Phenix Salon Suites Manchester was buzzing with creative energy as the city played host to an international collaboration between J&D Barber Studio and Bronx-based barbershop Studio Chec, in a one-day-only “Suite Swap” that brought New York style to the heart of Manchester’s grooming scene.

The creative exchange saw the iconic Bronx team temporarily take over a suite inside Phenix Salon Suites on Deansgate, giving local clients a rare opportunity to experience Studio Chec’s distinctive approach to barbering. From razor-sharp fades to bold streetwear energy, the Studio Chec team brought their full New York flair to Cross Street for a truly memorable day.

The event wasn’t just about technique, it was about cultural exchange, community, and connection. After the swap, the Manchester team treated their Bronx guests to a curated tour of the city, showcasing the best of Mancunian creativity from the Northern Quarter to Ancoats. From music and fashion to local barbershops and hidden gems, the tour reflected the unique identity of a city known worldwide for its individuality and innovation.

Local press, creatives, and influencers were invited to drop in throughout the morning, with content creators capturing behind-the-scenes moments, collaborative cuts, and conversations between two cities united by style and spirit.

John Gillespie, UK Managing Director of Phenix Salon Suites, commented: “This is exactly what Phenix is about – giving professionals the freedom to collaborate, connect, and create on their own terms. Seeing Studio Chec and J&D Barber Studio come together to celebrate their craft, their culture and their cities was incredibly powerful. It speaks to the heart of what our spaces are designed to support.”

“I was super grateful for the opportunity not only to meet likeminded people in my industry, but also to showcase my talent in a place I’ve only seen on television growing up! This has only been possible thanks to my loyal clientele and to those who have seen my vision since day one thanks to Phenix Salon Suites both in the US and the UK”, said Chec from Studio Chec in The Bronx.

“A massive thanks to Phenix Salon Suites for giving us the opportunity to swap suites with another talented barber from NYC. We stepped out of our comfort zone, connected with new clients and levelled up! We were so hyped to represent the UK and show what we do best!” said Jose and Drey from J&D Barbers Studio in Phenix Salon Suites Manchester.

The Suite Swap is part of a wider mission by Phenix Salon Suites to foster innovation and global creative partnerships, transforming its spaces into platforms for growth, expression and collaboration locally and internationally.

Dark Stag, a brand synonymous with quality and innovation in barbering tools and grooming products, has announced the successful launch of its latest product – the Hair Prep Tonic – and it’s already making waves in the industry.

Released earlier this year, the Hair Prep Tonic has quickly become a bestseller, with early adopters praising its functionality, ease of use, and premium scent. Designed specifically with professional barbers in mind, the tonic enhances both the cutting and styling experience for barber and client alike.

Created as a pre-cut preparation spray, the Hair Prep Tonic is formulated to improve hair manageability and control. It conditions the hair, allowing for cleaner sectioning and more precise cuts, which in turn supports smoother, more refined styling. Barbers have highlighted the product’s performance, especially during detailed work and advanced cutting techniques.

Packaged in a 200ml professional spray bottle, the tonic’s sprayable formula makes for fast and efficient application at the chair – something that busy barbershops value highly. Alongside its performance credentials, the tonic also brings a sensory experience with a rich, tobacco-inspired fragrance, adding a classic, masculine finish to any haircut.

With this launch, Dark Stag continues to expand its offering of reliable, high-performance products that reflect the needs of today’s barbers. To purchase, visit: www.darkstag.com

Summer and festival season are here and with that in mind, we caught up with award winning men’s hairdresser, Jim Shaw. Here, Jim shares what hairstyles he thinks will be dominating trends for men this summer – focusing on lowkey, effortless summer styles.

The Broccoli Cut

For those who want to embrace a youthful look and enhance their natural hair texture, the Broccoli Cut is a perfect choice. For the summer months and festivals, this hairstyle is great as it is very laidback and relaxed but still looks bold and polished. To enhance the look, ask your barber/men’s hairdresser to taper the sides and create a seamless transition from the sides to the top of the head which should be kept longer and more voluminous. With this style, it’s all about defining your natural curls/waves. Therefore, you should start your styling on damp hair working with a curling cream like Label M Curl Define Cream and working this through your curls for definition and then finishing the look with a sea salt spray such as Label M Sea Salt Spray to add further volume, texture and hold whilst giving the finished look a more natural feel.

Man Bun

The man bun has been seen on many male celebrities recently, including Bradley Cooper and Jared Leto. It’s an iconic hairstyle which pairs were with the summer months and festival season where men are looking to wear their hair back off their face whilst providing them with the opportunity to customise their look and pair it with faded or shaved sides. The bun can also be worn in a variety of different ways, including towards the back of the head, nape or worn like a pineapple at the top of their head. I particularly like this style paired with an undercut and styled slicked back to the back of the head using a comb and high hold and shine product like American Crew Superglue.

