It’s Thursday and it’s 9am and your Fellowship App is ready and waiting for the latest drop from Style Stage.
Style Stage is a series of step-by-step educational videos produced by the Fellowship and featuring Fellowship members and hosted by Fellowship luminaries including President Robert Eaton, Chair and mentor of Project Extend, Michelle Griffin and Project Afro leader, Jacqui McIntosh. Each Thursday at 9am a new video will be posted on both the Fellowship App and website giving members access to this motivating and inspiring step by step content.
Filmed in a studio setting and edited in real time to give an ‘as live’ feel to it, the Style Stage is an invaluable educational tool for trainees and apprentices looking to dive deeper into cutting, styling or colouring techniques or for experienced stylists to upgrade their skills in an easy to watch format.
The first Fellowship Style Stage will drop on Thursday 26th January and features Richard Windle of Sebastian Professional showcasing some of his favourite techniques for creating a beautiful done/undone look. Project Afro leader Jacqui McIntosh interviews Richard throughout the session ensuring he shares his top tips exclusively with Fellowship members.
Don’t forget to download the Fellowship App for Free (Android and IOS) where Fellowship members will receive Style Stage direct to their app or view as a member on the Fellowship website – www.fellowshiphair.com
In 2023, the Fellowship are focusing on accessible education, and to deliver this have developed the Fellowship App, which is available for both Apple and Android phones. Their mission is to provide all generations of hairdressers with access to the latest education, information on Fellowship events and Projects along with regularly updated content.
The Fellowship App will provide accessible education from world class Fellowship Members, building a community of like-minded hairdressers to share and showcase their work, watch content created by the Fellowship’s eight Project Teams under the guidance of their inspirational mentors and book tickets for Fellowship events. App users can visit The Knowledge for the latest step by steps in cutting, colouring, and dressing hair – it’s like a who’s who of hairdressing and provides a wonderful insight into the rich heritage of the Fellowship.
Fellowship President, Robert Eaton added, “Our new app provides an incredible amount of information and education. Our vision for the app is to be the go-to tool for all hairdressers from apprentices and trainees to senior, freelance stylists, salon stylists and salon owners who want to discover the best in hairdressing education and inspiration. With content being updated regularly there’s no need to ever be stuck in a rut or in need of inspiration.”
The Fellowship App is free to download – search Fellowship Education on the App/Google store to download and become the best version of you.
This issue is headed up by BaByliss’s Pete Cranfield, who chats about his essential tools for 2023 – get your hands on the BaByliss PRO Super Motor Clippers for the best cuts this year.
IN THIS ISSUE
It’s always our pleasure to feature the industry’s biggest brands – keep an eye out for gorgeous shoots and incredible looks from American Crew, Liam Oaks, Fresha, and Barber Blades. We also get expert styling advice from SCurl, Andis, Takara Belmont, and Artero.
BARBER’S TOOLKIT
Have you ever wondered what tools are in the best barber’s toolkits? Well, we take a snoop inside the bags of some of the biggest names in the bizz. We talk tools, products, and trend predictions with Charlie Baker (WAHL Pro’s British Barber of the Year 2022), Hayden Cassidy (we all know her iconic work), American Crew All Star Education Teams’ Ian Harrold, and their Global Artistic Director Paul Wilson. Also, shoutout to Roxanne Batt and Sid Sottung, who tell us all about Artero clippers and Captain Fawcett styling products.
MARKETING
Marketing can seem intimidating, but you’re probably doing it already! Social media, Google, apps, and booking platforms like Booksy and Vagaro are your keys to getting your name out there.
One of our main features follows Steve Hilliard, who is owner of two salons, a published author, and business coach. He tells you how to keep your business robust – and keep those clients coming back for more.
Shelby Barriball also gives the lowdown on digital marketing with Vagaro, whilst Danny Robsinson shares his expert advice on strengthening your brand online to perfectly represent you and your business.
NEW YEAR, NEW TRENDS
We start with a New Year trend forecast from powerhouse session stylist, Josh Lamonaca. The Director of Menspire Salon and Menspire Academy, and educator of over 400k followers on Instagram, tells us what will be hot in 2023.
The brilliant Hayden Cassidy also gives her insight alongside Richie Finney, who is Founder of Captain Fawcett, showing how their top-class products will help you master every trend this year.
Liam Oaks is our main feature, welcoming us behind the scenes to his studio, which he runs to help barbers create collections and get their work published.
