The beauty industry is getting a major new stage with the launch of The Road to HEBS, a premier education, networking, and competition platform that brings together everyone from barbers, braiders and stylists, to locticians, educators, and brands from around the world.
The Road to HEBS is the first competition pathway in the beauty industry that gives competitors the opportunity to earn a place from regional heats to compete at a national championship, and ultimately the world stage. With sponsor Pure O Natural Products, HEBS are bringing high stakes competitions designed to push boundaries and spotlight creativity.
The tour will take in major cities, including LA, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Orlando, Charlotte, and Washington DC. The top three winners from each regional event will earn a coveted spot at the national championship, held during HEBS in Secaucus, New Jersey, before heading to the HEBS Lagos Championship in Nigeria.
As well as the trophies and industry recognition, there are over $175k in cash and prizes waiting to be won.
Commitment to Creativity
One of the most unique aspects of the competition is its commitment to creative freedom. The Road to HEBS encourages competitors to think outside the box to bring their artistic vision to life.
“Road to HEBS is a championship league idea and mindset. We’re hosting competitions in different regions, creating a tour that gives beauty professionals an opportunity to showcase their creativity and artistry on a major platform,” said barber and Pure O Education Director Lici Quintero, AKA Lici Lady Barber.
“These competitions are very creatively led. We do not put limits on the expression and artistry that competitors want to use.”
The competitions serve as a platform for creative imagination and expression, but also challenges in precision, technique, style and storytelling.
The Global Beauty Community
The international opportunity highlights the larger vision behind The Road to HEBS. Organizers see the competition as the foundation of a global championship league that connects beauty professionals across continents while creating new opportunities for exposure and career advancement.
In addition to competition, attendees can expect educational programming, product demonstrations, and access to leading brands. The tour will feature products from PureO Natural Products and other emerging brands, while continuing to emphasize professional development.
“Education is a big thing for us at Pure O,” explained Lici. “This competition is all about balancing fun, education, and creativity.”
For those considering entering, Lici’s advice is simple: embrace your creativity and show up prepared.”Don’t hold back your creativity. This platform was designed to celebrate artistry, so bring your vision to life and show what makes your work unique.”
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 19th September.
Beauty professionals from across the country will soon be heading to South Florida for the latest Beauty Weekends expo, an educational and networking event designed with women in the beauty and barbering industries in mind.
Taking place in Fort Lauderdale over September 25 – 27, the event combines business development, technical education, and community-building to help attendees grow personally and professionally.
Hosted by The Beauty Weekends, the event will feature hands-on classes, industry experts, and opportunities for barbers, stylists, entrepreneurs, and beauty professionals to expand their skill sets and strengthen their businesses.
Among the featured educators will be three accomplished female barbers, bringing decades of their expertise and specialized knowledge to the stage.
Building Wealth Beyond the Chair
Lici Lady Barber will present a financial empowerment class focused on helping beauty professionals create long-term wealth through financial planning and tax education.
“I’ll be teaching how to build wealth using the tax code,” said Lici. “We’re going to dive into financial structure and how we can become better overall in the industry.”
Her session aims to provide practical tools to better understand finances, maximize opportunities available to business owners, and establish a stronger foundation for future success.
Unlocking New Services with Hair Units
Osiris Pastor, known professionally as Barber Boss Lady, will share her expertise in hair unit care, installation, and maintenance – one of the fastest-growing service categories in the industry.
With thinning hair and baldness becoming increasingly common, Osiris believes beauty professionals have an opportunity to offer life-changing solutions while growing their businesses.
“I want every barber and stylist to learn how to do this because you’re going to elevate your services,” she said. “You’re going to help a lot of people who are dealing with thinning and baldness, and you’ll be able to provide a real solution to a growing problem.”
Mastering the Shift from Fades to Shears
Veteran barber Corina Lady Barber will bring her more than 30 years of experience to an educational session focused on transitioning from traditional fade work into advanced shear techniques. As trends continue to evolve, many barbers are finding that clients increasingly seek textured, longer styles that require strong scissor skills.
“The industry is moving into more shear work,” Corina explained. “A lot of barbers are struggling with that transition. I want to share my 30 years of knowledge and show you how to make life easier behind the chair.”
Her class is designed to help professionals gain confidence and precision while adapting to the changing demands of today’s clients.
More Than an Event
Beauty Weekender is more than a weekend of classes – it’s a platform for connection, education, and empowerment. While the event was intentionally created to support women in the beauty and barbering industries, it welcomes anyone committed to growth, learning, and advancing their career.
