Today, L’Oréal Professionnel, the pioneering hair brand and trusted partner of hair stylists since 1909 becomes the first to create virtual hair looks for cross-gaming avatars.

In partnership with Ready Player Me, the world-leader in avatars for multi-app use, and working with 3-D artist Evan Rochette, L’Oréal Professionnel releases the first in a series of hairstyles for users to curate their personal avatar and push the boundaries of self-expression. Five textured hair looks are available to enable gamers express themselves. Making interconnected virtual worlds a reality, avatars created on Ready Player Me are compatible with more than 4,000 games, platforms and apps globally.

“For more than 110 years, L’Oréal Professionnel has put its pioneering spirit at the service of hairstylists, to develop the professional hair industry and elevate the expression of hair beauty in the world, “ says Anne Machet, L’Oréal ProfessionnelGlobal General Manager.

“We see this exciting partnership with Ready Player Me as a meaningful way to continue our journey in the virtual world. We cannot wait to push technical and creative boundaries to provide the community with limitless hair expression possibilities.”

“L’Oréal Professionnel’s hair styles are an amazing addition to the Ready Player Me platform”, said Timmu Tõke, CEO & Co-Founder of Ready Player Me.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to partner with the L’Oréal Group and bring their avatar customization options to our avatar creator and all apps and games compatible with Ready Player Me, including Spatial, HiberWorld, and VRChat.”

After the first five Ready Player Me looks, L’Oréal Professionnel will continue to build a bridge between hair pros and CG artists next year to develop hair beauty and self-expression in the virtual world.

Follow us all year long. @LorealPro

www.lorealprofessionnel.com #LorealPro #LorealProMetaverse

With the sector still trying to recover from the covid lockdowns, the current cost of living crisis and the mayhem of the mini budget, many of our members are seriously worried about the future of their businesses.

UK salons are the main occupier of high streets up and down the UK (46,210) and the Autumn Budget released on 17^th November has done nothing but levy a further cost rise on employers in the sector who already struggle to meet wage bills due to loss of trade following the Covid lockdowns and since the mini budget.  A forced NMW increase of 9.7/10.9% plus employer oncosts will most certainly force the industries underground market to expand even further.

Employers in the industry are the ones sinking fast! With only 33% of workers in the industry now “employed”, and the only ones likely to be paying VAT are now also weighted down with increasing high energy costs and again MORE employment costs.

Every employer believes their employees deserve more, but the Government has naively levied an increase on a sector that is trading in a two-tier business model with employers now losing the race.  Employers want to retain staff, invest, grow and develop their businesses but they have not even had a chance to trade out of covid with many still not back to 2019 revenues, yet costs continue to rise at an unsustainable level.

Apprenticeships jobs already at risk from the pandemic and lack of Government support means this now forced wage increase will result in many 16–18-year-olds losing their apprenticeships, potentially forcing them onto benefits. 

The industry is not regulated so there is no consumer protection in place to protect the public from rogue traders who have never trained or qualified in the industry. The consequence of Government choices has now increased what was already an endemic problem in the industry. The Hair and Barber Council are constituted by the 1964 Hairdressing Act with qualified professional hairdressers and barbers able to voluntarily register with the Council, but the mass of rogue traders will continue to plough trade in our sector forcing the entire industry in a race to the bottom.  Once regulated the sector would be managed by industry experts and professionals who have worked in the sector for many years. 

The Hair and Barber Council URGENTLY needs the following support to help it to survive and prosper.:

• Suspend business rates to help with high energy costs – include the personal care sector and give 75% discount or 100% to high street salons/barbers. 
• Give the sector a VAT cut and level up the playing field  
• Introduce HMRC time to pay for industries still plagued with covid debt from pandemic lockdowns they did not choose. 
• Support Apprenticeship costs for salon employers with an Apprenticeship furlough type scheme to SAVE JOBS. 
• Convert BBL/CBILS for small businesses locked down to grants. 
• HM Treasury to meet with The Hair & Barber Council and other organisations to deal with critical issues plaguing the industry. 
• Government to pay SSP for small employers as all are still impacted by covid absence 
• Make regulation mandatory to stop rogue traders, protect consumers and our professional sector.

