For Women’s History Month, we are featuring the stories of some of Wahl Professionals top female barbers who have risen through the industry and made a name for themselves. 

Brittany Calzada, Barber and Wahl Pro Educator

My journey into barbering started with a passion for sculpting and manipulating hair. I always appreciated the art of personal grooming and how a haircut could transform someone’s confidence. I love that barbering goes beyond just cutting hair, it allows you to connect with people you probably wouldn’t have met otherwise.

As a woman operating a male-dominated industry, I’ve faced challenges. There were moments when clients were surprised to see a female barber and doubted my ability. I’ve been overlooked in the shop just because I was a woman, and I had to work harder to earn a guest’s trust and respect. At the end of the day, the challenges were fuel to my fire and desire to become one of the best professionals in the industry. I focused on honing my skills and letting my talent speak for itself, and it’s led me to become the accomplished barber that I am today and my partnership with Wahl.

Working with Wahl has been a game changer for my career. I’ve had the opportunity to work with a brand that is recognized and trusted for its high-quality tools, dedication to the craft, and commitment to accessible education for professionals at any level in the industry. Throughout the partnership, the brand helped me elevate my skills with the right tools and continuous training. Some of my favorite Wahl Pro products to work with are the Wahl Pro Magic Clip, the Wahl Pro Vanish Shaver, and the new Wahl Pro Vapor™. And being part of the team has opened doors to opportunities and growth.

As the industry is becoming more diverse and women in barbering are being recognized more and more, there’s more space for female barbers to make their mark, and more opportunities for brands and leaders in the industry to support aspiring female barbers. Today’s industry is becoming a more supportive community where women feel encouraged to thrive, and I’m truly excited to be a part of it and be a role model for the next generation.

My advice to aspiring barbers would be never to underestimate your worth and your abilities. If a client chooses not to get a haircut from you because you’re a woman, respect their decision and know that the client isn’t the right fit for you. This is the first step in building up your confidence and allowing yourself to focus on clientele that want your expertise behind the chair. The next step to making your confidence unshakeable is by practicing your craft as much as possible and surrounding yourself with supportive peers of all genders who believe in you. With these steps – a Wahl tool in hand! – any aspiring women barber will be unstoppable.

Get ready for an unmissable experience on the green as the fourth annual HBSA & Hair & Beauty Charity Golf Day heads to the stunning
Championship Cheshire Course at Carden Park on Tuesday 3 June, 2025. With breath-taking views of the Welsh hills and the Cheshire countryside, and a course designed to challenge all skill levels, this year’s event
promises to be more exciting than ever.
Golfers can look forward to a thrilling round, and a spectacular 18th-hole finish, cheered on by industry friends from the Clubhouse Balcony. The day wraps up with a drinks reception, awards, a three-course dinner, and evening entertainment —all while raising funds for a great cause.

Best of all, despite the upgraded Championship course experience, prices remain the same as in previous years: £150 per player or £600 for a 4-ball team, including breakfast, golf, and dinner. Non-golfers are also invited to join the evening festivities for just £49 per person.

President Jayne Lewis-Orr said: “Our annual Golf Day is a highlight in our fundraising
calendar, and always promises to be a fun and competitive day, with money raised going
towards the work done by the Hair & Beauty Charity! We welcome players back to Carden
Park – and new players to come and join us.”
If you can’t make it why not show your support through the multiple sponsorship
opportunities available, including the four annual awards (£350 each) and 18 golf holes
(£100 per hole.)

Don’t miss out – secure your place today and swing into action for charity!
For more details and to book, visit https://hairandbeautycharity.org/shop/p/golf-day
For media information contact ruth@redmanemedia.com

Roger Molina, Sam Villa ArTeam and Master Stylist at Lunatic Fringe @rogermolinahair, has parlayed his famous duagrams (stop motion video and moving diagrams) into his live education. This teaching methodillustrates every step, angle and finish entailed in teaching a cut by projecting a video and visuals onto a screen for a fully immersive experience. See his Wolf Lob here.

“This method shows 3D imagery with aerial perspectives of all elevations and cut lines, so it eliminates guesswork for sectioning and technical approach. Students see every step of the new technique broken down into bite size experiences, before they try it themselves, so it takes a lot of the guess work out of the equation,” says Molina whose is focusing on the “wolf lob” in upcoming classes and shows.