We can always rely on OSMO for the boldest, brightest styles. Brand Ambassador Brodie Raeside hits hard with men’s colour trends for 2023. An unmissable read that will put you miles ahead of the rest.
And finally, no one does motivation quite like our favourite columnist and Global Artistic Director of WAHL Pro, Simon Shaw. Read his pep talk and you’ll be chomping at the bit to launch your best year yet.
SHAVING
Johnny Baba, award-winning barber and close-shave specialist, gets us started with a look at health and safety for shaving – being clean in your work is just as important as providing the cleanest shaves.
Get precision every time with MÜHLE UK. Veronica Berman, Sales & Marketing Director, and their Head Barber Oran Lasocki give essential advice on shaving – the best practices and what to prepare for in 2023.
Kevin Vorley also gives us the lowdown on Morgans products and why they should be your go-to products for top-class shaves all year round – from skincare to tool care and everything in between.
We hope you enjoy this issue! You can order your print copy here.
The good and the great of British hairdressing came together for the glittering Fellowship Luncheon & Hair Awards this week, recognising the best of creativity and business acumen in British hairdressing.
Held at The Londoner in the heart of London’s Leicester Square, some 400 industry greats, peers and ones to watch came together for a three-course lunch followed by special Hair Awards to celebrate the creativity and successes of its membership, including the presentation of the Fellowship’s highest accolade, Fellowship Hairdresser of the Year.
Hosted by President Robert Eaton and Chancellor Karoliina Saunders, Robert Eaton said: “It was an honour to become your President and from the moment I came on board there’s been a seismic shift in the industry. But, whatever you decide to do with your career, the Fellowship will be there to support you.
A special thanks went to the Project leaders for 2021-2022who have inspired their teams during the most challenging times the industry has faced – ClubStar Art Team leader Karoliina Saunders, Project Colour leader Paul Dennison, Project X leader Sam Burnett and leaders of the F.A.M.E. Team Gary Hooker and Michael Young.
The new F.A.M.E. Team leader was announced to a standing ovation as three-times British Hairdresser of the Year and former Fellowship Hairdresser of the Year, Sally Brooks. She will be mentoring the new team who have an incredible year of amazing opportunities in front of them – Stephanie Gallagher from Wonderland; Stacey Wright from McKoy Hair Company; Edd Moss from Headmasters and James Parr from Nashwhite.
As well as the old favourites, members were also recognised for going above and beyond throughout the past 12 months, giving up their time to mentor, lead and help at events.
2022 saw a slew of new awards launched – Educator of the Year and Session Hair Stylist of the Year was joined by Hall of F.A.M.E. Award, celebrating the successes of former F.A.M.E. team members.
The biggest award Fellowship Hairdresser of the Year was presented to TONI&GUY global creative director Cos Sakkas to a standing ovation, the second major award he has clinched in the last week.
And the winners are:
Fellows with Honours
Kay Binnersley
Simon Shaw
Sam Burnett
David Mannah
Darcey Clarke
Fellow with Distinction
Paul Dennison
Gary Hooker
Michael Young
Karoliina Saunders
Gold Medal
Karine Jackson
Member of the Year
Emma Simmons
Sassoon Scholarship
Phoebe Carraro
Achievers of the Year
Project Colour – Kayleigh Byrne
Project Men – Janene Hawkins Bush
Project X – Cameron Willetts
ClubStar Art Team – Samantha Bickle
Fellowship Hall of F.A.M.E. Award – Errol Douglas MBE and Robert Masciave
President’s Award – Guy Kremer
Fellowship Hairdresser of the Year – Cos Sakkas
Image Awards
Fellowship Image of the Year – Cos Sakkas, TONI&GUY, London
Fellowship Afro Image of the Year – Robert Masciave, Metropolis Hairdressing, Kingston-upon-Thames
Fellowship Colour Image of the Year – Tim Scott-Wright, The Hair Surgery, Stourbridge
Fellowship International Image of the Year – Danny Pato, D&M Hair Design, New Zealand
Fellowship Men’s Image of the Year – Dom Capel, Lara Johnson Lifestyle, Swansea
Fellowship Snapshot Image of the Year – Lydia Stiles, TONI&GY Canary Wharf
Art & Commerce Awards
Fellowship Individual Salon of the Year – Smith England, Salisbury
Fellowship Salon Group of the Year – The Chapel Group
Fellowship Educator of the Year – Dom Capel
Fellowship Session Hair Stylist of the Year – Lisa Farrall
Note:The Fellowship for British Hairdressing was founded in 1946 as the Fellowship of Hair Artists of Great Britain and over the years has grown in stature and now covers many areas of the professional hairdressing industry. The independent, non-political organisation is run by our members, focusing on promoting artistic and creative quality, and providing support for future hairdressing talent keen to make their own mark in the industry. All the projects are designed to nurture sills and provide a career pathway – ClubStar, Project Afro, Project Extend, Project Colour, Project Men, Project Sassoon and Project X as well as the coveted F.A.M.E. Team.
