Eco warriors Easydry are celebrating an epic week of eco-friendliness! Sustainability has always been at the core of Easydry and this week marks several milestones in this eco mission. 

Carbon Footprint – 10 year anniversary! 

Almost 20 years ago, Easydry introduced the worlds first compostable, disposable towel product. Then ten years ago, Easydry first measured the carbon footprint of their product. This incredible milestone is definitely a cause for celebration! Easydry, at this time, also looked at the entire life-cycle of their patented disposable towels and measured the carbon footprint.  

Easydry’s published their 2011 Environmental Report which included a summary of an independent Life Cycle Analysis which was commissioned by Easydry to compare their eco-friendly, disposable towels with cotton ones. The report includes a comparison of water usage, carbon emissions, the use of toxic chemicals and the use of land (which would be suitable for crop cultivation).   

They then compared Easydry to cotton towels and have uncovered the following startling quotations and statistics: 

• Easydry fibre production uses 10 to 20 times less water than cotton production. Easydry uses approximately 319 litres of water to produce 1kg of fibre whereas 7,000 to 29,000 litres of water are needed to produce 1kg of cotton fibre 
• There is no scientific evidence to support the belief that cotton is ecologically superior to industrially produced cellulose fibres. 
• “Cotton has one of the greatest environmental impacts of all agricultural commodities during its processing” according to the WWF. 
• “Modern man-made cellulose fibres have a clear potential in reducing the environmental impacts over cotton and  petrochemical synthetic fibres” according to the University of Utrecht. 

Easydry is the first disposable towel company to have a full life-cycle measured Carbon Footprint! 

As founder and CEO, Anne Butterly explains: 

“When you look at the environmental research on Easydry disposable versus cotton towels, you can clearly see that Easydry is significantly kinder to the environment. It may sound contradictory but a single-use product, in this case, an Easydry disposable towel, has a lower carbon footprint, water, lower electricity usage and less environmental contamination than a reusable cotton towel. Cotton towels require frequent high temperature washes and drying cycles. This consumes huge quantities of water and electricity while releasing chemically contaminated water and microplastics into the environment. Easydry fibres are 100% biodegradable and compostable, whereas cotton towels are often mixed with synthetics and often end up in landfill sites where they take 1000’s of years to fully break down.” 

FSC Recertification Audit Passed  – 10 years of chain of custody certification! 

The second piece of good news for Easydry this week is that they have passed their FSC recertification audit and can now celebrate ten years of being FSC Certified! 

FSC Certification means that a company is manufacturing from ethically and sustainably managed forests. It also means that the company does not participate in illegal logging, child labour, forced labour or discrimination.  

The Forest Stewardship Council is an independent, not for profit, non-government organization that was established to support environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests. 

Easydry has FSC (Forest Stewardship Certification) for their product and their entire supply chain. This means that every step of the process has been externally audited and certified. This is a complicated process and is very difficult to achieve. Easydry first achieved this elusive certification ten years ago and, passed their second re-certification audit this week.  

Founder and CEO, Anne Butterly explains: 

“I saw ten years ago that this coveted external certification was a great way to show that Easydry was focused on sustainability and human rights. This was then and still is a priority for us today! FSC Chain of Custody Certification means that an external body has audited our entire supply chain and has certified us to this standard. We are incredibly proud to have achieved this and retained it for ten years.” 

Easydry is the only disposable towel company to have their entire chain of custody certified to this standard. It is incredible to have achieved this, let alone to have held this for ten years! 

Industrial Compost, Home Compost and Seedling Certifications!  

Easydry towels have always been made with 100% certified composable fibres. However this was not enough for Easydry Founder and CEO Anne Butterly. She continued to push for even more! Easydry has now achieved an exclusive trio of external certificates from global experts TUV Austria to bolster their environmental credentials.  

Easydry has now proved that their products are suitable for Industrial Composting, Home Composting and they also achieved the Seedling certification.  

Butterly is particularly delighted to announce today that Easydry towels are now certified as suitable for the newest standard – Home Composting. This newly launched standard is certified by the esteemed TUV Austria – a global expert in certification to these and other standards. Butterly explains: 

“We have always sought external certification to prove our claims. We know it is crucial for consumers and businesses to trust the brands they buy from. We are so proud to have achieved this trio of certifications from TUV Austria – “Home Composting”, “Industrial Composting” and “Seedling”. 

