With a reputation as an industry powerhouse brand, Wahl Professional has outdone itself with the launch of the Vapor. With an early release taking place at LV Barber Expo and Barbercon Dallas, Ambassador Brittany Calzada tells us all about the brand-new tool.

The Vapor is the latest innovation from Wahl Professional, designed to elevate the grooming experience for both barbers and their clients. This tool merges advanced technology with Wahl’s trusted performance, aiming to provide the ultimate precision and comfort.

Proving to be a big hit before the tool even officially hits shelves, The Vapor completely sold out at the LV Barber Expo; and it’s no surprise as to why. Brittany told us:“With the Vapor, Wahl created an entirely new blade to work alongside the tool. The F32 Fade Out Blade has 32 fine ball-pointed teeth designed to glide over the skin and avoid snagging on pores. When closed, this then becomes a balding clipper which will in turn save you strain on your trimmer. The Vapor comes with a new high-speed brushless motor with adaptive speed control, allowing barbers to maintain complete power through all hair types.”

Brittany was one of the first to get her hands on the tool and test it ahead of the limited-edition release, so what did they think? Brittany told us:

“I immediately loved this clipper. I like how it fits in my hand and how the tool feels when cutting hair. With this clipper, I developed a new fading process that took my haircuts to the next level.

“Achieving a seamless fade is all about perfectly blending out that bald line. Because the Vapor has a balding blade and adjustable lever, it effortlessly smooths out the hard-to-blend lines allowing your fade to pop.”

One of the key components of the Vapor is the fact that its blades are made from high-quality stainless steel, precision-ground to stay sharp longer, delivering clean and precise cuts every time. Additionally, the tool offers adjustable taper control, allowing for versatile styling options from fades to sharp edges. On top of the quality, Brittany noted one of the other unique features:

“Usually, balding clippers don’t come with a lever, but the Vapor does! That will give you more range when blending that tricky bald line.”

“The research and development team works closely with barbers to see how to improve our innovation on tools. That’s what I love about Wahl,” Brittany enthused. “They don’t just give us the same clipper in a different housing. They take the time to create something new and game-changing.”

The Hair and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA) have recently made the exciting appointment of Director and Co-Owner of Matakki, Emma Curd, to their team.

Emma will be joining the team as an ambassador with a focus on standards, in addition to Matakki being a HABIA official working partner.

Joan Scott, CEO of HABIA, said: “HABIA focus on standards, Education, Excellence, and careers. We are delighted to welcome Emma as an ambassador, with a focus on standards. Her experience and professional status in addition to the Matakki brand values, alongside their focus on industry standards and practices, align with those of HABIA perfectly.

“We appreciate the work that James, Emma and the Matakki team undertake to support the industry and work with hair professionals, educators and learners to champion technical excellence and high industry standards. We are excited to partner with such an initiative-taking brand, who offer such excellence to the industry.”

“Habia are truly about high standards and technical excellence, and I am thrilled to assume an additional role alongside my roles at AHT and world skills, with the backing of the Matakki brand to achieve that,” Emma enthused. “Standards has been the core of my professional career, it does not matter what uniform I have worn or what title I have held, I have pursued excellence in all.

“At Matakki we continue to promote and support these values to elevate the hair and beauty industry and maintain the professional status it deserves. As a senior manager and Director with experience in varying sectors, it is my belief that structured and accredited training with assessment in any industry, provides better outcomes and safer working.

“I am incredibly lucky to be a part of the Matakki brand formed by my husband back in 2003. James is an authority on steel, an expert technician, and an outstanding marketeer. This combination of varied skills being at the centre of our brand, ensure a holistic business model.

“Collaborating with our amazing team internally, our global ambassadors and official partner salons, allows us to strive to promote safe, secure, and equitable working environments through accredited training from FE through to CPD for all.”