Last month several NHBF Members attended the Small Business Reception held by HM King Charles III at Buckingham Palace. Earlier this year the Palace had asked the NHBF to nominate those Members who have had an impact on the industry from which these invitees were selected.
NHBF Vice President Mandy Lodge-Stewart and Board Member, Fiona Johnston were joined by industry legend, Andrew Collinge, alongside salon owners Mikaela Martin (Ginger Rabbit, London); Brooke Evans (BE Ironbridge, Shropshire), Debbie Digby (Passion4Hair), Julie Hensman (Hensmans), Lesley McCormack (Pamper & Polish/Michaeljohn Training), Gary Machin (The Rogers Barbers) and Erica Liburd (The Muse Salon) at the reception which celebrated the efforts of small businesses and their contributions to their local communities and the British economy after a stressful and unpredictable couple of years.
NHBF Vice President Mandy Lodge-Stewart said, “It was an honour to meet King Charles and to gather with small business owners from across the UK. Everyone here has been championing their industries and local communities, which we’ve all been striving for during and following the pandemic. It was great to meet with other likeminded individuals and discuss our plans for 2023 and how we can keep collaborating to continue to grow.”
NHBF chief executive Richard Lambert commented, “Despite all the challenges hair & beauty has faced over the last few year, and of what is ahead, many salons are showing incredible resilience. We were delighted to see the sector’s contribution recognised by His Majesty.”
Make the most of the festive period with 5 Tips to increase your revenue!
Find out how Booksy can support your business during this time, and try out a free trial.
Booksy Ambassador Alan Beak, explaining the 5 tips to maximise your Christmas revenue!
1. Get Yourself on the Market: During this holiday season, we can anticipate that many people will be traveling fair distances to reconnect with loved ones. But where can out-of-towners find a reliable place to get a quick cut before a family gathering? Booksy Marketplace. Creating an online profile for your barbershop on the Booksy marketplace can help you get discovered by new clients every day. By building your profile, with great images, client reviews, and a comprehensive list of your services and prices, it has never been easier for potential clients to find you, and book in!
2. Modify Your Menu: As time draws closer and closer to the holidays, many barbershops feel a rush of clients, just wanting a quick clean-up. During these busy few days, you might want to modify your menu list, to include shorter, faster turn-over services – to get as many of your clients in and out of the door, in time for the festivities. Booksy makes this easy-as-can-be, as you can simply create a bookable list of services you offer for the holidays.
3. Blast Your Memos: While we all love a hand-written season’s greetings card, it might not be the most efficient way to share your news with your client base. With Booksy you can instantly get any news, promotions, changes, or reminders to your entire database, via SMS and email.
4. Don’t Forget: This time of year, with so much going on, it would be easy to forget your head if it wasn’t screwed on right! With Booksy, you can send your clients automated reminders before each appointment, to avoid the dreaded late arrivals and no-shows.
5. Give the Gift of Easy Shopping: What’s a better gift than time? With Booksy, clients (and your client’s loved ones) can easily purchase gift cards for time and services at your barbershop, making holiday shopping quick and painless, and putting some cash in your register, and appointments in your schedule for the slower January days.
Today, L’Oréal Professionnel, the pioneering hair brand and trusted partner of hair stylists since 1909 becomes the first to create virtual hair looks for cross-gaming avatars.
In partnership with Ready Player Me, the world-leader in avatars for multi-app use, and working with 3-D artist Evan Rochette, L’Oréal Professionnel releases the first in a series of hairstyles for users to curate their personal avatar and push the boundaries of self-expression. Five textured hair looks are available to enable gamers express themselves. Making interconnected virtual worlds a reality, avatars created on Ready Player Me are compatible with more than 4,000 games, platforms and apps globally.