For more information please contact;

colletteosborne@haircouncil.org.uk

keithconniford@haircouncil.org.uk

Leading Italian haircare brand, Oway is delighted to announce Simon Tuckwell, owner of Tuckwell & Co in Nottingham as the brand’s new UK Creative Director. 

Earth, glass and aluminium is where the Oway story first began in 1948, in Bologna, Italy. one of the most beautiful cities in the world, After a lengthy research process in the early 1990s, they embarked on a mission to create hair products using organic extracts, cementing the ethos of the Oway brand we know today. In order to bring change to the industry, Oway chose to give up classic chemical ingredients and undertake a journey of true green revolution and a natural pace towards real sustainability to support their commitment to protecting the planet. 

Now, the Oway Manifesto is the perfect visual representation of the brand’s values and the benefits they bring to your salon with each and every cut, colour and style.

From growing and cultivating ingredients with the least environmental impact to developing sustainable packaging, this Manifesto represents the conscious choice and purposeful action your salon takes to change the industry for the better. 

In 2010 Oway became biodynamic farmers and created Ortofficina, a place to grow herbs and plants in the most earth friendly way by distilling them directly for use in their products. By 2013 plastic was out, replaced by glass and aluminium, both fully recyclable and protective materials. 

Earth, glass and aluminium – the agricosmetica circle, a constantly evolving path, which shapes and reshapes an authentic and conscious lifestyle. A value shared by new Creative Director Simon Tuckwell:  

“I’m delighted to be working with Oway UK as their UK Creative Director. For me, it just felt like Oway was the perfect fit for the Tuckwell & Co brand, ethically and aesthetically. The support from day one has been second to none. Having that real close and personal relationship with a brand is key for me. I look forward to growing our relationship in the coming years and I’m excited for what’s to come. The products are extremely popular with both my team who love the performance they deliver and our clients who constantly comment on the scent and feel.”

After a successful launch last year, the award-winning NHBF Top 100 Influencer Index’s Top 20 (sponsored by Pirkx, City and Guilds and The Hair & Beauty Charity) for 2022 have been announced. 

Today, Keeks Reid, freelance Beauty Editor, hosted a packed award event at Electric Space, London, where the Top 20 found out the exact number at which they rank. The event was also live streamed on the NHBF’s YouTube channel.

And the Top 20 are:

1. Jamie Genevieve, Make-up artist and beauty influencer
2. Caroline Hirons, Skin expert
3. Cher Webb, Make-up artist
4. Amber Rose Peake, Hairstylist & barber
5. Gareth Williams, Moroccan Oil Pro, Global Ambassador and colourist at Salon 64
6. Jess Maynard, The Gel Bottle Inc Brand Ambassador and nail artist
7. Rob Wood
8. Harriet Westmoreland, Nail artist
9. Errol Douglas MBE, Award-winning hairdresser
10. James Earnshaw, Award-winning hairdresser
11. Pete Burkill, Celebrity and session stylist
12. Jack Howard, International Colour Expert
13. Chloe Swift, Ghd Global Educator and hair stylist
14. Connor James Doyle, Hairdresser and educator
15. Lauren Churchill, Hairdresser
16. Jaymz Masters, Hairdresser and educator
17. Sophia Hilton, CEO Not Another Salon
18. Patrick Cameron, International hairdresser
19. Joesph I’Anson, Award-winning hairstylist
20. Nuala Morey, Hairdresser

The 100 – 21 Top Influencers were announced on the NHBF’s social channels last week, with lots of new faces making the list. The Index provides an opportunity to recognise those in the industry that use social media to influence the sector. 

Back in July, the NHBF invited nominations from professionals currently working in the hairdressing, barbering, beauty, wellbeing or aesthetics industries. From an initial list of hundreds of nominations, an independent expert company then analysed these nominations based on the following data metrics to reach the Top 100.

• Followers – the number of people following the nominees
• Engagement – the number of mentions, shares, links and impressions of the nominees’ posts
• Reach – how many people have seen the nominees’ posts

NHBF chief executive Richard Lambert says, “Jamie Genevieve is one of the biggest beauty influencers that there is. It was no surprise that she came straight in at number one, followed closely by last year’s winner, Caroline Hirons.

