The beauty and barbering world is changing fast. The most influential professionals are no longer just stylists or barbers. They’re founders, educators, creators and brand builders with global audiences.

Fresha, the world’s leading beauty and wellness booking platform, is bringing some of those voices together through the expansion of its global Brand Ambassador programme, welcoming a new generation of industry talent helping redefine what success in beauty looks like.

From multi-location salon owners and global educators to founders of grooming brands and academies, the newest ambassadors represent a wave of professionals building businesses that extend far beyond the chair.

Collectively, the new cohort reaches more than 200 million people online each month, reflecting the growing cultural influence of beauty professionals who have become creators, entrepreneurs and industry leaders in their own right.

Meet the operators shaping the next era of beauty

Leading the expansion is Josh Lamonaca, co-founder of MENSPIRE and one of the most recognisable figures in modern barbering. A British Men’s Hairdresser of the Year and now Fresha’s Head of Hair Education, Lamonaca has helped turn barbering into a global education movement.

“We’re at a turning point,” Lamonaca said. “The next generation of leaders won’t just be known for their craft, but for how intelligently they build and scale their businesses.”

Joining him is Chloe Ferry, founder of The Beauté Lounge, who brings major cultural visibility alongside the experience of building a consumer beauty brand from the ground up.

The ambassador network also welcomes:

Thaddeus Jayaseelan, founder of barbering academy Gradient and a rising voice in education-led barbering

Andrea Amighetti, a respected multi-location salon owner and educator operating across Europe

Alexi Michael, founder of the global barber education platform Learn to Cut

Jordan Tabakman, an Australian entrepreneur operating businesses across multiple markets

Kochi Faraj, founder of Kochi Dubai and haircare brand Kochi Haircare

Yadiel Alberto Rodriguez (A-Rod), co-founder of international grooming brand L3VEL3

Across salons, academies, product brands and social platforms, these operators represent the modern blueprint for success in the industry.

“As an entrepreneur, alignment matters,” said Thaddeus Jayaseelan. “Fresha represents simplicity, structure and growth, and helps barbers unlock their business potential without costly mistakes.”

Where creativity meets infrastructure

The beauty industry has always been driven by talent. What’s changing is how that talent builds and scales businesses.

Today’s professionals are managing global audiences, launching product lines, opening multiple locations and running education platforms alongside their day-to-day work. Technology is increasingly what enables that growth.

Through Fresha’s platform, ambassadors use integrated booking, payments, reporting and marketplace tools to manage operations and understand customer behaviour as their brands expand.

“At scale, talent alone isn’t enough. Structure is everything,” said Andrea Amighetti.
“Fresha gives our business the visibility needed to grow across multiple locations without compromising quality.”

A global community of beauty leaders

The newest ambassadors join an established group of partners already helping shape the programme, including Sam Bentham (Rascals Barbershop), Mark Maciver (SliderCuts), Hester Wernert-Rijn (Mogeen), Lydia Wolfe, and Jack Mead.

Together they represent a growing global community of professionals pushing the industry forward, combining creativity, entrepreneurship and influence.

“Fresha is rapidly transforming the United States and Canada,” said Alexi Michael. “It’s becoming the system of choice across the industry because the product continues to evolve and support businesses month after month.”

With more than 140,000 partner businesses worldwide, Fresha continues to invest in the professionals shaping the next chapter of the selfcare economy.

Spring is reset season, and your scalp is first in line. Months of heavier winter haircare products can leave buildup behind, while rising humidity and unpredictable weather can throw everything off balance, leading to flakiness, itchiness and irritation. Fatboy, a leader in short hair care and high-performance styling, created its award-winning Honey Putty to tackle scalp concerns head-on. Designed as a dual-purpose styling putty and leave-in scalp treatment, Honey Putty calms irritation while delivering flexible hold, natural matte definition and touchable texture. It’s the one product you will want within arm’s reach all season long.

Honey Putty (2.6oz. / $21) was born from founder Tyson Kennedy’s vision to combine styling and scalp care into a single step. No layering. No complicated routines. Just high-performance styling with real scalp benefits. Lightweight and non-greasy, the formula is built for short to medium styles and safe for color-treated hair, delivering a sexy matte finish, natural texture, and soft, workable hold while helping address dryness, itchiness, and flaking and supporting healthier-looking hair over time.

