Three of the industry’s hottest names have launched a new mentoring membership program, creating a one stop shop for community support and business mentoring.

Mentored By Menspire (@mentoredbymenspire) brings together Chris Foster, Josh Lamonaca and Samuel Palmer to give barbers around the world direct access to the best advice, training and mentoring designed to grow business knowledge, technical skill and networking opportunities.

The first bi-lingual platform of its kind, the three industry icons will share their knowledge and expertise across every discipline they specialise in, all available through a single yearly membership that gives exclusive access to content, networking and weekly mentoring sessions.

Global educator and Men’s Hairdresser of the Year Josh focuses on cutting, styling and finishing skills, and putting together photo shoots for barbers looking to grow every skill.

“This isn’t a one-off masterclass or a single course,” said Josh. “It’s an ongoing community, so barbers can keep coming back to it as they grow, not just take one thing away and move on. We have always had a community but this will bring everyone together to support the industry for the future.”

Entrepreneur Samuel addresses the commercial side of the trade, including pricing, client retention and building a sustainable career, while award-winning barber Chris specialises in profile building, covering personal brand, social presence and reputation, helping barbers become known for their work rather than relying on it to speak for itself.

“There’s never been anywhere where barbers could go to learn from more than one mentor at this level, in one place,” said Chris. “We’ve each built our own name doing things differently, and that’s exactly why we wanted to bring it all together and share it with the industry.

“Mentored by Menspire has been years in the making and we are excited to work with a community of barbers.”

The trio describes the platform as something they wished they had had early in their careers, a program designed for barbers at every stage, from those just starting out to established names looking to grow.

“Our aim is to raise standards and expertise within the barbering industry, creating an international community where barbers can support one another, share their own inspirations and become the best barbers and barbershop owners they possibly can,” said Samuel.

Mentored By Menspire is available via a dedicated Menspire App and at mentoredbymenspire.com.

The Professional Beauty Association is inviting licensed barbers and beauty professionals to showcase their technical skill and artistic vision in one of the industry’s most prestigious competitions.

Entries are now open for the Professional Beauty Association’s North American Hairstyling Awards (PBA NAHA) 2027, giving licensed professionals—including barbers—the opportunity to have their work recognized on an international stage.

For nearly four decades, PBA NAHA has celebrated artists whose creativity, technical excellence and innovation help shape the professional beauty industry. The annual competition recognizes collections that challenge convention, demonstrate exceptional craftsmanship and offer a glimpse into the future of hair and grooming.

Barbering remains an important part of that creative landscape. From precision cutting and detailed fading to styling, texture work and bold editorial concepts, the competition offers barbers an opportunity to demonstrate the breadth of their craft beyond the barbershop chair.

This wider representation is also reflected in PBA NAHA’s refined logo. While respecting the competition’s long history, the updated identity moves beyond its traditional association with hairdressing to represent the full range of artists celebrated today—including those working across barbering, hair, makeup and nails.

“Every year, PBA NAHA reminds us that creativity is one of the most powerful forces shaping our industry,” said Leslie Perry, CEO of the Professional Beauty Association. “These artists don’t just create beautiful work. They challenge techniques, influence trends, and inspire what’s possible for the profession.

“As PBA NAHA continues to evolve alongside the industry, we’re proud to recognize all the extraordinary talent that makes professional beauty so dynamic.”

The 2027 competition will also see the return of Nail Professional of the Year for the first time since 2020, further expanding the disciplines represented by the awards.

Entries are open to non-members until October 13, 2026. PBA members receive an extended deadline and can submit their collections until November 12, 2026.

Finalists will be announced at Premiere Anaheim on February 7, 2027. The winners will then be revealed live at PBA NAHA 2027 on June 6, held alongside Premiere Orlando.

Barbers and other licensed professionals are invited to submit collections that best demonstrate their creativity, technical ability and individual artistic vision.

For competition rules, eligibility requirements, category descriptions and entry details, visit probeauty.org/NAHA.

Renowned international session stylist, Richard Phillipart chooses sustainable styling brand to create 48 unique looks celebrating natural texture and individuality

Mane Origin officially announced its arrival on the global grooming stage by making its backstage debut at visionary designer Colm Dillane’s highly anticipated KidSuper Spring/Summer 2027 runway show in Miami, staged as part of the FIFA World Cup celebrations.