Emma’s career spans almost 25 years as a qualified and registered clinician, including roles as a senior manager, Treasurer at the RCN union in Yorkshire and Humber and active senior clinician, prescriber, and mentor in her field of expertise.

This experience means Emma holds valuable knowledge, and a skill set which includes key areas such as risk assessment, prevention of cross infection, health and safety in the workplace and ergonomics. This is unbelievably valuable to affecting change around industry standards for learners and employers.

Emma has been a respected lead in the NHS, managing both teams and services, and is an advocate of qualification and continuing professional development. Since 2016, Emma has transferred those skills into Matakki alongside her husband James Curd, founder of Matakki, whilst retaining her qualified and accredited clinical status to function as a resource around user health in both equipment, its maintenance, ergonomics and working environments.

Emma’s role as ambassador will see her supporting HABIA across the hair and beauty industry alongside other experts, to develop national occupational standards which are incremental to professional qualification.

Jude Taylor has been announced as the new brand ambassador for OSMO. The Newcastle upon Tyne stylist has swiftly rose to the top of the industry after kickstarting his career in 2019.

Starting his apprenticeship just before the pandemic, Jude’s dedication and passion saw him qualify with a Level 3 diploma in 2023. As a new ambassador for OSMO, Jude will be focusing his expertise on curly hair and vibrant colour creations.

“I’m very excited to share my passion and expertise to the wider OSMO Family,” June enthused. “Curly hair is a real love for me (even for my own curly hair!) and I already love working with the OSMO Curl Revival range in the salon with my clients, so it’ll be great to demonstrate my cutting style to my peers. I also love working with vibrant colours, and the OSMO Color Pyscho and OSMO IKON shades and bleaches really help me achieve standout looks for my clients. I’m really looking forward to sharing my enthusiasm and skills in this new role.”

“We caught Jude’s creativity at a show and were so impressed with his expertise and passion for our craft. We know Jude will bring energy and new technical creativity within the OSMO Family, and we’re all excited to be working with Jude,” said OSMO Senior Brand Manager, Sinéad McLaughlin.

Jude’s style is characterised by his super creative and alternative approach to hairdressing, often bending the traditional rules. He thrives on creating bold, unconventional colours that are rarely seen in everyday life, making his work stand out in a crowd.

Jude’s talent has not gone unnoticed within the industry. He has placed in the top 10 for three consecutive years in the apprenticeship category of the UK Hair and Beauty Awards, and more recently, he secured 7th place at the same awards for Stylist of the Year.

Jude also just won “Unique Colourist of the Year” in the North East Hair and Beauty Awards. One of Jude’s favourite aspects of his career is performing on stage. He collaborates with incredible creatives through electronics brand, Diva Pro Styling, and recently had the opportunity to showcase his skills at HairCon, an experience he cherishes.

BarberEVO UK columnist and industry icon Alan Beak has been appointed as the new Global Ambassador for Booksy, marking a significant milestone for both the platform and the barbering community.

Known for his precision, creativity, and passion for education, Alan’s partnership with Booksy positions him as a driving force in promoting innovation and digital solutions within the industry.

As Director and Co-Founder of RUGER., Alan has always been at the forefront of cutting-edge barbering techniques. His new role with Booksy will see him championing the integration of technology into barbershops worldwide.

Through this collaboration, Alan will play a pivotal role in showcasing how digital tools can streamline operations, enhance client experiences, and help barbers elevate their businesses to new heights.

“The impact that Booksy had on RUGER. was phenomenal because we were the only people in our area that were taking our bookings,” Alan explained. “Now your time is your money, and our time is our money, and we would have people come to the shop at 8 a.m. on a Saturday and sit there for 4 or 5 hours waiting. Now, we’ve respected their time, and they’ve respected ours just waited anyway. But having that streamline of clients knowing full well who you have in the chair all day made us much more professional.”