From business-building strategies and financial literacy to cutting-edge technical skills, attendees will leave with actionable knowledge they can immediately apply to their craft and businesses.
For beauty professionals looking to sharpen their skills, expand their services, and connect with a supportive community of industry leaders, Beauty Weekender promises to be one of the most impactful events of the year.
Wahl Professional has introduced the new Vapor Switch, the next evolution of the brand’s award-winning Vapor clipper.
Built for professionals who refuse one-size-fits-all performance, the Vapor Switch gives barbers the freedom to shift between cutting styles, adapt to every client and customize performance in real time.
“We listened closely to feedback from the barber community and put those insights directly into the newest evolution of the Vapor, the Vapor Switch,” said Mike Wahl, VP of Innovation and Insights for Wahl Professional.
“From enhanced ergonomics and dual-speed performance to the new Rapid Switch taper lever and upgraded blade technology, every advancement was designed around how barbers work behind the chair.”
Available from September through authorized Wahl Professional distributors and WahlPro.com, the Vapor Switch features Wahl’s new HyperShift Dual-Speed Brushless Motor, giving barbers the ability to instantly switch between 7,000 RPM for controlled bulk removal and 9,000 RPM for fast, precision fading and detailing. The clipper intelligently responds to different hair types and cutting conditions to deliver smooth, consistent performance from the first pass to the last.
The clipper also introduces Wahl’s Rapid Switch taper lever, allowing barbers to easily toggle between five-click positions and free-flow control without tools. Whether creating detailed fades or longer blends, professionals can adjust the clipper to match their technique and move seamlessly between services.
The new F32 Drift Blade features premium black PVD chrome and DLC coatings for longer-lasting sharpness, while a built-in oil reservoir helps reduce friction and blade heat for cooler, smoother cutting throughout the day. Bold dual-color LED lighting instantly signals selected motor speed, keeping barbers focused on the cut without missing a beat.
Education, inspiration and the people shaping the future of barbering.
The September/October edition of BarberEVO North America is out now – and Issue 51 is packed with creative inspiration, expert education, business insight, exceptional interiors, and stories from across the barbering community.
As the industry enters a new season, this issue celebrates evolution in all its forms. From Luca Malnati’s striking cover collection and the barbers behind the FIFA World Cup to innovative educators, community-driven barbershops, and a major milestone for Floyd’s 99 Barbershop, there is plenty to discover.
Cover Story: DEPOT’s *Seasons of Identity*
As summer gives way to fall, Luca Malnati’s brilliant collection for DEPOT, *Seasons of Identity*, could not be a more fitting choice for the cover of Issue 51.
The collection explores transformation, individuality, and the different identities we express throughout the seasons. Strong hair, considered styling, and beautifully executed imagery come together in a collection that feels both timely and timeless.
For barbers and creatives interested in producing their own editorial work, our Behind the Shoot article offers an additional layer of inspiration. It explores how the DEPOT team brought the project together by drawing on the skills, relationships, and creative talent already within their network. It is proof that an outstanding collection does not always require looking far afield; sometimes the ideal team is already around you.
The Barbers Behind the Beautiful Game
This year, one sporting event captured an extraordinary amount of attention across North America, and unexpectedly placed hair and barbering in the spotlight.
The FIFA World Cup brought together the world’s leading soccer talent, but it also created a global stage for personal style. Every cut, fade, design, and transformation was seen by millions, reinforcing the important role barbers play in helping athletes look and feel ready for the biggest moments of their careers.
In this special feature, BarberEVO speaks with many of the barbers who made the beautiful game even more beautiful. David Marulanda, Dany Ale, Jaymena, and many more share their experiences, stories, and perspectives on working around one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
We discover what goes into preparing elite athletes for the international spotlight, how relationships are built with high-profile clients, and what it means for a barber’s work to be seen on a truly global scale.
Education: Never Stop Learning
Back-to-school season makes September and October the perfect time to focus on education – but professional development is important at every stage of a barber’s career.
The barbering industry is constantly moving forward. Techniques develop, trends evolve, tools improve, and client expectations change. Continuing education helps professionals remain adaptable, confident, and inspired while creating new opportunities for both creative and commercial growth.
Our in-depth Education feature brings together respected industry figures, academies, and forward-thinking brands to explore what learning looks like in today’s barbering landscape.
Industry leaders including Rodrick Samuels and Peter Gosling share their knowledge and experience, while institutions such as America’s Barber and Beauty Academy demonstrate the value of strong foundational training. We also examine how brands are rethinking professional development, including Church Pro and its distinctive approach to education.
