Eight of the hottest shops in the UK and Ireland have been announced as finalists in the Wahl Barbershop of the Year competition. The finalists are:

Congratulations to:⁠⁠
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Andys Barbershop (the defending champion) @andysbarbers_bicester⁠⁠
Barbertown Worcester @barbertownworcs⁠⁠
EMI Bertea Barbershop Academy @__e.b.b.a__⁠⁠
Huckle the Barber @hucklethebarber⁠⁠
Kendrick’s of Rochford @kendricks_of_rochford⁠⁠
Kesman Male Grooming @kesmanmalegrooming⁠⁠
Parlous Barbers @parlousbarbers⁠⁠
Ruffians Barbers @ruffians⁠⁠
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Simon Shaw said: “Once again, the standard of entries was off the charts. There were so many great shops to choose from. So, a huge thank you to all that entered, you guys are all killing it with your team, the services you offer, the interiors, everything was 👌!”⁠⁠
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Make sure you head to the Wahl stage at Salon international on Sunday 17th October as the winner will be announced at 3pm SHARP!⁠⁠

Best of luck to all the finalists!

The finalists are in! Huge congratulations to the five finalists who have been selected from an incredible standard of entries.

“The standard this year was so high, so we want to thank everyone that took time to enter, you guys were incredible and should be so proud of what you have achieved,” said Simon Shaw, Wahl Professional Global Artistic Director.

Make sure you head to the Wahl stage at Salon International on Sunday October 17^th for the LIVE final at 12pm with the winner announced at 3pm. It’s not to be missed.

Denman International is a company committed to doing better – for their customers and for the environment. As part of a broad initiative to make a positive impact, Denman’s parent company, Denroy Plastics Ltd, has teamed up with Ulster University and its European partner to explore ways in which PPE waste can be transformed into manufacturing grade plastics.

Covid-19 and the PPE necessary to stop transmission has created a significant waste problem. Denman already manufactures and then collects the used FFP3 masks worn in healthcare and is working with partners and recycling companies to sterilise and grind down the common blue PPE masks. Prototypes of the Denman Clipper Comb and Scalp Brush are currently in testing with Denman Ambassadors and there are further products planned.

“We have a company-wide impact strategy and the recycling of PPE plastics is an important element. As a company, we no longer produce single-use plastics and we work with fantastic organisations including Plastic Bank which collects, processes and resells manufacturing plastics globally. Our sustainability efforts will always be a work-in-progress as we continue to build our contribution to the circular economy.” John Rainey MBE, Chairman, Denman International, Denroy Group.

Around 53 million single-use face masks were being used in the UK each day at the height of the 2021 pandemic peak and finding a way of turning an environmental burden into a manufacturing resource is top of Denman’s agenda.

To find out more about Denman’s policies on waste and plastics, go to https://denmanbrush.com/pages/csr

A new aesthetics studio has opened in a Norfolk barbershop, with the aim to offer a hub for men to receive grooming treatment ‘without judgement’.

Morton’s Barbershop and Men’s Rooms in Downham Market has opened a studio in the premises for men’s grooming, which includes waxing, sports massages, aesthetics, skin treatments, hair treatments and tattooing.

The family-run business launched its ‘don’t bottle it up’ mental health campaign in October to help raise awareness and support those struggling as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

And that focus is still at the heart of the business, said media and marketing manager Hollie Morton.

She added: “It’s to provide men with a space in which they can confidently and comfortably experience all grooming treatments without judgement or the stereotypical ‘feminine’ perception of looking after their image.

Shop manager Harry Morton said: “I think men are underrepresented in society when it comes to aesthetics and skin treatments.

“It is important to us that we create a space in which has an emphasis on men feeling comfortable and confident with their appearance and in their own skin.

“Men’s mental health is something, as a shop, we feel exceptionally passionate about and believe this is another step forward in being a hub for men where they have endless options.”