The wolf cut has become a household name in most salons, as well as the lob. The wolf lob is a simple and salon friendly way of creating the elements of both shapes together. “There is a high demand for nongender haircuts…styles that work for whoever wants to wear them and this one sits at a perfect length and style for any face shape and type of client,” adds Moina.

Technical Breakdown for the Wolf Lob

Fringe: Elevate 45° to the opposite side of the nose. Using a diagonal finger angle, cut from chin to lip length with a Sam Villa Classic Series Dry Cutting Shear.

Face Frame: Using guide from corner of fringe, elevate diagonal and forward with diagonal finger angle, and cut inside fingers like a razor while using a scissor.

Top: Elevate triangle sections to 90° vertical and cut with a diagonal angle leaving volume to front. Over direction is to center. Stationary guide.

Crown: Using guide from previous section, elevate diagonal to stationary center guide. Finger angle matches head form and point cut short to long.

Nape (internal graduation): Take vertical finger width section, elevate diagonal and remove bulk in bits where it’s thick. Gradually pivot to diagonal elevation and continue technique until the back of ear.

“The fusion of modern and classic haircuts may be the future of haircut progression. The classic will always ground and inspire, but evolution and progression are required to thrive in the salon world today. As a wise chef once said, “a truly modern dish is classic one served with the slightest necessary twist,” concludes Molina.

Molina will be at America’s Beauty Show teaching 1 hour classes, filter by Classroom #14 to view the full schedule here.

Saturday April 5th

11:00am On-Point Cutting and Styling Textures (with Jesse Linares, Teresa Romero and Roger Molina)

3:30pm Gender-Free Haircutting: Creating for All (with Roger Molina, Jamie DiGrazia and Manda Ziegelman)

Sunday April 6th

12:30pm Always Chic: Cutting with Purpose Meets Lived-In Styling (with Jesse Linares, Roger Molina and Justin Michael Parra)

2:00pm Short to Long Haircutting and Finishes (with Jesse Linares, Teresa Romero and Roger Molina)

Monday April 7th

1:00pm Textur & Haircutting: Enhance, Control and Create (with Jesse Linares, Roger Molina and Evie Rivera)

2:30pm Today’s Essentials: Interactive Session (with Jesse Linares, Sam Villa and Roger Molina)

To learn more about Molina or book an in-salon class with him, see here.

The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) is thrilled to announce a major evolution of its highly anticipated Top 100 Influencer Index. Now in its fifth year, due to overwhelming demand and the incredible talent within the sector, the awards will now be divided into two distinct categories: the Top 50 Hair Influencer Index and the Top 50 Beauty Influencer Index.

As the NHBF Top 100 Influencer Index continue to grow, this separation ensures a greater focus on the achievements of professionals across both sectors, giving more recognition to the creators, educators, and trendsetters shaping the sector.

The NHBF Top 100 Influencer Index opens for entries today (Monday 10th March) and is open to all hair and beauty professionals working in the sector who meet the below criteria:

• A professional currently working in the hairdressing, barbering, beauty, spa, nails or aesthetics industries.
• Applicants should have an applicable qualification in the industry they are working in from a regulated awarding organisation, or equivalent continual experience working in the industry (5 years+).

You can nominate as many people as you wish, including yourself, and we encourage you to post it on social media too using #NHBFTop100Influencers. #NHBFTop50HairInfluencers #NHBFTop50BeautyInfluencers

Nominate your Top 100 Influencers here.

The nomination process is simple:

• Enter your name and the name of the person you’re nominating.
• Enter their social media handles (Instagram, TikTok & YouTube).
• Tick the category you are nominating in i.e. Hair or Beauty.
• Confirm that you/they meet the nomination criteria.

Once the nominations close, a Top 250 longlist will be compiled. This will then be independently evaluated based on the following metrics/criteria:

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

NHBF Chief Executive, Caroline Larissey said:
“The demand for the NHBF Top 100 Influencer Awards has been absolutely phenomenal. Splitting the awards into two categories allows us to truly showcase the incredible talent and influence across both the hair and beauty sector. We will be unveiling the venues for each final shortly.”

Aura Salonware is pleased to announce its first annual Aura BeautySphere Connect event, which will take place at The Standard Spa in Miami Beach, Florida, on May 5, 2025.

This intimate one-day retreat for salon owners is an opportunity to connect, learn, and recharge. Participants will gain insights from industry innovators and experience salon leadership educational sessions and workshops.