Whether you are a student taking your first steps, an experienced barber refining your craft, an educator supporting the next generation, or a shop owner developing a team, this section offers practical insight and plenty of motivation to keep learning.
Grooming and Lifestyle: Expanding the Experience
Modern barbering extends far beyond the haircut. Today’s clients are increasingly interested in complete grooming experiences, creating valuable opportunities for barbershops to broaden their services and strengthen their businesses.
In our Grooming and Lifestyle section, we explore how to price and market additional grooming services effectively. Adding a new service is only the beginning; barbers and shop owners must also understand how to communicate its value, incorporate it into the client journey, and set pricing that reflects the time, skill, and products involved.
We also turn our attention to fragrance, styling, and the products helping clients maintain their look and express their identity away from the chair. This feature is filled with ideas for elevating the customer experience, improving retail conversations, and introducing additional revenue streams without losing sight of what makes a barbershop unique.
Interiors: At the Heart of the Neighborhood
A great barbershop can be much more than a place to get a haircut. At its best, it becomes part of the fabric of its neighborhood – a place where people gather, relationships grow, and community is created.
In this issue’s Interiors feature, we visit a range of distinctive spaces that demonstrate the many ways a barbershop can serve its surroundings.
At High Point in Virginia, giving back is embedded in the shop’s identity. Its continued commitment to supporting the local community shows the positive influence a barbershop can have beyond its doors.
We also step inside Alex Sharkey’s Sola suite, exploring how an independent barber can create a personal, professional environment within a more intimate footprint.
Further afield, we travel to Amsterdam to discover Cut Throat, where barbering and bartending have been brought together in a unique concept. The result is a memorable social destination that offers much more than a traditional appointment, demonstrating how hospitality and grooming can complement one another.
Each space has its own personality, but all three show how thoughtful design and a clear sense of purpose can transform a shop into a genuine neighborhood hub.
Business: Celebrating Longevity
Reaching 25 years in business is a remarkable achievement, and BarberEVO was excited to join Floyd’s 99 Barbershop in celebrating this major anniversary.
We headed to Denver to meet the company’s three founders and hear the stories behind one of the industry’s most recognizable brands. They reflect on the beginnings of Floyd’s 99, the experiences that shaped its growth, and the journey from an ambitious idea to an enduring name in barbering.
In the business feature, we also go behind the scenes with a new brand: HUSH PRO USA, who are reimagining what professional grooming tools can look like.
Marketing expert Leah Davis gives insight for barbers on how to market yourself, and how to own every room you walk into, while Ivan Zoot and InkShopGuard share tips on how to futureproof and protect your business.
Find Your Next Step in Issue 51
Issue 51 is filled with the education, ideas, and inspiration to help you refocus and take your next step. Discover outstanding creative work, learn from leading voices, explore new approaches to business and grooming, and meet the people building stronger communities through barbering.
The September/October edition of BarberEVO North America is out now. Read Issue 51 and discover the people, places, and ideas moving the industry forward.
The stress of loud clippers and trimmers can be overwhelming for some people, turning a visit to the barbershop into a high anxiety, emotionally draining experience.
Aiming to make those experiences more inclusive is new grooming brand HUSH Pro USA, the US partner for HUSH Pro International, which has launched with a simple mission, to make professional-quality tools more accessible, comfortable, and enjoyable for clients.
“We saw an opportunity to introduce a different kind of grooming experience,” said Kobe Deng, co-founder.
“While many tools focus solely on power, we believed performance should also include comfort, control, and consideration for the environment around the user. The overwhelmingly positive response to the quiet operation of our products showed us there was a significant need for tools that reduce unnecessary sensory stress without sacrificing professional results.”
Although the brand was created to focus on creating affordable tools, its products quickly became known for how remarkably quiet they are. Standard clippers operate between 60 and 75 decibels, with some as loud as vacuum cleaners, but HUSH Pro’s tools measure just 48 decibels, and the trimmers 46 decibels.
“My first reaction was how noticeably quiet it was. As someone who specializes in sensory-friendly haircuts, I immediately started thinking about the clients I serve and how much of a difference that could make,” said Krystal Cotto, HUSH Pro USA’s Sensory Inclusivity Brand Ambassador
“Throughout my career, I’ve worked with individuals who find the sound of traditional clippers overwhelming. Knowing that a tool could help reduce that barrier while still delivering professional results was exciting.”
HUSH said that a common misconception is that sensory accommodations are only relevant to a small group of people, but in reality everyone experiences sensory input differently. Loud noises, vibration, and overstimulation can affect children, adults, neurodivergent individuals, and even professionals working long hours.