Braided Rat Tails

Not for the faint hearted, this style is super quirky and was recently sported by Matt Smith at the Armani runway show in Milan. This is a fun look for men with longer hair to experiment with, particularly for festival season. By braiding the hair from the middle this will create an eye-catching style whilst also keeping hair tamed all day and night. For those feeling extra adventurous, they can team the rat tail at the back with a pop of bold colour to add a further cool edge to the look.

By Jim Shaw, Multi Award Winning Men’s Hairdresser and Owner of TONI&GUY Billericay

With the announcement of Oasis’s tour creating a serious buzz around the world, we caught up with multi award winning men’s hairdresser, Jim Shaw, to discuss a trend that’s certain to make a comeback as the tour creeps closer – the Oasis inspired Mod Haircut.

Originating in the 1950s/60s and taking inspiration from Liam Gallagher’s 90’s hairstyle with that Oasis rock and roll feel, the mod cut is characterised by a medium length on top with volume, a short, cropped fringe and medium length sides that almost resemble long sideburns. The look is structured and combines layering techniques and shapes to create movement within the hair whilst keeping a straight, precise line on the top of the head.

This cut is a versatile style that can be tailored to suit most face shapes and hair textures, including those with curly hair, however, it is particularly flattering for those with square face shapes, as it helps to soften any angular features whilst complimenting the jawline and cheekbones for a more balanced look. For oval face shapes, this look is also great as it can enhance natural proportions whilst framing the face.

For those with thinning hair, this style is particularly beneficial as the addition of lots of layers and texture work to give the appearance of thicker, fuller looking hair.

When I create this cut, following using scissors to cut the style, I love to go into the hair with a razor to create a feathery texture and lots of movement.

When it comes to styling, the mod haircut can be styled a variety of ways. However, it stands out from other mullet/shag inspired looks by featuring more precision within the cut and smooth styling. American Crew Cream Whip is a lovely product to use to slightly enhance the texture within the hair whilst keeping it smooth, soft and moisturised with a natural shine.

The wolf cut is a similar style to the Mod Haircut and has been a favoured style by men over the past year. This style also features volume on top with texture and layering; however, it features more of a choppy fringe, and the styling is a lot more effortless and untamed. A product like the American Crew Light Hold Texture Lotion can be used in damp hair before styling or on dry hair to give the hair added texture and grit or alternatively American Crew Matte Clay Medium to Strong Hold Styling Paste is one of my go to’s to create instant texture and hold on the finished look.

Both styles are great options for men who like a more effortless day to day style that requires little to no styling but still want to look incredibly on trend.

Phorest Salon Software has announced the launch of its new Referrals Feature, designed to help salons and barbershops build a strong, loyal customer base through personalised referral programmes.

This innovative new feature allows salon owners to create reward-based referral programmes directly within the Phorest system. Salons can offer vouchers to clients who refer friends or family, as well as to the referred individuals, encouraging them to make their first booking.

Luke Doolin, Country Manager of Phorest UK & Ireland, believes that the new Referrals Feature will revolutionise the way salons approach customer acquisition. He told us: “Referral marketing has always been one of the most powerful ways to grow a business, but many salons haven’t had the tools to effectively implement it.

“With our new Referrals Feature, salons can easily set up and manage these programmes, helping them drive new business and build a more engaged client base. Importantly, during the beta phase of this new feature, our salons gained an average of 18 new clients using Phorest Referrals with 48% returning for additional services.”

Key Benefits of Phorest’s Referrals Feature:

1. Reward Structure – Salons can create custom voucher rewards for both the referrer and the referred clients, making it easier to incentivise customers to recommend the business to friends and family.
2. Easy Integration – Once a referral is made, the new client’s profile is automatically created in Phorest’s system, which also tags them as a referral for tracking and reporting purposes.
3. Marketing Campaigns – Phorest allows salons to promote their referral programmes through email and SMS marketing, generating unique referral links for clients to share.
4. Proven Results – With a conversion rate of 79.8%, most referrals lead to booked appointments. This feature brings a significant revenue boost by turning new customers into loyal clients who already have a positive association with the salon.

According to Phorest’s recent survey of 133 UK salons, 70% of salons do not have a referral programme in place, but two-thirds of those expressed a desire to implement one. With Phorest’s Referrals Feature, this gap can now be bridged with ease.

Jimmy Sharpe, Manager of Jakata, Warrington, UK, said: “As a salon owner, finding new clients has always been a challenge. The new Referrals Feature from Phorest has been a game changer. My loyal clients love being able to refer their friends and earn rewards, and I’ve seen a noticeable boost in new and returning clients since launching the campaign.” 

