British Master Barbers, the alliance created to help qualified and highly skilled barbers across the UK showcase their talent, has selected and announced their finalists for the 2020 Barber of the Year award. There were 118 entrants, whittled down to a final 10 – and the judges will have a very difficult decision to make!

The finalists are: Allan Stone, Baldy, Corneliu Crihan, David Logue, Grant Hackett, Lee Dixon, Mercedes Paginton, Paul Mac, Sarrelle McCann and Shaun Buckingham.

We wish every finalist the very bets of luck for this prestigious competition!

Beat the winter blues.

New businesses who sign up to Schedulicity will get access to all of Schedulicity’s scheduling, marketing, and payment tools FOR FREE until March 1, 2021.

Visit: https://www.schedulicity.com/essentials/ to find out more!

Andis® Company, a leading manufacturer in handheld barbering and grooming tools, has announced the Slimline Pro GTX Trimmer – a long-awaited blend of two customer favorites. Combining the Slimline Pro Li’s sleek, lightweight body with the wider deep-tooth ComfortEdge GTX T-blade from the T-Outliner, the Slimline Pro GTX Trimmer is bringing the best of both tools to barbers across the globe.

“Because of its lightweight design and power, the Slimline Pro Li Trimmer has been one of my absolute favorite tools,” said Andis Global Educator Hayden Cassidy. “Now, adding the option of the wide GTX blade with the larger trimming profile and deep tooth design is really going to excite the barber and stylist communities!”

The Wide GTX blade’s deep-tooth pattern allows more hair to feed faster without sacrificing precision and can also be zero gapped. The wider edge also provides barbers better sightlines to the cutting surface, making it easier to perform precision trimming.

The lithium-ion battery delivers up to 2 hours of run time and can also be used with a cord for zero downtime. The kit includes four attachment combs (1/16”, 1/8”, 1/4”, 3/8”), charging adapter, charging stand, blade oil and cleaning brush.

For nearly 100 years, Andis® Company has been a leader and innovator in the barbering industry by manufacturing with quality and remaining responsive to professionals’ needs. The Slimline Pro GTX Trimmer is the next tool in a nearly century-long tradition of engineering excellence.

There is some much-needed light relief to be had with Fudge Professional’s second social media miniseries called ‘In Near the Chair’. The YouTube show is hosted by Fudge Professional Global Brand Ambassador, Jonathan Andrews, and the series was created to explore the relationship between a hairdresser and their client.

“Our first episode with Jamie Laing was a great success and when we launched it at the beginning of lockdown, it went down really well. This episode is continuing the theme about the hairdresser and client relationship and once you sit down in that chair, all caution is out the window, and you end up spilling all your secrets, hopes, fears and dreams to the stylist through the mirror in front of you. This time, I’m cutting the hair of TOWIE legend, Pete Wicks and once again, creating excellent TV watching,” explains Jonathan. 

The Fudge Professional series of ‘In the Chair’ is all about putting famous faces in the hot seat and asking the questions the public wants to know the answers to – this time Pete Wicks is the man in the chair. “Pete is renowned for his long hair. He hadn’t had it cut for 10 months and it wasn’t really his crowning glory anymore. It was definitely time to tackle it with the scissors,” continues Jonathan. 

Creating that tousled look that Pete wears so well takes a little bit of work using the right products to create the natural style that he loves. This was the perfect time for Jonathan to explain to Pete exactly how to use Fudge Professional products in the right way to keep his hair in great condition and sitting exactly how he likes it both during the day and into the evening. 

The 20-minute filmed interview was shot in Covid secure conditions that meant not only did the guys don full PPE (Pete was not chuffed with the hazmat suit), but Pete was encouraged to style his own hair using Fudge Professional products. The interview is brilliant viewing with lots of focus on Pete’s serial dating love life, a nod to his new knee-high cowboy boots, his number one fan (spoiler alert… it’s his Mum) how his long hair was a fingers up to those telling him his hair was receding, and that social media haters don’t phase him one bit. 

As part of the new ‘Fudge the Rules’ brand ethos, where whatever the world does, Fudge does differently, Pete certainly steps up to the plate with his chequered past and workaholic mindset. “Pete was so easy to chat to, and it was great he was up for a real hair change. I took off six inches and it took him back to his early days on TOWIE, even he admitted the health and feel of his hair was so much better. He dubbed it Preppy Pete! Due to social distancing and filming, plus Pete’s admittance he has no clue how to style his hair, I decided to get Pete to do his own styling, so he knew how to do it at home. We worked with his favourite Fudge Professional Salt Spray and I also introduced him to the new Fudge Professional Matte Hed Mouldable to work with his natural curls and texture,” says Jonathan. 

The last word went to Pete in the video: “I’ll be honest, when I came in this morning, I wasn’t feeling too chirpy. I didn’t really trust you (Jonathan) and then you put me in a hazmat suit! It was all looking like a car crash.  I’m now sitting here, and I’ve got the perfect hair, using the perfect product, with the perfect hairdresser.” You can’t ask for more than that.