Speakers include Cyd Charisse and David Bosscher of Destroy the Hairdresser, Sarai Speer, known as the Platinum Giraffe, Alicia Soulier from Salon Scale, Benjamin Camagna from Currie Hair Skin and Nails, Keri Davis of Keri Davis Consulting, and more.

In addition, Aura’s official networking lunch and experiential cocktail reception allows salon owners to connect with fellow beauty entrepreneurs.
“Aura promises to infuse new energy to salon businesses by providing an industry event that brings together like-minded beauty professionals,” mentioned Aura Salonware Co-founder Jonathan Levine. ”We invite salon owners to come get inspired, share their experiences and best practices, and discover ways to grow their businesses while taking a little time to breathe in the beauty and vibrance of Miami.”

To learn more about Aura BeautySphere Connect or purchase tickets, visit http://aurasalonware.com/beautysphereconnect.

About Aura Salonware
Aura Salonware is the all-in-one salon operations software that modernizes, automates, and innovates the entire salon management experience. With intuitive and dynamic features, this data-driven, cloud-based platform helps salons provide an elevated client experience to increase retention, satisfaction, and revenue.

For more information about
Aura, visit aurasalonware.com.

Rob Weston, owner of LEVEL 7 BARBER has been announced as OSMO’s new brand ambassador.

With over 12 years of experience in the barbering industry, Rob Weston’s journey began at LAFHAB (Leeds Academy for Hairdressing & Barbering) in Leeds City Centre. After qualifying, he honed his craft in a busy walk-in barbershop, quickly building a loyal clientele that followed him as he moved to the next town. His
ambition led him to convert part of a hair salon into a dedicated barbershop, where he spent two years establishing his name before returning to the heart of Leeds.

Rob gained valuable experience at Boris & Co, refining his skills in a fast-paced city
environment under Michael Tominay. He later expanded his expertise at King Coby’s and 13 Barbers, working alongside a close-knit team. After three years, fatherhood led him back to a local setting at Boris & Co in Mirfield before he set out on his own venture.

In June 2023, Rob opened Level 7 Barbers in a fully renovated space, creating a
modern, thriving barbershop that remains fully booked. His expertise spans both
barbering and hairdressing, incorporating elements of precision cutting, longer
styles, and colouring into his hybrid approach.

Beyond the shop, Rob has shared his knowledge through stage work with Great British Barber Bash and as a coach for Learn to Cut, an online platform mentoring aspiring barbers to refine their skills and elevate their pricing. He also runs his own independent education courses, helping others unlock their potential.
Rob’s passion for creativity extends to photography and videography, complementing his social media presence.

Always eager to evolve, he continually invests in education and professional development.
Rob’s role as an OSMO ambassador will see him working closely with the brand to create content, attend industry events, and participate in brand shoots… including a
very exciting one, which is yet to be revealed!
“Rob’s expertise in barbering resonates with our passion towards the barbering industry. We’re excited to be working closely with Rob and seeing how his creative
skills help to build the OSMO brand and products to a wider barbering audience,” explains OSMO Senior Brand Manager, Sinéad McLaughlin.

www.osmo.uk.com
Instagram: @osmouk_official / @osmoikon / @_robweston/@level7barbers

The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) has announced that Caroline Larissey, Chief Executive and Rosina Robson, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, have been named in the 2025 Women in Trade Associations Powerlist.

This prestigious recognition, curated by the Trade Association Forum (TAF), Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), and Confederation of British Industry (CBI), celebrates 100 inspirational women who have made significant contributions to trade associations across the UK.

The Powerlist will be officially launched today, March 7, 2025, to coincide with International Women’s Day, underscoring the vital role of female leadership in various sectors.

Caroline Larissey, who assumed the role of NHBF Chief Executive in November 2023, has been instrumental in driving the federation’s strategic initiatives. Her extensive experience spans over three decades, beginning as a salon junior and progressing through roles such as stylist, beauty therapist, business owner, and further education lecturer. Prior to her current position, Caroline served as the NHBF’s Director of Quality and Standards, where she championed the development of industry standards and best practices.

Under Caroline’s leadership, the NHBF has successfully implemented an ambitious five-year strategy, restructured the organization for enhanced operational efficiency, and ensured financial stability and transparency. Notably, the launch of the NHBF Manifesto in May 2024 has set a positive vision for the future, outlining how the government can better support the creativity, entrepreneurship, and public service displayed by NHBF members.

