Wahl Professional has expanded its powerful styling collection with the launch of the LimitedEdition Cool Blue Vanquish™ Dryer. The Vanquish™ has raised the bar for hair dryers, now stylists and barbers can experience the Vanquish in a colour as cool as it feels.

The Cool Blue design is the latest edition to an already stellar line up including: The Black Vanquish™ and Rose Gold Vanquish™ dryers, and the Vanquish™ Hair Dryer Stand.

Experience the Vanquish™ Difference:

• Speed Up Drying Time: FlowControl delivers consistent heat that dries hair evenly from root to tip.
• Keep Noise to a Minimum: SmoothTone™ motor system removes uncomfortable sound frequencies.
• No More Wrist Fatigue: Super-light design improves handling and reduces wrist fatigue when drying for long periods of time.
• Quick Drying Results: High-speed digital motor delivers exceptional air speed for quick drying results.
• Easy Maintenance: Auto-clean function keeps the filter clear of debris so you can keep the dryer working in top condition.
• Safe Styling: Premium magnetic attachments fit securely to the dryer for safe styling.

The Limited Edition Cool Blue Vanquish™, Black Vanquish™ and Rose Gold Vanquish™ are £149.99 each. The Vanquish™ Hair Dryer Stand is £29.99. All are available to purchase from wahl.co.uk.

The GTX-EXO II Trimmer just dropped—and it’s a game changer. Sharper hits. Cleaner lines. Less friction. More control. Straight out of the box. This isn’t a refresh. It’s a redesign, and it’s built to keep up with the way you work. 

Why You’ll Want This in Your Station 

M-Force Magnetic Tension System

Zero-gapped out of the box. No springs—just magnets for consistent blade tension andsharp, even corners. That means cleaner lines, smoother feel, and no extra setup. 

Lighter Body, More Control 

Andis redesigned the EXO housing to cut weight by 6% and increase airflow. The upgraded yoke helps prevent hair from getting caught—because nothing should slow you down mid-fade. 

Power Meets Endurance A high-speed brushless motor cranks out 7,200 SPM, and the upgraded Li-Ion battery keeps it running longer—20% more run time to be exact. Cord or cordless, this thing doesn’t quit. 

Sleek New Look 

Choose between two bold looks: 

Black Chrome – sleek and professional (U.S. only)

Gold Housing – stand out with flair (EU/UK only)

Premium Charging Stand 

Because your tools should look as sharp as your cuts. Keeps your trimmer ready and on display. 

From the Chair 

Global Educator Sean Casey says it best: “Out of the box, it’s already dialed in. Sharp, but not aggressive. I can use it on kids, sensitive skin—any client. Andis is listening. They’re not just building tools. They’re building for the next generation.” 

Get Ready The GTX-EXO II just landed—and it’s built for barbers who want speed, precision, and performance without the guesswork. Follow @andisclippers and @barberevo for first looks. 

For over 25 years, OSMO has been at the forefront of professional haircare, empowering stylists, barbers, and consumers with high-performance products that encourage fearless self-expression. Now, OSMO has unveiled a bold new look and an expanded range of innovative products designed to meet the evolving needs of the industry.

For blowouts that last longer and holidays that shouldn’t end in frazzled hair, the new OSMO Travel Size range will keep hair looking salon-finished – from the hairdresser’s chair to the beach cabana.

Eight iconic OSMO shampoos and conditioners have been reimagined into sleek, travel-ready essentials and post-salon saviours. Whether you are jet-setting or simply need a quick refresh, these products ensure your hair stays effortlessly chic, wherever you are.