“For more than 110 years, L’Oréal Professionnel has put its pioneering spirit at the service of hairstylists, to develop the professional hair industry and elevate the expression of hair beauty in the world, “ says Anne Machet, L’Oréal ProfessionnelGlobal General Manager.
“We see this exciting partnership with Ready Player Me as a meaningful way to continue our journey in the virtual world. We cannot wait to push technical and creative boundaries to provide the community with limitless hair expression possibilities.”
“L’Oréal Professionnel’s hair styles are an amazing addition to the Ready Player Me platform”, said Timmu Tõke, CEO & Co-Founder of Ready Player Me.”
“We couldn’t be more excited to partner with the L’Oréal Group and bring their avatar customization options to our avatar creator and all apps and games compatible with Ready Player Me, including Spatial, HiberWorld, and VRChat.”
After the first five Ready Player Me looks, L’Oréal Professionnel will continue to build a bridge between hair pros and CG artists next year to develop hair beauty and self-expression in the virtual world.
With the sector still trying to recover from the covid lockdowns, the current cost of living crisis and the mayhem of the mini budget, many of our members are seriously worried about the future of their businesses.
UK salons are the main occupier of high streets up and down the UK (46,210) and the Autumn Budget released on 17th November has done nothing but levy a further cost rise on employers in the sector who already struggle to meet wage bills due to loss of trade following the Covid lockdowns and since the mini budget. A forced NMW increase of 9.7/10.9% plus employer oncosts will most certainly force the industries underground market to expand even further.
Employers in the industry are the ones sinking fast! With only 33% of workers in the industry now “employed”, and the only ones likely to be paying VAT are now also weighted down with increasing high energy costs and again MORE employment costs.
Every employer believes their employees deserve more, but the Government has naively levied an increase on a sector that is trading in a two-tier business model with employers now losing the race. Employers want to retain staff, invest, grow and develop their businesses but they have not even had a chance to trade out of covid with many still not back to 2019 revenues, yet costs continue to rise at an unsustainable level.
Apprenticeships jobs already at risk from the pandemic and lack of Government support means this now forced wage increase will result in many 16–18-year-olds losing their apprenticeships, potentially forcing them onto benefits.
The industry is not regulated so there is no consumer protection in place to protect the public from rogue traders who have never trained or qualified in the industry. The consequence of Government choices has now increased what was already an endemic problem in the industry. The Hair and Barber Council are constituted by the 1964 Hairdressing Act with qualified professional hairdressers and barbers able to voluntarily register with the Council, but the mass of rogue traders will continue to plough trade in our sector forcing the entire industry in a race to the bottom. Once regulated the sector would be managed by industry experts and professionals who have worked in the sector for many years.
The Hair and Barber Council URGENTLY needs the following support to help it to survive and prosper.:
Suspend business rates to help with high energy costs – include the personal care sector and give 75% discount or 100% to high street salons/barbers.
Give the sector a VAT cut and level up the playing field
Introduce HMRC time to pay for industries still plagued with covid debt from pandemic lockdowns they did not choose.
Support Apprenticeship costs for salon employers with an Apprenticeship furlough type scheme to SAVE JOBS.
Convert BBL/CBILS for small businesses locked down to grants.
HM Treasury to meet with The Hair & Barber Council and other organisations to deal with critical issues plaguing the industry.
Government to pay SSP for small employers as all are still impacted by covid absence
Make regulation mandatory to stop rogue traders, protect consumers and our professional sector.
Leading Italian haircare brand, Oway is delighted to announce Simon Tuckwell, owner of Tuckwell & Co in Nottingham as the brand’s new UK Creative Director.
Earth, glass and aluminium is where the Oway story first began in 1948, in Bologna, Italy. one of the most beautiful cities in the world, After a lengthy research process in the early 1990s, they embarked on a mission to create hair products using organic extracts, cementing the ethos of the Oway brand we know today. In order to bring change to the industry, Oway chose to give up classic chemical ingredients and undertake a journey of true green revolution and a natural pace towards real sustainability to support their commitment to protecting the planet.
Now, the Oway Manifesto is the perfect visual representation of the brand’s values and the benefits they bring to your salon with each and every cut, colour and style.
From growing and cultivating ingredients with the least environmental impact to developing sustainable packaging, this Manifesto represents the conscious choice and purposeful action your salon takes to change the industry for the better.
In 2010 Oway became biodynamic farmers and created Ortofficina, a place to grow herbs and plants in the most earth friendly way by distilling them directly for use in their products. By 2013 plastic was out, replaced by glass and aluminium, both fully recyclable and protective materials.
