WELLA PROFESSIONALS AND PANTONE JOIN FORCES IN “BIGGEST COLLABORATION EVER”

Apr 25, 2024 | INDUSTRY NEWS

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WELLA PROFESSIONALS AND PANTONE JOIN FORCES IN “BIGGEST COLLABORATION EVER”

Inspiration found in key Pantone shades of the season.

The full Colour Crush collection

Wella Professionals is collaborating with global colour expert Pantone on its summer collection, Colour Crush – dubbed on Instagram as its “biggest collaboration ever”.

Revealed on the cover of Creative HEAD’s March issue, Colour Crush sees Wella Professionals ambassadors Jordanna Cobella and James Earnshaw working together on the season’s take on the new era of colour blocking.

James Earnshaw developed seven looks that incorporate the key Pantone shades of the season for inspiration.

Lilac Spirit – a fresh floral hue combined with a luminous peach

Rose Dusk – a velvety pink which comes alive when paired with a deep, alluring burgundy

Vivid Amber – glows with an intense, golden warmth and teamed with a richly pigmented red-hued brown

Pink Pearl – a delicate, natural creamy hue teamed with a rich deep brown

Dulce de Leche – a smooth and creamy caramel shade, set against a complex midnight black

Barley Gold – a delicate sun-baked golden blonde fused with a nutty and rich brown

Sunset Blaze – autumnal fiery oranges, set against a tranquil tinted blonde

“At a time when authentic self-expression has become so paramount, this collection enables individual style and personality, to create edgy and fun combinations,” said Laurie Pressman, vice-president at Pantone Color Institute.

The looks were created using Koleston Perfect, Color Touch, Shinefinity and Illumina Color from the Wella Professionals’ colour portfolio. Inspired by shades from nature, interior design, and make-up, Colour Crush signals a shift from cool ash tones, with warmer hues prevalent, as seen in the two key trends Peach Blush and Strawberry Glaze.

The collection showcases salon and stylist friendly techniques to help colourists get creative and grow their business, with face framing concepts and colour blocking panels.

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CAN NEW CAMPAIGN CUT COST OF DOING BUSINESS IN IRELAND?

Business organisations including the Irish Hairdressers Federation collaborate on pushing for lower VAT rate as part of new SaveJobs campaign.

A new campaign to reduce the cost of doing business is launching from an alliance of
organisations representing and supporting small businesses across Ireland, including the
Irish Hairdressers Federation and the Hair and Beauty Industry Confederation.

The SaveJobs campaign is fighting for a permanent 9 per cent VAT rate for the personal
grooming, entertainment and experiential, and food services sectors.

Together, they aim to reduce the cost of doing business, create more jobs, and help small
businesses thrive by advocating for supportive policies and relieving burdens imposed by
government policies.

Within the campaign, the alliance spotlights how Irish SMEs cannot compete with wage
premiums paid by multi-national employers and public services. It says benchmarking the
minimum wage against these will fail, costing jobs and businesses.

It’s also pushing for small businesses to be heard in discussions about employment terms. It points to the Labour Employer Economic Forum, which it argues lacks small business representation, even though SMEs employ 60 per cent of the Irish workforce. It’s pushing for pro-rata representation on the Forum.

To sign the pledge and join the campaign, visit savejobs.ie/takeaction

In addition to the Irish Hairdressers Federation and the Hair and Beauty Industry
Confederation, organisations that have signed up to the Savejobs.ie campaign include:the
Restaurants Association of Ireland; Irish Hardware Association; Nursing Homes Ireland;
Retail Excellence Ireland; Vintners’ Federation of Ireland; and Convenience Stores &
Newsagents Association.

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HOW TO BRING A LEVEL OF LUXURY TO BARBERING

Promotion – STMNT Grooming Goods

Salon owners Ryan Lewis and Charles Rose share the business benefits of introducing luxury STMNT Grooming Goods backwash services

To boost your business (and most importantly your bottom line!) it’s vital to explore exciting, fresh ways to elevate the client experience. Not only is the barber shop or salon a place to help clients look good, but it’s also a safe, welcoming space which gives clients that extra something to leave them feeling good, too. A great service goes beyond the haircut itself, but this doesn’t mean you need to implement huge changes or shifts in your service menu, it can be as simple as adding a level of luxury to their usual appointment.

A perfect way to enhance the experience is to maximise the current services, adding extra steps at the backwash with the products you use. STMNT Grooming Goods offers a full range of sophisticated, lifestyle-driven, genderless care products to support barbers in delivering more luxurious treatments.

Ryan Lewis, owner of Club13 in Hull, recognises having a backwash as an unequivocal feature of the space. Having recently been granted permission to add a backwash to his space, Ryan wholeheartedly believes this will improve the overall quality of the space and give his clients a moment of zen. As many of Ryan’s clients work in trade, it is not uncommon for them to visit straight from work, making a backwash even more beneficial in ensuring hair is a clean canvas for cutting techniques.

