After more than three decades of shaping the hair industry, Robert Cromeans, a legendary hairdresser, salon owner, and platform artist, has announced his retirement from John Paul Mitchell Systems (JPMS). Known for his extraordinary artistry, business acumen, and passion for education, Robert leaves behind an inspiring legacy that will continue to influence both established professionals and aspiring hairdressers alike.
Robert’s journey to becoming a global icon began when he joined JPMS as a young stylist, quickly catching the eye of industry giant Jeane Braa. Under her mentorship, Robert rose to prominence, eventually becoming the artistic director in 2000 and the global artistic & business director in 2016. During his time at JPMS, Robert played an instrumental role in the creation of iconic collections and the development of business systems that transformed the way salons operated.
Among his many achievements, Robert’s entrepreneurial success as a salon owner stands out. He founded several salons, with A Robert Cromeans Salon in San Diego, California, becoming a beacon of innovation. His salons weren’t just places to cut hair – they became centres for creativity, learning, and business growth. Robert was responsible for pioneering Take Home, The Wash House, and The Color Bar, business systems that empowered salon owners and stylists to streamline their operations and improve client experiences.
For many hair professionals, Robert’s influence extended far beyond the walls of his salons. He dedicated much of his career to education, traveling to over 40 countries to teach, mentor, and inspire others. His charisma, humour, and deep understanding of the industry made him a sought-after speaker on stages across the globe. He shared not only his innovative techniques but also his philosophy on how stylists could succeed in business while remaining passionate about their craft.
John Paul DeJoria, Co-Founder and Chairman of JPMS, spoke of Robert’s incredible impact: “We are immensely grateful for Robert’s service, dedication, and friendship. He has made a lasting impact on our company and our industry. His legacy will continue to inspire and influence generations to come.”
As Robert steps into retirement, his legacy offers powerful lessons for today’s stylists and salon owners. His career demonstrates the importance of combining creativity with a business savvy approach, of constantly seeking out new ways to innovate and grow, and of always investing in the education and success of others. Whether through his salons or his global educational tours, Robert has shown that the key to long-term success in the hair industry is more than just talent – it’s about vision, leadership, and a commitment to inspiring those around you.
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Vagaro
This September, Vagaro, a software for beauty, wellness, and fitness businesses, will host its 3rd annual industry-defining event, iconic.24, going fully virtual for the first time. With a mission to broaden access and make valuable insights available globally, the event will feature two 45-minute interactive, educational business sessions each Monday throughout the month (Sept. 9, 16, 23, and 30).
This year’s iconic.24 event will also mark the unveiling of Vagaro’s new Icon Coaching Program. This exclusive program features a handpicked group of accomplished professionals from various sectors, including hair and barbering. These industry powerhouses will offer one-on-one coaching to help business owners and service professionals elevate their growth strategies and maximize their success.
Charity Hudnall, chief marketing officer at Vagaro, expressed her excitement:
The event’s star-studded lineup of Icon coaches includes:
Throughout the four-week event, the Icon coaches will lead discussions on a wide range of business topics, from marketing and finances to customer service. The sessions are designed to be interactive and provide attendees with actionable strategies they can implement immediately.
The event will culminate with a keynote address by Vagaro founder & CEO Fred Helou, who will announce new and upcoming platform features, showcasing how they can help professionals future-proof their businesses. Helou emphasizes, “iconic.24 is more than just an annual event; it has become a pivotal experience for professionals to learn, innovate, and elevate. This year is even more exciting because attendees can sign up to be coached directly by the session leaders.”
Tickets for the virtual event are priced at $49.99 (£38), granting access to all eight sessions, plus the keynote address. For those eager to reserve their spot and learn more about the potential of their business, tickets are available now on Vagaro’s website.
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As we transition into autumn 2024, hair trends are focusing on blending cosiness, elegance, and practicality. According to Tom Smith, a renowned hair expert, this season’s haircuts are all about maintaining health and authenticity while embracing styles that transition seamlessly into cooler months. According to Tom, this season emphasises “health and wealth signalling,” with longer styles taking centre stage. Whether your clients are seeking a subtle update or a more defined, structured look, this season’s trends offer versatility and personalisation.
“There’s a cosiness in the shapes we’re seeing this autumn,” says Tom, who explains that this season’s looks will favour longer, healthier hair and more manageable styles.