Easydry is the only disposable towel company globally to be certified to these three standards: OK Compost Industrial, Seedling, OK Compost Home! 

When it comes to getting ready for the big day, it’s not just the brides who will take several trips to the salon months before, but the grooms too. On the big day men will be wearing the most suave outfit of their life and they will want their hair, along with any facial hair, to compliment this, says Jim Shaw, owner of Toni&Guy, Billericay

With that in mind, in order for their hair and beard to look its very best for the day, men should book in for a few appointments in the months prior to the day to ensure they can discuss and practice the cut and style they would like to have with their hairdresser and ensure they are happy with it. They will also be able to see how the cut looks grown out and see if they like the cut worn best fresh or with it slightly grown in. From this, they will be able to have an idea if they would like their hair cut just before the wedding or if they would like to get it cut a few days-a week before to allow the style to settle.  

The same goes for if the clients has any facial hair – they may want to experiment with different cuts/beard styling in the months before the big day to see what look they like best, and what works in harmony with their hair cut and compliments their facial features. 

Some men may want to opt for a more natural, effortless look on their wedding day, which enhances their natural hair texture, whereas others may want a more sleek and polished appearance. Discuss with your client what they will be looking for, try some styles on them a couple of months before the day and show them the products you are using. Let them get a feel for the products in their hair and see if they prefer a shiny or matte finish. Spend a good amount of consultation time with your client to ensure you know what they want before you start creating some styles for them.  

Polished, precise hairstyles are a firm favourite amongst grooms and for this look, I love to apply a pomade into the hair and then use a blow-dryer to slick the hair back off the face or to one side, giving a sleek and smooth but dramatic finish with height. If a groom does want a lot of height on their big day, they will want to avoid getting too much of their hair cut in the lead up to it and will instead want to opt for trims that will allow their hair to grow whilst still looking healthy. 

For those with curlier hair types, who may want to embrace their style on their big day, it’s a great idea to help define the curls and allow them to really look their best. I love to use a curl defining cream or a mousse in the hair, which not only helps define the curls but also gives them body and bounce. Regular trims are a must for those with curly hair to keep the curls looking pristine and free from damage and flyaways. 

It’s a good idea to suggest to your male clients getting hair treatments in the lead up to the day in order for their hair to look and feel in the best condition possible. This is particularly important for gents with longer hair who will be more prone to damage and split ends and will want to keep their hair free from frizz. 

To keep hair and facial hair looking its best in the lead up to the big day, clients should also ensure they are using the correct products. A scalp treatment is great for ensuring the hair is free from any dead skin cells and a good quality professional shampoo and conditioner are a must to keep hair looking healthy, nourished, smooth and shiny. Men may also want to avoid using heated styling tools where possible to give their hair a break and try to restore the condition as much as possible for a few months in the lead up to the wedding. Instead, experimenting with texturising sprays, pomades and gels is a great choice, and many of these also work to condition the hair at the same time.  

For beards, men should always wash their beard with a beard shampoo/wash to keep the hair looking smooth and slick and free from dead skin cells. A beard serum is also beneficial to keep the beard moisturised, soft and to tame any unruly hairs, whilst also nourishing the skin underneath. 

For grooms it’s important that they have a fabulous experience in the salon and feel special in the lead up to their wedding. On the day of their appointment for their wedding cut and style and grooming services, offer them additional treatments to give them the complete pamper experience, such as a manicure or a facial that will have them leaving the salon looking and feeling their best. Ensure their face is free from any unwanted hairs (nose, ears) and that the client is 100% happy with their finished look upon leaving the salon.

The latest addition to the OSMO IKON Blonde Elevation family is the new Yellow Colour Additive. Created after responding to customer demand, OSMO IKON Blonde Elevation range allows the creation of a bespoke blonde colour service for clients, regardless of their individual hair demands and needs. This multi-use, neutralising solution is suitable for use with any lightening formula with no compromise on development time. Colourists can create a quick solution and get excellent results, which is perfect for saving time in busy salons.

