The National Television Awards – one of the biggest nights in British television – took place at The O2 on Tuesday, with award-winning Scottish hairdresser Grant Carr leading the Men’s Grooming Area backstage for ELEVEN Australia.

Preparation began well before the ceremony, with Grant, co-owner of the Garçon in Glasgow, carrying out hair and grooming sessions for several influencers before adding his final touches ahead of the red carpet.

“Classic waves and natural curls are being embraced more, alongside lived-in, wet-look finishes,” said Grant, speaking on this year’s trends. “Paired with a great suit and a clean taper around the edges, it always looks sharp.”

CIARAN DAVIES @ciarandaviesss
For Ciaran, the focus was on creating volume, movement and texture while keeping the finish natural. Grant worked ELEVEN Australia I Want Body Volume Foam through the hair before blow-drying, then layered in texture spray to create definition and a soft wave.

To ensure the style photographed perfectly under the lights, Grant used topical hair fibres through the crown before completing Ciaran’s grooming with a facial, beard line-up and Ishga beard oil.

Later in the VIP area, Grant added the final touches with setting and shine spray before Ciaran headed to the red carpet.

FINLEY MADDOCK @finleymaddock
For Love Island’s Finley Maddock, Grant created a clean taper through the sides to remove weight while maintaining plenty of texture and movement on top. Sea Salt Texture Spray was diffused into the hair for a relaxed, natural finish.

A full facial gave the skin a fresh glow before Grant detailed and lined up Finley’s beard.
Finley returned to the VIP suite ahead of the red carpet, where Grant finished the look with Matte Texture Styling Paste and Give Me Hold Hairspray for added definition and hold.

PAUL KELBIE @paulkelbie
For influencer Paul Kelbie, Grant worked with his natural wave rather than against it, enhancing the existing movement to create an effortless, polished finish. Removing some weight, Grant worked some Smooth & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum into his hair and applied some Matte Texture Styling Paste to blend the sides.

JOE BAGGS @joebxggs
Podcaster Joe Baggs joined Grant for a complete style. Working with Joe’s mullet, Grant used Extra Hold Styling Clay and I Want Body Texture Spray to enhance its shape and definition, followed by Make Me Shine Spray Gloss to accentuate the highlighted sections under the lights. A final moustache tidy completed the look before Joe joined his family for the evening.

“Seeing everyone fully dressed and red-carpet ready after working with them throughout the day was such a great moment. The atmosphere backstage was incredible, and being part of a night as big as the NTAs with ELEVEN Australia was a real privilege,” said Grant.

UK lawmakers will soon take the first step in their plans to protect the public from unscrupulous, illegal barbershops with the Barbers and Hairdressers (Registration) Bill to be presented at Parliament this month.

On Monday 14th September, Vikki Slade MP is scheduled to introduce the new Bill, which calls for the compulsory registration of barbers and hairdressers in England, Scotland and Wales.

Until now, the UK hair industry has remained largely unregulated, with barbers and hairdressers only required to voluntarily register with the Hair Council under the Hairdressers Registration Act 1964.

However, many in the industry have long argued that these measures do not go far enough to protect public safety or professional standards. Hopes are high that updating licensing laws will elevate the sector, eliminate rogue traders, make illegal businesses more visible and allow business owners to achieve a fair living.

A vocal advocate for mandatory registration, founder of The Barber Council Mike Taylor, of Mike Taylor Education, said that he had been encouraged by the attitude of MPs to finding solutions.

“It’s been a long campaign to get this far and this breakthrough has largely been due to building a relationship with our awesome local MP Vikki Slade,” said Mike.

“I shared the challenges and risks that both hair professionals and the public face due to a lack of any real scrutiny and Vikki gave me the opportunity to speak with MP’s at the Houses of Parliament.

“Registration should protect the public and legitimate businesses through verified competence, insurance and hygiene—not become another voluntary badge that rogue operators can ignore.”

