Welcome

Hair: Adam Reed, Adam Reed London Make-up: Lan Nguyen-Grealis Styling: Gabriel Cooper 

Photography: Alex Barron-Hough

We’ve come a long way since the first lockdown in March last year. COVID-19 vaccines are now being rolled out and the UK nation have shared their love for hairdressers like never before. If you head to our news pages you’ll see we have even won the fight to get recognised by the UK Government as a sector in our own right. Moving forward this means the UK Government will have to address the hair and beauty sector, which is now called the Personal Care Sector, separately from the retail and hospitality sectors.

It is still a worrying and difficult time for all of us so we’ve tried to fill this issue with what you can do while you’re closed as well as what you can do once you’ve reopened. On pages 7, 8 and 9 there’s information on the financial help currently available as well as the resources on offer.

Go to page 26 to see how you can get involved with the Save Our Salons campaign, which is encouraging salon owners, suppliers, freelancers – basically anyone and everyone to write to their local MP and explain why the hairdressing industry needs VAT to be reduced to 5%. We also have business experts revealing how you can become a visionary in 2021 (page 19) and the benefits of streamlining your business while generating extra revenue (page 16).

L'Oréal Professionnel has a truly inspiring new #HairTheLove2021 campaign, which highlights the incredible work you all do each and everyday. You can read the stories of three hairdressers in our #HairTheLove2021 feature on page 24 who demonstrate just some of the amazing work you all do for society, your clients and our industry.

Read our feature on page 30 to see how you can create a comfortable space for clients who wear head coverings in your local area. Plus, discover how being savvy about influencer-inspired looks could boost your extensions sales on page 37.

Throughout the lockdown we’re hosting HJ Upskills – a live series featuring digital, business and practical skills to inspire and motivate you during these difficult times. Go to hji.co.uk for the weekly schedule.

This month’s HJ Insider Survey on page 23 highlights the mixed emotions you’re all experiencing right now. We want to give you the content that works best for you during this rocky start to 2021, so please tell us if there is anything specific you’d like to see in print, online or during our live sessions.

As always we are here for you and we are hopeful for brighter times ahead.