HJ News
HJ NEWS
Head over to hji.co.uk and sign up to our newsletter for weekly updates
Zen Luxury Extensions Hosts Inaugural Distributor Conference
Zen Luxury Extensions successfully hosted its first Distributor Conference in over a decade – a landmark two-day event in London on 17-18 January. Held at the Hilton, Canary Wharf, the conference marked a significant strategic moment for the brand, reinforcing Zen’s commitment to innovation, education and long-term distributor partnership in an increasingly competitive global extensions market. Johnny Yip, Managing Director of Zen Luxury Extensions, said: “This conference was about transparency, collaboration and future-proofing our distributors’ businesses.”
Salon Services Celebrates Product Innovation
The third annual Salon Services Professional Hair & Beauty Awards were held on the 9 February 2026, hosted by Ateh Jewel at The May Fair Hotel, London. Celebrating the professional brands raising the bar across the industry, this year’s winners included products from Wella, Redken, OLAPLEX and Dyson.
MARC ANTONI SALON GROUP CELEBRATES THEIR 60TH ANNIVERSARY
The Marc Antoni Salon Group has celebrated their 60th anniversary with over 150 guests at a three-course dinner and ceremony for the Marc Antoni 2025 Awards. Marc Antoni’s co-owner and creative director Bruno Marc Giamattei reflected on the last six decades of growth and expansion, both as a family and a business, while highlighting the evolution of the Marc Antoni brand. There was also the exciting announcement from Aaron Giamattei that Marc Antoni had raised over £270k for Blood Cancer UK – a charity very close to the family’s heart.
JOICO Talent Awards 2025 Finalists Announced
The finalists of JOICO Color Talent Awards 2025 have been announced. The awards recognise exceptional colour talent in the hairdressing industry pushing creativity, showcasing artistry and celebrating the power of hair colour. Marianna Venieri-Schröder, JOICO EMEA Head of Marketing said: “The JOICO EMEA Team were delighted by the high standard and number of entries we received. The level of talent displayed across the entries was incredible, each entry pushed creative boundaries, demonstrating innovative hair artistry. Congratulations to our finalists.” Head to hji.co.uk for a list of all the finalists.
55,000
THAT’S THE NUMBER OF SEARCHES FOR THE JAPANESE BOB IN THE LAST MONTH ACCORDING TO DATA ANALYSED BY THE TEAM AT FRESHA
HAIR & BEAUTY CHARITY SERVES UP ITS INAUGURAL TENNIS TOURNAMENT
The Hair & Beauty Charity is bringing industry professionals together with its inaugural Tennis Tournament, taking place on Monday 11 May 2026 at Weybridge Lawn Tennis Club in Surrey. Entry costs £25 per player and includes a picnic lunch, courtesy of event sponsor Salon Vision Ltd. President of the Hair & Beauty Charity, Jayne Lewis-Orr, said: “Our Tennis Tournament is about bringing people together for a really enjoyable day. Events like this allow us to connect as an industry while raising much-needed funds to support colleagues who are going through difficult times.” Places are limited so go to hji.co.uk to find out how to secure your place.
GOLDWELL ANNOUNCES COLLABORATION WITH PETE BURKILL
Goldwell has announced a new collaboration across the UK and USA with celebrity stylist Pete Burkill. Joining as a Goldwell UK Guest Artist, Pete will use Goldwell Color as a creative tool to enhance his signature looks across red carpet, editorial, and session work. Pete will also take part in the Goldwell Master Colorist Programme, highlighting the brand’s ongoing focus on education at every stage of a stylist’s career. Christel Grootentraast, General Manager, Goldwell UK & Ireland, said: “We can’t wait to collaborate with Pete on exciting and inspiring work and to share that with our incredibly talented salon community, as well as inspiring future stylists and colourists.”
Carla Whelan, Chief Executive Officer of Supercuts and Regis, on their partnership with Little Princess Trust in 2026:
“MY OWN EXPERIENCE OF CANCER TREATMENT HAIR LOSS REINFORCED MY GOAL TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK, WITH THE SUPPORT OF OUR 450 EMPLOYED COLLEAGUES ACROSS OUR REGIS AND SUPERCUTS SALON GROUP, BY CUTTING PONYTAILS TO CREATE WIGS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE.”
KH Hair Chooses Cancer Research UK as New Charity Partner
KH Hair has announced Cancer Research UK as its corporate charity partner for 2026, with the 20-strong East Midlands salon group pledging to raise at least £10,000. Managing Director Darren Messias said: “Sadly, one in two of us will be affected by cancer in our lifetime and having members of our team already touched by it makes this cause very close to our hearts.” Teams across the group will take part in a range of fundraising activities including physical challenges, raffles, themed fun days and many more initiatives.
INDUSTRY PAYS TRIBUTE TO DENMAN CHAIRMAN DR JOHN RAINEY
The hairdressing industry is mourning the sudden passing of Dr John Rainey, Chairman of Denroy and Denman, who died suddenly on 10 February 2026.
Widely respected as a visionary engineer, dedicated family businessman and champion of people, Dr Rainey led with compassion, curiosity and integrity, leaving behind a legacy that shaped both the brands and the wider professional hair community.
Kevin McNamee, CEO of the Denroy Group says: “We have been so moved by the outpouring of love and shared memories in response to this news and we know that his memory will live on.”
Sponsored Brand News
Colour Means More: NXT Unveils Its New Spring / Summer Campaign
NXT has unveiled Colour Means More, its new Spring / Summer campaign – a refined showcase of wearable colour using existing shades that reflect how colour is worn, lived in, and experienced. Colour Means More focuses on what truly matters to modern clients and colourists alike: colour that feels right.
Shaped by balance, movement and light, the campaign imagery celebrates refined, beautiful colour -from lived-in blondes to balanced brunettes and modern tonal work -crafted to enhance natural beauty rather than overpower it.
Captured in motion and natural light, the visuals place hair firmly at the centre of the story. Each look reflects a quieter confidence, where nuance, restraint and intention take precedence over excess. It’s a modern interpretation of colour that feels personal, considered, and real. For NXT, Colour Means More is more than a seasonal campaign -it reflects a professional belief that great colour is built through judgement, layering and experience; and that subtlety requires just as much skill as impact. The full Spring / Summer campaign imagery will roll out through in-salon materials and digital form throughout the season.
This season, switch to colour that means more. @nxthair nxthair.co.uk