1. Create a personal website

Your website is one of your most important profile-building tools. The aim is to look professional, and every professional business has a website. A personal branded website featuring your name lets you control the narrative and tell your own story.

Social media is great, but it’s only a snapshot of what you offer. Your website gives you somewhere to showcase your work, expertise, experience and the opportunities you’re looking for.

2. Build a professional media kit

A media kit takes the awkwardness out of being asked about your rates and services. It can sit on your website and show potential clients or brands exactly what you offer before they ever get to the price.

It should include your images, services and the skills you can offer. My rule of thumb is to charge three times your daily salon rate. That accounts for the lost opportunity of not servicing your salon clients and means you’re never underselling yourself.

3. Have a clear bio

You never know when the media is going to need information about you, so don’t wait until an opportunity arrives to put a bio together.

Remember it should clearly explain what you represent and your areas of expertise, and you should have an up-to-date, professional profile picture ready to send out to the media, if they request it to accompany any editorial.

Being prepared makes you look professional and means you’re not panicking when an opportunity arises.

4. Establish your area of expertise

Think about what you want to be known for, then start creating content around it.Have a blog or a couple of articles ready to demonstrate your knowledge.

If a PR or magazine approaches you for content, having something to hand immediately can make all the difference. If you’re scrambling to write something from scratch and miss a deadline, you may not get the chance again.

5. Make social media work for you

A strong social media presence gives you instant social proof and helps the algorithm surface you. Brands, sponsors, magazines and PRs all look through these assets, so make sure your platforms reflect the professional you want to be.

Think beyond simply posting finished hair. Show your expertise, personality and point of view. Your social channels should support the story you’re telling through the rest of your profile.

6. Create a showreel

A showreel is another essential asset, particularly if you’re interested in stage work, education or presentations.

It gives potential collaborators a sense of what you can do and can be easily shared when an opportunity comes along. It’s a great way to build anticipation and show the audience what they can expect from your show as a platform artist.

7. Start building now

One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting too long to show what they’re capable of. You have to start showing what you can do early on in your career – don’t wait until later.

Spooky season is upon us, but along with pumpkins, candy and ghouls we’re about to see some very, very cold weather.

As the days get colder, your hair will suffer. Frosty winter weather and indoor heating strip moisture from the scalp and hair, leading to dryness, breakage and increased shedding. Not a look you want captured in the family’s Thanksgiving photo.

But by giving your hair some TLC, you can avoid dry scalps and frizzy, dull and lifeless hair for the season. Below, we’ve got the tips from award-winning men’s hairdresser and owner of TONI&GUY Billericay, Jim Shaw, on how to prepare your hair this winter.

Wash According to Your Scalp

Tailoring your wash routine to your specific scalp type prevents the scalp barrier from drying out whilst still managing sweat, oil and fibre buildup.

In winter, cooler outdoor air and dry indoor heat will pull moisture straight from the skin, and when your scalp dries out, it overcompensates by producing excess sebum, leaving roots greasy and the ends brittle.

“Getting your washing routine right can stop the flaking caused by winter dryness, and stop hair strands from becoming weak, dull or static-prone,” said Jim.

“In the winter, opt for gentle formulas like sulphate-free shampoos to clean the roots without drying out the skin.”

Make Hats Work With the Cut

As the days get colder, hats become a central part of our outfits. Aligning your winter haircut with how you wear your hats prevent flat spots, reduces friction damage and keeps your style looking sharp.

Shorter sides, like a fade or crop, keep hair from bunching up uncomfortably under a tight beanie or cap. Leaving the top slightly textured rather than stiffened with gel also stops hats making awkward, immovable dents.

“When you take off your hat indoors, a structured cut bounces back naturally instead of looking matted to your head. For styling, skip the heavy gels and use a light matte past or sea salt spray instead so the hair remains flexible under pressure.”

Condition Condition Condition

To restore moisture lost during the winter freeze, add a deep conditioner to your routine. Cold air strips natural oils from the scalp and hair shaft, but conditioning well helps prevent breakage and makes the hair more flexible, meaning it bends rather than snaps under friction from those big beanies.

“You can incorporate a leave-in treatment to your routine if hair has become especially damaged, these are left in the hair for longer and have a thicker formula, locking in moisture,” said Jim.

Keep Getting Trims

Regular haircuts during the winter can stop the split ends often caused by dry indoor heat from travelling up the hair shaft. Trims remove these weak spots before any structural damage is caused, and they can help maintain your styles shape.

“A fresh trim keeps short cuts, fades and longer layers balanced and polished. Trimmed off damaged, brittle ends also gives the hair a smoother, cleaner look – perfect for those winter parties!”

Lewis Gumbrell, AKA Sid Da Barber, and international session stylist JJ Savani co-led the hair for Justin Cassin’s latest show. 

Debuting his Spring/Summer 2027 collection at London Fashion Week, Australian menswear designer Justin Cassin balanced structured control with fluid, wearable lines, while the hair played with contrasting interpretations of contemporary male grooming.