Made with clean, key scalp care ingredients, Honey Putty draws inspiration from Tyson Kennedy’s New Zealand roots, featuring powerful natural extracts sourced from the region. Manuka Honey works as a natural humectant with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help calm irritation, reduce buildup and support a balanced scalp. Kiwi Extract delivers vitamin C to support collagen production and elasticity, while its naturally occurring iron, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids help soothe flakes and defend against environmental stress. Paw Paw (papaya) adds vitamins A, C and E to soften strands, smooth frizz and protect against heat damage. Together, these ingredients not only bring the scalp back into balance but keep it there.

To use Honey Putty, warm a pea-size amount between your palms, work through dry or damp hair to shape and style, then massage the remainder into the scalp and leave it in. One simple step that simplifies your routine while nourishing the hair and scalp with each use. Consider this your spring reset. Hair stays sharp. Scalp stays balanced all season long.

To learn more about Fatboy and to purchase Honey Putty, visit www.fatboyhair.com/

When your tools work as hard as you do, upgrading isn’t about chasing the newest release — it’s about choosing equipment that keeps pace with your craft. The Recon™ Clipper and Recon™ Trimmer have quickly proven themselves behind the chair, earning a place in daily rotations thanks to their balance of power, control, and customization.

If your current setup is starting to feel limiting, Recon™ delivers the performance upgrade your station has been waiting for.

Power That Performs, All Day

At the core of both tools is vector motor technology, designed to maintain speed and torque even under heavy load.

• Recon™ Clipper: A 9,000 SPM motor delivers smooth bulk removal, confident fades, and seamless blending — even through dense hair.
• Recon™ Trimmer: An 8,500 SPM motor offers sharp detailing, clean lineups, and precise bald work without drag or hesitation.

The result is consistent cutting performance from your first client to your last.

Precision You Can Feel

Control matters — especially during fades, tapers, and finishing work.

• Adjustable Phaze blade on the clipper: Choose click or no-click lever control for personalized cutting.
• DLC-coated T-blade on the trimmer: Reduces friction for smooth, snag-free lines and is zero-gap capable for crisp detailing.

Both tools feature compact metal housings that reduce vibration and hand fatigue, helping you stay steady during long sessions.

Built to Match Your Style and Workflow

Recon™ doesn’t just perform — it fits your station.

• Interchangeable housings: Customize the look of both tools with black chrome, gold, or matte black covers.
• Premium charging stands: Quick-release stands keep your tools powered, accessible, and your station clutter-free.
• USB-C charging: Fast, convenient recharging that works with modern setups.

With long cordless runtimes — up to 4 hours on the clipper and 2 hours on the trimmer — interruptions stay off your schedule.

A Smart Upgrade for Serious Professionals

Whether you’re refining fades, sharpening lineups, or powering through packed days, the Recon™ Clipper and Trimmer elevate both performance and presentation. They’re not about hype — they’re about reliability, control, and confidence behind the chair.

If your current tools are holding you back, upgrading to Recon™ isn’t just a refresh — it’s an investment in your craft.

Upgrade your lineup. Cut with confidence. Recon™ is ready when you are.

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Premiere Anaheim 2026 concluded with resounding success at the Anaheim Convention Center, attracting over 11,500 visits from beauty professionals across 44 states and 22 countries. The show continues to solidify its role as a powerful hub for education, commerce, creativity, and community across the professional beauty sector.

Education and purchasing power took center stage at this year’s event, with an impressive 78% of attendees participating in at least one class. Guests praised the quality and accessibility of the programming, noting it as a key driver for attendance. Premiere’s proven “learn and shop” model drove significant booth traffic, with exhibitors reporting increased engagement and sales following education sessions. “We do a lot of shows throughout the year, but we get a higher quality and return customer rate from Premiere because we include education classes,” says Joe Miller, Founder, Beard Octane. “People come back directly from the classes to the booth, and the platform Premiere provides is second to none.”

Premiere Anaheim also demonstrated remarkable purchasing power, with 94% of attendees reporting making purchases from brands at the show. The event featured more than 160 exhibiting brands, including Circadia by Dr. Pugliese, EarthLite, Oli G, LeChat Nail Care Products, L3VEL3, Panasonic/Brosh/Mizutani, Saian Skincare, SUNLIGHTS, T3 Micro and Booksyamong others. Beauty professionals filled the aisles and packed education sessions, creating an atmosphere defined by excitement, energy, and meaningful engagement.