The Blonde Elevation collection currently includes Premium Violet Lightening Powder with Bond Builder, Freehand Clay Additive with Kaolin Clay, the Colour Additive Starter Kit, and Colour Additives in Blue, Green, Red and Violet to help counteract brassy tones delivering the perfect super-clean base pre colour application.

The new OSMO IKON BLONDE ELEVATION YELLOW COLOUR ADDITIVE works to:

• Neutralise violet undertones
• Is perfect for use as a pre-pig tool on blondes to replace the missing colour pigments of the desired target level
• Is designed to be mixed with the existing 4 Colour Additive shades to create the perfect colour palette – e.g., Yellow + Red = Orange
• Can be added to bleach with a low volume of peroxide for a beautiful sun-kissed blonde result
• Can be added to a leave-in conditioner such as Wonder 10, asa top-up colour treatment or to help mask violet tones in blonde shades

Lesley Stitt, OSMO Global Educator, explains; “Blonde Elevation is about creating bespoke blonde techniques for your client. The ColourAdditives are cocktailed with your lightening powder and developer to help develop the tonal effect you want. With this new Yellow Additive, you now have all the primary colours so can create a rainbow of additives to tackle any colour correction and neutralise any colour you come across. As colourists we all know how hard it is to shift blue from a colour correction but if you combine the new Yellow Additive with the Red Additive to create orange, this will ensure a clean base for your blonde colour service.”

SALON PRICE: £8.35 + VAT (50ml)

Business consultant Phil Jackson from Build Your Salon, offers these tips for managing your money within the salon.  

We are living in turbulent times and even world events occurring far from home are having an impact on your business.  Energy prices are on the rise and it won’t be long before our manufacturers have to pass increased costs along to our salons.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. So much seems outside of your control. There are, however, a few simple moves you could be making to protect your business and ensure you remain profitable. 

Firstly, review your prices. I’m hoping you do this regularly anyway, but I’ve heard of a few salons that are delaying their pricing review ‘until things settle down’. To be blunt, things won’t settle down any time soon and you run the risk of running on reduced profit in the meantime. Holding out to see what your suppliers are doing could mean delays of weeks or even months. Far better to decide your prices on the information you have now and make an educated guess on what might happen in the next couple of months. Then implement any changes sooner rather than later. 

Price reviews can cause a little upset with your customers (though few will expect your prices to remain the same, particularly in the current climate). You can take some of the sting out of the increases and ensure your prices are set where they should be by reviewing prices more frequently. Six-monthly price reviews tend to mean smaller increases and some services may not need reviewing at all. In times of drastic change don’t be afraid to increase sooner than that. I am certain your customers would rather that than see you operate at a loss or even have to close your doors for good. 

Changing prices is far easier if you have made the decision to finally ditch physical price cards. Make your pricing available online or alternatively, if you have something you want to physically give your customers, exclude the prices and instead provide them with a link or QR code where the latest prices can be accessed. That means that changing your prices is a simple two-minute job rather than paying hundreds of pounds for a print run of price cards. It’s also friendlier to the environment than binning a box of unused cards. 

Encourage online bookings. Not only does it mean you can take bookings 24/7, it means your customers are shown the latest, up-to-date prices at the point of booking too. It will never suit everyone but it can make a huge difference to your business, particularly if you implement a booking fee to reduce no-shows. 

Finally, take the opportunity to review your costs. Some increases are unavoidable but shop around as much as you can for utilities and other supplies. Even 1% of costs saved can make a massive difference to your profits over a year. Sadly, we can’t exclude wages from this review. If you set your commission to an affordable level a few years ago but your fixed costs have increased, either your variable costs (including commission) will need to reduce or you are going to have to reduce your profit margin. Remember to take legal advice before making changes to contracts or pay. 

There is currently an affection for small businesses and salons that means your customers are less price sensitive. The best way to weather a financial storm is to remain nimble, adapt quickly and keep a firm grip on those things you can control. 

Mick Phipps, host and co-founder of  THE PODBARBER’S WELLBEING PROJECT  podcast is channelling his wisdom and energy into a project that will revolutionise school-age mental healthcare forever.  

Mick is working with a local high school to create a safe space where children can share their feelings with appropriate adults, without judgement. 