Richard Phillipart, hair lead, selected Mane Origin’s styling collection to create 48 completely individual looks that embraced each model’s natural texture while delivering a fresh, lived-in finish worthy of both the runway and the football pitch.

Presented at Nu Stadium, in association with FIFA, the show, titled Resenha, took its name from the Brazilian expression describing the conversations, stories, friendships and moments of connection that happen around football rather than the match itself. Bringing together fashion, football, music and creativity, the show celebrated the spirit of international unity, with each of the 48 looks representing one of the competing nations while showcasing the diversity, culture and individuality that make the global game so powerful.

Setting the tone for the evening, Austin Millz opened the show with a live pre-show performance before guests experienced one of the season’s most talked-about runways. Walking in the show was UK DJ Barry Can’t Swim, followed by a highly anticipated closing set from Sean Paul.

Rather than creating a uniform look, Phillipart celebrated individuality, ensuring every hairstyle reflected the personality, movement and identity of the wearer while remaining connected through a single creative vision. He said:

“For the looks at this season’s KidSuper show I was inspired by the collection’s vision to include the 48 countries of the World Cup. With each look representing a country, I wanted to echo this in the hair looks.

“Each of the 48 models had separate hair looks that celebrated and featured the natural movement and texture of their hair. Embracing the idea that each model had just played football, showered and then walked out to the pitch wearing their country’s look, I purposely gave each model’s hair a ‘damp’ effect without allowing the hair to appear wet or flat.

“Looks included shaved heads, daring mullets and long flowing hair alongside intricate braiding and locs. No two looks matched, but they were all perfectly in tune with each other.”

The backstage debut introduced Mane Origin to the international fashion industry through one of the season’s most talked-about shows while demonstrating that high-performance styling and environmental responsibility can work hand in hand.

Founded by Beth Gowland and James Taylor, Mane Origin was created for those who refuse to compromise between exceptional styling performance and protecting the planet. Built around premium formulations and sustainable innovation, every product has been developed to deliver professional results while reducing environmental impact.

Launching with a curated collection of essential styling products, the range includes Matte Clay, Matte Hair Spray, Deluxe Hair Pomade and Sea Salt Spray. Each formula is sulphate-free, paraben-free and cruelty-free, while every product is packaged without a single trace of plastic.

Sustainability sits at the heart of the brand. Through its partnership with Treeapp, Mane Origin plants one tree for every ten products sold, while the forthcoming Mane Origin Foundation will support environmental initiatives alongside projects focused on men’s mental health and wellbeing.

Following its runway debut in Miami, the complete Mane Origin styling collection is now available from £18.99/$26.00, offering professional-quality styling solutions for every hair type and finish without compromising on sustainability.

For more information visit www.maneorigin.com

Instagram: @mane.origin

fter challenging the shampoo category with the launch of The Wash, Highland is turning its attention to what comes next: conditioner. Currently live The Condish is a lightweight, high-performance conditioner designed to nourish hair and scalp health without relying on the silicones, synthetic fragrances, sulfates, and harsh preservatives commonly found in traditional formulas. 

Created alongside word-class hair professionals, organic chemists, and natural cosmetic producers, The Condish was developed to solve a longstanding problem in haircare: conditioners that either prioritize cosmetic shortcuts or sacrifice performance in the name of clean beauty. 

Instead of coating strands with synthetic ingredients that create the illusion of moisture, The Condish utilizes clinically backed botanicals and proteins that help hydrate, strengthen, detangle, reduce frizz, and support healthier hair over time. 

Key ingredients include:

• Amazonian Babassu Oil to deeply soften without weighing hair down

• Capuacu Seed Butter for lightweight hydration and silky texture

• Hydrolyzed Jojoba Protein to strengthen and support long-term hair health

• Aquaxyl™ to boost moisture retention

• Caffeine to support a healthy scalp environment and promote fuller-looking hair

Suitable for all hair types and color-safe, The Condish delivers salon-quality performance while remaining free from sulfates, parabens, silicones, gluten, synthetic fragrances, and unnecessary fillers. Infused with notes of Siberian Fir and Rosemary, the formula offers a refreshing, nature-inspired experience that leaves hair feeling balanced, hydrated and effortlessly manageable. The Condish is $36 on Highland.style

On May 30, 2026, during Premiere Orlando, one of the beauty industry’s largest professional events, Booksy welcomed barbers, hairstylists, creators, educators, and industry leaders to its annual brand party, an evening dedicated to celebrating the people shaping the future of beauty and barbering.

