Made for those who want to level-up their fading game.

November 16, 2021 (Sterling, IL) – Raising the bar in the ongoing cordless revolution, Wahl Professional is thrilled to announce the release of their latest tool: the 5 Star Cordless Legend.

Improving on the performance of the corded version of the industry favorite, the 5 Star Cordless Legend is the ultimate Fading Clipper. The uniquely designed blade slide coupled with a deep tooth Wedge® blade allows for a wider range in cut lengths which helps create seamless, blended fades. Crunch Blade Technology™ makes a crisp, crunch sound when cutting to help barbers and stylists know when their fade has been perfected.

Also included are eight patented premium cutting guides with metal clips to round out the enhanced cutting experience.

Interested barbers and stylists can purchase at Wahlpro.com for $149.

“We’re answering an industry need with this,” says International Wahl Educator John Carlo Ramos(@johncarlo_newyork).

BETTER BLADES MAKE BETTER BARBERS

Taking center stage is a special blade that gives barbers and stylists the ability to create a wider range in cut lengths, which helps create seamless blended fades.

“For me, it’s the blade slide and the upgraded metal taper lever,” says International Wahl Educator Garland “G-Whiz” Fox (@thisisgwhizwahlclippers). “This is ideal for soft-line fading and clipper-over-comb. I think cosmetologists will really enjoy using this.”

This innovation should be a go-to for hot looks from Euro cuts to modern bob-lengths and cropped styles.

The 5 Star Cordless Legend is the only clipper on the market to feature the Wedge®blade. Engineered for superior cutting and performance, its deeper, longer teeth work perfectly on thick and textured hair for smooth bulk removal.

POWERING THROUGH

Users will notice two more must-have features: A powerful motor and an even more powerful battery.

The 5 Star Cordless Legend won’t get bogged down in wet or dry hair. It features 100 minutes of runtime between charges and it works corded as well – plug it in and keep on cutting. A smart LED flashes when the battery is low so barbers always know its charge level.

“We knocked it out of the park with this one,” says Fox.

And true to Wahl’s commitment to quality, the Cordless Legend is built to provide years of use.

“This is a premium tool. It can last a lifetime with proper maintenance,” says Ramos.

THE PERFECT PAIRINGS

While the 5 Star Cordless Legend can reduce the number of needed tools, it works best in tandem with a select few to elevate the end look.

“I like using this with the Detailer Li and its high-precision T-Blade. It works well for really detail-oriented designs,” says Ramos.

To round out their growing line of cordless products, Wahl also offers a Cordless Clipper Charge Stand, sold separately.

“It’s a godsend,” says Fox. “You never have to worry about how long your battery will last. Your station is cleaner. And the Cordless Legend just looks good sitting there.”

The 5 Star Cordless Legend is now available for purchase at WahlPro.com. For the latest details about its launch, follow Wahl Professional on Instagram (@wahlpro).

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The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) is honored to announce the 33rd annual North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) finalists. NAHA is the most prestigious professional beauty competition in North America and honors the salon industry’s top artists who push the boundaries of skill and artistry.

For the 2022 awards, the men’s haircutting category has changed to the Barber of the Year Award, giving more emphasis on the skillset associated with the trade of barbering.

“The 2022 North American Hairstyling Award finalists showcase excellence, creativity, and technical ability,” shares Nina Daily, PBA’s Executive Director. “Year after year, we continue to be amazed by the level of talent and elevated artistry shown by these artists.”

To win a coveted NAHA award, artists submit their collections, the Barber of the Year Category is just one out of 14 categories. Development of these collections often take months of envisioning, planning, and shooting. Collections are judged anonymously in three rounds by a panel of esteemed hairdressers, makeup artists, educators, and experts–including Serge Normant, Danilo, Sam Villa, Vernon François, Robert Ham, Antoinette Beenders, Kevin Murphy, Michael DeVellis, Kris Sorbie, Errol Douglas, Tabatha Coffey, Robert Lobetta, Tippi Shorter, and more.