Mick says, “This was an opportunity to make a difference in my own community. This is the school that I went to and the school my children will attend, and I knew that my platform with the Podbarber Podcast and my place in the community as a barbershop owner could make an impact. I’ve raised over £20,000 in funds and over £10,000 in donated time from tradespeople to make this amazing space within the school – a place where children can talk openly about their feelings. It’s a mental health first aid unit for the student body and the first of its kind in the country. 

The Pandemic has left our youth with huge mental health challenges, and they aren’t being properly addressed. This light, bright space is safe and secure and will serve as a place where children can sit with their feelings in a healthy way, rather than become isolated and end up feeling worse.” 

CLICK HERE TO HEAR THE PODCASTS

Mick is on a mission to arm our youth with the emotional literacy they need to build mental resilience and protect themselves as they grow. He has conducted extensive research and spoken with teachers and mental health professionals to design the space. At a time when government funding is scarce and when 1 in 6 children aged 6-16 have a diagnosed mental health issue, this project will make a real difference.  

Mick adds, “We are creating a place where, in their moment of crisis, children will have the confidence to know they can be supported by a caregiver in privacy and comfort. Conversation really is the cure.” 

“Turn Up the Heat – a special night of inspiration for salons, hairdressers and barbers – in association with Wahl”  

Join Booksy in Bristol for the hottest ticket of the summer with a live masterclass from two of the UK’s leading Barber and hairdresser, Alan Beak and Pedro Plastic, plus lots of exclusive content and entertainment.  

It’s time to turn up the heat and step into action so the summer season doesn’t slow you down. Booksy, in partnership with Wahl, invite you to join us for a special night of inspiration, education and entertainment. Here’s what you can expect 

• A masterclass in hairdressing and barbering from Alan Beak and Pedro Plastic 
• A presentation from Alice McNails on how to maximise brand partnerships 
• Access to exclusive offers and incentives from Booksy and Whal 
• A 3-course dinner and drinks plus entertainment  

This event is absolutely FREE to attend for industry professionals and will fill out pretty quickly so register today to guarantee your seat. 

Venue: Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel 
Address: Broad St, Bristol BS1 2EL 
Date: Monday 20 June 2022 
Time: 7pm – 10pm (doors open at 6:30pm) 

Click the link to book your place.  

Following its 75^th anniversary, the Fellowship for British Hairdressing has unveiled its plans for the next 75 years to come – with new initiatives, a new direction and new faces to lead it into the future. 

With President Robert Eaton at the helm, the Fellowship is embracing the diversity of the industry, the challenges it faces and the opportunities available with the launch of its Executive Board, Fellowship members who have come together to share ideas, inspirations and determination to take the British hairdressing industry to new levels. Each member not only brings a wealth of experience, but will also be responsible for driving the Fellowship forward.  

Robert explains: “The launch of our dedicated Executive Board is about recognising the great work that has already been done, celebrating our heritage and driving the Fellowship forward in a fresh and modern way.” 

The Executive Board members are: 

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Rob added: “Hairdressing is an exciting career and our Executive Board want to inspire people both new to the industry and those who have worked in the industry for many years. We will be collaborating and bringing the industry together from all corners of the UK and inspiring, educating and motivating salon owners, salon stylists, freelance independent stylists and barbers, as well as our product houses and our press. Working together we want to re-energise the next generation and make them realise what a diverse, inclusive and exciting industry this really is.”  

Want to get involved? Become a member and be part of the future of British hairdressing. Find out more https://fellowshiphair.com/join/join-the-fellowship

Sign up for a dose of inspiration, enjoy a drink and witness a true creative at work… The perfect social night out while picking up incredible skills. 

Combinations, Balance and Proportions, Outlines, Shapes of Disconnection, Placement of Disconnection, Combinations of Disconnection, Movement From Technique, Texturising, Finishing Techniques, Use of Irons, and Product Application. 

Dove Palmer is a true Global leading light in the modern salon industry. He has gained years of experience working with the very best throughout the world with an unmatched reputation for his understanding to the dynamics of haircutting. This led to the release of his education concept: “The MethoD”. 

This blends together the discipline of precision cutting with natural ergonomic form. Doves’ concept focuses on finding our individual strengths and weaknesses and offering guidance in the right direction to unlock our full potential. 