Booksy’s Big Top Event hosted guests in a vibrant, circus-inspired venue with thoughtfully curated activations including custom fragrance experiences, a caviar bar, and photo booths. More than a party, the event brought together professionals from across the country for a night of connection, conversation, and community, while highlighting a growing industry shift. Today’s beauty and barber professionals are increasingly operating as entrepreneurs, educators, content creators, and personal brands, in addition to providing services behind the chair. While technology continues to transform business operations, beauty services and barbering remain fundamentally a human profession built on trust, creativity, confidence, and connection.

The event served as a platform to showcase how technology can support—not replace—the professionals driving the industry forward. In 2025 alone, Booksy powered more than 215 million appointments and helped providers save an estimated 7.7 million hours annually through automated scheduling, payments, marketing, and business management tools.

“At a time when AI and automation dominate conversations across industries, beauty and barbering continue to prove that human relationships remain at the center of exceptional experiences,” says Gus Murillo, Director, Global Creative & Community at Booksy. “Technology can simplify operations, but it can never replace the creativity, culture, and personal connections that professionals create with their clients every day.”

Beyond efficiency, attendees discussed how those time savings translate into opportunities for growth, education, creativity, and personal well-being.

The evening also highlighted the stories of several Booksy ambassadors whose careers reflect the changing landscape of modern beauty and barbering:

• Joel Torres, an internationally recognized hairstylist and educator, shared how simplifying business operations has allowed him to focus on traveling, teaching, and inspiring professionals around the world.
• Timmel Horne discussed his journey from managing appointments through direct messages and phone calls to building a business that extends beyond barbering into podcasting, education, and personal brand development.
• Lonnie Horne spoke about leveraging technology to create operational consistency, enabling him to pursue additional entrepreneurial ventures while continuing to grow his influence within the industry.
• Mr. Official, a respected figure in barber culture, reflected on the evolution of barbering from traditional shop management to modern entrepreneurship, while maintaining the strong sense of identity and community that has always defined the profession.

As the industry continues to evolve, Booksy remains focused on helping professionals spend less time managing administrative tasks and more time building businesses, careers, and communities.

“Behind every appointment is a real person, a real relationship, and a real story,” added Murillo. “The conversations throughout the evening reinforced that the future of beauty isn’t less human—it’s more intentional, more connected, and more empowering for the professionals who make this industry what it is.”

Download the Booksy Biz mobile app for free or visit booksy.info/learn-more to learn more.

This Father’s Day, BEVEL is doing what it’s always done, showing up for Black men in an unforgettable way.

Meet soccer-enthusiasts and Influencers, Obi Uchendu and his son Tobenna Uchendu (nicknamed “Starboyy”), the father and son duo at the center of BEVEL’s newest Faces of Atlanta’s campaign, and BEVEL’s guests to the 2026 FIFA Word Cup game on Father’s Day! 

At a moment when the world’s eyes are on Atlanta, BEVEL turns its lens on the people who make the city what it is, celebrating the individuality, cultural pride, and distinct style of its Black community — not as a trend, as a commitment.

The new BEVEL Faces of Atlanta campaign launches on June 9th, 2026 and showcases the love of soccer passed down from father to son. Coached by his Dad Obi, Tobenna’s drill routines have routinely gone viral on Instagram, and Obi shares what grooming means to a father raising the world’s next soccer prodigy.

Obi first discovered BEVEL at his barbershop and immediately felt recognition. He felt the brand spoke to him and understood what it meant to take pride in your appearance and your culture. A grooming brand he felt he could pass down to his son. In the Atlanta-shot campaign, Obi shares the impactful mantra instilled in him by his mother: “Look the way you want to be addressed.” It’s a lesson he carries with him every day, and one he’s passing down to Tobenna as he begins to earn recognition of his own. “It felt good to see a brand that culturally represented me and my son,” Obi shared.

BEVEL revolutionized the standards of men’s grooming and personal care products and is renowned for creating premium products that cater to Black men and men of color with curly/coily textured hair and melanin-rich skin. BEVEL continues to uplift and empowering Black men and their experiences, recognizes that grooming is an essential part of every man’s self-care, confidence, mental health. Engineered for the best, by the best, with same precision that separates a good athlete from a world-class one, separates BEVEL from every other grooming brand on the shelf. BEVEL understands what elite performance requires a complete grooming that’s built for you, not adapted for you. BEVEL products instill confidence in men that lasts beyond the field, and to every walk of life. The campaign amplifies the importance of self-care for men who seek to perform at their best in every area of their life, and trust BEVEL products.