The finalists for the Barber of the Year Category are:

Amanda Dassel

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Ammon Carver

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Kenny Duncan

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Navin Ramgoolam

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Tyler Kelbert

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The competition culminates in an industry wide celebration of artistry at the NAHA ceremony where winners are announced on Sunday, January 30, 2022, at the Long Beach Convention Center Terrace Theater in Los Angeles County and streamed live at probeauty.org/naha. The 2022 NAHA ceremony kicks off with a red-carpet reception from 6:00–8:00 p.m. PST, followed by the awards, featuring artistic presentations from Aveda, L’Oréal Professional Products Division USA, 2021 NAHA Hairstylist of the Year Silas Tsang, and Truss Professional, from 8:00-10:30 p.m. PST.

Tickets for the 2022 ceremony are available at probeauty.org/naha, with special pricing for Professional Beauty Association members.

Judging has been done for the anticipated Fellowship Image of the Year Awards 2021–and the finalists in the five categories chosen.

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 skills and provide a career pathway – ClubStar, PROJECT: X, PROJECT: Colour and PROJECT: Men and the coveted F.A.M.E Team.

First launched in 1993, the prestigious awards have seen some of the most inspirational hairdressers clinch the title–and this year’s finalists can now be revealed!

Chancellor Ashleigh Hodges says: “This year we had another record amount of entries entered into our Image Awards and with two new categories, Afro and International, it was a very hard job for all our judges. As always, it’s a great way for our members to showcase their incredible work and I look forward to celebrating the winners in December at The Luncheon and Awards.”

The 2021 Finalists Image of the Year

Casey Coleman
Cos Sakkas
Emma Simmons
Karoliina Saunders
Melissa Timperley
Tracey Devine Smith

Colour Image of the Year

Adrian Hair London
Andrea Dorata
Ashley Gamble
Dorata Marlow
Goldworthy Hair
Hooker & Young

Afro Image of the Year

Anne Veck
Emma Simmons
Karoliina Saunders
Rick Roberts

Men’s Image of the Year

Caroline Sanderson
Charlie Cullen
Daniel Rymer
Sam Elliot

Snapshot Image of the Year

Brandon Messinger
Casey Coleman
Colin McAndrew
Efi Davies
Emma Vickery
Fatal Hairdresser

International Image of the Year

Danny Pato
Dee Parker Atwood
Jacky Chan
Jamie Furlan
Samij Hair
Shogoide Guchi

Tickets for the Luncheon and Awards are now on sale: www.fellowshiphair.com

Leaf Scissors have added to their sustainable line-up with four combs made from eco-friendly wheat straw, offering the market a more planet-friendly alternative to plastic. 

Combs and scissors go hand-in-hand for stylists, and as the industry’s most forward-thinking scissor brand, Leaf are proud to now be complementing their tools with a collection of sustainable combs for salon professionals.

Like traditional plastics, wheat straw is extremely lightweight and durable. However, unlike traditional plastics, wheat straw doesn’t require the use of damaging fossil fuels for production and instead puts to use a by-product which would otherwise go to waste. 

Straw is the by-product which is left over after a wheat harvest. It was traditionally burnt but is now being used to create a flexible new material. Raw wheat straw contains cellulose, which can be broken down to produce polymers. Plastic is made from artificial polymers, but polymers created from wheat straw are completely natural – and boast the same benefits. The production of wheat straw provides farmers with an additional source of income while reducing their carbon emissions, and wheat straw products are naturally anti-bacterial, anti-odour and 100% biodegradable – win, win!

Brand Ambassador Ky Wilson says, “Making more conscious and sustainable choices is so important to me and is exactly what drew me to working with Leaf Scissors, therefore I couldn’t be more excited for this new launch. Finding a durable but sustainable alternative to plastic combs is a dream come true, plus the general aesthetic and the packaging are beautiful to. I cannot wait to see these in the hands of hairdressers everywhere!” 

