WELCOME

HAIR: TRACEY HUGHES
PHOTOGRAPHY: AMBER TOMS
MODEL: ANNABELLE GABRIEL

The best consultations are the ones that spark a connection, where you look the client in the eye, get down to their level and come up with a bespoke plan for their hair that makes them feel like they’re the only client in the world. But we get it, finding the time and energy to do this for every appointment is hard. This issue, we try to make consultations easier with our ‘Let's Get Personal’ colour feature that’s all about individualised services that clients can’t get anywhere else. Covering everything from the consultation process to personalised formulations for clients, as well as bespoke colour placement to highlight their best features, this advice is all underpinned by the need to maximise profit and keep clients loyal – exactly what you need to thrive in this current climate.

Speaking of which, we get that great big sustainability overhauls are a hard sell in April 2025. Everyone is thinking about their bottom line and trying to increase profitability post-April 1. But what if we told you that these green tweaks will save you money long term? Although it categorically is not the main reason that these businesses have gone down a sustainable path, a welcome side effect has been a reduction in some costs. Turn to page 25 to find out what they are. We’ve also got a very digestible 10 Sustainable Goals in a neat listicle to make it simpler than ever to do your bit for the planet.

Onto lighter topics…Don’t know if the message has come through on your pager, but the 90s are back in a big way. Get out your biggest blowdry brush, as we look at the step-by-step process of achieving the bounciest of blowdries (page 47) and there’s fab fashion collection on page 53 for all the 90s colour inspo you need to tempt clients to try something new. And when you’ve sent your client away with their best-ever hair, what often happens by their next appointment? They’re back in with faded colour/frazzled ends/ weakened hair... it’s time to make retailing bonding products an essential part of every haircare regime. Turn to page 21 to see our at-home bonding edit. From shampoos to styling products, these should be on your retail shelf.

It was great to see so many of you at the Save our Salons march last month, which saw the industry uniting to support a 10% cut in VAT. Check out six salon owner strategies to boost profits on page 16, and we will be uncovering more salon owner stories in next month’s issue.