It’s been fascinating to see the ups, downs and new entries across the rest of the Index.  The Top 100 Influencers Index isn’t just about numbers and reach, but influence and engagement. Ours is one of the UK’s most social media aware industries and we wanted to pay homage to those who use their channels to share their knowledge and opinions, and those who promote our industry in such a positive way.”

Full Top 100 List here.

@nhbfsocial

NHBF

The holidays are the perfect time for giving and Booksy, the leader in booking and business technology for the beauty industry, is giving back to beauty pros this season with their special 12 Day Giveaway! For 12 days – starting on November 21^st – beauty pros can enter the 12 Day Giveaway contest and have a chance to win a prize from their favorite Booksy ambassador! From name brand hair clippers to high-quality nail products or Booksy swag bags, there are plenty of unique prizes to choose from. 

Check out the amazing products gifted from Booksy ambassadors that you could have a chance to win: 

1. Byrd Mena – Gold Magic clippers
2. Phillip Wolff – Zuka neck wraps 
3. Alfredo Lewis – Framar brush and mixing bowl 
4. Kim Kimble – Kimble Extension Care set 
5. Jenny Bui – Jenny Secret Crystal Bundle 
6. Chelly’s Nails – Valentino gel nail paint set 
7. Brandi LaShay – Booksy forever barber hoodie 
8. Keino Valley – Filled Booksy sling bag
9. Leroy Garret – Wahl Gold Magic trimmer
10. Naja Rickett – Cucchio nail products 
11. Joel Torres – IGK products 
12. Mr. Official – Booksy t-shirt and truck hat bundle 

Giveaways as unique as this don’t come around often and you don’t want to miss out! 

The 12 Day Giveaway starts on Monday, November 21^st and runs through Friday, December 2^nd. And the best part is that entering is so easy! To enter this contest, head over to the @booksybiz Instagram page or any of the 12 ambassadors’ pages to download Booksy and be entered into the giveaway! Winners will be announced on Booksy’s Instagram Live, as well as the respective ambassador’s Instagram page on December 9^th.   

Download the Booksy app now: 

• Search for “Booksy” the App Store or Google Play Store
• Download the Booksy app 
• Start your free trial to enter the 12 Day Giveaway 
• Create your profile to get discovered by new clients everyday

Download the Booksy Biz mobile app for free or visit Booksy.com/biz to learn more.

ABOUT BOOKSY:

Booksy is a cloud-based appointment booking solution for hairstylists, colorists, barbers, nail artists, estheticians, massage therapists, salons, barbershops, spas and more. It offers appointment scheduling, calendar management, online payments, and a suite of marketing management functionalities. Android and iPhone apps supported. Booksy features two mobile applications: Booksy Biz for businesses and Booksy Lite geared more for independent professional plus a Booksy app for clients.

The Internationally Acclaimed Industry Competition is Back!

The world of beauty is watching! America’s Beauty Show (ABS) by Cosmetologists Chicago proudly announces the 2023 ABS Global Image Awards are back. The ABS Global Image Awards celebrates the passion and artistry of professional and emerging stylists in an image and video competition that features professional and student categories. This year’s competition offers participants from across the globe the opportunity to enter their fiercest hair collections and storytelling. Entries are opening in November at AmericasBeautyShow.com. 

This incredible international image and now video competition fuels intense creativity and passion for hairdressers, colorists, salon teams, nail technicians, makeup artists, students and more – and it continues to grow year after year in 2023 with a dynamic presentation during America’s Beauty Show on the evening of Saturday, April 15^th.  

The ABS Global Image Awards draws entries from across the globe from talented professionals, emerging stylists and cosmetology students. The winners of the world-wide industry competition will be recognized during America’s Beauty Show in a way that’s never been celebrated before in this prestigious competition. 

Now is the time for pros to ignite their passion and begin their most creative preparations in order to enter the 2023 ABS Global Image Awards. There are 9 different professional categories and 2 student categories in this juried industry competition for the best-of-the-best to enter and to share their personal story. All categories are gender neutral. 

