NEWS

Rainbow Room International Celebrates 35th Annual Congress

Rainbow Room International were thrilled to gather all their salons for their 35th Annual Congress, bringing all directors and salon teams from Rainbow Room International’s eleven salons, to award the hard work and dedication of team members. Commenting on the night, owners Alan and Linda Stewart said: “The concept of our awards scheme is based on two cultures of success, the western culture where awards are presented for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, and the eastern culture of Kaizen (a Japanese word for continuous improvement). We believe that each member of our team is special and deserves their own recognition of success. As teachers and coaches, our job is to constantly reaffirm that we should not fear failures along the way and try to ensure that encouragement is always given to individual members.”

SPRING BUDGET ANNOUNCED

On Wednesday 6 March, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced the Spring Budget in the House of Commons. The announcement included a VAT registration threshold increase, a cut to national insurance by 2p, and an extension on the government loan scheme for small businesses. The industry’s response was mixed in its reaction to the Budget.

Caroline Larrisey, Chief Executive of the National Hair & Beauty Federation said: "We’re pleased...with the raising of the VAT threshold, taking into account inflation. However, there’s more to do. We welcome further discussions with HM Treasury around future VAT reform to ensure a fairer system and to help level the playing field in the hair and beauty sector, including options for reduced rates and tiered rates around the threshold." She continued: "However, the silence was deafening on support for apprentices. National Insurance (NI) cuts will benefit the self-employed but where is the support for employers?”

Toby Dicker, one of the founders of the Salon Employers Association said: "My personal take on it would be that it's a cynical, vote-winning exercise with no real substance; they are so out of touch with what SMEs in this country need and I fear that it could be the end of Apprenticeships in our sector. PAYE, VAT-paying salons are now at such a commercial disadvantage and apprenticeships are so costly that many will no longer employ apprentices at all.”

20%
THAT’S THE NUMBER OF BUSINESSES NOW REPORTING LOSSES ACCORDING TO THE NHBF QUARTERLY STATE OF THE INDUSTRY SURVEY.

NATASHA GROSSMAN NAMED NEW CEO OF HOB SALONS

HOB Salons has announced Natasha Grossman as the new CEO of the award-winning 17-salon group. Natasha has progressed through the company over the last 19 years, she commented: “My plans are to keep the core values that have run through the veins of the business since 1983, whilst implementing a brand-new strategy and vision that continues to raise the standards within our industry.” Clive Collins added: “I feel very proud to see my daughter lead the company for the next generation."

L’Oréal Colour Trophy Launches

L’Oréal Colour Trophy is back for its 68th year of the live hairdressing competition. The tagline this year is 'entering a new era of hair artistry, inspired by tech, created by you’ and the theme is FIND FORM. Successful entrants have the opportunity to compete live at the UK and Ireland Grand Finals. With six different categories, including the Moving Image Award, which was launched last year, the competition closes at 6pm on Monday 19 April 2024. Make sure to head to www.lorealcolourtrophy.com to enter.

SALON INTERNATIONAL'S SNAP! AWARDS IS BACK

HJ is proud to present Salon International’s SNAP! Awards, a social media photographic competition that gives all hairdressers, of any skill level, anywhere in the world, the chance to submit just one picture of their best work. All entrants need to do is take a single image on their phone and upload at hji.co.uk/snap-competition before Friday 14 June. There are six SNAP! Awards categories to choose from: Barbering, Bridal, Colour, Commercial, Creative and Texture. The winner of each category will receive a trophy, be featured in Hairdressers Journal International, have the opportunity to work on the HJ Academy Stage at Salon International 2025, and recieve a complimentary ticket to the British Hairdressing Awards 2024. Go to www.hji.co.uk/snap-competition to enter.

The industry gathered to celebrate the first Salon Services Professional Hair & Beauty Awards. Dara Goolsby, Senior Director of Marketing, said:

“WE WANTED TO CREATE A MOMENT TO RECOGNISE THE PRODUCTS THAT SUPPORT EVERY HAIR AND BEAUTY PROFESSIONAL AND THE BRANDS THAT WORK SO HARD TO CREATE THEM. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO EVERYONE THAT GOT INVOLVED, INCLUDING OUR AMAZING EXPERT PANEL THAT TOOK ADEEP DIVE AND TESTED THE PRODUCTS.”

Barber Scales Kilimanjaro for Charity

Andis Ambassador Daniel Rymer, has scaled Mt. Kilimanjaro and raised £100,000 for homeless charity Caring in Bristol. Daniel shared: “I wanted to raise money for people dealing with homelessness and hopelessness, and Andis kindly stepped in to offer their support." Andis supported with warm weather gear and tools that helped Daniel to work throughout the trip – including on the mountain itself.

ALFAPARF Milano Architects of Design Team Collaborate on Shoot

The ALFAPARF Milano Professional Architects of Design (AOD) team gathered to take part in a photoshoot as part of their 12-month programme. After nine days of mentoring, the team worked with mentors, before the shoot, where they were given the opportunity to work in pairs on five models and create their own looks.

Vish Waste Warriors Driving Down Costs

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Stylist Denise Savage from Elevan Hairdressing in Brandon, Suffolk, has been named this year’s Vish Waste Warrior Stylist, having clocked an average of £0.18 worth of left-over colour per bowl during 2023. With an incredibly low dispensing average of just £3.83 cost-per-bowl, Denise has proved her efficiency, ensuring her clients are charged fairly with every service they have. “As we charge for time and product separately it’s important I do not waste products that my customers are paying for,” said Denise. “Vish quite simply is the best professional colouring tool. As a mature stylist, after getting used to the concept I cannot believe I coloured hair without this system.” Each year, Vish uses data captured from more than four million formulas mixed on its colour management technology to identify the greatest Waste Warriors. Split between individual stylists and salons, the data shows that many are not only slashing the amount of left-over colour, but helped by Vish’s Efficient Stylist Guide, are also bringing down the initial amount mixed. This year’s Waste Warrior Salons included Lisa Hauck – making it two years in a row for the London salon – Nikki Froud in Lee-on-the-Solent and Fox Hair Design in Barnwell.

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