On the 17th episode of EVOLive we were joined by international educator, barber school and barbershop owner Tyrik Jackson.

Don’t worry if you missed it – the full video is available below!

Hair and Barber Council registrar Keith Conniford reassures the industry he will be looking for clarification from Government this week on whether hair and barber salons are classed as non-essential shops. 

Keith reacted to the Prime Minister’s latest lockdown announcement, which saw Boris Johnson stress that the lockdown is still in place, stating this is not the time to make any changes, but to take small steps. 

Steps announced were: 

From May – If you can’t work from home you are encouraged to go to work 

From June – Some primary schools may be allowed to reopen along with some non-essential shops 

From July – Hospitality sector may be able to open together with other public places 

All the above are conditional on the R numbers remaining low. 

Keith Conniford says: “The announcement was very disappointing and ambiguous. I was expecting more than what was announced, such as restrictions on households and families being lifted. The Prime Minster says he will be going into more detail this week so will be interesting to see what he says. 

“Concerning our industry, he stated that from 1 June non-essential shops will open – so does that include salons, barbershops and beauty salons? I will be speaking to Government and our APPG this week as to whether we are classed as non-essential businesses. For business, this was a disappointing announcement and we are left with no more information that we were last week. My biggest concern was his statement that if you can’t work from home then go to work – I believe that was aimed at manufacturing, construction and medical rather than our industry and we urge hairdressers, barbers and beauticians to wait for further clarification, which we will endeavour to get as soon as possible.” 

Find out more about The Hair & Barber Council: www.haircouncil.org.uk 

“Dominic Raab this morning has said that hospitality and ‘personal care services’ such as hair and beauty salons and barbershops in England will not be able to reopen until 4th July at the earliest. It is our view that this is the right course of action, as the safety of the people in our industry is paramount. 

Scotland and Wales have also spoken of their determination to take a cautious approach and their current restrictions remain in place. 

We hope to be able to provide more clarity later following a meeting with representatives from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy this morning. There are still many concerns within our industry and we are working hard to get answers so that we can plan to return to work safely when the time is right. 

We will provide a further update later on today. 

Image// Goodlife Barbershop.

We were delighted to be joined on EVOLive on Monday 11th May by CEO and Registrar of the Hair and Barber Council, Keith Conniford and by the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hairdressing, Barbering and Cosmetology, and former barber, John McNally MP.

We discussed the most recent UK Government update pertaining to the possible re-opening of UK Barbershops, as well as the key issue of industry regulation and more.

If you missed it, don’t worry… watch it below!

As one of the world’s leading hairdressing furniture and equipment brands, Takara Belmont has unveiled a brand new website. Combining contemporary design with modern desktop and mobile functionality, the new site simultaneously captures the essence of its history and Japanese heritage, as it approaches its Centenary in 2021.  

Takara Belmont is known globally for advanced innovation, timeless design, the application of leading-edge technology and unrivalled equipment performance. Their hairdressing range has continually evolved to produce some of the worlds most iconic and enduring products giving generations of hairdressing businesses inspiration, confidence and peace of mind. With a partnership ethos and commercial perspective that steers salons to maximum business performance, Takara Belmont has become the benchmark for equipment standards and the hallmark of quality from the most celebrated names in hairdressing to the most understated.

In addition to exemplary styling chairs, backwash equipment and luxury shampoo systems, stying stations, functional accessories and transformative hair processing technologies, the company offers a FREE* Salon Design Service. It also provides leasing opportunities through its nationwide distributor network and works in partnership with salons to bring their vision of the ultimate salon to life.

“The new website is designed to simplify the user experience,” says National Sales Manager Katie Wrighton. “We’ve created specific sections for barber chairs, styling chairs and other key product and service areas, so visitors can get the information they need quickly.”

In addition to providing a showcase for the company’s products, the website also provides a resource to help visitors find their local dealer, find out about Leasing and learn about the Salon Design Service. Katie Wrighton: “We’ve added salon design case studies that walk visitors through the process, so they know how it works and what to expect. There’s also a section on our heritage which journey’s through almost a Century of expertise and timelines how Takara Belmont has grown to become a global leader in hairdressing and barbering equipment.” 

From high-end to High Street, Takara Belmont is the equipment choice of all genres of hairdressing salon. Visit their new website at www.takarahairdressing.co.uk to see how you can transform your salon business. 