The 2023 ABS Global Image Awards categories include:

• Total Transformation
• Collaboration (Professional and Student)
• Full Concept 
• Haircutting
• Texture
• Barbering
• Creative Color
• Makeup Artistry
• Nail Design

“We expect to see tremendous artistry from our extremely talented competitors,” said Karen Gordon, Past President of Cosmetologists Chicago. “America’s Beauty Show offers a perfect backdrop to showcase a deeply creative competition at our world-class show. We are thrilled to shine a global spotlight on the originality and talent that resides in the professional beauty industry and for our emerging artists who are students.” 

“To all salon professionals, I will say that the ABS Global Image Awards will unleash your inner creativity,” said Mio Sota, past ABS Global Image Award winner. “Don’t be afraid,” added Sota. “There is no right or wrong. Everything you try will either work out great or turn out to be an amazing learning experience!”

Chrystofer Benson, past ABS Global Image Award winner said, “The ABS Global Image Awards is a great platform where you can share your work with the world! It is a positive and encouraging competition that allows global artists to compete and share their work.” Chrystofer encourages all salon professionals to share their work with the world, and that you never know what might happen if you enter. 

“Entering helps you to keep in touch with the reason you started doing hair and gets in touch with the passion you have for the hair industry.” In encouraging pros to get involved in the competition, past ABS Global Image Award winner Daniel Rubin notes, “Don’t give up until the miracle happens!”

The ABS Global Image Awards are open to all licensed salon professionals, barbers or the business equivalent where licensure is not required. In addition, there are categories where cosmetology students may compete.  The entry process opens November 28, 2022 and closes January 26, 2023. ABS Global Image Awards finalists will be announced on February 14, 2023. The ABS Global Image Awards ceremony is Saturday, April 15, 2023.
Complete rules and regulations can be found on AmericasBeautyShow.com.  

Each professional category will offer a single winner an impressive award from America’s Beauty Show to display with pride. In addition to each category winner, one extraordinary submission will be awarded The Leo Passage Gold Trophy Award in honor of the late Pivot Point International founder, and Cosmetologists Chicago member, Leo Passage. 

For more information regarding the 2023 ABS Global Image Awards, go to www.AmericasBeautyShow.com. 

The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) has urged the new Chancellor, the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, to adopt a six-point plan to protect the hair & beauty sector.

The NHBF argues that that hair & beauty is experiencing a ‘cost of doing business’ crisis, with energy and business costs escalating, inflation at 10% and consumer confidence falling. This is paired with a sector skills crisis undermining the ability of businesses to recruit both entry level apprentices and experienced staff. Commercial rents are also rising and businesses could pay more through business rates after revaluation in spring 2023.

The six-point plan asks for:

1. Continued support on energy bills.

The Energy Bill Relief scheme is a vital lifeline for many sector businesses. The array of services offered by the sector are underpinned by energy usage; for 64% of businesses, energy represents their first or second largest outgoing. These costs have increased by over 40% for half of businesses, with some experiencing increases of 300-400% or more. There is a ticking time bomb for a third of businesses who will see their energy contract renewals coming up over the next 3-6 months and risk paying significantly higher prices.

Business need further support on energy bills beyond March 2023 and energy companies should be encouraged to offer a range of flexible payment plans so that businesses are supported to pay off bills over a longer period of time.

2. Continued support on business rates.

The NHBF has called for the 50% business rates discount continued into the 2023-24 financial year. If government finances allow, then 100% business rates relief as envisaged with Investment Zones would be invaluable and very welcome across the UK.

3. Nurturing the next generation of talent.

• Financial incentives for small and medium businesses to employ 16–18-year-old apprentices: The future of the sector depends on an influx of 16-18 apprentices. Funding could be channelled to fund apprenticeships to enable training providers to train and employers to take on apprentices, making the apprenticeship more viable and affordable for businesses through an incentive of £3,000 per apprentice.
• Financial incentives for SMEs who hire apprentices aged 19 or over: There has been a flood of older learners wanting to train in the sector, however the National Minimum Wage (NMW) or apprentices’ wage restriction have prevented this. Learners are unable to contribute to the business’s income until they are qualified and insured, so the increase in their costs after the first-year acts as a deterrent to employers. First year incentives would help support taking on apprentices aged 19+ by bridging the gap between the apprentice wage and the minimum wage. 