Reducing noise hasn’t meant reducing power. HUSH Pro USA’s tools focus on motor efficiency, vibration control, component precision, and engineering design. The goal is to eliminate unnecessary noise but preserve the cutting performance professionals expect.
“By reducing noise while maintaining performance, we help create environments that feel more welcoming and comfortable for a broader range of clients without requiring barbers or stylists to change the way they work,” said Kobe.
HUSH Pro USA’s grooming tools not only create a calmer environment, but they allow stylists to communicate more clearly with their clients.
“Communication is one of the most important parts of any service. When there is less background noise, clients can process information more easily, ask questions, and engage in conversation,” added Krystal. “In my work, I’ve found that reducing sensory distractions often creates more opportunities for connection and trust.”
Barbers looking to sharpen their skills with mid- and long-length hair can get an inside look at Church California Lead Educator’s Brandon Faulk’s cutting and styling techniques this September, as he brings his Balance Tour to Philadelphia.
Hosted by WinSome Barber, the special Look & Learn evening will take place on Sunday, September 13, from 5–8pm, with Brandon demonstrating across shags, mods and alternative cuts.
The three-hour session will focus on precision, creativity and efficiency, giving barbers the chance to pick up new techniques as they watch Brandon work through different approaches to longer hair.
Brandon will guide attendees through a more intentional approach to building shape, stronger systems for making decisions throughout a cut, and practical techniques to take back behind the chair.
For barbers looking to move beyond traditional short cuts and build confidence working with longer lengths, the session offers an opportunity to learn in a hands-on, industry-focused environment, while connecting with fellow barbers.
The Balance Tour Live with Brandon Faulk Hair takes place Sunday, September 13, from 5–8pm at WinSome Barber in Philadelphia.
Hair replacement brand Novo Cabelo has announced the launch of TrueBlend, a new non shave hair replacement method designed to offer a flexible, inclusive and natural looking solution for people experiencing hair loss.
Created for both men and women, TrueBlend allows clients to wear a hair system without shaving their natural hair. The method has been developed to blend seamlessly with client’s existing hair, with solutions from solid colour finishes through to balayage techniques, and options suitable for European hair and Oriental hair colouring.
With TrueBlend, Novo Cabelo aims to make high quality hair replacement more accessible, adaptable and emotionally reassuring. It has been developed for a wide range of hair loss types, including female pattern hair loss, androgenetic alopecia, post cancer recovery, frontal fibrosing alopecia and alopecia areata. The method can also work alongside natural hair growth.
The system offers more than 120 colour choices, with length options up to 26 inches, giving stylists the chance to create a bespoke finish. Application takes around one and a half hours, and depending on skin type and hair type, the system can stay on the head for up to five weeks, with an expected life span of up to nine months.
Confidence, Fully Restored
TrueBlend has been created to support clients who may not be ready, or may not wish, to shave their natural hair.
For many people experiencing hair loss, this is a significant emotional barrier, so by removing that step, Novo Cabelo said it is opening up hair replacement while continuing its mission to normalise systems and make the process feel safe, supportive and empowering.
“TrueBlend is a really important step for us because it gives people more choice. Hair loss is incredibly personal, and not everyone feels ready to shave their natural hair,” said Rob Wood, founder of Novo Cabelo.
“Some clients still have growth, some are going through recovery, and some simply want a solution that feels less daunting. TrueBlend gives them that option.
“For us, innovation has never just been about technique. It is about listening to clients and stylists, understanding what people are worried about, and creating something that makes the journey easier. This method allows us to give people beautiful, natural results while helping them feel reassured, supported and in control.”
As with all Novo Cabelo methods, aftercare will be central to the TrueBlend client journey. Clients will receive guidance and the correct haircare products to support their system at home, helping them protect the hair and maintain the result between appointments.
For professionals, training for TrueBlend will be delivered as a one day physical course, supported by pre training material. Stylists will work alongside an educator on either a live model or block head to create their first transformation, with access to Novo Cabelo’s members area and app forming part of the journey.
The course has been designed to equip stylists with the technical skills required, as well as the understanding needed to support clients through the emotional side of hair loss.
This follows Novo Cabelo’s wider education philosophy, which places consultation, aftercare, confidence building and ongoing professional support at the centre of every service.
Novo Cabelo said that the launch of TrueBlend reflects its commitment to raising standards across the hair replacement industry. The brand has consistently challenged outdated perceptions of hair systems, and its work has helped move hair replacement away from secrecy and stigma, to become a modern, inclusive and empowering service.