As a Private Member’s Bill, the presentation is a formal First Reading without a debate or vote on the policy, though the Bill’s wording and Second Reading date should follow. For the Bill to make its way to law will depend on parliamentary time, cross-party backing and ultimately government support.

Barbers at Mr. Brothers Cut Club in Los Angeles, Drew Rush and Kei were among those chosen to try out Panasonic’s new THE BARIKAN Trimmer as it made its debut in the USA. They talked with BarberEVO about how this tool helps them elevate their craft.

Founded in Harajuku, Japan in 2015, Mr. Brothers Cut Club combines traditional American and European Barbering with modern Japanese design techniques. Since its founding, the brand has skyrocketed, opening a location in LA in 2022.

That’s where Drew and Kei call home. Coming from a background that blends Japanese and American barbering, they were both the perfect choices to try out Panasonic’s new THE BARIKAN range of tools, most notably, the ER-XT70 T-Blade Trimmer. We caught up with Drew and Kei to get their first impressions of the new tool.

Inspired by old-school barbershop culture from an early age, when he discovered Mr Brother’s Cut Club, and its meld of Japanese culture with New Americana style, Drew fell in love. So, when Panasonic launched its new THE BARIKAN Trimmer, which combines Japanese quality with American barbering culture, Drew couldn’t believe his luck.

“When I first got THE BARIKAN Trimmer, it was during the prototype stage,” Drew said. “The bevel, the way it fits in your hand, and the two power levels make this the perfect everyday tool.

“The quality that comes out of Japan has been unanimous for years. It’s good to see something new to the market that’s not just another white label trimmer.”

Japanese native Kei started his career in barbering at just 18, and moved to LA for the launch of Mr Brothers Cut Club’s US expansion in 2022. Since moving, Kei has not only managed Mr Brothers Cut Blub, but started educating for the barbershop’s sister company, BROSH, and is getting to work on Panasonic’s new THE BARIKAN tour as well.

Onstage at America’s Beauty Show in Chicago, Kei used THE BARIKAN Trimmer for a low taper fade. With its T-shaped blade made in-house, barbers have full visibility and control over the cut.

“It’s powerful, smooth, and safe,” Kei shared. “The quality of the tool is incredibly high, which makes it perfect for precision cutting like this.”
With two power speeds – 5200 and 8000 RPMs – THE BARIKAN provides barbers flexibility in offering different services all with one tool. As Panasonic spreads the word about THE BARIKAN making its way to the U.S. throughout the year, the quality of the tool makes quite a statement itself.

“Showing up with a quality product and quality barbers to back it up, I think the Barikan is going to make waves,” Drew said. “It’s going to be exciting to see where Panasonic ends up now that the Barikan is out in the US.”

The beauty industry is getting a major new stage with the launch of The Road to HEBS, a premier education, networking, and competition platform that brings together everyone from barbers, braiders and stylists, to locticians, educators, and brands from around the world.

The Road to HEBS is the first competition pathway in the beauty industry that gives competitors the opportunity to earn a place from regional heats to compete at a national championship, and ultimately the world stage. With sponsor Pure O Natural Products, HEBS are bringing high stakes competitions designed to push boundaries and spotlight creativity.

The tour will take in major cities, including LA, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Orlando, Charlotte, and Washington DC. The top three winners from each regional event will earn a coveted spot at the national championship, held during HEBS in Secaucus, New Jersey, before heading to the HEBS Lagos Championship in Nigeria.

As well as the trophies and industry recognition, there are over $175k in cash and prizes waiting to be won.

Commitment to Creativity

One of the most unique aspects of the competition is its commitment to creative freedom. The Road to HEBS encourages competitors to think outside the box to bring their artistic vision to life.

“Road to HEBS is a championship league idea and mindset. We’re hosting competitions in different regions, creating a tour that gives beauty professionals an opportunity to showcase their creativity and artistry on a major platform,” said barber and Pure O Education Director Lici Quintero, AKA Lici Lady Barber.