These incentives could be funded by restructuring the Apprenticeship Levy so that more small businesses could benefit from a redistribution of the fund

In the Careers at the Cutting Edge report, the NHBF estimated the cost of these initiatives, which would be a fraction of the £2 billion currently unspent.

4. Restraint on rises to National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage.

The Government will soon be announcing its response to this year’s recommendations from the Low Pay Commission on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) rates. Given the severely challenging economic environment and looming recession, the NHBF asked for restraint and for any rises to take account of business survival and the ability of businesses to employ.

5. A fairer tax system.

The NHBF has called for a fairer approach to the tax system to create a more level playing field between businesses with employees and businesses using self-employed individuals.  This includes raising the VAT threshold so that more small and micro businesses benefit from relief, reducing the VAT rate to 5% or introducing tiered rates for the smallest businesses to remove the disincentive to grow and remain below the threshold.

6. Crackdown on tax evading businesses.

The NHBF also called on the Government to target resources for a crackdown on informal businesses operating on a cash basis in the margins, failing to declare earnings, not paying tax or VAT, which means they charge lower prices, undercutting and threatening the survival of responsible businesses and undermining minimum wage legislation.

Richard Lambert, NHBF chief executive says, “Hair & beauty businesses are desperate for some economic stability so they can plan for and be confident in their future. The revolving door at the Department for Business has seen four different Personal Care ministers pass through it in the past four months. We still don’t know who in government will be looking after our sector-specific needs – just as the latest GDP figures show that hairdressing in particular is one of the industries hardest hit by the current financial situation.  The targeted investment we propose will, in the medium to long term, tgenerate more revenue in taxes, as well as increasing business growth and employment opportunities.”

@nhbfsocial

Booksy, the leader in booking and business technology for the beauty industry, is delighted to announce they have been featured as a top-rated product in Software Advice’s FrontRunner Report for Barbershop Software! Software Advice is the leading service for businesses navigating the software selection process and is designed to help small businesses evaluate which software products may be right for them. 

Software Advice FrontRunners are evaluated by verified end-user reviews and product data, positioning the top scoring products based on usability and customer satisfaction ratings. Booksy’s user-friendly app, convenient business managing software, and free online marketing tools helped propel them to the Software Advice FrontRunners Report!     

Booksy is proud to make this esteemed list as their goal is to support and promote hairstylists, barbers, and all other beauty professionals and business owners. Booksy’s innovative business managing software specifically for business owners, Booksy Biz, allows beauty providers to streamline and grow their business all conveniently on the mobile app. With Booksy Biz, managing appointments, showcasing skills, monitoring business, and getting paid has never been easier! 

FrontRunners for Barbershop Software is available at softwareadvice.com/barbershop/

Download the Booksy Biz mobile app for free or visit Booksy.com/biz to learn more.

ABOUT BOOKSY:

Booksy is a cloud-based appointment booking solution for hairstylists, colorists, barbers, nail artists, estheticians, massage therapists, salons, barbershops, spas and more. It offers appointment scheduling, calendar management, online payments, and a suite of marketing management functionalities. Android and iPhone apps supported. Booksy features two mobile applications: Booksy Biz for businesses and Booksy Lite geared more for independent professional plus a Booksy app for clients.

ABOUT SOFTWARE ADVICE: 

Software Advice® helps businesses navigate the software buying journey. Industry-specific advisors guide people through the selection process and provide personalized software recommendations. Founded in 2005, Software Advice has helped more than 750,000 businesses find the right software for their specific needs through 1-on-1 advice, objective research and actionable insights. Software Advice also features over 770,000 verified user reviews to ensure people feel confident in their technology decisions.

FrontRunners constitute the subjective opinions of individual end-user reviews, ratings, and data applied against a documented methodology; they neither represent the views of, nor constitute an endorsement by, Software Advice or its affiliates.

On the 5th of January 2023, celebrity hairdresser Adee Phelan and record-breaking charity fundraiser Iain Ward will be travelling a total of 3,000 miles across eight states and through three time zones from New York to LA to raise funds for two charities. 