Leo Wahl didn’t revolutionise an industry, he created one…

HAIRSTYLES COME AND GO. FROM CREW CUTS TO POMPADOURS, AFROS TO FADES TO TODAY’S CUSTOM DESIGNS, STYLES HAVE CHANGED OVER THE YEARS. REGARDLESS OF WHAT’S IN FASHION, WAHL HAS REMAINED AT THE CENTER OF TEN DECADES OF DIFFERENT CUTS. FOR THE PAST 100 YEARS, WAHL CLIPPER CORPORATION HAS PIONEERED AND REFINED THE ELECTRIC CLIPPERS THAT MAKE CUTTING THE HAIRSTYLES OF THE LAST CENTURY POSSIBLE

Back in 1919 when the world was still recovering from World War I, many inventors were taking the opportunity to put their best ideas on the market. On October 14, 1919, Leo Wahl of Sterling, Illinois applied for patents on his newly developed electromagnetic hair clipper. He had been experimenting with engineering electromagnetic motors since he was in high school, first selling a medical massager that he invented for barbershops. It was during his time that Leo recognized the need to improve barber tools. Learning from the barbers, Leo concentrated on building efficient and high-quality hair clippers. Within a year of securing the patent, Leo’s factory had manufactured and sold thousands of clippers to professionals all over the United States. 

In the early 1940s, the Wahl Clipper Corporation installed its own plastic moulding presses. This, along with other various manufacturing technologies, allowed the company to control almost every aspect of production under the roof of the Wahl plant in Sterling, Illinois, a quiet rural community 90 miles west of Chicago. Control over the production allowed Wahl to constantly improve upon his designs and perfect all of his products. It also allowed the Wahl product line to expand to include hair dryers, shear sharpeners, shears, curling brushes, combs and attachments for hair clippers. 

During World War II, Wahl Clipper Corporation was called upon to provide clippers and shears to help keep soldiers’ hair out of their eyes while on the battlefields of Europe. While over there, American GIs introduced their European allies to Wahl clippers. This word-of-mouth goodwill created enough brand interest that Leo Wahl was able to establish a distribution centre in Holland in 1949.

From the American heartland of Sterling, Illinois to the transatlantic market, Wahl clippers became recognised worldwide. With such high demand, the company began exporting products in the voltages and frequencies required for international use. 

With the war behind them, Americans in the 1950s were being influenced by another huge event. Thanks to access to television, pop culture infiltrated people’s homes and rock stars and actors became household names. Everybody wanted to emulate what they saw as being the latest popular haircut. It was no longer about efficiency; haircuts were now about being cool. Wahl quickly introduced new products to the market to help barbers across the country recreate these styles for their customers. 

In 1957, Leo Wahl passed away with over 100 patents to his name. Motivated to keep the Wahl Clipper Corporation a family business, Leo passed the company on to his three sons. Warren became president, Robert became vice president and Jack became managing engineer. This ensured that the same values instilled by Leo would continue through his sons. That same year, the Wahl Clipper Corporation moved into a new, larger location in Sterling. 

Warren, Robert and Jack followed in their father’s footsteps by continuing to innovate. In the 1960s, the company produced a number of new products, including the very unique and innovative flexible-blade electric razor. In 1965, Wahl pioneered another advancement in the industry with the vacuum clipper. A man was now able to get a haircut without any hair touching his suit. The next year saw the creation of the first universal-type rotary motor clipper. Incredibly, again in 1967, Wahl created another first for the industry – its cordless/rechargeable battery-operated hair trimmer changed the barbering world forever. 

In 1980, Jim Wahl, a third-generation Wahl, began the first official Professional-product division within the company. He worked tirelessly to educate the cosmetology and barbering community about the merits of their US-made clippers and trimmers. In 1983, he started the renowned Wahl Education and Artistic Team (W.E.A.T.), focusing on the classroom and the importance of using the right tools and techniques. 

In 2002, Wahl launched a barber-oriented line of 5-Star products. This line really began to take off and continues to be popular among barbers because of their impressive performance and uniqueness. 

Today, Wahl has a wide variety of blades, accessories, clippers and trimmers to help barbers create the styles and cutting techniques their customers want. And yet even today, the Wahl Clipper Corporation team continues Leo Wahl’s practice of listening to barbers, using their opinions and needs to help shape the next line of products.

In celebration of 100 years of business, Wahl has combined a century of engineering advances into its newest product – the 100 Year Clipper. What they consider to be their finest professional clipper to date, it is the physical embodiment of 100 years of Wahl innovation and tradition. It has the classic style of the original Wahl designs but with powerful cordless technology and a li-ion battery. 