Creating a series of polished, individual looks celebrating modern masculinity, Lewis Gumbrell, AKA Sid Da Barber, and international session stylist JJ Savani co-led the hair direction for Cassin’s showstopping styles, with Gecko Trimz and Bailey Bolden completing the team.

“Justin’s collection gave us the opportunity to explore different expressions of masculinity through the hair,” said Lewis.

“For me, great men’s hair isn’t about forcing everyone into the same look. It’s understanding the individual, their hair and their identity, and then elevating what’s naturally there. Backstage at Fashion Week gives us the freedom to push that idea creatively while still producing hair that feels relevant and wearable.”

The finished looks moved from sleek, high-shine to enhanced natural curls, coils, and Afro textures. For models with longer locks, the team swept the hair from the face, creating a glossy, controlled finish while retaining subtle movement. Those with shorter and Afro-textured hair were worked with individually, enhancing their hair’s natural shape, texture and character.

JJ Savani worked with headline model and former Love Islander Dejon Noel-Williams, creating polished straight-back braids, a razor-sharp hairline, and a sculpted beard with a design built around the collection’s architectural tailoring and open necklines. 

“With clothes this architectural, the grooming has to be graphic and disciplined,” said JJ.

“Tight, polished lines keep the silhouette clean from the neck up, and then the skin becomes part of the outfit. Men’s session hair isn’t about one look anymore. It’s about reading the person in the chair and making them the strongest version of themselves.”

The show was produced and directed by Alice Holland, with styling and backstage management by Melania Peluso.

CREDITS //

Designer//

Justin Cassin

Collection//

Spring/Summer 2027

Venue//

Studio Spaces, London

Producer and Show Director//

Alice Holland

Stylist and Backstage Manager//

Melania Peluso

Head of Hair//

Lewis Gumbrell (Sid Da Barber – @siddabarber / @siddabarber.official)

Hair Co-Lead//

JJ Savani (@jjsavani)

Hair Team//

Gecko Trimz and Bailey Bolden

Headline Model//

Dejon Noel-Williams (look by JJ Savani)

The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) has welcomed proposals to help more people stay healthy and in work, while calling for practical support that recognises the realities facing small and microbusiness employers.

Responding to the UK Government’s Keep Britain Working: A National Growth Opportunity report, the NHBF said the proposed Workplace Health System could be a positive initiative for the hair, beauty and barbering sector, particularly if it gives smaller employers access to occupational health services, specialist advice and resources that would normally be beyond their reach.

However, the organisation says it is essential that the development of the proposals does not result in additional costs, administration or responsibilities being transferred to small employers.

Hair and beauty businesses can play an important role in providing inclusive employment and supporting people throughout their working lives. But their ability to do so depends on businesses having the financial capacity and practical resources to employ, retain and train staff.

The NHBF’s latest Employer Survey underlines the pressure already facing businesses in the sector, with 39.7% of respondents reporting that they had reduced their workforce during the previous three months and only 13% saying they were definitely or likely to recruit over the following three months.

The NHBF welcomed the report’s focus on making workplace health provision accessible to SMEs and microbusinesses, but believes salon, barbershop and beauty business owners must be directly involved in shaping how those proposals work in practice.

This is particularly important as employers prepare for changes to Statutory Sick Pay and the associated costs and administration of managing sickness absence. The NHBF said that any new workplace health measures need to make it easier for businesses to support employees rather than adding another layer of complexity.

The NHBF also believes the proposals need to be considered alongside the wider employment landscape within hair and beauty. The organisation has highlighted how the current tax structure can incentivise self-employment over employment, warning workplace health system centred primarily around the employer-employee relationship risks having limited impact on a significant self-employed section of the sector.

“Keeping Britain working means the government backing the small businesses that provide the jobs,” said Fiona Johnston, President of the National Hair & Beauty Federation.

“This could be a really positive initiative if it genuinely gives small employers access to the occupational health support, advice and resources that many simply cannot access at the moment. Helping a member of staff manage a long-term health condition and remain in work is good for that individual, good for the business and good for the wider economy.

“But we have to make sure that solving a national challenge does not mean transferring additional cost and responsibility onto small employers. They’re already adapting to changes around Statutory Sick Pay and managing the cost and administration associated with sickness absence. If we want businesses to employ more people, any new system must make that easier, not inadvertently add further barriers.

“Our sector is increasingly being pushed towards self-employment by the current tax system. If it becomes progressively more expensive or administratively difficult to employ somebody, more businesses will naturally consider self-employed models – exactly the opposite direction to the ambition of keeping people securely in employment.”

Johnston added that this is why it’s important organisations such as the NHBF are involved as proposals develop, ensuring the voice and practical experience of microbusiness employers are heard.

The NHBF’s Budget submission calls for a 10% VAT rate on qualifying hair and beauty services, targeted employment support and greater help with apprenticeships. The organisation said that creating the conditions in which businesses can afford to employ people has to sit alongside measures designed to help those employees remain healthy and in work.

“We want to work with Government to make inclusive employment achievable for even the smallest businesses. Our sector can make a real contribution to keeping Britain working, but employers need the capacity and support to do it,” said Johnston.