The journey on foot and by bike will be filmed by a camera crew for a future documentary, accompanying them on a tour bus, which they will eat and sleep on. Along their journey they will be joined by various celebrities that will either run part of the journey with them or make an appearance in support of their cause. Each day of their journey, they will wear a T-shirt featuring a different person to show support to someone who is fighting a battle or pay respects to someone who is no longer with us to reinforce the true meaning behind this challenge. 

Adee and Iain will be donating the funds they raise to two causes close to their hearts – the Marina Dalglish Cancer Foundation and Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). Adee lost his father to cancer and has struggled with depression for over 30 years. CALM is a mental health charity that offers a free confidential and anonymous helpline, live web chats and support for anyone struggling with their mental health. Iain is living with a terminal brain tumor and was given an estimated five years left to live two years ago. the Marina Dalglish Cancer Foundation supports cancer research and treatment. 

Adee and Iain are looking for brands that can offer sponsorship in order to fund their journey and – once this has been completed – donate to the charity in order to help them raise the most amount of money possible. In return for sponsorship or product donation the pair are offering promotion through company branding of items such as the bikes, tour bus and clothing. 

They are also looking for brands with a large following and active social media status who can help to promote the journey to the general public and other influencers in order to achieve the maximum exposure and potential this journey can take. 

Adee says: “The film crew will be joining us throughout our entire journey and much of the key focus will be when I cut a person’s hair in every one of the 66 towns we will visit on our journey. The opportunities for sponsorship from a key brand from the hairdressing family is immense.”

If your brand is interested in providing sponsorship or product donation, or you have any futher questions, please contact: Izzy Branson Hammond | Isabella.branson@Miroma.com | 07710 676301

The hair & beauty sector is once again at the frontline of the impact of the current economic instability, with a drop in the proportion of businesses saying that they are confident of their survival at 49%, down from 64% in July, as reported in the results from the latest National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) State of the Industry survey. 

These businesses have battled through the last two years and seen two periods of initial recovery in September 2021 and July 2022, but this latest set of results shows the fragility of the recovery.

Escalating energy costs, business supplier and staff costs have brought growth to a screeching halt. Sector businesses find themselves once again dealing with a set of survival challenges. Declining consumer confidence has meant that a sense of uncertainty has replaced the signs of recovery that we saw in July.

While the proportion of businesses making a loss has not increased, fewer businesses are making a profit with 35%, down from 44% in July, and there has been a corresponding increase in those who are breaking even at 46%, up from 36% in July.

The general trend towards increasing prices continues. 51% of businesses raised their prices over the last three months (although this was down from 62% in July). A further 65% (up from 51% in July) will do so over the next three months.

Reliance on external support has increased again, with 74% of businesses either partially or completely reliant on Government support, which is up from 50% in July, although not quite as high as January’s 81%. Unsurprisingly in the current climate, 77% are paying more for energy than they were six months ago. For half of businesses, energy costs have increased by 40% or more.

Debt levels are rising again, with 54% of businesses in debt, back to levels last seen in January. 42% of businesses in debt report that the amount of debt they are carrying has increased. 58% believe it will take them more than two years to clear.

Richard Lambert, chief executive of the NHBF says, “Many hair & beauty businesses are teetering on the edge of survival. A range of indicators including business activity, rising prices, rising debt, reliance on government support, uncertainty around survival and a dip in growth aspirations all signal shift towards a more negative outlook over the summer.

Businesses have benefitted from an array of support from the UK and devolved governments over the last two years, most recently in the form of the Energy Price Guarantee. However, further support will be needed through the winter and beyond and we are talking to the Government about how best to address this.”

The economic impact is having an obvious knock-on effect on staffing, recruitment, and apprentices. Recruitment intentions have dipped slightly and are less optimistic for the future. In the next three months, only 12% of the survey respondents are definitely, or likely to take on new staff (down from 27% in July). Over the last three months, 25% have cut back on apprentices (up from 17% in July). In a slight dip, only 9% were definitely or likely to take on apprentices in the next three months.

nhbfsocial

NHBF