Amazingly, Wahl Clipper Corporation started with one man’s vision, a single patent and a small manufacturing plant. Today, 100 years later, it’s grown to eight factories on four continents, 22 sales offices around the world serving over 165 countries and over 274 patents related to the barbering, salon and pet grooming industries. 

However, after 100 years in business, the core of what makes Wahl what it is has not changed. The company remains family owned and managed, its headquarters are still in Sterling, Illinois and it has continued to stay true to its values of innovation, quality and efficiency. These values have helped Wahl become a leader in this industry and will allow them to continue providing quality products for years to come.

Wahl Professional has partnered with the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) to support barbers and stylists who are out of work due to COVID-19. Throughout May, 50% of the purchase price of any 1919 by Wahl Professional men’s grooming line product will be donated to the PBA COVID-19 Relief Fund when customers go to the Wahl Professional website and use the code PBA at checkout.

“We know that these are hard times, and we’re glad we can partner with PBA to help further contribute to the COVID-19 Relief Fund,” says 1919 Product Manager, Allan Vodicka. “We know that others want to help, too, and this an easy way to do that. Every little bit – even the purchase of a tube of pomade or hair gel – can help a barber or stylist get through this difficult time.”

Wahl is no stranger to lending a helping hand to the industry during tough times. In addition to the 1919 donation opportunity, the company has also made a direct donation to the PBA COVID-19 Relief Fund. And in an effort to keep barbers and stylists learning and growing during this time, Wahl Professional has been providing free online education, taught by members of the Wahl Education and Artistic Team, each week on its social media sites. Information about when W.E.A.T. members are going live can be found on the Wahl’s Instagram (@wahlpro) and videos are housed on its Facebook page, allowing viewers the opportunity to re-watch the educational videos.

 Follow Wahl Professional on Instagram (@wahlpro) and on its Facebook page to stay up to date on its partnership with PBA and to see how as a company they are helping give back to relief efforts. Click here to see how each 1919 men’s grooming product can be used to style any cut. 

To purchase 1919 by Wahl Professional men’s grooming product click here and use the coupon code PBA to have 50% of your purchase donated to the PBA COVID-19 Relief Fund. To learn more about the relief fund, to see if you qualify to receive a grant, or if you wish to donate go to ProBeauty.org/PBA-Charities/COVID-19-Relief-Fund.

To learn more about how Wahl is making face shields for hospital and healthcare workers, click here.

The National Hair & Beauty Federation is working with the Government to deliver guidelines for how the hair, beauty and barbering industries can safely return to work. These will be released in line with the Government ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown which is expected to be announced this week. However, the Government is not yet prepared to discuss the times when different industries will be allowed to re-open.

The NHBF is part of a number of working groups made up of trade bodies from a range of different industries. The NHBF has informed the government of industry-wide concerns based on recent survey findings. 

This NHBF survey attracted almost 2000 responses from hair and beauty salons and barbershops. When asked what their biggest worry was about re-opening, 84% of respondents said they were concerned about how to maintain social distancing when working in close physical contact with clients.  

Nearly three quarters (74%) were worried about what kind of personal protective equipment (PPE) would be needed, its cost and availability. Almost two thirds (64%) did not want to see business disrupted again by a second wave of coronavirus infections or a second lockdown period.

Hilary Hall, NHBF chief executive, said: “We have taken our survey findings to government at the highest levels, including a round table meeting with Alok Sharma, Secretary of State for Business, about the need for sector-specific guidance that everyone can rely on. These discussions are about how we can return to work safely, not when.  A key concern for Members is PPE, but until the government has issued advice on this important topic, we still cannot answer questions from Members about exactly what will be required.”

For more information and FAQs, please visit www.nhbf.co.uk/coronavirus and follow the National Hair & Beauty Federation on social at @nhbfsocial.

Not sure what tool you need for a cut? Check out TOOL SELECT by Andis.

With so many clippers, trimmers and tools on the market, this simple, free to use online tool selector, created by Andis Company, helps barbers and stylists find the right Andis tools for every style, every cut. 

Visit TOOL SELECT at https://toolselect.andis.com and the resource guides barbers and stylists through every technical need to arrive at a selection of tools perfect for the job in hand. For example: Choose HAIR and you’ll be invited to select from FULL HAIRCUT or DETAILING, OUTLINING OR TRIMMING…Go the FULL HAIRCUT route and you are presented with a range of different cuts and then hair types to tailor tool choices to your specific requirement. In just a few steps, a wide range of Andis tools is narrowed down to a small selection compatible with the cuts and styles that you’re looking to create. 