As Booksy expands globally, Alan Beak’s influence will undoubtedly strengthen its presence in the barbering industry, inspiring professionals to embrace modern solutions that maximize efficiency and customer engagement. His ambassadorship signals a bright future where artistry meets innovation, setting a new standard for the industry.

Wahl Professional, the leading and trusted brand in professional grooming and styling, announced today the launch of its latest innovation, the 5-Star Vapor™ featuring the New F32 Fadeout™ Blade, the industry’s first adjustable balding blade. Offering rapid precision and a powerful cut, the Vapor™ is designed for barbers to achieve picture perfect bald fades by comfortably transitioning from bald to fade around the scalp area. 

The Vapor will be a part of Wahl’s 5-Star line of products, which includes the two of the highest selling clippers globally, the 5-Star Magic Clip® and the 5-Star Senior®. These tools and cordless counterparts have become the most trusted, dependable clippers on a barber’s station, and the addition of the Vapor™ will further solidify Wahl Pro as the global leader in barbering.  

“The Vapor is the culmination of Wahl Pro’s world-class innovation and engineering. Vapor offers a unique solution to the tedious processes of cutting to scalp and blending bald fades,” said Lance Wahl, Global SVP of Sales & Marketing for Wahl Professional.

“Aside from sharper precision and improved control through new designs, The Vapor’s revolutionary adjusting balding blade will simplify and create a more comfortable experience for those in the chair and behind it.”  

The F32 Fadeout™ Blade has deeper, finer, and 50% more ball-pointed teeth that are six grams lighter than Wahl Pro’s standard blade, so it can move quickly and smoothly over pores, preventing nicks and scrapes. The high-carbon steel blades with PVD chrome and black DLC coatings keep the blades cool, are ultra-strong, rust resistant, and remain sharp up to four times longer compared to standard steel blades. For the closest cut, the F32 Fadeout™ Blade can be adjusted for zero gap.  

In addition to the new blade, the Vapor™ has more power without the weight. Its high-speed brushless motor with Adaptive Speed Control provides consistent power of 8000 RPMs through all hair types and textures, while only weighing 275g, for a lighter hold.

For more control, the Vapor™ has a rubberized no-slip grip material, and the new metal taper lever and housing are shaped to align with natural hand and finger placement for unmatched comfort.   

The Wahl Pro 5-Star Vapor™ is available for $199.99 on Wahl Pro’s official website. For more information, visit  Wahlpro.com and follow @Wahlpro on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. 

Andis^® Company proudly announces the launch of the Envy II Clippers, available in Standard or Premier edition options.

Essential to the Envy II Clippers is the all-new Phaze blade, an adjustable carbon-steel blade that transitions seamlessly from 0000 to 0A. This blade bridges the gap between fade and taper blends, offering unmatched versatility and precision.

Additionally, the Envy II Clippers’ perfectly balanced design reduces hand strain, ensuring effortless use during extended barbering sessions. The textured housing provides a secure grip, and innovative features ensure a smooth learning curve and professional-grade results, empowering the next generation of barbers.

The Envy II Clipper (standard) features a more powerful motor than the first-edition Envy Li Cordless Clipper, running at 6,500 SPM, with a lithium-ion battery for up to two hours of run time. The kit includes 11 attachment combs, providing a wide range of cut lengths for versatile styling options. 

For those seeking an extra touch of luxury, the Envy II Clipper Premier edition features elevated technology in elegant gold housing and includes a matching charging stand and six attachment combs, combining sophistication with practicality. The Envy II Premier Clipper features an even more powerful motor, running at 6,700 SPM, with a lithium-ion battery for up to two and a half hours of run time. The Phaze blade on the Premier edition also features a dynamic, 22-tooth ceramic cutter that runs cooler and stays sharper longer, enhancing durability and performance.

“The Envy II Clippers embody Andis Company’s commitment to innovation and improvement,” said Matt Andis, Co-CEO of Andis Company. “With unmatched versatility, inclusivity and performance, we are excited to see how both new and experienced barbers will benefit from these next-level tools.” 