Leaf’s new collection includes a colour comb, detangling comb, tail comb and cutting comb. Plus, for every Complete Comb Set sold, Leaf will plant 20 trees, helping ensure that your purchase makes a positive difference to the planet. 

Brand Founder, Steve McManus, says “Leaf combs are the next step in our mission to make our company and industry more sustainable. The innovative use of a bi-product is key in the comb creation. We must continue to explore different ways of creating products and solutions for our customers that not only provide great products but have as little impact on the planet as possible. At last, a real alternative to the plastic combs we all use each and every day.” 

Complete Combs Set RRP £30.00 or individually for £10 each.

To explore the full range, product information and more insight into the brand, head to www.leafscissors.com. For more information on Leaf Education, visit www.leaf-academy.com.

To keep up with the latest news follow @leafscissors on Instagram or check out the #leafscissors hashtag.

Over the past 18 months, the charity has helped more beneficiaries at any one time than ever before in the charity’s history – and yet this was during a period where traditional fundraising events were all postponed due to the pandemic.

Hair & Beauty Charity is excited to launch its annual raffle, which will be one of its most significant fundraising events this year. The money raised will help make a big difference to support industry colleagues struggling financially, and support industry professionals in crisis.

All raffle prizes have been generously donated by our wonderful industry.  Prizes include: £1000 cash, £500 vouchers for Liberty, Selfridge’s and Tiffany, and a treasure trove of goody bags and gift sets from our wonderful industry… the prizes in this year’s charity raffle are bigger and better than ever. But you must be in it to win it!  For a full list of the prizes visit the charity website.

Tickets cost just £1 each and can be bought online or paper booklets.  The Raffle draw will take place on 7th January 2022 with celebrity hairdresser Michael Douglas hosting the draw at the Electric Studio in London.

To buy a ticket visit: https://www.hairandbeautycharity.org/raffle

For more information on how to donate, fundraise or support the Hair and Beauty Charity, please visit www.hairandbeautycharity.org  or call 01234 831888 or email info@hairandbeautycharity.org

For press information, please contact essence@essencepr.com

iSalon have introduced a whole new way of working, getting rid of contracts, and bringing in a more salon friendly way of working with subscriptions. The last eighteen months have taught us as an industry that we need to be adaptable and flexible, iSalon understand this and have introduced affordable subscription software for salons. This new business model gives salons the freedom to work in a way that works for them.

This brand-new subscription plan from iSalon allows salons to pay for their software on a weekly, monthly, or yearly basis. Existing customers have the option to transfer to this new payment plan to save money or maintain their contract with full support. New customers will have access to iSalon software at an affordable cost. From just £19 a week, this software is available for less than the price of a haircut, virtually paying for itself.

As part of their mission to become more sustainable, iSalon have linked this business update with their mission to be more sustainable with the software company pledging to planta tree for every new subscription. By signing up to iSalon’s subscription plan, not only will salons gain flexibility and incredible value for money, they will be helping the environment too.

iSalon Software, Head of Sales Mike Waldon commented;

“It was important to us to introduce this new business model to cater to the needs of all salon owners. We felt it was important to ensure our software is accessible for those on different budgets that want a reliable system that will enable them to work more efficiently in the salon. Being able to link this with our sustainability mission is an excellent addition.”

For further information on iSalon Software, please contact Rebekah@ajc93.com.

Business consultant Phil Jackson from Build Your Salon believes it doesn’t have to be lonely as a salon owner!

With 20 years in the salon industry and a passion for innovation, Phil Jackson is an international business coach offering a unique perspective on the challenges of salon ownership. Phil works with many salons, barbershops, and spas around the world to build a business they can feel proud of, making sure they look outside the box and consider all aspects of the business.

Why is it our experience of running a business seems to be defined by feeling let down? Why IS it that you can’t seem to talk to your partner, other local business owners, or even your best friend about what’s going on in your business?