Earth, glass and aluminium – the agricosmetica circle, a constantly evolving path, which shapes and reshapes an authentic and conscious lifestyle. A value shared by new Creative Director Simon Tuckwell:
“I’m delighted to be working with Oway UK as their UK Creative Director. For me, it just felt like Oway was the perfect fit for the Tuckwell & Co brand, ethically and aesthetically. The support from day one has been second to none. Having that real close and personal relationship with a brand is key for me. I look forward to growing our relationship in the coming years and I’m excited for what’s to come. The products are extremely popular with both my team who love the performance they deliver and our clients who constantly comment on the scent and feel.”
The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) has urged the new Chancellor, the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, to adopt a six-point plan to protect the hair & beauty sector.
The NHBF argues that that hair & beauty is experiencing a ‘cost of doing business’ crisis, with energy and business costs escalating, inflation at 10% and consumer confidence falling. This is paired with a sector skills crisis undermining the ability of businesses to recruit both entry level apprentices and experienced staff. Commercial rents are also rising and businesses could pay more through business rates after revaluation in spring 2023.
The six-point plan asks for:
Continued support on energy bills.
The Energy Bill Relief scheme is a vital lifeline for many sector businesses. The array of services offered by the sector are underpinned by energy usage; for 64% of businesses, energy represents their first or second largest outgoing. These costs have increased by over 40% for half of businesses, with some experiencing increases of 300-400% or more. There is a ticking time bomb for a third of businesses who will see their energy contract renewals coming up over the next 3-6 months and risk paying significantly higher prices.
Business need further support on energy bills beyond March 2023 and energy companies should be encouraged to offer a range of flexible payment plans so that businesses are supported to pay off bills over a longer period of time.
Continued support on business rates.
The NHBF has called for the 50% business rates discount continued into the 2023-24 financial year. If government finances allow, then 100% business rates relief as envisaged with Investment Zones would be invaluable and very welcome across the UK.
Nurturing the next generation of talent.
Financial incentives for small and medium businesses to employ 16–18-year-old apprentices: The future of the sector depends on an influx of 16-18 apprentices. Funding could be channelled to fund apprenticeships to enable training providers to train and employers to take on apprentices, making the apprenticeship more viable and affordable for businesses through an incentive of £3,000 per apprentice.
Financial incentives for SMEs who hire apprentices aged 19 or over: There has been a flood of older learners wanting to train in the sector, however the National Minimum Wage (NMW) or apprentices’ wage restriction have prevented this. Learners are unable to contribute to the business’s income until they are qualified and insured, so the increase in their costs after the first-year acts as a deterrent to employers. First year incentives would help support taking on apprentices aged 19+ by bridging the gap between the apprentice wage and the minimum wage.
These incentives could be funded by restructuring the Apprenticeship Levy so that more small businesses could benefit from a redistribution of the fund
In the Careers at the Cutting Edge report, the NHBF estimated the cost of these initiatives, which would be a fraction of the £2 billion currently unspent.
Restraint on rises to National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage.
The Government will soon be announcing its response to this year’s recommendations from the Low Pay Commission on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) rates. Given the severely challenging economic environment and looming recession, the NHBF asked for restraint and for any rises to take account of business survival and the ability of businesses to employ.
A fairer tax system.
The NHBF has called for a fairer approach to the tax system to create a more level playing field between businesses with employees and businesses using self-employed individuals. This includes raising the VAT threshold so that more small and micro businesses benefit from relief, reducing the VAT rate to 5% or introducing tiered rates for the smallest businesses to remove the disincentive to grow and remain below the threshold.
Crackdown on tax evading businesses.
The NHBF also called on the Government to target resources for a crackdown on informal businesses operating on a cash basis in the margins, failing to declare earnings, not paying tax or VAT, which means they charge lower prices, undercutting and threatening the survival of responsible businesses and undermining minimum wage legislation.
Richard Lambert, NHBF chief executive says, “Hair & beauty businesses are desperate for some economic stability so they can plan for and be confident in their future. The revolving door at the Department for Business has seen four different Personal Care ministers pass through it in the past four months. We still don’t know who in government will be looking after our sector-specific needs – just as the latest GDP figures show that hairdressing in particular is one of the industries hardest hit by the current financial situation. The targeted investment we propose will, in the medium to long term, tgenerate more revenue in taxes, as well as increasing business growth and employment opportunities.”