On Father’s Day, June 21, Obi and Tobenna will take their seats at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta as guests of BEVEL to watch Spain v Saudi Arabia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A journey that began with backyard drills and a father’s belief, culminating in a once-in-a-lifetime experience neither of them will ever forget. The kind of moment BEVEL was made to celebrate.

Royal Kapper LLC, a Florida-based grooming products company, announced the expansion of its distribution network for a premium professional clipper care spray crafted without harsh chemicals.

As the global barbering industry continues to grow, professionals are demanding products that deliver exceptional performance while reflecting the elevated standards of today’s modern barbershop. Royal Kapper was developed to meet that demand with a premium formula that helps cool, clean, lubricate, and protect professional grooming tools while supporting daily maintenance routines.

Proudly Made in the USA and developed by an in-house chemist, Royal Kapper represents a new generation of professional clipper care products focused on quality, performance, and craftsmanship. The formula was designed to deliver professional-grade maintenance while being crafted without harsh chemicals, offering barbers a premium alternative for the care of their clippers, trimmers, and shavers.

“Barbers invest heavily in their tools, and proper maintenance is essential to performance and longevity. Royal Kapper was created to deliver a premium clipper care solution that professionals can trust every day.”

Designed For Professional Use

Royal Kapper Clipper Care Spray is engineered for use on professional clippers, trimmers, and shavers.

The formula helps:

• Cool blades during operation
• Remove hair and debris
• Lubricate moving components
• Help protect metal surfaces from

Available in two premium scent profiles, Cherry Bourbon and Unscented, Royal Kapper is stocked in 15.5oz aerosol cans.

Expanding Across Professional Barber Channels

Royal Kapper continues to expand its presence through professional barber supply distributors, grooming retailers, educational institutions, and industry partners throughout North America and international markets. The company remains focused on building long-term partnerships that support the growth of professional barbering worldwide.

CT Barber Expo 2026

Royal Kapper exhibited at CT Barber Expo 2026, one of the premier barbering events in North America. The event provided barbers, educators, distributors, and retailers the opportunity to experience the product firsthand and learn more about wholesale, distribution, and partnership opportunities.

About Royal Kapper LLC

Royal Kapper LLC is a Florida-based consumer goods company focused on developing premium grooming and barbering products for professional use. Proudly Made in the USA, the company develops products designed to support the performance, maintenance, and longevity of professional grooming tools. Royal Kapper’s flagship Clipper Care Spray is crafted without harsh chemicals and designed specifically for professional barbering environments.

As Father’s Day gifting shifts away from novelty and towards meaningful luxury, heritage British brand Kent Brushes is championing a return to craftsmanship, ritual and longevity with its Father’s Day 2026 Gift Guide.

Established in 1777, Kent Brushes has spent nearly 250 years creating grooming essentials that quietly become part of everyday life, from handcrafted hairbrushes and combs to beard brushes and traditional shaving accessories.

At a time when consumers are increasingly seeking authenticity, quality and products built to last, Kent’s collection taps directly into the growing appetite for heritage-led self-care and elevated daily rituals.

“Men’s grooming is no longer trend-driven alone,” said Zoe Cosby at Kent Brushes. “There’s a growing appreciation for products that feel timeless, functional and personal, pieces that become part of someone’s routine for years, even decades.”

The New Luxury? Everyday Essentials Done Properly

This Father’s Day, Kent Brushes spotlights grooming tools that combine traditional craftsmanship with modern performance:

• Military brushes crafted from natural wood and bristle blends for healthy, polished hair.
• Handmade combs designed to glide effortlessly through the hair
• Beard brushes and grooming sets for modern grooming rituals
• Traditional shaving brushes handcrafted using techniques refined over centuries
• Curated gift sets offering elevated, effortless gifting solutions

Among the standout launches is the LPF3 Pure Flow Military Brush, a sleek, contemporary interpretation of Kent’s iconic military brush design, created for everyday hair and beard grooming.

Other hero products include the gym-bag-ready AH11G, the shine-enhancing PF10, and the luxurious handmade MHN2T, crafted in Kent’s UK factory using traditional methods, and the incredible cashmere clothes brush.