Caroline expressed her gratitude for the recognition, stating,
“I am deeply honoured to be recognized in the 2025 Women in Trade Association Powerlist alongside my exceptional colleague, our director of policy and public affairs Rosina Robson. This past year has marked a significant transformation for the NHBF as we’ve successfully implemented our ambitious five-year strategy, restructured our organisation with clear operational frameworks, ensuring both financial stability and transparency. Particularly rewarding has been the launch of our NHBF Manifesto and the establishment of our advisory boards, areas where Rosina’s outstanding work in policy and political engagement has been instrumental. Her expertise has significantly amplified our sector’s voice at the highest levels of government and strengthened our influence across key policy areas.

The development of our NHBF, Survive and Thrive with the NHBF initiative, our Assured Trade Member scheme, digital credits, recognising sector excellence, and our innovative ‘Business in a Box’ Member offer represent just some of the ways we’re revolutionising how trade associations deliver value. Being selected by FSB, CBI, and the Trade Association Forum validates our approach to combining sector-specific expertise with strategic vision to create lasting positive change for our members and the entire hair and beauty sector.”

Rosina Robson, NHBF’s Director of Policy and Public Affairs, brings a wealth of experience from her work in Westminster and Whitehall, where she has been pivotal in securing positive changes to legislation. At the NHBF, Rosina is responsible for presenting the views of members on critical issues such as wages, standards, and taxation to politicians across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Rosina’s outstanding work in policy and political engagement has significantly amplified the sector’s voice at the highest levels of government. Her efforts have strengthened NHBF’s influence across key policy areas, ensuring that the concerns and aspirations of members are effectively communicated and addressed.

The inclusion of Caroline Larissey and Rosina Robson in the 2025 Women in Trade Associations Powerlist highlights NHBF’s dedication to excellence, advocacy, and the advancement of the hair and beauty industry.

As March is Women’s History Month, BarberEVO decided to team up with Wahl Professional to show our appreciation of some of the top female barbers in the industry, and how they have overcome adversity in a male-dominated industry.

Featuring: Kristi Faulkner, Wahl Education Team, International Platform Artist & Educator

From a very early age, I loved everything about cutting hair – I always cut all my Barbie dolls’ hair and did all my friends’ hair in school. After high school, I went to college and cosmetology school at the same time and got my cosmetology license. Shortly after, I got married and moved to a military town – that’s really where my passion for barbering started. Even though I had just graduated from cosmetology school, I had never picked up a pair of clippers ever. I found a barbershop to work at, and the owner gave me a Wahl Professional Designer clipper and a Wahl Professional Peanut. The rest is history.

At the beginning, it was extremely hard to even have anyone sit in my chair. Not many female barbers cut hair for those of all different races and with all textures, but I was young and eager to learn, so I learned learning to cut men’s hair and all different textures. The owner, Miss Ann, was a Korean female barber who taught me everything I know. I’m so grateful for the opportunity she gave me. At that time, it was $4.00 a haircut and I made 40% of that. I definitely had to learn fast and cut fast. That is where my love of barbering came from and my speed.

After time and A LOT of practice I began to really start a great clientele on the military. Unfortunately, I ended up moving home and that’s when I really had a reality check. I was a white woman that cut all different textured hair, but mainly ethnic hair because it was my favorite to cut. When I looked for a job, I got turned away over and over again. I finally found a barbershop that gave me a chance, but still, no one wanted me to cut their hair. They thought I was an undercover cop or something like that. It took a lot of time and patience, but once I had a few people sit in my chair, I proved my skill.

Eventually I had to leave the barbershop, and I saved all the money I earned to open the first multi-cultural shop in my area. I have been licensed for 32 years now and with Wahl Professional clippers going on 17 years.

I’ve always found joy in continuing my barber education, so I went to all the hair shows I could. I was very fortunate that when I was at the Bronner Bros. Beauty Show, the largest ethnic show in the country, the head of education for Wahl clippers at the time, Isadore Adams, was there working the booth. He gave me the chance of a lifetime – I went on stage at the show and cut a head as a demonstration. I was so nervous to be up there, but when I turned on my Wahl Pro clippers, I instantly relaxed and showed off my skills that I had worked so on for over the years. I would never have thought a pair of Wahl Pro clippers would take me all over the world. I have done international shows and classes, all throughout the U.S. as well. Even working for the most trusted barbering tools company in the world, I still faced doubters who challenged my skillset. I worked even harder to know my Wahl tool knowledge better than anyone else, and I never gave up, which only made me better.

