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

Summer and festival season are here and with that in mind, we caught up with award winning men’s hairdresser, Jim Shaw. Here, Jim shares what hairstyles he thinks will be dominating trends for men this summer – focusing on lowkey, effortless summer styles.

The Broccoli Cut

For those who want to embrace a youthful look and enhance their natural hair texture, the Broccoli Cut is a perfect choice. For the summer months and festivals, this hairstyle is great as it is very laidback and relaxed but still looks bold and polished. To enhance the look, ask your barber/men’s hairdresser to taper the sides and create a seamless transition from the sides to the top of the head which should be kept longer and more voluminous. With this style, it’s all about defining your natural curls/waves. Therefore, you should start your styling on damp hair working with a curling cream like Label M Curl Define Cream and working this through your curls for definition and then finishing the look with a sea salt spray such as Label M Sea Salt Spray to add further volume, texture and hold whilst giving the finished look a more natural feel.

Man Bun

The man bun has been seen on many male celebrities recently, including Bradley Cooper and Jared Leto. It’s an iconic hairstyle which pairs were with the summer months and festival season where men are looking to wear their hair back off their face whilst providing them with the opportunity to customise their look and pair it with faded or shaved sides. The bun can also be worn in a variety of different ways, including towards the back of the head, nape or worn like a pineapple at the top of their head. I particularly like this style paired with an undercut and styled slicked back to the back of the head using a comb and high hold and shine product like American Crew Superglue.

Braided Rat Tails

Not for the faint hearted, this style is super quirky and was recently sported by Matt Smith at the Armani runway show in Milan. This is a fun look for men with longer hair to experiment with, particularly for festival season. By braiding the hair from the middle this will create an eye-catching style whilst also keeping hair tamed all day and night. For those feeling extra adventurous, they can team the rat tail at the back with a pop of bold colour to add a further cool edge to the look.

By Jim Shaw, Multi Award Winning Men’s Hairdresser and Owner of TONI&GUY Billericay

With the announcement of Oasis’s tour creating a serious buzz around the world, we caught up with multi award winning men’s hairdresser, Jim Shaw, to discuss a trend that’s certain to make a comeback as the tour creeps closer – the Oasis inspired Mod Haircut.

Originating in the 1950s/60s and taking inspiration from Liam Gallagher’s 90’s hairstyle with that Oasis rock and roll feel, the mod cut is characterised by a medium length on top with volume, a short, cropped fringe and medium length sides that almost resemble long sideburns. The look is structured and combines layering techniques and shapes to create movement within the hair whilst keeping a straight, precise line on the top of the head.

This cut is a versatile style that can be tailored to suit most face shapes and hair textures, including those with curly hair, however, it is particularly flattering for those with square face shapes, as it helps to soften any angular features whilst complimenting the jawline and cheekbones for a more balanced look. For oval face shapes, this look is also great as it can enhance natural proportions whilst framing the face.

For those with thinning hair, this style is particularly beneficial as the addition of lots of layers and texture work to give the appearance of thicker, fuller looking hair.

When I create this cut, following using scissors to cut the style, I love to go into the hair with a razor to create a feathery texture and lots of movement.

When it comes to styling, the mod haircut can be styled a variety of ways. However, it stands out from other mullet/shag inspired looks by featuring more precision within the cut and smooth styling. American Crew Cream Whip is a lovely product to use to slightly enhance the texture within the hair whilst keeping it smooth, soft and moisturised with a natural shine.

The wolf cut is a similar style to the Mod Haircut and has been a favoured style by men over the past year. This style also features volume on top with texture and layering; however, it features more of a choppy fringe, and the styling is a lot more effortless and untamed. A product like the American Crew Light Hold Texture Lotion can be used in damp hair before styling or on dry hair to give the hair added texture and grit or alternatively American Crew Matte Clay Medium to Strong Hold Styling Paste is one of my go to’s to create instant texture and hold on the finished look.

Both styles are great options for men who like a more effortless day to day style that requires little to no styling but still want to look incredibly on trend.

Phorest Salon Software has announced the launch of its new Referrals Feature, designed to help salons and barbershops build a strong, loyal customer base through personalised referral programmes.

This innovative new feature allows salon owners to create reward-based referral programmes directly within the Phorest system. Salons can offer vouchers to clients who refer friends or family, as well as to the referred individuals, encouraging them to make their first booking.

Luke Doolin, Country Manager of Phorest UK & Ireland, believes that the new Referrals Feature will revolutionise the way salons approach customer acquisition. He told us: “Referral marketing has always been one of the most powerful ways to grow a business, but many salons haven’t had the tools to effectively implement it.