Marie Fuller, a director, aesthetic nurse practitioner and injector, who runs ElysiPhi, has partnered with the business and will provide access to treatments that will focus on “medical aesthetics, skin care and wellness”.

She said: “This includes the usual aesthetic injectables, but also treatments for problem skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, pigmentation.

“We will be offering screen cancer mole checks and treatments for scarring.

“The team at Morton’s have identified a need to increase access to medical aesthetics and to smash the stigma surrounding it for their customers. I am thrilled to be joining their team.”

https://www.facebook.com/MortonsBarbers/

Last few places left for next week’s two-day course in Limerick featuring Hayden Cassidy. (educators vary depending on location) Sign up now to see a brilliant demonstration each morning and then work on two models both afternoons. Courses are tailored to suit individual needs and Hayden will work with you on whatever area of barbering you want to develop. Ideal for barbers or hairdressers who want to massively improve their barbering ability. This course will take your skillset to the next level, give you new ideas, techniques and a fresh approach.   BELFAST and KILKENNY dates are also available.   The Barber Bash is back in Liverpool on the 7th November. At its fantastic new venue, Content. Brilliant barbers from the UK and Ireland will be on stage presenting fantastic haircuts, it’s going to be amazing.  The atmosphere will be buzzing and the energy will be next level. The lineup is insane with one more HUGE name to announce later this week. Sign up for top-class education, inspiration and socialising.  Tickets are limited, you really don’t want to miss this one!   For more information at  britishbarberbash@gmail.com or alternatively call 07801933780

The Fellowship for British Hairdressing has announced Simon Shaw as the new PROJECT: Men team leader.
Simon, who is Wahl Global Artistic Director, will take over the role from the current team leader, Jonathan Andrew, who hands over the reins at the end of the year. Simon has already worked with the 2021 team, having recently art-directed their annual photoshoot alongside Jonathan.

PROJECT: Men, which was founded in 2018 as The BarberProject, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be mentored by the very best in the business, learn new techniques and skills both creatively and personally.

The 2022 team is in for a treat with Simon at the helm as they get the chance to work with him and his magic black book.

“I’m really looking forward to being the mentor for PROJECT: Men in 2022. It’s a project I have been watching for several years and there is nothing else like it in the industry. The members will have an opportunity to work with me on my own projects, take part in global presenter training, experience days at Wahl HQ and perform on the biggest Wahl stages. It’s going to be one hell of a journey and I can’t wait to get going.”

2022 applications are open from 13 September – visit www.fellowshiphair.com to apply.

Celebrity Hairstylist Laila Hayani partnered with heritage men’s grooming brand American Crew to style Kit Harington and Dan Levy for the epic Met Gala event!

“Dan’s entire look for the Met Gala is a true statement of art so he decided we needed to take his hair into a direction that complemented and solidified his look as a whole. In order to do so, we decided on a sleek and slicked-back look with an ultra-shine effect. This gave us the opportunity to try something new and to also highlight Dan’s features,” says Laila.

Laila started with clean, wet hair and applied a pea size of the Fiber Grooming Foam as a primer which also added volume. “Dan has naturally curly hair so we blew his hair out straight to achieve the slicked-back hair. This allowed us to manipulate from a straighter texture and avoids too much a of wave once combed back,” says Laila. She then applied a spritz of water to allow the hair to take to gel and to work it into the hair. The hero products for this look are Superglue and the Firm Hold Styling Cream. She mixed the two together and applied a generous amount through the hair to give it the wet look. Once shaped, Laila continued to apply a spritzing of water to continue to comb through it and manipulate the shape before setting the style. She finished by using a diffuser to apply heat and dry the look and to ensure it set into place. Lastly, she spritzed Alternator for shine and to officially set the look. 

Laila noted: “Kit’s hair look was inspired by old Hollywood: classic, polished, sleek yet effortless style, and the goal was to achieve an ultra-sophisticated look.” 