Autumn brings a shift towards longer hairstyles and more practical, yet fashion-forward looks. According to Tom, there’s a “real lack of very short hair” in the current trends. Instead, we’re seeing an emphasis on maintaining healthy hair at various lengths, whether chin-length bobs or waist-length locks. He notes, thanks to innovations in haircare products, many have welcomed the choice to wear their hair longer to signal “health and wealth.”
Sabrina Carpenter styled by Laurie Heaps (@_hairbylaurie)
One style making a significant return is curtain bangs, offering a voluminous, face-framing look that brings softness and warmth. Although we won’t be leaving it behind, Tom highlights the appeal of this style in the cooler months, noting that it “brings cosiness in” and pairs beautifully with layered outerwear. “There’s a practicality element here,” he says, pointing out that curtain bangs can be refreshed without washing the entire head of hair, making it a low-maintenance yet stylish choice.
Sanaa Lathan styled by Kim Kimble (@kimblehaircare)
The tiara bun, a high bun placed at the crown of the head is making its way forward this season. Tom tells us that this strikes a balance between “practical sportiness” and a “regal element,” providing both elegance and lift for someone seeking a polished look. “A high bun like this does wonderful things to the cheekbone, lifts the face, and makes people feel taller and hold their posture higher,” he adds. This style’s versatility allows it to be worn sleek or with texture, depending on the client’s preference.
Serena Williams styled by Angela Meadows (@angelameadowssalon)
For clients who want to embrace their natural texture, cloud curls offer a soft, ethereal look. These airy waves or curls create a youthful and carefree energy that transitions well from summer into the cooler months. “Cloud curls is very much that kind of theme,” Tom explains, emphasising that the relaxed, textured waves bring a touch of summer’s warmth into autumn. This style works especially well when combined with deeper, richer autumn tones.
Alexa Demie styled by Igor Rosales- Jackson (@hairbyiggy)
Shorter cuts are also having a moment with styles like the tucked bob and laser cut bob. The tucked bob is a sleek and minimalist style that is both practical and stylish. By tucking the hair neatly behind the ears, this bob creates a polished look that works for all hair types and face shapes. Tom mentions that this style is perfect for the cooler months, as it offers a “more serious, groomed sharpness” after the casual looks of summer. The tucked bob is ideal for clients who want a clean, sophisticated look that requires minimal effort while still maintaining a refined edge.
Lily Collins styled by Jacob Schwartz (@jacobschwartzhair) and Gregory Russell (@gregoryrussellhair)
For clients seeking precision and structure, the laser-cut bob is the perfect choice. This sharp, one-length bob provides a bold and modern aesthetic, ideal for those who appreciate clean lines and attention to detail. As Tom describes it, this is the “tailoring of the haircuts” for autumn 2024, offering a sharp, defined look that pairs well with more tailored, structured fashion. The laser-cut bob works best for clients with fine hair, as the precise cut adds thickness and density to the hair, making it appear fuller and more structured.
For salon owners and stylists, autumn 2024 is the perfect time to refresh your service menu with these cosy yet chic styles. Clients are looking for cuts and styles that blend ease and sophistication, making it essential to focus on not only being fashionable but practical for the season. As Tom emphasises, this season is less about dramatic transformations and more about helping clients evolve their look naturally, promoting hair health and confidence. By staying on top of these trends and aligning with client preferences, salons can position themselves as ahead-of-the-curve in creating chic autumn styles that are both trendy and practical for the cooler months ahead.
Maddi Cook
Hair & beauty professionals need to double their monthly income to cover their cost of living and overhead expenses. That’s the major takeaway of a new pricing research survey by Boss Your Salon.
The research, which used Boss Your Salon’s pricing calculators, revealed professionals earn an average of £13.25 per hour when factoring in client income. After accounting for non-client-facing work, the actual hourly income falls to £10.19. The results showed an average monthly income (pre-tax and National Insurance) of £1,533.42. Yet to cover the cost of living and overhead expenses, professionals need to earn £3,042 per month, according to Boss Your Salon’s calculations.
Maddi Cook, Boss Your Salon’s founder, was keen to “get some numbers”, knowing anecdotally from her work with clients that price is a major challenge. The findings highlight that many are not earning enough to meet their basic needs.
One of the biggest issues in Maddi’s eyes? People thinking in “bums on seat hours” when it comes to their pricing. “So they’d go, ‘Well, I work with clients 30 hours a week’. But I think we’re in this employee mindset of ‘I get paid for the hours that I’m working with clients’. They forget about all the hours that go into running a business,” she said.