The user-friendly design and precision capabilities of the Envy II Clippers set a new benchmark for professional grooming tools. New and seasoned barbers alike can elevate their skills with the innovation of the Envy II Clippers.

The Envy II Clipper (standard) is available here.

The Envy II Premier Clipper is available here.

For more information visit www.andis.com and follow them on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Rising for its encore; Uppercut Deluxe have launched a new iteration of their iconic Monster Hold pomade. Lurching and lumbering its way back to a full size tin took some time… and now that it’s finally arrived!

This titan features all the staying power you can expect from our beloved strong-hold pomade.

Monster Hold is a traditional wax-based pomade that remains re-workable throughout the day. An extra powerful, sweat resistant wax that was created especially for traditional or bolder styles requiring a little extra hold! A product that holds with weight, making it perfect to control your style all day long!

Being wax-based means Monster Hold won’t set; making it perfect for anyone that likes to restyle their look – so it won’t wash out with just water or sweat either.

Uppercut Deluxe teamed up with incredible Australian illustrator Ben Brown to bring their vision to life. Ben is best known for mashing counter-culture with topics surrounding the absurdity of life.

As a consumer of pop and junk culture from a young age – consisting of old movies, comics, books and their brash print styles designed to get your attention – this fostered the starting blocks which shaped Ben’s ongoing graphic influences and aesthetic.

An old-school rocker at heart; Ben has worked with a stable of music labels creating a plethora of album covers, band posters and tour posters. Throughout the years his illustrative work has also played contribution to the direction of brands, alongside filling out the pages of surf and skate publications with his imagery of loud, confrontational visuals.

A decade ago, Uppercut Deluxe commissioned Ben to develop the original ‘Frankie’ Monster Hold graphic – therefore we are proud to have him return for a timely resurrection of our latest iteration of the pomade in 2024.

Andis^® Company proudly announces the launch of its highly anticipated Black Label Collection. This exclusive lineup features the GTX-EXO^® Special-Edition Trimer with M-Force^™ technology and the Master Cordless^® Special-Edition Clipper with Phaze blade, setting new benchmarks in cutting performance and precision. 

The GTX-EXO^® Special-Edition Trimmer redefines cutting precision with its groundbreaking M-Force^™ magnetic tension system on its GTX-Z^® blade with a true zero gap. This patent-pending technology delivers consistent blade speed resulting in cooler, smoother and quieter cutting.

It also provides consistent magnetic tension across the entire blade for more power and cutting precision. The springless design decreases wear and tear on the motor and drive components for longer tool life, while allowing for faster blade removal and reassembly. Plus, the slimmer yoke design enhances visibility for an improved line of sight. 

“We continue to push the limits of cutting performance with M-Force^™ — the industry’s first and only magnetic blade tension system,” said Matt Andis, Co-CEO of Andis Company. “This evolution in technology allows us to deliver more power and precision, plus a cooler, quieter cutting experience from consistent magnetic tension across the upper and lower blades. M-Force^™ hits different.”

The Master Cordless^® Special-Edition Clipper with new Phaze blade bridges the gap between a Fade and Taper blade, offering unparalleled versatility and precision. This adjustable, carbon-steel blade with a dynamic 22-tooth cutter seamlessly transitions from 0000 to 0A, ensuring smoother blending during fading and tapering.

Built to withstand professional-grade daily use and all wrapped up in sleek, ultra-durable black label housing, the Master Black Label offers a powerful 6,500 SPM rotary motor, run time up to 1.5 hours, and Phaze blade with a true zero gap. The enhanced sound profile improves both barber and client experience, while the included Dual-Magnet OG Size 0 Comb provides added convenience and cutting versatility. 

