reception in the convention center (and casinos) is generally pretty shitty. It is our experience that your phone dies EXTRA fast at NAHA. Maybe it is because it just sits there spinning… desperately searching for signal… or perhaps all the pics with your hair besties. Either way these chargers have become our 3rd nerd and favorite traveling buddy.

We have gone through A LOT of chargers… some have been decent, some were total crap… these 2 are on our traveling must haves and insanely affordable, thanks Amazon.

Snag our favorite portable charger for charging multiple phones at once (wanna be the most popular nerd at NAHA?) that also fits in your pocket or bag. Don’t forget to grab the extension cord with USB and regular outlets that goes to every. single. hotel. with us.

Show Hacks

Buy Tickets

Dear sweet baby Jesus just buy your tickets to NAHA and Cosmoprof North America. We know what you are thinking… you know people.. someone will hook you up with a wrist band… you can sneak in. Literally ALL of those things are UNTRUE. Every year before the show our phone start blowing up with people looking for free tickets. We don’t have them… wristbands aren’t just floating around waiting to be discovered. Do yourself and the security guards a favor and just buy the damn ticket. They are super affordable. Here… we will even give you the link.

NAHA Tickets

PBA Member:$85 General Admission / $169 VIP Ticket

Regular:$99 General Admission / $199 VIP Ticket

Onsite:$125 General Admission <— SEE!! Just buy them now and save a couple of bucks!

Attend the Red Carpet Reception

This is your best bet to mix and mingle with finalists. Trust us… if you skip the red carpet because you are running behind on your makeup you are going to kick yourself. This is where all the best connections are made and where you can let Tabatha Coffey know that she is your new best friend.

Cosmoprof North America

Plan on skipping the pool and attending CPNA! Cosmoprof North America (CPNA) is the leading B2B beauty exhibition in the Americas, recognized for its dynamic growth and unique programs. The event offers the entire industry an opportunity to come together, make new relationships, and foster collaborations.

We are super nerdy and like to attend all the panels and talks.

Need More Hair Nerd Help?

Still have questions about navigating NAHA weekend? Slide into our DM’s on @TheHairNerds