SO many salon owners turn to team members because they want to connect with someone who is in the business with them-someone that understands the day-to-day pressures we’re facing.

I’ve done it myself. Selected the Chosen One in my own team. The one who seemed to ‘get it’. That odd individual who stood apart from the rest of the crowd and I felt could be inducted into some kind of circle of trust. And they let me down.

Either left (how dare they?!) or failed to back me up (rude!) or committed some other flavour of salon treason.

But ultimately (as with everything) it’s your own fault. You see, they’ve built different muscles to you. Let me explain.

Physical muscle isn’t built through just ‘toning up’. To build a bigger muscle the fibres of the muscle need to be damaged or injured. Then your clever body builds a stronger, denser bit of muscle. So, what does that have to do with you as a salon business owner?

Well, every time someone quits, every time you deal with being let down by a supplier, every time you cope with a day from hell, you’re building entrepreneurial muscle.

Take complaints, for example; I remember vividly the first customer complaint I got. I recall sitting on the stairs at the salon and crying for pretty much a whole day. To be fair, I had given a customer a lousy haircut, but I’d done my best and I was devastated. I was in that horrible bit of our career where you’re newly qualified and building experience.

Then I got another complaint.

I was upset, but maybe not quite so much. And though I never wanted to get to the ‘water off a duck’s back’ stage, with each complaint the pain gets a little less. Why is that?

It’s because you’ve built a complaint-handling muscle. You’ve been damaged and repaired in a more resilient way.

So, all those things you deal with as a salon business owner are building your entrepreneurial muscles. Which is why nobody else gets you and your team can’t relate. Even if they see what you see, they have a different journey of growth. They’re not getting damaged and rebuilding like you are.

Lonely, isn’t it? But it doesn’t have to be. Lean into the industry. We’ve been through so much together that we can put the days of waspish competition behind us now. It’s time to build genuine industry connections. Join trade associations, attend events, hang out in industry networking groups online and build your new tribe.

If you are looking for a year of mentoring, inspiration, education and fantastic opportunities, then the Fellowship Projects are for you!

Applications are now open for those who are interested in joining one of the teams – PROJECT: Colour, PROJECT: Men and PROJECT: X

PROJECT: Colour

This annual programme brings the finest colourists together for a year of pure hair artistry.

The industry’s world-renowned colourists share their unique colour application techniques, creativity, art direction on photoshoots and vision in an exciting calendar, designed by Project Leader Paul Dennison, that will see you improve your knowledge and skills and become the best you can be.

PROJECT: Men

The ultimate education aimed at hairdressers and barbers looking to develop their skills in the ever-growing men’s grooming market. Project leader for 2022 is Simon Shaw, who has put together an amazing programme of events, workshops and shoots – there’s nothing else like it for barbers and men’s hairdressers.

PROJECT: X

Described as the finishing school for hair, it’s aimed at qualified hairdressers who want to add finesse, knowledge and creativity to their portfolio.  Led by Project Leader, Sam Burnett, you will spend time with some of the most inspiring mentors in the industry to take your skills to another level, including stage time and photoshoots.

President Ken Picton, says: “There is nothing else like our Projects in the industry. They offer unrivalled opportunities with some of the best mentors in the industry, seminars and workshops with the most creative minds and the chance to put your new skills to the test in a special photoshoot. Some of the industry’s brightest stars have been part of our Projects and next year we have lots of exciting experiences planned for the new members.”

The application process is quite simple – head over to fellowshiphair.com and follow the instructions to apply. Deadline has been extended to 29 November 2021.

The latest issue of BarberEVO UK and Ireland is OUT NOW.

Get your copy here!

Feelin’ Festive

The latest issue of BarberEVO UK and Ireland is OUT NOW. This issue is packed full of advice, features and trends to keep you up to date with what’s current.  

Gracing the coveted front cover (even if we do say so ourselves) is Parlous Barbershop, the recently announced winners of the Wahl Barbershop of the Year. Parlous are huge advocates of Takara Belmont and we have a feature highlighting this iconic brand and what the chairs and furniture means to barbers.