This year’s show introduced several new features that were met with enthusiasm across the show floor. Highlights included a Main Stage presentation and book signing with Anastasia Soare, CEO and Founder of Anastasia Beverly Hills, where attendees had the opportunity to hear firsthand insights from one of the industry’s most influential founders. The show also marked the debut of TheValue Center for Pros offering exclusive deals and curated resources tailored to working beauty professionals. Engaging activations from Ulta Beauty created dynamic, interactive moments throughout the weekend. 

These additions complemented a star-studded lineup of educators, brand founders, and experts including Larisa Love™ – hair artist, salon owner and educator, Presley Poe – hairstylist, salon owner and global educator, and Kirsty Meakin – viral nail artist, elevating the attendee experience even further. 

The industry was celebrated through competitions that spotlighted exceptional artistry, championing the creativity and technical skill of beauty professionals across categories. Between the Barber Battles and the globally recognized Nailympia competition bringing together top nail artists, talent from the best in the business was on full display.

Premiere Anaheim’s momentum continues, with many exhibitors already committing to future Premiere events, showcasing the unmatched value and impact Premiere delivers in creating meaningful, in-person industry experiences.

Upcoming 2026 shows include: 

●      Premiere Orlando: May 30 – June 1, 2026 
Register at: www.premiereorlandoshow.com

●      Premiere San Antonio: August 30 – 31, 2026

●      Premiere Columbus: October 11 – 12, 2026

Premiere Anaheim returns to the Anaheim Convention Center on February 7 – 8, 2027.

Dark Stag proudly unveils the all-new Pro Curl Cream, available March 2026. Designed for Professional Barbers to enhance, and define all types of curls and waves. Deliver hydration, control, and flexibility without weight. Perfect to finish curls or waves with definition, or for a softer matte finish, break up hair with fingers after use.

Infused with a soothing blend of Sage, Violet Leaf, and Patchouli, and enriched with high-quality essential oils, Pro Curl Cream brings professional-grade performance and refinement to curls and waves – whatever the style.

Key Features:

• Enhances and controls curls and waves
• Hydrates and defines without weight
• Achieve a defined or softer matte finish, using different styling techniques
• Soothing Sage, Violet Leaf, and Patchouli fragrance
• Contains essential oils 
• Water soluble for effortless washout
• 125ml 

Available March 2026

RRP:
£14.99
€20.80

Seeing the light of Spring after the dark depths of winter, Men are opting for colour.  Aveda colour specialist. Grant Carr of 1920 Salon Glasgow, shares his trend predication for men this spring. 

”Fresh blondes are having their moment for men,” explains Grant, “They bring a confidence to the individual, especially with the full colour transformation.  

“Whilst a nod to Cloud Dancer, Pantone’s Colour of the Year, this creamer shade is softer to work with Daniel’s skin tone.”

Grant used Aveda Level 9 Blonde and the Aveda Full Spectrum Demi + toner, for this fresh clean blonde.   With a full texture scissor cut and freehand around the face to refine, Grant completed the look with a beard trim. 

Wahl Professional set a new benchmark with trimmers two years ago with the release of the Hi-Viz®. Delivering clean lines and expert-level precision the Hi-Viz quickly became a must-have powerhouse in barber tool line ups. With everything Wahl does, the barber and stylist community is pivotal to every decision, so when it became clear the pros were looking for more, Wahl listened. 

Wahl didn’t stop at listening. From listening to testing, testing to engineering, the result? The Hi-Viz Air – a true Evolution of the Hi-Viz, built from feedback and shaped by the demands of the modern barber. Everything pros loved is still here – Adaptive Speed Control, the COMFORTCURVE® housing, and the ultra-slim neck. But now, it’s 30% lighter and designed to debulk, detail, and deliver. 

 The Hi-Viz® Air is here – Engineered To Evolve: 

All-in-One. Built from the feedback of barbers, the new Hi-Viz 2.0 blade is optimized for debulking, while still exceling at details. 

30% Lighter for 100% Control. Crafted from a premium polymer blend with COMFORTCURVE design, the Hi-Viz Air is lighter in hand and heavy in performance, giving you all-day comfort and effortless control without fatigue. 

Clear View. Clean Hits. The slim neck design unlocks full visibility so every cut, edge, and detail hits exactly where you want it with no second guessing. 

Consistent Power. Adaptive Speed Control delivers consistent power of 7000 RPMs (optimized for quiet performance), giving you smooth, even performance. 

Zero Downtime. Built for barbers who don’t have time to wait. The Hi-Viz offers industry-leading 45-minute full battery charge, while 5 minutes of quick charge delivers 15 minutes of cutting. 