I’ve been so blessed to be a part of the Wahl family. They have supported me and encouraged me throughout my career. Now, I’m a part of the product and development team as well. I absolutely love anything and everything that has to do with Wahl – from the actual products, like my current favorites the 5-Star Vapor™ and the 5 Star A•LIGN Trimmer, to learning how to use them to create new looks and cuts.

This industry is ready for new upcoming female barbers. We have a few new female barbers on our Wahl Education team that are phenomenal. I love to share my story with other aspiring women in the industry, and I always encourage all female barbers to be fearless. Don’t give up! We have an incomparable skillset and presence. I always tell other female barbers the road might not be easy, but it’s so worth it. Every single disappointment will make you stronger and better. The future is bright for female barbers, and I’m so blessed I was able to help pave a little of the way.

@CuttingThroughTheNoise is proud to announce they will be a podcast partner at HairCon for this year’s event. Hosted by the dynamic duo Stephanie Mason and Hayley Mears, the podcast is known for its no-nonsense, insightful discussions on the ever-evolving hair and beauty industry. Their combined experience in the hair sector, business strategy, marketing, and digital content ensures that their contributions to HairCon will be both invaluable and inspiring.

With an acute understanding of industry challenges and trends, Cutting Through the Noise will provide real-time, thought-provoking conversations with key players in the market. No commercial topic is off-limits, as Stephanie  and Hayley dissect crucial issues such as:

• The impact of current supply chain disruptions
• The latest e-commerce trends and their influence on the beauty market
• The shifting landscape of salon culture and workplace flexibility
• Strategies for brands that launched during economic downturns and those that have successfully navigated market challenges

At HairCon, the podcast will deliver exclusive interviews with top industry leaders, emerging brands, and pioneering entrepreneurs who have adapted and thrived in uncertain times. Attendees can expect in-depth discussions on business-to-business operations, salon sustainability, digital transformation, and education-driven solutions to the industry’s most pressing concerns.

“Our vision is to unite the hairdressing industry through real-time conversations about the economic and business changes shaping our sector,” says Hayley Mears. “HairCon provides the perfect platform for these crucial discussions.”

@CuttingThroughTheNoise aims to empower salon professionals, educators, and business owners with the knowledge they need to stay ahead in this competitive landscape.

GET YOUR TICKETS

Don’t miss out on this groundbreaking partnership and the exclusive content that@CuttingThroughTheNoise will bring to HairCon. Secure your tickets now and be part of the conversations shaping the future of the industry.

For ticket information and event details, visit HairCon.

The Fellowship for British Hairdressing is delighted to announce the launch of their brand-new platform sharing events – the Fellowship Creative XChange™. These events are an opportunity for creatives to come together to present new ideas and techniques, collaborate with like-minded individuals to build stronger local communities and educational learning HUBS. The Creative XChange™ events will seek to cover all aspects of the hairdressing and barbering industry, from traditional to contemporary techniques in cutting, styling, colour and barbering across all hair types and textures.

The Events will be taking place in Salons, Barber Shops, and Independent Spaces throughout the UK, under licence from and promoted by the Fellowship for British Hairdressing to encourage all professional hairdressers in the local area to come along and take part or just soak up the atmosphere and learn some new techniques it’s where “creativity meets innovation”, right on your doorstep. Ask the questions you’ve always wanted to ask or showcase a technique or a trend that you’ve been perfecting. The Creative XChange™ has something for everyone.

Fellowship Creative XChange™ have been implemented to build up local creative communities and encourage professionals to become members of the Fellowship and to apply for the Fellowship’s Bespoke Education Projects.

Barry Stephens, CEO of the Fellowship, commented: “The launch of the Fellowship Creative XChange™ is a crucial development in the evolution of the hairdressing industry, playing a vital role in the connecting of like-minded industry professionals in cities outside of the capital, whilst also illustrating the benefits of becoming a member of the Fellowship.”

Ashleigh Hodges, the President of Fellowship added: “Hairdressing is one of the most creative professions in the world – and we’re so lucky that have a community of like-minded professionals that want to collaborate with one another and help each other to grow and develop their skills -and the Fellowship Creative XChange™ aims to help doing just that! We hope to build communities of creatives whose passion for the craft align, whilst creating a space for them to come together to present and collaborate on new ideas and techniques.”

To start your Fellowship Journey, we’d love for you to host a Creative XChange™ Event in your Salon, Barber Shop or Independent Space.