Same beloved formulas – now in a more convenient package. Introducing the OSMO Cult Classics – now travel-sized:

• OSMO Deep Moisture Hydrating Shampoo (100ml, £4.80)
• OSMO Deep Moisture Hydrating Conditioner (75ml, £4.80)
• OSMO Deep Moisture Intensive Repair Mask (75ml, £4.80)
• OSMO Scalp Therapy Detoxify Shampoo (100ml, £4.80)
• OSMO Super Silver No Yellow Shampoo (100ml, £4.80)
• OSMO Super Silver No Yellow Mask (75ml, £4.80)
• OSMO Super Ice Brightening Shampoo (100ml, £4.80)
• OSMO Super Ice Brightening Mask (75ml, £4.80)

Elevating your hair game whether you’re beach-bound or city-hopping, the new OSMO travel range is your pocket-sized pal.Your best hair days are just a (small) bottle away!

OSMO is available from hair salons nationwide and can now also be bought online at www.osmohair.co.uk

In a continued show of support for Plastic Free July, salon software leader Phorest returned to Bull Island, Dublin recently for its annual beach cleanup in partnership with Clean Coasts, joining forces with industry friends, salon customers, and the Phorest team to help protect and preserve Ireland’s stunning coastline.

The initiative, now in its second year, forms part of Phorest’s wider commitment to environmental sustainability and community action. With plastic pollution continuing to threaten marine life and the natural beauty of Ireland’s beaches, the event was a meaningful way for the hair and beauty industry to take collective, hands-on action.

Phorest teamed up once again with Clean Coasts, the nationwide programme dedicated to protecting Ireland’s waterways, seas, and shorelines. Their expert support ensured a safe and impactful cleanup that cleared litter from the Bull Island beach and surrounding dunes, while also educating participants on the impact of plastic waste and the steps individuals and businesses can take to reduce it.

Employees from Phorest’s Dublin HQ were joined by local salon clients and partners from across the industry, demonstrating the power of community and shared values in driving positive change. Whether sweeping the sand for microplastics or collecting larger debris from the shoreline, the group’s efforts contributed to a cleaner, safer coastal environment for all.

The day also reflected Phorest’s broader sustainability mission, which includes reducing waste through its software features (such as digital consultation forms and receipts), supporting circular economies via its partnership with Green Salon Collective and the Green Fee, and offsetting its own emissions through tree-planting and carbon-neutral initiatives.

Plastic Free July continues to serve as a valuable reminder of the small, tangible steps we can all take, whether as individuals, teams, or businesses, to protect the planet. Phorest extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined the cleanup and remains committed to creating a more sustainable future, one initiative at a time.

The Denman partnership with Plastic Bank® has reached a massive milestone and so far, has prevented over 8.5 million plastic bottles and 170 thousand kilograms of plastic reaching the worlds waterways and oceans. The partnership is now in its third year, and the results speak for themselves.

Plastic Bank® is an incredible organisation that builds ethical recycling ecosystems in coastal communities and reprocesses the materials for reintroduction into the global supply chain as Social Plastic®. Collectors receive credits for the materials they collect which can be redeemed against family necessities such as groceries, cooking fuel, school tuition, and health insurance.

Plastic Bank’s blockchain platform secures the entire transaction and provides real-time data which means that Denman can see a snapshot of just how many people and communities around the world have been positively impacted by the partnership (over 1000 people and 83 communities and counting).

Denman Professional CEO, Kevin McNamee, said: “The Plastic Bank partnership is pivotal to our CSR strategy and the work they do makes a material difference to the communities in their programme. This is a fantastic milestone, but the work goes on and so does our support.”

Thanks to their radical transparency and traceability Denman knows just who and where their support is being felt. The image above shows a beach in Bali where bottles are being collected by Kinten, a member of the Plastic Bank® collection community. Sadly, Kinten’s husband passed away in January 2010 and left her with their two children.

As a single mother, Kinten has to work hard to support her children. Kinten collects plastic from her neighbours, the village post office, temples and beaches. She can collect 400 kgs every week! Since joining Plastic Bank® in 2019, she receives extra cash and other life-improving benefits. The extra income truly helps her to provide daily needs and to support her children.