“These competitions are very creatively led. We do not put limits on the expression and artistry that competitors want to use.”

The competitions serve as a platform for creative imagination and expression, but also challenges in precision, technique, style and storytelling.

The Global Beauty Community

The international opportunity highlights the larger vision behind The Road to HEBS. Organizers see the competition as the foundation of a global championship league that connects beauty professionals across continents while creating new opportunities for exposure and career advancement.

In addition to competition, attendees can expect educational programming, product demonstrations, and access to leading brands. The tour will feature products from PureO Natural Products and other emerging brands, while continuing to emphasize professional development.

“Education is a big thing for us at Pure O,” explained Lici. “This competition is all about balancing fun, education, and creativity.”

For those considering entering, Lici’s advice is simple: embrace your creativity and show up prepared.”Don’t hold back your creativity. This platform was designed to celebrate artistry, so bring your vision to life and show what makes your work unique.”

On many high streets, the next generation of barbers are looking to make a name for themselves in what’s fast become a highly competitive industry. To stand out from the crowd, and build a solid business, it’s vital to carve out your own space in the market.

Bailey Snowden, founder of Snowden Hair, did just that. Bailey opened his first barbershop after noticing a gap in premium stylists in his local area of Scunthorpe. Bailey, who now has over ten years of experience within the industry, decided it was about time the area had a modern studio.

Although he has been in the space for just a year, he has quickly outgrown it. Bailey’s team and clientele are expanding, and that only calls for one thing – they need a bigger barbershop.

“I am so incredibly proud of the progress we have made and what we’re building here, with many long days, sleepless nights and very big decisions I really believe we are creating a promising future within the heart of Scunthorpe,” said Bailey.

“I am truly thankful to everyone who has supported Snowden Hair and I’m excited at the fact that this is only the beginning of the journey. I welcome all future opportunities with open arms.”

Bailey has a progressive attitude to the industry, constantly developing his own skills and acting as a mentor and educator to the next generation in his local community. He believes the industry can offer them a future within hair that goes beyond the chair, and will look to extend these opportunities in his new studio.

The new venue is due to open on the 19^th September.

Phorest has named the first speakers for its Phorest Summit 2027, with a lineup featuring Hall of Fame magicians, TEDx speakers, social media gurus.

For the 2027 Summit, the first to be held outside Dublin, the theme is Beyond: What the Future Holds in Our Industry. Sessions will look at how salons, spas, and clinics can respond to change as it happens, and put emerging technology, including AI, to work without giving up the human relationships their businesses are built on.

Jon Petz opens the first wave of the line-up. A Hall of Fame keynote speaker, magician, and mentalist who performs as an “Amazement Artist”, Petz spent years in sales and marketing. His session will cover performance, presence in front of a team, and the small moments that decide whether a client remembers a visit.

Founder of F*ck Being Humble, Stefanie Sword-Williams follows. A TEDx speaker, and two-time author, she is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree, with Apple, Google, and Nike all having brought her in to teach teams how to talk about their own work. Owners and their staff leave Stefanie’s session with a way to state their value – and back it up.

Elfried Samba will joins them on the Phorest stage. As Global Head of Social Content and Community at GymShark, he helped take the company from one million customers to 20 million and helped the brand pass a £1 billion valuation. He now runs the creative house Butterly 3ffect and speaks on building a brand without a media budget.

Formerly the Salon Owner’s Summit, the event runs at the Gleneagle Arena in Killarney, Ireland on Sunday, 24th, and Monday, 25th January 2027, and will be closer to a retreat than a conference, situated among Kerry’s lakes and mountains, giving attendees room to think about the next three years rather than next week’s rota.

“Owners spend the year solving problems for everyone else,” said Ronan Perceval, founder and CEO of Phorest. “Two days in Killarney gives them the room, and the people, to work on their own business.”