Luke added: “The beauty of this new feature is that it simplifies a process that can often feel daunting for salon owners. Referral programmes can now be set up and maintained effortlessly, allowing salons to focus on delivering exceptional services while we handle the rest.”

Phorest is committed to helping salons thrive in the modern business landscape through innovative technology solutions. With the new Referrals Feature, salons can now grow their client base faster and more efficiently, while delivering a rewarding experience for both loyal clients and new customers.

Cal Newsome, last year’s top NHBF Influencer, award-winning barber, and member of the Wahl Artistic Team, has been announced as the host for this year’s NHBF Top 50 Hair Influencers. This event, which features the industry’s only independently compiled influencer list, will take place from 5 to 6 PM on Sunday, June 22, at HairCon, held at O2 Victoria Warehouse in Manchester.

As the owner of Bull & Co Barber Club in Shropshire, Cal will join the NHBF team on the Social Stage at HairCon to announce the top 50 hair and barbering influencers. These recipients are chosen based on independently judged results powered by algorithms.

Attendees at HairCon will be the first to witness the official reveal, making this a must-attend event for both industry professionals and fans.

NHBF Chief Executive, Caroline Larissey, said: “We’re delighted to have Cal Newsome hosting this year’s Top 50 Hair Influencer reveal. As last year’s winner and a respected voice in the industry, Cal brings genuine insight and credibility to the event. His passion for barbering and commitment to raising industry standards make him the perfect person to lead the celebration.”

This year’s host Cal Newsome added: “I’m proud to be hosting this year’s NHBF Top 50 Hair Influencer reveal. Being recognised last year was a big moment for me, and it’s great to now be part of highlighting others who are pushing the industry forward. There’s so much talent out there, and this event is a great way to give it the recognition it deserves.”

Join Caroline, Cal and a host of your favourite industry influencers live at HairCon on Sunday 22^nd June at 5.10pm on the social stage as the list is revealed – who will take the top spot this year? 

Level up your craft. The new Phenom Clipper and Trimmer from Andis aren’t just tools— they’re your next power move. Designed for barbers and stylists who don’t settle, the Phenom Series brings next-gen tech and custom styling into the palm of your hand.

Power You Can Feel

The Phenom Clipper delivers blazing speed with a 7,000 SPM brushless motor, while the Trimmer hits 7,200 SPM for crisp lines and clean details. That brushless motor? It’s a beast—quieter, cooler, and built to last 12x longer than brushed motors. More torque. No drag. Zero power dips. Just smooth, relentless cutting through every hair type.

All-Day Energy

Run the shop, hit the road, or knock out back-to-back appointments—2.5 hours of cordless power on the clipper, up to 4 hours on the trimmer. Charge up with a USB-C cable or drop them on the dock. You’re always ready.

Blade Game, Next Level

The clipper comes locked in with an adjustable DLC Phaze Blade (0000–0A)—perfect for clean fades and bulk removal. The trimmer features a DLC Deep-Tooth T-blade for ultra-detailed work, crisp outlines, and that signature crunch barbers live for. DLC coating means cooler operation, longer life, and zero snag.

Customize Your Setup

Go gold or keep it stealth. With swappable all-metal housings and textured thumb rests, you can style your tools your way. The clipper even features a click or no-click lever— because control is everything.

Dense Hair Experts and creative agency Kiss Branding have won the prestigious Diamond Award for Best Visual Identity from the Lifestyle & Wellbeing Sector at the Transform Awards. The accolade recognises their bold and thoughtful approach to tackling the stigma surrounding hair loss through an empowering and authoritative brand identity.

The Transform Awards, which celebrate excellence in rebranding and brand development, praised Kiss Branding for creating a “simple yet impactful visual identity” that confidently stands out in a saturated market. The project not only elevated Dense’s market presence but also delivered tangible commercial success, increasing conversion rates from 0.4% to 2.3%.

Judges highlighted the modern and credible nature of the brand work, noting its careful balance between clinical-level personalisation and consumer accessibility. Kiss Branding’s deep understanding of Dense’s audience enabled them to challenge outdated perceptions and create a brand that speaks to real people with clarity and empathy.

Dense’s win places the Leeds-born brand among the most respected names in global branding. Other major winners at this year’s Transform Awards included LEGO, Aston Martin, ZSL, TikTok and TNT Sports — a peer group that underscores the scale and significance of Dense’s achievement.

Aasim Hashmi (ASH), Co-Founder at Dense, said: “For us, this isn’t really about awards — it’s about recognition that the work we’re doing matters. Hair loss is something that affects so many people, but the conversation around it has always been awkward or brushed off. We set out to change that. To move things on from banter and bravado to real, science-led solutions that actually helps people take control early, confidently, and without the stigma. This award tells us we’re on the right track — but we’re nowhere near done.”