“This concept does not want to change the way you work with hair, but to give you the understanding to develop yourself when we are not with you”  – Dove Palmer 

AN EVENING WITH DOVE PALMER 
MONDAY 23RD MAY 2022 | 7PM-9PM | THE BOX, PLYMOUTH 

BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW AT: https://learning.keune.uk.com/learn/evening-dove-palmer 

HotPatch is the go-to platform for those seeking professional flexibility in the Hair and Beauty sector.  

HotPatch allows users to find any space they need, from nail stations to beauty rooms; available in locations all around the country, and bookable on a flexible basis to match their own schedules.  

Likewise, if you’re a salon or nail-bar owner (or an owner of any space, really!) HotPatch enables you to make extra income by making it accessible to a buzzing community of professionals and freelancers.  

Over 60% of the beauty industry are working freelance in the UK, and HotPatch was built to remove many of the obstacles they face and make finding a space to work as simple and smooth as possible. 

Need a more professional location to serve clients from? Planning a long trip elsewhere and want to get a few days work in? Fancy working nearer your clients? Or maybe even a little closer to home? Grow your professional network with HotPatch, and work from a whole host of stunning salons or beauty rooms, all at your fingertips.   

So then, how do you use HotPatch to find your next work space?  

1. Sign up for free at HotPatch.com, and browse our categories to find whatever space you need. 
2. Filter Patches depending on your location, availability, amenities and price.  
3. Click to book, get connected to the host, and that’s it! Simple as that. You’ve found yourself a Patch. 

How do you use HotPatch, if you have space to rent?  

1. Sign up to HotPatch on HotPatch.com  
2. List the details of your Patch, such as location, price, amenities, with a brief description of the space. 
3. Publish that listing and let the Patch community at it!  

And that’s everything there is to it. 

No more scouring the internet to find if a salon has a spare chair, or going from door to door checking availability. Connect with hosts in just a couple of clicks, and work where you want, when you want.  

Say it with us: 
Make Space Work For You.  

Award-winning Rick Roberts spent the day with the Fellowship’s PROJECT: X recently where they learnt about texture, curls and coils.  

The team travelled to the ghd Academy in central London with their team leader Sam Burnett for their latest mentoring team day, the latest in their year of education. Rick is no stranger to creating beautiful textured hair images, winning Afro Hairdresser of the Year three times and is now a member of the Hall of Fame.  

Working on mannequin heads, Rick talked to the team about the unique make up of textured hair, and discussed how to bring curls and coils to life.  Then, in the afternoon, they worked on Bantu Knots, twisting and rod setting, seeing for themselves the different curl results and styles possible with curly hair. But importantly, Rick went through the history of curly hair, the history of Afro Caribbean hair and understanding and respecting the curl. 

Team member Tanahya Nash said: “Our PROJECT: X day with Rick Roberts was fantastic. Rick taught us a universal texture cut, braids, twists, Bantu knots and setting techniques. I can’t wait to take what we’ve learned, especially the styling techniques and put them into practice.” 

Justine Weir added: “I had the best day with Rick, as always he delivers, his knowledge and understanding of curls and texture is unbelieveable. The vibes were amazing and everyone was buzzing after it, I really left like  I learnt a lot.” 
 

Chris Donohue commented: “I had a wonderful day with Rick. Textured hair is a hole in my knowledge, so it was amazing to be taught the fundamentals and more.  Rick has a really relaxed way of teaching, and it was a very open conversation.  I now feel more confident and knowledgeable in textured hair and I can’t wait to grow that part of myself.” 

PROJECT: X Team Members:  

Tanahya Nash – Bebop 
Sian Roscoe – Sian Roscoe Hair 
Edd Moss – Headmasters 
Miles Twist – Architect Hair 
Justine Weir – Tweedie & Marshall Hairdressing 
Christopher Donohue – Billi Currie 
Lauren Oram – Matthew Curtis Hair 
Cameron Willetts – Combers Inside-Out Hairdressing 
Sam Arnold – Strangeways 
Kenneth McLeod – My Two 
Lee Patrick Devlin – Blue Tit 
Idalina Domingos – DK UK 

For more information:

Instagram: @fellowshiphair
Call: 01295 724579 
Visit: http://www.fellowshiphair.com