Chicagolicious

In the series premiere, meet celebrity stylist AJ Johnson and the talented hair and makeup staff at his Chicago salon. Already established on the local scene, AJ is ready to do whatever it takes to get his salon to the national level. So when his publicist pitches an opportunity to style a high society fashion event, he jumps right on--especially if it means being featured on the blog of a well-connected socialite. But first he has to get his team on the same page--especially his senior hairstylist, the divalicious and champagne-loving Valincia, who's not too fond of Katrell, the newest addition to the salon. Game day arrives and it seems like things are going smoothly at the event--until one too many glasses of bubbly sends Valincia over the edge! Will her diva antics totally ruin AJ's opportunity to shine?

AJ rushes to make the salon eco-friendly in an attempt to be included in a national Earth Day campaign--but he nor manager Niki know the first thing about going green! Niki hires a consultant that suggests a multitude of changes--but will going green put the salon in the red? Meanwhile, Austin prepares for a big date with a former NFL baller, while AJ helps Katrell find a new apartment--which doesn't sit well with Valincia.

AJ surprises his stylists with a great opportunity for the salon when he snags the chance to advertise in a national airline magazine. The advertisement calls for a highly-stylized photo shoot and will feature him and all of his employees--and it will also be a great way for at least one of his staff members to showcase their skills by styling the entire shoot. It's no surprise Valincia feels entitled to take charge, but MaCray isn't one to just hide in her shadow--and he finally steps up to show off his own talent. Plus, he and Austin set out on a mission to drop a few pounds before the big day.

AJ preps to debuts his new hair product line at the America's Beauty Show, one of the largest stylist trade shows in the business. MaCray spots an opportunity to shine, so he enters a styling competition to show AJ he's more than just a weavologist. Meanwhile, Niki overstays her welcome at AJ's home when they clash over her bizarre spiritual antics, putting their lifelong friendship on the line.

AJ's birthday is right around the corner, and it's no surprise he wants to have the party of the century! Plus, there's no reason to go all out if no one knows about it--so he's on a mission to get his shebang on the pages of "Ebony" magazine. Will Q be able to put together the soiree he so desires? Meanwhile, a surprise visitor comes to town to visit MaCray, but not all surprises end up being good ones.

As AJ drums up new business all over town, he manages to book hair and makeup sessions with two of his all-time red carpet divas on the same day for the very same event. Not wanting to disappoint either of his clients, he divvies up the staff into two glam squads--making it a style-off between MaCray and Austin versus Valincia and Katrell! Meanwhile, AJ finds the perfect way to get public exposure for his salon and his high-profile clients. Plus, Howard hires Jennifer to help promote his barbering services, but AJ becomes skeptical of Howard's real intentions with his junior publicist.

AJ continues to push his stylists to branch out into new arenas of creativity to help expand his business. His next big venture is at Chicago's popular event Fleurotica, where models are decked out in costumes made entirely of flowers! AJ and his crew team up with "Project Runway" season eight designer Peach to dress and style a model from head to toe--but when Peach instantly connects to MaCray and his inventive ideas, Valincia immediately goes on the defensive. Will AJ's staff get it together in time for the publicized affair?

Coming off his huge success at the masquerade event and Fleurotica, AJ wants to keep his salon's name and hair care products in the papers--so he asks his publicity team for some fresh ideas. The girls propose a trendy marketing ploy: viral videos! When AJ asks his stylists to produce their own videos and lets them know there's a prize to win, the competition amongst his staff begins.

The salon signs on for one of Chicago's biggest events--the St. Patrick's Day Parade! But this isn't just any typical bombshell hair and makeup job. It requires a minimal, almost barefaced, type of look, which is definitely not Austin's forte! Will she be able to tone it down, especially since she'll be working solo for most of the day? Plus, AJ sets his sights on putting the Lavish Locks Box in an upscale boutique, and workaholic Katrell tries to get her groove on.

AJ's of Chicago holds a makeover day from sun up to sun down--but will his crew be able to pull an all-nighter? Plus, MaCray finally gets the courage to come out to his mother while she is visiting. Meanwhile, Q is offered a position she can't refuse at Glam Lux, but AJ isn't thrilled. Find out what the future will hold for her at his salon.

AJ's salon is buzzing with business which means plenty of money, but also tons of hard work! To break up the monotony, he takes his stylists out of the city and to a zoo in the countryside for a fun, animal-inspired photo shoot. However, it may not be the locked up cats that bring out the claws as Austin begins to feel suffocated by Katrell's constant micromanagement. Meanwhile, Q begs for her job back after she realizes that leaving AJ's of Chicago was a bad idea, and MaCray gives his long-distance boyfriend an ultimatum.