Kiss Branding is an award-winning creative agency specialising in bold, insight-led brand identities. Poonam Saini, Creative Director at Kiss Branding, said: “The best brands don’t just sell products, they meet real needs and empower people to live their best lives. Dense is one of those brands. This award celebrates a true transformation, from strong strategy and compelling storytelling to bold, standout creative all coming together to shift perceptions and make a real difference in young men’s lives. I couldn’t be prouder of the Kiss team, the incredible Founders at Dense®, and everyone who has helped shape this work. This is what meaningful branding looks like.”

How does social media create unrealistic hair expectations? And what can you do?

By Stephanie Jaynes

We love a good inspo photo as the guiding light for a new style. Yet many inspopics mislead clients.

They can feed and perpetuate social media’s unrealistic expectations when:

• Filters and editing tools blur reality.
• The photo doesn’t tell you how the hair got there.
• Your client doesn’t have key aspects (like face shape and undertone) in common with the model.
• The cut and style will cost more than your client can afford.

What’s the key to managing clients’ hair expectations? What can barbers do to temper unrealistic standards on social media during client consultations?

Here are four ways to guide the conversation.

1. Explain the limitations of inspiration photos. Without demeaning your client, be direct and transparent about how their inspo photo isn’t achievable. Let the client know upfront so they don’t base their hair expectations on problematic or unattainable source materials. 

2. Tell them why the inspo style isn’t a good fit for them. Filters, edits, and enhancements aside, can your client look like the photo? If not, it’s time to clearly but delicately explain why. During your client consultation, consider the following:

• Does the model have a different face shape or skin tone than the inspo photo?
• Is your client’s hair a different texture or type?
• Does your client have a lot less hair? Or a totally different hairline?
• Will the look require hours of time in the chair, even multiple sessions to see the final result?
• Will the style your client wants require hours of daily upkeep?
• Does the hair inspo not jive well with your client’s daily life and hobbies?

By helping your client understand how and why their hair won’t look precisely like their inspo photo, you save them from future upset.

3. Give them alternatives. Your client may appreciate hearing the truth. But, unfortunately, they may be pretty bummed to hear the hair they’d set their heart on isn’t for them. If that’s the case, get them excited about a different look with similar results. What was it that they loved about their original hair expectations and inspo? Talk through what they love, want, and need (in terms of budget and time). Then suggest some better option

4. They won’t budge? Warn them once more, or offer the door. You’ve had the tough talk. You’ve explained why their inspo pic isn’t a fit and provided alternatives. But your client won’t budge. Reassert your reservations about the style. After that, you can either move forward or bow out. If you feel like your client is destined to be disappointed, or their hair may be damaged in the process, it’s okay to say you can’t move forward. While the potential business loss may sting, it’ll sting less than hurting your client or your reputation.

Bring those pies in the sky back to earth.Social media may create unrealistic hair expectations. But you, hair extraordinaire, can set them right. By explaining inspo pic limitations, talking through differences between the model and your client, and giving them alternative styles, you can help your clients see the hair Matrix for what it is. (Red pill, please!)

But your clients aren’t the only ones who deserve realistic expectations. You do, too. Barbers can get sued by their unhappy clients. But with WellnessPro Insurance, you can have protection against client confrontations that go south for as little as $159 a year.

Vagaro is taking its partnership with renowned barber and educator Phil Jarman to the next level, providing him with a complimentary MySite design and setup that seamlessly updates based on his Vagaro account settings. To ensure a smooth transition, Phil will also receive 1:1 coaching and white-glove service, helping him navigate the onboarding process with ease.

Phil expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating: “Vagaro is a turn key solution for all my needs as a business owner, barber and educator. The company embodies the definition of class; from the software itself, all the staff I’ve worked with, setting up my account, to any help and ongoing support needed. 

“This is by far the most amazing app for barber, hair, or beauty businesses and really takes the standards to another level. If you want your business to flourish, Vagaro will more than help with the process.”

Vagaro UK’s Managing Director, Jason Downes, highlighted Phil’s impact on the industry and the value of this partnership: “We have an established relationship with Phil, and have always admired the way he innovates & inspires via his global coaching programs, whilst still growing his own amazing barber business.

“With Phil consistently travelling, sharing wisdom (and humour) wherever he goes, having Vagaro by his side allows him to keep on top of his business anywhere in the world, across any time zone.”

Vagaro hopes this is just the beginning of a bigger collaboration—one that will continue to support Phil’s journey while showcasing how powerful Vagaro’s tools are for modern barbers and educators.