Grooming Gifts That Carry Meaning

Unlike disposable gifting trends, Kent Brushes products are designed to last, often becoming sentimental pieces passed down between generations. From the pocket comb carried daily for years to the shaving brush that transforms routine into ritual, the brand’s products speak to a quieter, more enduring form of luxury.

“Good grooming tools don’t just look beautiful – they become familiar, reliable and personal.”

Heritage Craftsmanship Since 1777

Holding a Royal Warrant across nine consecutive reigns, Kent Brushes remains one of Britain’s most iconic grooming brands, continuing to manufacture many of its products in the UK using time-honoured techniques and the finest materials.

With Father’s Day 2026 expected to see continued demand for practical luxury and heritage gifting, Kent Brushes positions itself firmly at the intersection of tradition, craftsmanship and modern grooming culture.

Booksy, the go-to booking, management, and discovery app for barbers and beauty professionals globally, is excited to announce the launch of the “Icons of Dallas” out-of-home campaign. As a part of this community-led marketing campaign, Booksy will award free billboard advertising space to 20 local beauty and barbering professionals throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area to promote their businesses and generate visibility, potentially reaching 80,000 impressions. Submissions open May 25 and run through June 7 via the contest website.

Designed to spotlight local beauty and barbering professionals, the campaign will provide selected participants with a full creative package, including a professional brand photoshoot, custom billboard design services, and professionally edited photo selects. Each billboard will also direct potential clients to book featured professionals directly through the Booksy app.

“Many local beauty professionals don’t often have access to marketing opportunities of this scale, and Booksy wants to help amplify their businesses,” said Gus Murillo, Director, Global Creative & Community at Booksy. “Our community of beauty professionals and barbers is at the center of everything we do, and this campaign is another way for us to celebrate their talent while supporting their growth.”

To be eligible, entrants must either already be a Booksy provider or create a Booksy account during the application period. Applications open May 25 via the contest website.

The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) has welcomed the Government’s new crackdown on organized crime operating through high street businesses, while warning that enforcement must be intelligence-led and must not unfairly stigmatize legitimate barbershops, salons, beauty businesses and clinics.

The Home Office has announced a major package targeting rogue businesses linked to money laundering, tax evasion and illegal working, including a new High Street Organised Crime Unit to coordinate action across law enforcement, Trading Standards and Government departments.

The NHBF said action is urgently needed to protect responsible high street businesses that pay their taxes, follow the rules, invest in staff and maintain safe, professional standards.

The NHBF is calling for a level playing field and fairer regulation across hair, beauty, barbering and aesthetics. 

It has worked closely with the Government as it campaigns for stronger enforcement against tax evasion, illegal working and non-compliance, alongside intelligence-led action that targets criminal activity without damaging the reputation of legitimate businesses or the sector as a whole. 

The latest NHBF State of the Sector survey highlights the scale of the challenge. Published in February 2026 and based on 423 responses, it found that many businesses were working hard with little financial room to spare. Among respondents, 51.5% said trade was steady rather than strong, 30.3% reported that business was quiet or very quiet and 54.8% said they were either just breaking even or already operating at a loss.

The same survey found that fair competition and enforcement are major concerns for the sector, including within barbering. Respondents reported that suspicious activity and wider non-compliance can create unfair competition and reputational harm for legitimate businesses. 

The NHBF has said it will continue to press for enforcement that targets non-compliance and criminal behaviour while protecting legitimate operators from being caught up in damaging generalisations.

Darran Gould, NHBF board member and owner of Gould Barbers, said:

“Legitimate barbershops, salons and beauty businesses are the backbone of high streets across the UK. They pay their taxes, train apprentices, follow health and safety rules and support their local communities.”

Legitimate businesses simply cannot compete with illegitimate businesses They should not have to compete with rogue operators who ignore the rules, evade tax, exploit workers or use high street premises as cover for criminal activity.”

This crackdown will also protect the public.  Hair & beauty professionals are highly trained not just in their craft but compliant in health and safety with rigorous hygiene standards as well as being fully insured. UK clients deserve the right to know that they are entering a fully compliant barbershop or salon, feeing totally safe and comfortable. What the Government has just announced is a real step forward. Let’s hope this is the start of a level playing field.”

The NHBF’s survey also found that the biggest cost pressures facing businesses were National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage increases, employer National Insurance Contributions and energy prices. 

The NHBF said the announcement should be part of a wider strategy to support high streets and compliant small businesses.

Enforcement must be matched by wider reform so that responsible businesses are not pushed into survival decisions while rogue operators are allowed to undercut them.