The Black Label Collection is set to transform the barbering industry, serving as a testament to Andis Company’s continuous drive for innovation and excellence. The GTX-EXO^® Trimmer with M-Force^™ is available for pre-order here and the Master Cordless^® Clipper is available here. For more information visit www.andis.com and follow them on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Ne-Yo took to the stage in Birmingham for his headline slot at the BS3Live concert, and showcased the talents of award-winning barber, JJ Savani.

The renowned stylist, known for his precision and creativity, was responsible for creating the signature looks for Ne-Yo and other performers, to add an elevated style to the event. Ne-Yo took the stage with his trademark cool, sporting a traditional hot towel head shave and perfectly sculpted goatee.

JJ started by cleansing with the American Crew Foam Cleanser and finished with American Crew Moisturising Face Cream before beginning blade work to remove any excess hair. He then used the American Crew Ultra Glide Shave Oil around Neyo’s goatee to tidy up the shape before finishing with American Crew SPF15 Face Balm all over the face.

Terrence Green, star of Netflix’s popular Step Up series, wowed the crowd with a sleek and modern style. JJ delivered low and natural skin tapers, expertly retaining the C-cup shape-ups while keeping a natural-looking front shape-up.

The top of Green’s head was styled and shaped with freehand clipper work using STMNT Grooming Spray to shape the hair before applying STMNT Curl Cream to bring out and enhance Terrence’s natural curls and then dried using the Diva Pro Styling Tools Dryer with the diffuser attachment to set the product. Maintaining a balanced and dynamic finish that captured his energetic presence on stage. 

Pudge Tribbett, the acclaimed producer and lead musician, also received a fresh look from JJ Savani. Pudge debuted a full head shave paired with a freehand beard fade. Using enhancements to create a fuller, thicker beard, JJ delivered a commanding yet refined look that perfectly matched Tribbett’s powerful performance. 

JJ Savani’s masterful work at BS3Live not only highlighted his talent as an award-winning barber but also reinforced his reputation as a go-to stylist for A-List musicians.  

Rewind It 10, the revolutionary at-home hair color brand, is proud to announce its retail expansion into over 7,000 CVS stores nationwide.

From October 4th, 2024, consumers will be able to find Rewind It 10 products displayed across the shelves of CVS locations across the country, making professional-grade hair and beard coloring solutions more accessible than ever before. 

The brand made waves in the market following its launch in December 2023, where it was sold exclusively at Sally Beauty and Rewindit10.com. Rewind it 10 offers professional-grade, easy-to-use hair and beard coloring solutions enriched with high-quality ingredients, designed to empower individuals to redefine their style and feel confident in their own skin. T

o decrease the stigma surrounding men’s hair coloring, co-founders, rapper, Fat Joe, Carolyn Aronson and Jeff Aronson, have teamed up with a diverse range of renowned celebrities from various fields. These include NFL Tight End Travis Kelce, R&B singer/songwriter Tank, model Tyson Beckford, music mogul DJ Khaled, professional MMA fighter Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, singer Jencarlos Canela, tattoo artist/model/musician Kevin Creekman, and co-founder Fat Joe. 

“This expansion into CVS, one of the largest retailers in the U.S., is truly a massive milestone for a brand not even at its one-year mark. This retail partnership is one we are incredibly proud to announce and is a testament to the amazing success we’ve achieved so far,” said Jeff Aronson, co-founder of Rewind It 10. “Our mission has always been to redefine men’s grooming, making men more confident with their routines. With CVS behind us, we can now reach a wider audience and introduce them to our high-performing formulations.”

The product line was specifically designed to meet the needs of modern men who value convenience without compromising on quality. With a diverse range of shades and endorsements from high-profile celebrities, Rewind It 10 is the perfect choice for every man who is looking to achieve salon-quality results from the comfort of their home.

Rewind It 10 is currently available at Sally Beauty, Rewindit10.com, Amazon, and from October 4th, 2024, CVS locations across the US. For more information about Rewind It 10, please visit rewindit10.com.