Click the link below to watch the series: 

In what was an fiercely competitive competition, for both Wahl British Barber and Wahl British Barbershop of the Year, the two winners were announced live on Instagram at 4pm on Thursday 26th November.

Owner of Amigos Barbers, Kilian Maddison took home the Wahl British Barber of the Year 2020 crown, holding off the challenge from such industry icons like Luka Chitty, Kyle Rowland, Dale Hince, Guray Kesman and Shaun Buckingham.

The Wahl British Barbershop of the Year 2020 award was also fiercely contested, with brilliant entries from Ruffians (2x former winners), Avanzato Grooming Lounge, Biberian Gray, Cutters Yard and RW Wolf. But the legendary Andy’s Barbers Bicester took home the gold!

In what was a first for the competition, the winners were announced LIVE on Instagram (allowing for the present restrictions of course) – and both Kilian and Andy were able to join host Simon Shaw and discuss their incredible victories.

Congratulations to the winners from all at BarberEVO!

Further to the recent closures and restrictions placed upon close contact service businesses such as barbershops and salons in England, it has been confirmed this week that Barbershops and Salons can reopen on Wednesday 2nd December.

There was an element of confusion however with the announcement, as originally the date for reopening was slated as being on Thursday 3rd December.

Further good news for Barbershops and Salons in England follows, in that, regardless of what ‘Tier’ a specific region in England is placed within, they will remain open throughout.

As previously, Covid-secure guidelines must be adhered to by all close contact service businesses.

We wish all Barbershop and Salon owners the very best of luck in reopening next week!

The Professional Beauty Association is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2021 North American Hairstyling Awards, which celebrates craftsmanship, creativity, inclusivity, and diversity. 

This year’s judges feature a panel of over 150 of the industry’s most esteemed hairdressers, makeup artists, beauty educators, and experts, including Serge Normant, Danilo, Vernon Francois, Robert Ham, Antoinette Beenders, James Vincent, Shogo Ideguchi, Matty Conrad, Justine Marjan, Eugenia Weston, Sam Brocato, Tracey Hughes, Nicholas French, Robert Lobetta, Tippi Shorter, and more.

NAHA has been the most prestigious professional beauty competition in North America for over 30 years, honoring the salon industry’s top artists – who push the boundaries of skill and creativity. NAHA submissions are judged online, in multiple rounds, by a blind panel of judges. The judging process is completely anonymous with no contact between judges or knowledge of artist names to ensure anonymity and fairness during the judging process. 

This year, NAHA features two new categories, including “Inspiring Salon of the Year” and “Educator of the Year,” as well as the ability for entrants to submit non-exclusive work that may have been previously published in all categories. 

Finalists will be announced on January 14, 2021, and the 2021 NAHA awards ceremony will move back to Las Vegas during the Cosmoprof North America show on June 27^th, 2021. NAHA will return to ISSE Long Beach in January 2022. 

For specific category rules and to view the full list and images of NAHA judges, please visit probeauty.org/NAHA. To view 2020 winners and images, please visit https://www.probeauty.org/events-programs/naha/press-portal.

No one likes shaving, but any guy’s shave routine can become a much more palatable experience with Eufora HERO for Men ( HERO ) – a guaranteed antidote to those dreaded red bumps and skin irritation.

What’s more, the Eufora Men’s Team helps take the shave experience from a painful process to a skin perfecting treat with their HERO Shave Ritual …a salon tested and guest approved experience that makes it easy to get an uber smooth, close shave every time.

What you should know. It’s not just about the beard hair; the right skin knowledge is key. Learn some softening skills before even considering the shave itself. HERO shave expert and Team Co-Leader Julie Cross says, “There’s a reason barbers start a shave with a warm towel compress – it helps soften beard hairs and skin in preparation for the perfect razor glide. To get that same result at home, always shave after a shower or steam. This prepares your skin and beard for that barber-closer shave.”

Next up? The shave product of choice, and HERO has options…all of them pH balanced and oh-so skin friendly! For those with extra sensitive skin or just a plain old aversion to lathering up, Exceptional Shave is the perfect solution. Its unique “3-in-1 Oil” formula means it is a workhorse, acting as shave cream, skin conditioner and even beard oil for those who favor a little facial hair. Classic Shave is the shave cream of choice for anyone who covets rich, creamy lather; but, user beware, many guys find their Classic
Shave in the shower as the ladies love it for their legs!

Not sure which to choose? Here are two insider tips.

● Use an Oil if your skin is dry or if you want to “block out” the edges of your beard on cheeks and neck areas.
● Use a Cream if you want moisturizing lather and razor slip. When choosing Cream don’t forget the shave brush to gently exfoliate skin and raise beard hairs.

For those wondering how to properly use a shave brush, Team HERO shares 3 simple steps to the richest lather possible.