Precision That Lasts. Hit every line with confidence. The Hi-Viz 2.0 blade is DLC coated to stay cool and sharp 8x longer, and adjustable to zero-gap for ultimate precision. 

Olivia Garden, a leader in professional and consumer hair tools, is proud to announce the launch of left-handed OG Barber Shears, designed to deliver the same durability, precision, and ergonomic comfort as the original collection. Created to support left-handed barbers and stylists, these new additions ensure a smooth, effortless cutting experience without compromise.

All OG Barber Shears feature a matte black titanium coating, reinforced steel alloy, and convex blades for superior hardness, longevity, and consistent cutting performance. Designed with larger finger holes and two sets of finger ring inserts, the shears provide a customizable, ergonomic fit for a wide range of hand sizes on both right- and left-handed users. An offset handle with specialized thumb curvature helps keep the hand relaxed in a natural open position, reducing strain during extended use.

Each purchase includes a premium zipper case with essential maintenance tools such as the ShearCare™ oil brush, cleaning cloth, finger ring inserts, and a tension adjustment tool. Left-handed shears are also eligible for Olivia Garden’s Exclusive Service Program, which allows barbers and stylists to exchange their used Olivia Garden Barber Shears for a brand-new identical pair to maintain optimal performance over time.

The launch of left-handed OG Barber Shears further expands the OG Barber lineup, which also includes OG Barber Brushes and OG Barber Wave Brushes, giving barbers access to a complete, professional-grade collection designed specifically for barbering needs.

• WHO: Olivia Garden and left-handed barbers and hairstylists seeking professional-grade shears
• WHAT: Launch of left-handed OG Barber Shears designed for precision and durability
• WHEN: Available now
• WHERE: Available at oliviagarden.com and select Olivia Garden retailers

For more information on Olivia Garden, follow the brand on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. 

By Alyssa Guerra 

Luxury customer experiences and services go above and beyond to make every customer feel seen and valued. It’s about tailoring the little details other barbershops ignore, from the atmosphere to your services to your communication. The goal is to craft a seamless, memorable journey that forges deep connections and conveys your values every step of the way, said Paul Andre de Vera of BSPK. 

Luckily, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel to offer high-end customer service and exceed customers’ expectations. You don’t have to break the bank, either. Here’s how you can deliver premium customer experiences at any barbershop, on any budget. 

1. First Impressions 

When designing a luxury customer experience, consider the details your clients will notice first. For example: 

• Are they offered a snack, beverage, warm greeting, or reading material when they arrive? Or are they ignored?  

• Does someone answer the phone or call back right away? Or are they left waiting for days?  

• Can they book online without headaches? Or do they give up halfway through due to a buggy website? 

• Is your space clean, decorated, and nice smelling? Or is there dust and a foul odor?  

Examples: 

• Use signature scents, comfy seating, music, lighting, temperature, and cleanliness to craft an intentional ambience, Harper Ellis Hair Co. (HEHC) says. This could be as simple as adjusting the lights, keeping the space spotless, or making ad-free music playlists on your phone.  

• Ask family and friends to walk through the door and note their impressions. How does the space make them feel? Is it what you had in mind? Repeat from time to time and use their feedback to adjust accordingly. 

Listen, smile, and engage when customers are present. Body language says a lot!  

2. Personalization and Exclusivity 

The difference between luxury and run-of-the-mill experiences lies in how valuable you can make a customer feel. Personalize their experiences so your clients never feel like “just another customer” again, HEHC says.  

Examples: 

• Note customers’ preferences, personal details, and purchases so you can tailor your product or treatment recommendations based on their needs.  

• Seek opportunities for exclusivity. Can you offer services that are new or hard to find elsewhere? Can loyal customers get extra perks?  

• Consider handwritten thank-you notes, birthday cards, and other personal touches that show each client your appreciation. 

• Use the customer’s name when speaking to them. “Hey, Brian! Welcome in” sounds friendlier than “Hey. Welcome in.” 

• Provide free options that allow customers to tailor their luxury customer experience. For example, consider asking if they’re OK with chitchat or if they want silence. Offer conveniences like a blanket, refreshments, and warm or cold towels. 

3. White Glove, End-to-End Experiences 

If you really want your barbering services to stand out, look for avenues to improve efficiency and remove hiccups from the customer’s journey. You’ll not only make it easier to book appointments, but also elevate the experience in little (but noticeable) ways. 