Phorest is taking its Client Experience Awards (CEAs) directly to the businesses that have earned them, with team members heading out across the UK & Ireland to personally congratulate some of this year’s winners.

The software firm, which specialises in salon, spa and clinic management, has been running the CEA’s since 2015 to recognise businesses that consistently put clients first. Personal delivery has become a key part of the initiative, with the Phorest team volunteering to visit winners in their local regions.

Part of a global Phorest initiative, the annual awards recognise salons and clinics that consistently deliver a great experience, with 640 awards awards hand-delivered worldwide in 2025.

There are no entry forms, judging panels or votes. Instead, winners are determined by verified client reviews collected through Phorest’s system, with businesses required to maintain an average rating of at least four out of five stars across the calendar year.

With the 2026 deliveries now taking place, Phorest CEO and founder, Ronan Perceval, personally joined in, taking to the streets of Dublin to surprise four Phorest customers with their 2026 awards.

His visits included Eoin Wright at Foundation, Tamar Chambers at Robert Chambers, Aidan O’Connell at Fade Laser and Kimika at Maru Hair Tokyo, where he congratulated each business.

“It was great to have Ronan out in Dublin delivering some of the awards himself this year. It shows that however much Phorest grows, staying close to our customers is still incredibly important to us,” said Luke Doolin, UK & Ireland Country Manager at Phorest.

“What I love about the Client Experience Awards is that they come directly from client feedback. There’s no application to complete or judging panel to impress. It’s simply recognition that these businesses are giving their clients a consistently great experience.”

Wahl have announced the launch of their new Head Shaver, a purpose-built tool created to make maintaining a clean-shaven look at home simpler, smoother and more comfortable.

The grooming brand has developed its Head Shaver using a flexible design that follows the contours of the head for a close, comfortable shave that fits seamlessly into everyday life.

Combining premium floating flex blades with an ergonomic dual-grip design, Wahl’s Head Shaver is 100% waterproof, and features IPX7-rated construction making it suitable for wet or dry shaving. With up to 90 minutes of cordless runtime users have flexibility to groom wherever, and can easily charge on the go with the USB charging cable.

The Wahl Head Shaver is also suitable for full-body grooming, providing a versatile option for those looking to achieve a smooth finish beyond the head.

“If you are new to head shaving and deciding to take the plunge, it can feel like a big step,” said Amber Luckhurst, Global Portfolio Manager at Wahl.

“Whether prompted by thinning hair, a change of style or the desire for a lower-maintenance routine, the Wahl Head Shaver puts the control in your hands, helping to achieve a consistently close finish from the comfort of your own home.”

The Wahl Head Shaver Kit is available Wahl, TikTok Shop, Amazon, and Argos., with an RRP of £49.99.

International barber and men’s hairstylist JJ Savani launches his new book, Positioned, next month, revealing for the first time the extraordinary story behind the sunglasses that have become his trademark.

While his sunglasses give him an unmistakable vibe, JJ’s book reveals the truth behind their purpose – he is visually impaired. Diagnosed with keratoconus after his sight deteriorated, JJ’s life unravelled. He lost his career in the NHS, had a mental breakdown and needed specialist support, including supported housing.

“I won’t dress up what that period was,” said JJ. “I shut out my family and my friends. It cost me my home, my relationship at the time, and my business. I started again with a sofa bed and government support. That was my starting line, the second time around.”

After undergoing treatment at Moorfields Eye Hospital, including corneal transplant surgery, some of JJ’s vision was restored, but he remains partially sighted and sensitive to intense light – hence the sunglasses he has worn throughout his career.

Following his surgery, JJ needed to find a new direction, and working behind the chair felt like a natural step. Growing up, he had spent time in his mom’s salon and worked Saturdays in the barbershop upstairs, but starting on this new career was only made possible when an anonymous benefactor paid for him to attend the London School of Barbering.

“To this day, I don’t know who it was,” says JJ. “Whoever you are: that gift changed everything.”

Following his training, JJ earned just £100 a week, but he progressed to become an educator at the London School of Barbering, rented a chair and eventually opened his own salon in Wellingborough.

Celebrity Cuts

His career took another turn when rapper Divine contacted him after seeing his work on Instagram. Celebrity clients followed, alongside editorial, education and session work. Today JJ works internationally, including at fashion weeks in London, Paris and Dubai.

Part memoir, part practical manual, Positioned explores how the lessons JJ learned rebuilding his own career can be applied by others who want to overcome setbacks, build their reputation and create opportunities.

Those principles also underpin JJ’s Global Stylist Blueprint education and his GBS Ascension Method™, which he teaches to hair professionals around the world.

“Hairdressers and barbers are incredibly talented, but talent by itself doesn’t automatically create the career you want,” said JJ.

“I had to rebuild my life and my career from almost nothing. Positioned takes what I learned doing that and turns it into something other people can use. It’s written through the lens of hair, but the principles can be applied to any career or business.”

JJ’s commitment to Moorfields will continue beyond telling his story. Every pound of his profits from Positioned will be donated to Moorfields Eye Charity, helping support its work to transform eye health through research, innovation, education and care.

Positioned is available in Paperback (£16.99) and on Kindle (£9.99)

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.

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.