Business owners will leave with material they can use after two evenings of music, food, and entertainment in the Irish tradition. More than 750 owners, managers, and industry professionals are expected, with attendees getting a hands-on look at new Phorest AI tools and products before general availability.

Early bird pricing ends on 30 September 2026, with tickets for both days available now at www.phorestsummit.com.

Wahl Professional has introduced the new Vapor Switch, the next evolution of the brand’s award-winning Vapor clipper.

Built for professionals who refuse one-size-fits-all performance, the Vapor Switch gives barbers the freedom to shift between cutting styles, adapt to every client and customize performance in real time.

“We listened closely to feedback from the barber community and put those insights directly into the newest evolution of the Vapor, the Vapor Switch,” said Mike Wahl, VP of Innovation and Insights for Wahl Professional.

“From enhanced ergonomics and dual-speed performance to the new Rapid Switch taper lever and upgraded blade technology, every advancement was designed around how barbers work behind the chair.”

Available from September through authorized Wahl Professional distributors and WahlPro.com, the Vapor Switch features Wahl’s new HyperShift Dual-Speed Brushless Motor, giving barbers the ability to instantly switch between 7,000 RPM for controlled bulk removal and 9,000 RPM for fast, precision fading and detailing. The clipper intelligently responds to different hair types and cutting conditions to deliver smooth, consistent performance from the first pass to the last.

The new F32 Drift Blade features premium black PVD chrome and DLC coatings for longer-lasting sharpness, while a built-in oil reservoir helps reduce friction and blade heat for cooler, smoother cutting throughout the day. Bold dual-color LED lighting instantly signals selected motor speed, keeping barbers focused on the cut without missing a beat.

The stress of loud clippers and trimmers can be overwhelming for some people, turning a visit to the barbershop into a high anxiety, emotionally draining experience.   

Aiming to make those experiences more inclusive is new grooming brand HUSH Pro USA, the US partner for HUSH Pro International, which has launched with a simple mission, to make professional-quality tools more accessible, comfortable, and enjoyable for clients.

“We saw an opportunity to introduce a different kind of grooming experience,” said Kobe Deng, co-founder.

“While many tools focus solely on power, we believed performance should also include comfort, control, and consideration for the environment around the user. The overwhelmingly positive response to the quiet operation of our products showed us there was a significant need for tools that reduce unnecessary sensory stress without sacrificing professional results.”

Although the brand was created to focus on creating affordable tools, its products quickly became known for how remarkably quiet they are. Standard clippers operate between 60 and 75 decibels, with some as loud as vacuum cleaners, but HUSH Pro’s tools measure just 48 decibels, and the trimmers 46 decibels.

“My first reaction was how noticeably quiet it was. As someone who specializes in sensory-friendly haircuts, I immediately started thinking about the clients I serve and how much of a difference that could make,” said Krystal Cotto, HUSH Pro USA’s Sensory Inclusivity Brand Ambassador

“Throughout my career, I’ve worked with individuals who find the sound of traditional clippers overwhelming. Knowing that a tool could help reduce that barrier while still delivering professional results was exciting.”

HUSH said that a common misconception is that sensory accommodations are only relevant to a small group of people, but in reality everyone experiences sensory input differently. Loud noises, vibration, and overstimulation can affect children, adults, neurodivergent individuals, and even professionals working long hours.

Reducing noise hasn’t meant reducing power. HUSH Pro USA’s tools focus on motor efficiency, vibration control, component precision, and engineering design. The goal is to eliminate unnecessary noise but preserve the cutting performance professionals expect.

“By reducing noise while maintaining performance, we help create environments that feel more welcoming and comfortable for a broader range of clients without requiring barbers or stylists to change the way they work,” said Kobe.

HUSH Pro USA’s grooming tools not only create a calmer environment, but they allow stylists to communicate more clearly with their clients.