Before the dust even settles after his last event, AJ informs his team they'll be working at The Makeup Show Chicago putting their makeup team, Katrell and Austin, on full display. To promote their presence on the convention floor, AJ sits down for a news segment on "The Talk", but due to time constraints is only able to bring one of his makeup artists on TV with him--which infuriates the other. Plus, when the team is in the thick of the event, Katrell and Austin come to blows! Meanwhile, AJ decides to hire a new hairstylist to compensate for their growing client list, and MaCray holds an official coming out party.

When Julie pairs up AJ with one of her clients, an over-the-top designer who needs help with her first fashion show, what seems to a good idea in the beginning threatens to become a disaster! She's difficult, indecisive and demanding, and she's Jennifer's first big project! Can Jennifer manage all the backstage drama, or will the show be a catastrophe? Meanwhile, the drama continues between Katrell and Austin, who can't seem to see eye-to-eye when it comes to their lipstick line, or anything else for that matter! Also, Howard is set up on a blind date that ends up being way more than he ever bargained for.

After Valincia convinces a client to remove her weave, she approaches AJ with an idea to encourage women to embrace their own natural hair. They come up with Born This Way Hair Day, a city-wide celebration to be held in a Chicago park. But not everyone's on board, as MaCray, Q and Rachel are all concerned about what it will do to their weave business. Meanwhile, Rachel reveals a big secret about her marriage, and Austin hosts her first dinner party and invites all of her coworkers, except for one.

Katrell takes control over the salon when she leads an Autism Speaks event for her friend Angie, the former Miss Illinois. When Katrell goes off at Austin during the event, claiming Austin isn't doing the make-up correctly, the new girl Rachel speaks up and tells Katrell to back off. Then, Valincia's daughter, Coria, has a new boyfriend and Valincia is not too thrilled with the idea. Can this overbearing mother loosen up and learn to like Coria's new boyfriend? Meanwhile, the salon thinks it's time Jennifer start dating. Some of the staff at AJ's set her up on three blind dates. Will these dates lead her to find the man of her dreams or will she be set up with dates from hell?

Even though Rachel's the new girl at AJ's Salon of Chicago, doesn't mean she's new to the industry--and she's ready to prove it. She and Howard come up with a brilliant new idea for a special event at the salon, but Katrell is quick to take control! Will Rachel step aside and let Katrell lead--or will she step up and speak her mind? Plus, Austin and MaCray discover the perfect way to branch out of the salon by styling their personal trainer for a photo shoot to revamp his website. Then, MaCray uses his newfound experience as evidence of why he deserves to be promoted at AJ's.

AJ comes up with the idea to shoot a commercial to promote the salon's ever-growing business. And while the stylists are excited about this new opportunity, things soon get heated when the stylists find out only one of them will be chosen as the star of the commercial. Later, Valincia receives a huge opportunity when she is asked to be the face of an anti-aging skincare line--but will her pre-photo shoot jitters get the best of her? Plus, MaCray and Austin style the bridesmaids for Rachel's wedding.

The tables are turned when Julie hires AJ's team to style her and the wait staff for a Chefs of Chicago event. When Julie picks Rachel's 1940s glamour look over Katrell's fire and ice look, it's only a matter of time before Katrell finds a way to take over the project. Can the ladies play nice, or will they end up destroying AJ's relationship with Julie on her restaurant's big night? Meanwhile, MaCray, Austin and Jennifer take a road trip down to Atlanta to enter a competition in the Bronner Bros. Hair Show.

Determined to prove to AJ that he deserves a promotion, MaCray heads down south with Austin and Jennifer to enter a famed hairstyling competition. To win, MaCray needs to think quick on his feet because he only gets thirty minutes to create a perfect look using mystery items in a grab bag! Meanwhile, back at the salon, AJ learns that he'll be featured in a print ad with one of his staffers--but choosing just one of his overly-opinionated stylists is never easy!

In the season finale, AJ throws his biggest salon event yet on a yacht! But nothing is bigger than the showdown that happens on the boat when Austin calls out Katrell for stealing all of her genius ideas. Plus, the stylists aren't the only ones fighting on the ship, because Jennifer's lack of attention has brought her within inches of being fired. Meanwhile, MaCray is fresh off his hairstyling competition win and ready to prove to AJ that he's worth giving a promotion to--but does AJ have bigger fish to fry?