‘This innovate online resource helps barbers and stylists to find the perfect tools for every cut and style’, says Angie Perino, Andis Global Education Manager – Barber and Beauty. ’This simplifies the task of finding the right tools and ensures barbers and stylists get what they need quickly and effectively.’

Discover TOOL SELECT at https://toolselect.andis.com to find out what tools you need to create the ultimate cuts and styles.

KNOWN FOR HER EDGY, EDITORIAL CREATIONS, WHITNEY VERMEER HAS BECOME A HIGHLY RECOGNISED BARBER, PHOTOGRAPHER AND ANDIS PLATFORM ARTIST. BARBEREVO TALKED TO WHITNEY RECENTLY TO FIND OUT WHERE IT ALL STARTED AND WHAT SHE HOPES TO ACHIEVE IN THE FUTURE

“I’ve been doing hair for 10 years now,” says Whitney, who started out in cosmetology, covering everything from hair coloring to spa services. After two years of cosmetology, Whitney made the move to Minneapolis and began working under a barber who trained her in traditional barber methods.

Despite never going to barber college, Whitney took an unique approach to her own education. “I didn’t get to finish my training, so what I started doing was taking pictures of my work and then critiquing it, training myself to get better at cutting,” she explains.

What started as a self-teaching method quickly developed into a passion, and photography is something that now plays a huge role in Whitney’s life. Known for her unique portfolio of photography, she says she would do a shoot a week if she could! 

She certainly has her own style and anyone that follows her on Instagram or has seen her body of work, knows she loves to work in black and white. “I love those kinds of images. I’m always attracted to artwork in black and white too so it just felt right. When people want me to do a color shoot, I always think to myself ‘yeah that looks cool but it would look so much cooler in black and white’.”

At her studio in Minneapolis, Whitney splits her time between cutting clients and styling and shooting her editorial work. “My ultimate goal is to be focusing solely on visuals and spending less time behind the chair with clients,” says Whitney. For now, though, she still has a pretty long list of loyal clients. “I’ve been working with most of my clients for about three years now, but I only work behind the chair three days a week and I’ve gone down from around 300 clients to about 40-60.”

How then, did she go from a career in cosmetology to a client list of 300? “I guess what’s really funny is I still don’t really feel like a big success. I always put out what I want to put out when it comes to my work, I like to push boundaries. I always say my goal is not to be the best at something, it’s to change perceptions and that’s what’s most important to me.”

What certainly put Whitney on the map was her win at the North American Hairstyling Awards in 2017, where she was crowned Men’s Hairstylist of the Year. “Winning that award got me a lot of exposure, but I’m not going to enter that category again. My goal is to win Hairstylist of the year. Ideally, I’d like to try to win every category!” 

Whitney specializes in cutting short hair, whether that’s on men, women or non-binary individuals. “When I first started cutting men’s hair, a lot of people asked me if I was just doing it because it was easy, but it’s not and I really wanted to show them that it was an artform. I feel a responsibility to help push the industry further that way.”

In her quest to push the industry into the spotlight, Whitney has involved herself more and more in education over the years, and last October she became a platform artist for leading clipper brand, Andis.

“I’ve always only used Andis, it’s always been my go-to. I am longtime lover of their products and when I started meeting people from the company, I saw how passionate they were about family and I just fell in love with the brand.”

“I’ve been using them ever since I got out of cosmetology school. My favorite one is the Super ZR, but anything from their cordless range really. When I first started cutting with cordless, it changed the way that I cut hair because I just wasn’t restricted anymore.”

As well as her role as a Platform Artist, her proficiency in styling and shooting editorial has opened up even more opportunities with the clipper brand, creating editorial work for both herself and Andis. “It’s more or less coming up with unique haircuts using the Andis range, while also creating some more dynamic shots of the products themselves,” explains Whitney.

The project will allow her to organize shoots with other artists, as well as putting together two photo- and video-based shoots a year for Andis, creating the concept and assigning different roles to other members of the Andis team. “It’s really awesome, I’m so excited about it!”

It’s safe to say Whitney likes herself busy, as on top of her editorial and educational work with Andis and her 40+ client list, she is currently developing her own product line, from hair care to even clothing and lifestyle, giving part of any proceeds to a yet to be decided anti-bullying foundation.

Outside of her professional goals, Whitney is also really passionate about supporting women in the barbering industry. “One of the things I’m really passionate about is taking gender away from everything, it’s not a men’s haircut, it’s a short haircut. I’m working on some new initiatives with Andis to support women in barbering culture and I’m really excited about that.”