“With our new Referrals Feature, salons can easily set up and manage these programmes, helping them drive new business and build a more engaged client base. Importantly, during the beta phase of this new feature, our salons gained an average of 18 new clients using Phorest Referrals with 48% returning for additional services.”

Key Benefits of Phorest’s Referrals Feature:

1. Reward Structure – Salons can create custom voucher rewards for both the referrer and the referred clients, making it easier to incentivise customers to recommend the business to friends and family.
2. Easy Integration – Once a referral is made, the new client’s profile is automatically created in Phorest’s system, which also tags them as a referral for tracking and reporting purposes.
3. Marketing Campaigns – Phorest allows salons to promote their referral programmes through email and SMS marketing, generating unique referral links for clients to share.
4. Proven Results – With a conversion rate of 79.8%, most referrals lead to booked appointments. This feature brings a significant revenue boost by turning new customers into loyal clients who already have a positive association with the salon.

According to Phorest’s recent survey of 133 UK salons, 70% of salons do not have a referral programme in place, but two-thirds of those expressed a desire to implement one. With Phorest’s Referrals Feature, this gap can now be bridged with ease.

Jimmy Sharpe, Manager of Jakata, Warrington, UK, said: “As a salon owner, finding new clients has always been a challenge. The new Referrals Feature from Phorest has been a game changer. My loyal clients love being able to refer their friends and earn rewards, and I’ve seen a noticeable boost in new and returning clients since launching the campaign.” 

Luke added: “The beauty of this new feature is that it simplifies a process that can often feel daunting for salon owners. Referral programmes can now be set up and maintained effortlessly, allowing salons to focus on delivering exceptional services while we handle the rest.”

Phorest is committed to helping salons thrive in the modern business landscape through innovative technology solutions. With the new Referrals Feature, salons can now grow their client base faster and more efficiently, while delivering a rewarding experience for both loyal clients and new customers.

Cal Newsome, last year’s top NHBF Influencer, award-winning barber, and member of the Wahl Artistic Team, has been announced as the host for this year’s NHBF Top 50 Hair Influencers. This event, which features the industry’s only independently compiled influencer list, will take place from 5 to 6 PM on Sunday, June 22, at HairCon, held at O2 Victoria Warehouse in Manchester.

As the owner of Bull & Co Barber Club in Shropshire, Cal will join the NHBF team on the Social Stage at HairCon to announce the top 50 hair and barbering influencers. These recipients are chosen based on independently judged results powered by algorithms.

Attendees at HairCon will be the first to witness the official reveal, making this a must-attend event for both industry professionals and fans.

NHBF Chief Executive, Caroline Larissey, said: “We’re delighted to have Cal Newsome hosting this year’s Top 50 Hair Influencer reveal. As last year’s winner and a respected voice in the industry, Cal brings genuine insight and credibility to the event. His passion for barbering and commitment to raising industry standards make him the perfect person to lead the celebration.”

This year’s host Cal Newsome added: “I’m proud to be hosting this year’s NHBF Top 50 Hair Influencer reveal. Being recognised last year was a big moment for me, and it’s great to now be part of highlighting others who are pushing the industry forward. There’s so much talent out there, and this event is a great way to give it the recognition it deserves.”

Join Caroline, Cal and a host of your favourite industry influencers live at HairCon on Sunday 22^nd June at 5.10pm on the social stage as the list is revealed – who will take the top spot this year? 

Iconic barbering brand PASHANA® proudly unveils the next chapter in its storied legacy with a striking new visual identity, showcased in a recent photoshoot set in an authentic, working barbershop. 

With a rich heritage spanning back over a century, to 1910, PASHANA® has long been trusted by professional barbers for its classic grooming products and traditional formulations. The brand’s recent refresh honours that rich history while embracing a contemporary look designed to resonate with today’s discerning barbers and style-conscious clientele. After all, even the classics need a little touch up now and again! 

The new photography captures the essence of the PASHANA® range in its natural habitat — a barbershop! From vintage chairs to heritage tools of the trade, the shoot brings together timeless barbering traditions with the modern evolution of the brand. 

The brand refresh includes updated packaging, enhanced branding elements, and a renewed focus on supporting barbers with products that blend classic quality with contemporary appeal. Trade wholesalers Trade wholesalers will also appreciate the strengthened shelf presence and elevated visual impact that PASHANA® now has. 

Wholesalers and industry professionals can expect to see the fresh look rolled across stores and marketing materials in the coming months.