Hair Gain has launched its Christmas 2026 collection, with a selection of gift sets that bring together some of the brand’s bestselling formulas designed to support healthier, stronger looking hair.
Among the five gifts sets to choose from are the Christmas Bauble, featuring a non-aerosol, volumising dry shampoo and scrunchie set inside a limited edition bauble, perfect for a stocking filler, as well as a Scalp Care Kit, featuring a full-size scalp foam to hydrate and a massager to stimulate the scalp and promote circulation.
There’s also the Holiday Hair Kit, which includes a complete hair care routine with shampoo and conditioner for healthier hair on the go, a Travel Wash Set, featuring a handy travel sized, wash-day routine, and a Starter Gift Set, with a complete wash-day routine designed for healthier, glossier hair.
A vegan wellness brand, Hair Gain was founded by Lucy Palmer after suffering from postpartum hair loss, with the range now including gummies, haircare and topical solutions.
Hair Gain’s formulas have been developed to feed follicles at their source, with all of the brand’s supplements and topicals powered by its clinically-tested star ingredient, AnaGain™, a phytonutrient derived from organic pea shoots.
Highland, the haircare brand specializing in high-performing, non-toxic products, is taking rosemary from kitchen cupboard to haircare heavyweight, with a new conditioner alternative, The Condish, a next-generation, broad-use conditioner powered by botanicals and clinically-tested ingredients that hydrate and strengthen hair while supporting scalp health.
More than two years in the making, The Condish was developed in response to traditional conditioners which coat hair in synthetics and silicones, which Highland said creates the illusion of moisture while blocking the real thing. “They congest your scalp, accelerate buildup, leave hair looking dull and weighed down,” said Highland Co-founder Ben Medalie.
“With our Glacial Clay Pomade and Glacial Cream, we’ve already transformed the way people approach styling products. Completing the ritual meant taking the same standard into the shower. The award-winning Wash reimagined the cleanse. The Condish is our answer to everything after.”
Formulated in partnership with hair professionals, leading organic chemists, and cosmetic experts, The Condish replaces these synthetics with botanical and science-backed ingredients that power a high-performance, weightless conditioner that genuinely hydrates.
“We’re a brand that doesn’t take ourselves too seriously, but we take ingredient integrity and innovation more seriously than anyone else in the industry. This truly is a conditioner evolved,” said Boone Whiteside, co-founder of Highland.
“We set out to thread the needle on making a product that felt premium in the shower, supplied true, long-lasting conditioning, and was made with innovative, clean ingredients. Developing The Condish was strenuous, challenging and illuminated why most conditioner formulas are built the way they are—and exactly why this launch was necessary.”
At the heart of The Condish are clinically-proven ingredients selected for both immediate performance and long-term benefits, including caffeine, Amazonian Babassu Oil, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Protein, Cupuaçu Seed Butter, and Aquaxyl™, an advanced humectant complex that supports moisture retention and hydration.
Rather than treating conditioner as something that simply softens the lengths, The Condish combines rosemary with biotin, and panthenol to support the scalp while delivering lightweight hydration, detangling and strengthening benefits.
Highland said that while other conditioners lean on a few highly marketable active ingredients and leverage fillers for the balance of the formula, with The Condish, every single ingredient was scrutinized and had to earn its place—satisfying specific performance metrics (slip, detangling, hydration, anti-static, etc.) and hair health impact.
Infused with functional aroma notes of Siberian Fir and Rosemary, The Condish is free of silicones, artificial fragrances, sulfates, parabens, SLS, and gluten. It is designed for professional and at-home use, is color-safe, and suitable for all hair types.
Rather than treating conditioner as something that simply softens the lengths, The Condish combines rosemary with biotin, and panthenol to support the scalp while delivering lightweight hydration, detangling and strengthening benefits.
The result is a conditioner designed to care for both the hair you can see and the scalp underneath it without relying on silicones, sulfates, or synthetic fragrances.
From Aveda’s Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo to Mielle’s viral Rosemary Mint collection and Nécessaire’s Rosemary Shampoo, the botanical has become one of the most recognizable ingredients in scalp and hair care, but its appeal goes beyond its fresh, herbal scent.
Research has explored rosemary’s role in supporting healthy hair growth. One clinical trial found that rosemary oil and 2% minoxidil produced comparable improvements in hair count after six months among people with alopecia. Research has also pointed to rosemary’s antioxidant properties, all which can contribute to a healthier scalp environment.
Studies have also explored its potential to support hair growth and circulation, with compounds such as 1,8-cineole, camphor, and rosmarinic acid contributing to its biological activity.