“Communication is one of the most important parts of any service. When there is less background noise, clients can process information more easily, ask questions, and engage in conversation,” added Krystal. “In my work, I’ve found that reducing sensory distractions often creates more opportunities for connection and trust.”

Barbers looking to sharpen their skills with mid- and long-length hair can get an inside look at Church California Lead Educator’s Brandon Faulk’s cutting and styling techniques this September, as he brings his Balance Tour to Philadelphia.

Hosted by WinSome Barber, the special Look & Learn evening will take place on Sunday, September 13, from 5–8pm, with Brandon demonstrating across shags, mods and alternative cuts.

The three-hour session will focus on precision, creativity and efficiency, giving barbers the chance to pick up new techniques as they watch Brandon work through different approaches to longer hair.

Brandon will guide attendees through a more intentional approach to building shape, stronger systems for making decisions throughout a cut, and practical techniques to take back behind the chair.

For barbers looking to move beyond traditional short cuts and build confidence working with longer lengths, the session offers an opportunity to learn in a hands-on, industry-focused environment, while connecting with fellow barbers.

The Balance Tour Live with Brandon Faulk Hair takes place Sunday, September 13, from 5–8pm at WinSome Barber in Philadelphia.

Hair replacement brand Novo Cabelo has announced the launch of TrueBlend, a new non shave hair replacement method designed to offer a flexible, inclusive and natural looking solution for people experiencing hair loss.

Created for both men and women, TrueBlend allows clients to wear a hair system without shaving their natural hair. The method has been developed to blend seamlessly with client’s existing hair, with solutions from solid colour finishes through to balayage techniques, and options suitable for European hair and Oriental hair colouring.

With TrueBlend, Novo Cabelo aims to make high quality hair replacement more accessible, adaptable and emotionally reassuring. It has been developed for a wide range of hair loss types, including female pattern hair loss, androgenetic alopecia, post cancer recovery, frontal fibrosing alopecia and alopecia areata. The method can also work alongside natural hair growth.

The system offers more than 120 colour choices, with length options up to 26 inches, giving stylists the chance to create a bespoke finish. Application takes around one and a half hours, and depending on skin type and hair type, the system can stay on the head for up to five weeks, with an expected life span of up to nine months.

Confidence, Fully Restored

TrueBlend has been created to support clients who may not be ready, or may not wish, to shave their natural hair.

For many people experiencing hair loss, this is a significant emotional barrier, so by removing that step, Novo Cabelo said it is opening up hair replacement while continuing its mission to normalise systems and make the process feel safe, supportive and empowering.

“TrueBlend is a really important step for us because it gives people more choice. Hair loss is incredibly personal, and not everyone feels ready to shave their natural hair,” said Rob Wood, founder of Novo Cabelo.

“Some clients still have growth, some are going through recovery, and some simply want a solution that feels less daunting. TrueBlend gives them that option.

“For us, innovation has never just been about technique. It is about listening to clients and stylists, understanding what people are worried about, and creating something that makes the journey easier. This method allows us to give people beautiful, natural results while helping them feel reassured, supported and in control.”

As with all Novo Cabelo methods, aftercare will be central to the TrueBlend client journey. Clients will receive guidance and the correct haircare products to support their system at home, helping them protect the hair and maintain the result between appointments.

For professionals, training for TrueBlend will be delivered as a one day physical course, supported by pre training material. Stylists will work alongside an educator on either a live model or block head to create their first transformation, with access to Novo Cabelo’s members area and app forming part of the journey.

The course has been designed to equip stylists with the technical skills required, as well as the understanding needed to support clients through the emotional side of hair loss.

This follows Novo Cabelo’s wider education philosophy, which places consultation, aftercare, confidence building and ongoing professional support at the centre of every service.

Novo Cabelo said that the launch of TrueBlend reflects its commitment to raising standards across the hair replacement industry. The brand has consistently challenged outdated perceptions of hair systems, and its work has helped move hair replacement away from secrecy and stigma, to become a modern, inclusive and empowering service.