To complement his naturally wavy, shorter hair for Kit’s Met Gala look, Laila started with damp hair and applied the Fiber Grooming Foam mixed with a small amount of the Fiber Cream. She then air dried it and started to manipulate the look by finger-combing the top to create a slight wave. Once nearly dry, She finished with Medium Hold Spray and small amount of the Fiber set. This prevented a strict hold and allowed for a sustainable flexible effect.”

Products used:

Fiber Grooming Foam – Lightweight, fibrous hair foam that provides long-lasting manageable volume with medium hold and natural shine. Works well with medium to longer length hair. Link to Buy: AmericanCrew.com

Fiber Cream A styling cream that combines flexibility with control gives your hair refined texture and a natural shine finish. For medium hold with natural shine. Link to Buy: Ulta.com

Fiber Fiber-like, resinous product helps thicken, texturize and increase fullness to hair. Provides a strong, pliable hold with a matte finish. Works well in shorter hair, 1-3 inches in length. For high hold with low shine. Link to Buy: Amazon.com

Medium Hold Spray Gel   Enriched with Sage, Ginseng, and Quillaja, Medium Hold Spray Gel provides a natural look and feel with medium hold. Excellent for blow-drying and hair of all lengths, this product can be used on damp or dry hair.   Link to Buy: Ulta.com   Firm Hold Styling Cream A moisturizing formula that tames hair and adds style with low shine and a flexible finish. Washes out easily without leaving residue behind. Provides pliable hold with flexible definition and low shine.  Link to Buy: Ulta.com Superglue Create styles never before possible with high hold, high shine and high definition. For extreme hold and shine. Link to Buy: Ulta.com Alternator Provides a flexible style that gives you control of your image all day. Makes re-shapeable hair styling possible with the use of your hands. Provides a natural look with medium hold and medium shine. Link to Buy: Ulta.com

A Dublin barber is fundraising in the hope of realising her dream of opening a sensory barbershop, all designed to help those with additional needs.

Emma Doyle is a barber, and a mum of five children, one of which has Asperger’s Syndrome. Emma explained that she knows the challenges that can arise for children and adults with additional needs when it comes to receiving a haircut.

“For a person with additional needs, like autism, who often struggle with the environment of a regular barbers, the noises, small spaces, bright lighting, and fast pace can just be so overwhelming and too much to take,” Said Emma.

“And as for wheelchair users in Dublin, trying to find a barbershop that they can access freely, well, it is nearly impossible.”

In order to open her specially designed barbershop, Emma has set up a Go Fund Me page with the hope that she can create a calming space, with adjustments that can make the process of a haircut totally different for clients. Emma says she hopes to raise enough funds to open a fully equipped sensory sensitive and wheelchair-accessible business.

“I know that it would really make a difference to so many,” she says. “I personally understand what a shop like this would mean to people and their lives, and I fully understand the care and patience that will be needed for this venture.”

To help Emma out with her fundraising, you can donate here.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-emma-open-a-disability-friendly-barbers

A former Douglas nightclub, Isle of Man, is set to become a barbershop, coffee shop, and four-bedroom home.

Planning permission has been granted to convert the former Paramount City building on Queen’s Promenade into the new venture.

The plans will see the first and second floors become a four-bedroom home while the ground floor will house a barbers and coffee shop. We look forward to seeing the outcome, it’s always encouraging to see a new barbershop open.

Calling all barbers! Reuzel is now selling its product direct to barbershops and salons in the UK.

Help extend your margins in your barbershop as Reuzel release a new UK price list. Reuzel stockists will receive the renowned Reuzel education – courses, workshops and product support as well as reduced rates to visit the Old School Academy in Rotterdam.

Brand new merchandise and promotions are now available and a new business to business website is come soon from reuzel.co.uk

To open an account, contact Rianne at rianne@reuzel.com or call 07775327865.