Examples: 

• Seek opportunities to make processes more efficient and convenient, like with 24/7 online booking, a frequently tested website, digital consultation forms, and automated reminders. 

• Routine training helps ensure that “exceptional service becomes second nature,” Ken Thomas wrote for Forbes. Hire and train your barbershop employees to represent your values consistently, whether it’s through body language or problem-solving during conflicts. 

4. Expertise 

You can’t achieve excellence without expertise. 

After all, customers—high-end consumers and otherwise—are coming to you as an industry expert. If you have the skills and answers they’re looking for, they’ll quickly learn to trust you. Once a customer knows they’re in safe hands, even the simplest services feel extraordinary. 

Examples: 

• Research top products, tools, or trends so you can use them, stock them, and answer questions about them. 

• Push yourself to pursue continuous training. Use it to fine-tune your barbering skills and offer more advanced techniques or services. 

• Showcase your awards, certifications, and reviews where current and prospective customers can see them. 

Premium insurance shouldn’t require luxury prices, either. 

When it comes to luxury services and high-end customer experiences, our team at WellnessPro believes value doesn’t have to be expensive.  

Barbers, visit the WellnessPro website and start your coverage journey for as little as $159 a year. 

By Alyssa Guerra 

Your clients’ appointment-booking process is like a roller coaster. Their desire for beauty services gets them in line. But they need momentum to reach the station.  

As app development platform CommonNinja explains in their 2024 article “How to Improve Customer Satisfaction with Seamless Booking Experiences,” the process should help customers book services efficiently and with minimal frustration or confusion. This is essential to building trust between consumers and your brand. It encourages customers to get in line again and again—not just because they need beauty services, but also because they enjoy the appointment-booking process. 

Wondering how to schedule appointments with clients in a way that builds bridges instead of barriers? Here are some tips to consider. 

1. Understand your customers. 

Research and collect feedback to better understand your current and potential clients. Who are they? How do they want to feel when they visit your website or salon for the first time? What do clients like now, and what changes would they like to see? 

Starting with the consumer in mind makes it easier to craft interactions they’ll love from the first click. 

2. Don’t overcomplicate. 

Your clients crave accessible experiences with minimal barriers. Ask yourself: What unnecessary barriers can I eliminate to make the experience as speedy and convenient as possible? 

Aim to create a booking site that’s easy to use, easy to read, and easy on the eyes, Kate Reynier writes for youcanbook.me. Pick a handful of colors, templates, and fonts, and use them purposefully. Make sure your pages load quickly, and streamline navigation with as few steps as possible, Reynier suggests.  

3. Support 24/7 availability and self-service. 

Customers love the autonomy of self-service, as well as the transparency of real-time reminders and updates, like with estimated wait times, says ibex.co in their article “The Now Generation: Surviving the Instant Gratification Culture.” It means they can take action on their time. Plus, automated appointment confirmation or chatbot communication eases customer anxiety and reduces your chances of no-shows, schedly.io states in their article “5 Ways to Make the Booking Process Seamless for Clients.” 

Consider an online appointment-scheduling system that allows clients to book a time, sends appointment reminders, and supports 24/7 cancellations. If they can see available team members, pay, and synchronize with their calendar in one seamless place, that’s even better, says Brevo in their 2024 guide to online booking.  

4. Personalize the experience. 

As ibex says, “One size fits none. Trying to be everything to everyone—instantly—often leads to generic, forgettable experiences.”  

Allow your appointment-scheduling software to tailor the experience to individual customers. For example, some types of software allow special requests or recommend additional services. In turn, clients can easily bundle everything they want (plus add-ons they didn’t even know they wanted), says schedly.io. Meanwhile, tools like AI chatbots, predictive autofill, saved preferences, and intelligent suggestions can direct users smoothly down each step of their customer experience journey. The best part is, the journey feels uniquely designed for them, ibex explains.  

And don’t forget, paying is part of their experience, too. As schedly.io writes in their blog post, you never know what a client’s financial situation might be. In addition to the usual credit cards, consider accepting digital wallets, bank transfers, PayPal, and/or installment plans so they have flexible (yet secure) options. 

Tailored Coverage: Because one-size-fits all doesn’t work for insurance, either. 

At WellnessPro, we believe insurance is another area where quality customer service and tailored experiences matter. Our coverage is designed for the beauty and wellness world—because that’s our world, too.  

Visit the WellnessPRO website and start your coverage journey for as little as $159 a year.