Plastic Bank | The global bottle deposit program

The countdown is officially on for the most glamorous night in the Scottish hair and beauty calendar—SHABA 2025.

Set to return to the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Hotel, Glasgow, on Sunday, 24th August 2025, SHABA promises another show-stopping, sell-out evening celebrating the very best in the industry.

Presented by industry icons Josie Smith and Simon Shaw, this year’s event is shaping up to be one of the most unforgettable yet. With the SHABA team working tirelessly behind the scenes, guests can expect a night full of style, celebration, and some very special surprises.

Adding to the glamour, red carpet royalty Falon Carberry and Justin Mackland will be on hand to interview guests as they arrive—so dress to impress!

SHABA Founder, Joanne Reid, said: “We are thrilled to welcome back Fresha as our headline sponsor for SHABA 2025, along with incredible support from our partners: OSMO, Remi Cachet, Hair and Beauty World, Wahl Professional, Tan Truth, KAO, and Crazy Angel. Their continued belief in the vision of SHABA helps us create an unforgettable platformfor excellence in hair and beauty.

“As always, our esteemed panel of judges will be in attendance, making SHABA 2025 the perfect opportunity to network, celebrate, and honour the exceptional talent across Scotland’s thriving hair, beauty, and barbering community.”

With just a few tables and tickets remaining, those wishing to be part of this night are encouraged to book now via the SHABA official website: www.scottishhairandbeautyawards.com

Whether you’re a finalist, sponsor, industry legend, or supporter,SHABA 2025 is the place to be.

Manchester barbershop, Jefe’s Barbers, has supported dozens of local graduates this summer, giving young people a much-needed confidence boost as they take their first steps into working life.

In a world where small businesses are being stretched in every direction, one Manchester barber is using his chair to make a difference — not just in how people look, but how they feel.

Jefe, owner of Jefe’s Barbers in Manchester city centre, is building more than a business. From offering £5 cuts to support men’s mental health, to ‘pay what you can’ appointments during the tough post-Christmas months, to free graduate cuts this summer, his shop has quietly become a space where community and care come first.

Most recently, Jefe’s Barbers offered free haircuts to university leavers, running the initiative in July from their Manchester city centre shop. Graduates were invited to book in for a complimentary cut ahead of interviews, placements, and first jobs — and the response was overwhelmingly positive. The team was fully booked with students, and for many, it was more than just a haircut.

It was a much-needed confidence boost at a pivotal moment. Jefe and his team created a welcoming space where students could talk, reset, and leave feeling like their best selves, ready to take on whatever comes next.

The offer arrived at a time when new graduates are facing an increasingly harsh financial reality. According to the Student Loans Company (2025), the total higher education loan balance in England has soared from £54.4 billion in 2013–14 to £266.6 billion by the end of 2024–25 — a £30.4 billion increase (12.9%) in just one year. Statista reports that the average graduate now leaves university owing around £53,000, making the burden of student debt heavier than ever.

The idea came from owner Jefe, who wanted to do something practical to support young people facing the pressure of job hunting and rising costs.

“Graduating should feel exciting, but so many students are leaving uni with huge debts and an uncertain job market,” he said. “We can’t fix that, but we can offer a sharp haircut, a confidence boost, and a friendly space.”

The initiative also highlighted Jefe’s commitment to using smart tech to help make small businesses more efficient, resilient and community-focused. Having built his own zero-fee booking app, UrJefe, Jefe was able to streamline operations, reduce admin and no-shows, and free up time and resources to reinvest into the community. Designed specifically with barbers in mind, the UrJefe platform manages appointments, cancellations and client preferences all in one place, giving barbers more control and less hassle.

“I built the app because I was tired of giving up a chunk of my income to third-party platforms,” Jefe explained. “I wanted a system that worked for me, and now it does. But it also gave me the flexibility to do things like this. To help people. To give something back.”