1. Apply a generous dollop of Classic Shave into the palm of hand.
2. Dip the shave brush into warm water and flick into the sink to release excess. Press the brush hairs firmly into the cream and work the brush in a circular motion to create foam.
3. Squeeze the excess foam from the brush between thumb and forefingers. Then use the tips of the brush hairs to massage the cream into the face and beard in an upward, circular motion.

Always allow shave product (cream or oil) to sit on the face for about a minute before beginning any actual razor shaving. This helps soften beard hairs, making them easier to shave. To reduce the risk of irritation, shave with the growth pattern of beard hairs. It’s okay to do a second pass “across the grain.”, but shaving “against the grain,” can lead to irritation and bumps.

The last step in the Shave Ritual ? A generous application of an after shave skin conditioning product like HERO Post Shave to calm and rebalance the skin. Maintaining the skin’s naturally protective acid-mantle, pH balance and moisture after a shave are key to promoting healthy looking skin.

The good news? Whether naughty or nice, everyone wants the least painful shave experience possible, so, for anyone who has that “hard to buy for” guy on their shopping list, Cross suggests sharing this Shave Ritual along with a gift of award winning HERO Shave Products. A sure way to become the favorite holiday elf.

Looking for more on men’s grooming? Check out all the HERO facts and fashion trends online at https://eufora.net/collections/hero-for-men

Andis, a leader in professional tools and education for the barber, beauty and animal grooming industries, has announced Angel Villegas and Jesse Figueroa as additions to its Global Education Team. The two bring their powerful influence on the barbering industry as well as impressive repertoires of industry involvement and innovation to Andis. 

“Beyond their immense skills, Angel and Jesse bring a passion for supporting fellow barbers that is a major asset to the Global Education Team,” said Angie Perino, Andis Global Education Manager. “This determination to see others succeed is vital for maintaining connection across the greater barbering industry, as well as the Latinx barbering community during these challenging times.” 

For nearly 100 years, Andis® Company has been a leader and innovator in the men’s grooming industry with its innovative technology and top-tier educational offerings. Andis recently launched a new Virtual Education program allowing barbers and stylists across the world the opportunity to take in-depth, hands-on classes with Andis’ world-class education team from the comfort of their home. Andis also offers free online educational resources at master-barberschool.com, allowing everyone from expert barbers to beginning at-home users to learn new tips and techniques. These online resources, as well as both new educators’ bilingual abilities, continue to strengthen Andis’ efforts to provide education to professionals across the world. 

Angel Villegas (@angelraws) –– Angel was born in Kissimmee, Florida and graduated cosmetology school in 2010 just two years after graduating high school. Just a year after graduating, Angel won his first competition, then two more the following year. He has gone on to compete and win the titles of various competitions across the United States. 

In 2014, Angel opened his first of now three Raw Cuts Barbershop’s, located in Jacksonville, FL. The shop saw immense success, attracting celebrity clients such as Marcedes Lewis, Aaron Ross and Mac Miller. There is still much to be seen from the barbering boss, as the Angel Raws brand and impact continues to expand. However, one thing is for sure: Angel and his it-factor are a winning combination. 

Jesse Figueroa (@j.figz) –– Originally from Bogota, Colombia, Jesse Figueroa is a master barber and platform artist with more than two decades of experience. After working in several barbershops across Miami starting at age 13, he returned to his hometown to open his own shop, 305 Barbershop, at the age of 19. There, he became one of the first and most influential new wave barbers in the country. 

Jesse has worked with celebrities, musicians, actors and athletes. In 2013, he established his own barber academy in Bogota and has shared his experience with thousands of students who travel from all over the world. He is also a very active member of his community, sharing his craft with vulnerable youth. Jesse specializes in hair art, becoming one of the first artists to create hair portraits, freestyle designs and hair color trends with as a powerful expression. 

For more information about Andis Company or the brand’s educational offerings, please visit master-barberschool.com or www.andis.com. 

Just two weeks after launching the first business in the Art.Quarter complex, Art.Barbers have had to close its doors until December 2nd following the government’s latest lockdown measures.

After putting years of work into creating not only an iconic venue for Birmingham but the whole of the UK, Jordan Patel opens up raw and uncut in his latest video update, sharing his true worries and fears about the impact Lockdown 2.0 is going to have on his brand.

This video captures the true, intense, and raw feelings of Patel as he transparently discusses his next steps to the Art.Quarter build and how his faith and positivity is his coping mechanism during these unpredictable and testing times.

Art.Quarter is set to become a UK tourist destination as well as a true icon for Birmingham. Promising a safe place for all communities and encouraging creatives, Jordan is building this unique venue to create unity and equality in a city that he feels, still very much suffers from segmentation with backgrounds and religions.

The latest vlog can be viewed below.

Set to launch Spring 2021, the Art.Quarter will be first of it’s kind.

Please visit: https://www.artquarteruk.co.uk for more details.