2 mins
WELCOME
HAIR COLOUR: JAMES EARNSHAW
HAIR STYLING: JOSH WOODMAN
MAKE-UP: MEG LINDLOW
PHOTOGRAPHY: JAYDEN FA
What will 2023 come to be defined by? Energy prices, narrowly avoiding a recession or when the apprenticeship crisis really hit our industry hard? Our HJ Insider survey revealed that over half of the industry do not feel optimistic about the next generation of hairdressers. We’re now on a mission to find out why. Is it a lack of government funding? A difference in generational outlooks? Or do we have to look at ourselves as business owners or colleagues at how we’re supporting the future… We talked directly to the Brooks and Brooks Assistant Team in our feature What Makes Apprentices Tick on page 20, and they shared what they find challenging, but ultimately rewarding, about their apprenticeships. It’s an inspiring read and full of take-out tips on how you can nurture talent.
Meanwhile, we’re well and truly in shooting season – for the British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional that is. If you’re thinking about entering this year, need tips on how to get models or just want to find out how to be more savvier with your spending, then this is the issue for you. Our HJ Debate this month pits street-cast against professional models (page 16) and we hear from award winners past and present in Shooting on a Shoestring on page 23. Our features are firmly rooted in business this issue – Colour Cashback (page 49) is all about how you can maximise your colour services and Electric Feel (page 30) reveals how with a bit of extra thought hot tools can really boost your bottom line.
It's also our sustainability special in this issue, so we’ve put together a comprehensive guide that will give you some serious food for thought. Our feature on page 43 looks at ways of being eco-friendly that you might not have thought about before and we prove that you can bring your whole team on the sustainable journey with you in our feature All in This Together on page 39. From the front of house team to colourists, everyone can play a part in shaping a more sustainable future. Whether it’s inspiring future hairdressers or safe-guarding the planet, it’s feels like there’s never been a more crucial time for the hair industry.