While this exact initiative was a first, it’s far from the only time Jefe has used his expertise to support others. In the past, he’s offered £5 haircuts to support men’s mental health and ran a ‘pay what you can’ scheme during January — a notoriously tough month financially for many.

“I’ll definitely be doing it again in September,” he added. “I think it’ll be a great way to reach out to students who are at the very beginning of their journey — new city, new routines, new friends and maybe not much money. A good haircut can go a long way.”

With the Oasis brothers touring the UK, demand has risen for the Gallagher-inspired haircut.

Nestor Sanchez from HOB Academy details how to get the look:

1. Section the top away from the sides and back with a rectangular section from the crown to the recession area.

2. Overdirect the side sections up towards the parietal ridge and cut to the desired length.
Tip: This will remove internal weight, flattening the sides and keeping a softer, longer edge this cut is known for.

3. Divide the back area with a horizontal section from ear to ear to just above the occipital bone. Start with the first section just behind the ear using a square cutting angle and work towards the centre with no over-direction to build a lighter, flatter shape whilst keeping the perimeter of the hair long. Cross-check and repeat on the opposite side.

4. Connect the top area to the bottom section working exactly the same way. If hair is thicker, ignore your guide and introduce a new guide about 1 inch longer than the bottom area, ready to be personalised at the end.

5. On the top section, take a profile section down the centre that travels from the crown to the front hairline and cut using a square cutting angle. Using your guide at the crown, work with horizontal sections creating a square shape through to the front.
Tip: The creation of corners on the roundness of the hair that overlap the hair on the sides will be a very important part of the aesthetic of the look, adding flatness and texture simultaneously.

6. Blow-dry the hair and straighten with irons, then soften the internal shape with your texturising scissors and feather razor to adjust the length and look of the perimeter.

7. Rub a matte finishing product through the hair, working it through the fringe, sideburns, and back to create texture and a longer-lasting finish.

Hair by HOB Academy Artistic Team
Photographer: Richard Miles

Get your copy here!

Summer is in full swing – and so is the latest edition of BarberEVO UK. Packed with sun, style, and sharp ideas, Issue 51 brings the season’s boldest innovations, industry insights, and barbershop brilliance straight to your chair. This edition is all about evolution, expansion, and energy – and trust us, you don’t want to miss it. 

THE COVER: 
On the cover this issue is one of the striking collections fresh from our latest UK Roadshow – a powerful snapshot of talent, texture, and next-gen creativity on full display. 

IN THE CHAIR & ONE 2 WATCH: 
This edition, we get In the Chair with Charles Rose – owner of Crate Cheshire, and ambassador for both Matakki and STMNT. Charles shares his journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most respected names in the game. Our One 2 Watch is rising star Kostas Mourgelas, Fox Barbers owner and SB Barbering Academy alum, fresh off the stage from our Roadshow in Newcastle. 

EDUCATION: 
From the future-forward ethos of Tomorrow Education, to Wahl’s revamped course lineup and Novo Cabelo’s tailored training approach, this issue is packed with progressive education insights. We also spotlight leading brands like Gamma+, Lovemore, and OSMO, all raising the bar in learning and development. 

INTERIORS: 
Pushing the boundaries of modern barbering, we take you inside two standout spaces: HAUS and Ex Studio – where design meets disruption, and style is always on point. 

BUSINESS: 
On the business side, we go Behind the Brand with heritage grooming legends PASHANA, hear from columnist Mark Maciver, and dive into the new-age business blueprint with UNDERFOUND. Plus, we unpack everything from retail to tech that’s helping barbershops scale smarter. 

GROOMING: 
This issue’s grooming game is strong – with features on Morgan Jones, an inside look at James Beaumont’s evolving approach, and a deep dive with Arturo in Kingston and the team behind the booming grooming brand Vines Vintage. 

All this and so much more in BarberEVO UK Issue 51 – the ultimate guide to making this summer your sharpest one yet. 

Don’t miss it. 

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