“An employee can down tools at the end of the day. They can finish it Saturday afternoon, and not have to worry about their job until Tuesday. Whereas business owners spend a lot of hours outside of work doing the marketing, booking and rearranging appointments, stock take and ordering. We need to get paid for all that time, because that’s work required to actually get those done.”
But once you take all the extra work into account, that’s when it drops down below Minimum Wage, or National Living Wage. If someone was on minimum wage in a job in Aldi or an office in the UK, you’d get 5.6 weeks paid holiday. You’d get six months full sick pay. You’d get maternity pay. You get a lunch break where you don’t have to worry about customer acquisition or accounts. So, you would be paid better in a minimum wage job, and you’d also get better conditions and job security.
With about 44 per cent of respondents from hairdressing, Maddi is keen for hairdressers to realise and value their skills beyond hair. “So many hairdressers say, ‘I’m not good at maths’, and so they avoid it. That infuriates me because you are, you’re a hairdresser! You work in ratios and timings and weights,” she said.
“If your income does not reflect the hard work that you put in, there is something wrong. Pricing is fundamental; just knowing your numbers is fundamental. It’s getting people to see this as the first and most crucial step before doing any of the other things, like marketing and social media.”
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Educating your clients about the importance of early intervention is key. Hair loss often worsens when left untreated. Leading trichologist, Mark Blake, tells us that the best thing for clients to do is “get advice and start a hair loss regime as quickly as possible.” Hair loss gets worse if left untreated, so doing nothing is going to let the problem get worse. By guiding your clients to act early, you can help them preserve their hair health and confidence.
One essential point to highlight is the seasonal nature of hair shedding. “Clients shouldn’t be alarmed if they notice more hair loss in September,” Mark shares. “It is the month that we see the highest proportion of natural hair loss in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s thought to be due to seasonal changes in light and weather.” While this is a natural occurrence, you should encourage clients to seek advice if they notice excessive or persistent shedding. Here are a few methods you can share with your clients, so they can start their health growth journey as soon as they leave the salon.
Many clients may not realise how crucial their diet is to hair growth. Hair is composed of approximately 85 per cent protein, and a lack of it can severely impact growth. Blake reminds us that “hair only grows from the protein eaten or retained,” highlighting the importance of a well-balanced diet for hair health.
Secondly, scalp care is critical but often neglected. Blake suggests that clients exfoliate their scalp every six weeks, explaining, “the scalp ages 12 times faster than the skin on the body and six times faster than the skin on the face. The scalp is where the hair must grow out of, and it needs looking after.”
Some clients believe that washing their hair less frequently will help reduce hair loss, but Mark Blake warns against this misconception. “As a Trichologist, I see more problems from hair loss patients who don’t wash their hair frequently than from patients who do wash their hair frequently,” Blake explains. He adds: “Clients should treat their scalp like any other part of their body. They should probably treat it better…scalp health is directly linked to hair health.” Encouraging clients to wash their hair regularly, focusing on scalp health, can help mitigate issues related to hair loss.
As trusted professionals, you can offer more than just styling. Offering scalp treatments, exfoliation services, and hair loss consultations can set your salon apart as a wellness hub for clients concerned about thinning hair. Plus, partnering with specialists, stocking trichologist-recommended products, and training your team in hair loss management will better serve your clients and build trust in your expertise.
Hair loss can be triggered by a wide range of factors, including genetics, hormonal changes, stress, nutrition, and even certain medical conditions or treatments. While understanding the root cause of hair loss is helpful, what’s more important is focusing on timely and effective intervention. Whatever the cause, action can prevent further loss and help restore hair health. The key is not dwelling on why hair loss happens, but rather how you can guide clients towards the best solutions to manage it.
Hair Loss Awareness Month is a great opportunity for salon owners to enhance their services and raise awareness about hair health, even by simply adding more targeted scalp health treatments to your service menu. Offering this added layer of care can position your salon as a leader in holistic hair care.
Hair Loss Awareness Month is a reminder that hair loss is a common issue, and it’s oftentimes tied up with many emotions, but it can be managed with the right knowledge and approach. As stylists, you are in a powerful position to provide education, support, and care for clients experiencing hair loss, helping them to regain their confidence and maintain healthy hair.