We also have the first reactions from both Reece Whitehouse who won the Wahl UK Barber of the Year, as well as Rico Ugur Aydemir of Parlous Barbershop as they stepped off stage with their shiny new winning trophies.

Furniture

Your barbershop design and furniture says so much about you, and the clientele you are going to attract, and we speak to Kingsman Barbershop about their furniture choices and why Takara Belmont was the brand they invested in. We also have an informative list of things to keep in mind when picking furniture for your shop.

We speak to many barbershop owners about what brands they opted for, and why longevity and quality will always win out when it comes to buying furniture.

Barbershop focus

Our barbershop focus is on Stag Digbeth, in Birmingham, an incredible combination of barbershop, cocktail bar and coffee shop. They are mixing it up, literally, on the decks, with ‘barber sessions’ nights, that have guest barbers cutting model’s hair using head torches to see what they are doing while the party rages around them. It sounds epic. If you fancy a slot with the headtorch… give them a shout, they are open to inviting talented barbers to showcase their skills.

Technology

Technology is now essential in everyday life, and we are now reaching the point where barber booking apps have become an essential barbershop management tool. The features list of the apps is extensive, have you checked them out properly, and are you using them to their fullest potential? We take advice from those that rely on them heavily to send out reminders and taking that all important deposit when clients book to decrease no-shows. Since implementing payment at the time of booking, The Academy Barbershop has found a 25% increase in retail sales… have a read and find out how it managed that with the help of its app.

Christmas Retail

The silly season is just about upon us, and that means back-to-back appointments and the chance to really go hard on the retail side of the business… you’ve got to have something to see you through January! We speak to several barbers who have strategies and plans in place to increase retail sales from now – don’t wait. Plus, we found a nice selection of barber-related Christmas Gift Sets that would be perfect to sit on your display shelves for an easy solution for the chaps that don’t know what to buy their loved ones.

Movember

Finally, we must mention Movember, which is a huge movement within men’s health and an incredible charity that many barbers support.

We have already seen lots of barbershops taking part in raising funds, and we applaud them all. We have a chat with Dan Davies of Gould Barbers, which partners with Movember, about why the charity are the one to support… it only takes growing a mo – even your granny can do that!

Get your hands on the latest edition here.

Slick Gorilla made their statement in the barber industry with their market-leading Hair Styling Powder. Born in barbershops in Leeds, the brand offers a range of styling products that are recognised and used globally, which is why they embrace their KING of hair products status.  

The brand previously launched its ‘The New Chapter’ campaign, that highlighted its position in men’s fashion and how its products play a huge part in this area of men’s lifestyle. The campaign pushed the brand into new territories and their latest venture sees the team collaborate with two unique brands that allow Slick Gorilla to reach a range of audiences.

Slick Gorilla x Matt B Customs saw the brand team up with a Manchester-based brand that specialise in trainer customisation, to create a one-of-a-kind Slick Gorilla trainer. Matt B Customs has worked with some of the biggest names in fashion, music & sports and the Slick Gorilla collaboration aligns both brands’ messages of creativity, innovation & individuality. The partnership displays Slick Gorilla’s street style statement as a fresh pair of trainers are just as important to style as a fresh haircut.

Slick Gorilla x Northern Monk collaboration combines two brands that share the same values. Community and collaboration run through the veins of Northern Monk, with countless creations with musicians, artists, charities and much more, that express their core message.

A community built on strong relationships and acknowledgment of creativity, much like the barber community that Slick Gorilla embraces and invests in. Slick Gorilla teamed up with fellow Leeds-born Northern Monk, to create a unique beer can design and labelled up an exclusive range of THE KING OF THE JUNGLE German Lager.

“Slick Gorilla recognise individuals and organisations that showcase innovation and talent. We aim to use our platform to create something unique that appeals to all types of audiences,” said Ari Farbod, Slick Gorilla co-founder.