Ryan Lewis

Ryan and his team work with STMNT products to enable them to provide enhanced backwash services which are bespoke to each individual. “The thing that makes the STMNT Backwash Services so unique is simple – it’s the products themselves. The quality is second to none,” says Ryan. “Integrating STMNT Backwash Services into our existing services is seamless. We’ll highlight the benefits of the backwash experience during client consultations and offer it as an optional add-on to their haircut. Through promotions such as discounted package deals or loyalty rewards, we’ll encourage clients to try out this new service and experience the difference for themselves.”

If you’re considering adding a luxury backwash experience to your business, Ryan’s advice is to think of the long-term benefits! Not only does it enhance the overall client experience and set your business apart from competitors, but it also opens up opportunities for increased revenue through add-on services and retail sales.

Luxury backwash service

Having originally trained as a hairdresser, Charles Rose, owner of Crate Cheshire, wanted to bring that level of luxury typically seen in hair salons to a barbering space. He believes it is vital that all clients, no matter their hair length, are given a moment of luxury and relaxation when having their hair cut and styled.

“Collaborating with STMNT has been key to providing this elevated experience,” says Charles. “The luxury grooming products enhance the sensory experience and provide nourishment for the hair and scalp.”

Charles Rose

Clients can choose from the following services, where depending on the choice of service, this will include haircare from the STMNT Care line, a specialized scalp massage, steamed towel wrap and/or tailored beard care.

Soothe & balance: A nourishing care routine, focusing on the scalp and hair to gently cleanse and hydrate, leaving a moisturized feeling – particularly beneficial for drier hair and scalp types.
Deep clean & care: A powerful cleansing experience that removes product build-up to refresh hair and scalp – recommend as a regular purifying backwash service to provide an extra fresh feeling.
Groom & care: A bespoke regime that combines a caring hair, scalp and beard service with a moment of relaxation – perfect for those who have a little extra time to enjoy a more holistic approach to self-care.

Crate Cheshire has noticed a big business benefit since adding the STMNT luxury backwash service, setting the salon apart in a competitive market and improving client loyalty. It’s also a great way to attract new clients seeking premium services, inevitably boosting business growth.

To discover more about STMNT products, head to stmntgrooming.co.uk

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THE TOP TWO CULTURAL DRIVERS EVERY SALON OWNER SHOULD KNOW

Promotion – Fresha

Take a closer look at the hair and beauty landscape for the months and years ahead.

The ever-evolving beauty and wellness industry is being propelled daily by cultural drivers and technological change. Clients and consumers respond to trends, and this determines the direction of the future of the industry, meaning that staying ahead of the curve is a key way to capitalise on these trends for your business.

Fresha, one of the world’s biggest salon software providers, published its first trend report crafted from more than 1,000 consumer surveys across three continents, as well the data from 600 million bookings on its platform, to nail exactly what is trending and what the future has in store. The good news? It features a whole lot of fun!

Dopamine beauty and cultural intellect are set to dominate the landscape as consumers place higher value on diversity, expression, and emotional wellbeing. This is triggering a rise in beauty services that are inclusive, meaningful, and playful, with consumers prioritising their self-expression and focussing on finding services that are right for them.

Shag! salons is incorporating these trends into its businesses across London, ensuring clients can embrace colourful, inclusive services.

Client at Shag! London

So, what’s dopamine beauty?

Wellness that prioritises playfulness.

Dopamine beauty is centred around exploring self-expression through colours, textures, and scents for the ultimate feel-good factor. The trend focusses on joy and mental wellbeing and is an extension of the ‘clean girl aesthetic’ or ‘no make-up make-up’ trends that social media platforms such as TikTok have seen skyrocket in popularity. A surprising 58.5 per cent of consumers think wellness is about how they feel mentally, rather than physically, so dopamine ditches the beige and brings back youthful wonder, presenting opportunities for your beauty and wellness treatments and services to be playful.

“Dopamine beauty is a trend we were inadvertently using as soon as we opened. Both of our salons are filled with colour,” says the team behind Shag!, who use colours such as bright pink and ocean blue in its salon interiors. “We’ve noticed a surge in people going more extreme with hair colour. It started last year when all the blonde and brunette clients tried the copper trend. It then became the norm instead of a bold move, and now they’re looking for the next big thrill with their own hair. We’re ready to see a lot of pink tones coming back over the next year.”

At its core, Dopamine Beauty encourages consumers to feel that extra bit happier and fulfilled after a self-care service. It is also becoming more important for a younger demographic to resonate with as they place more importance on their mental health. Shag! stylists are noticing an increase in clients discovering that they can have fun and use their hair colour to feel happier.

What is cultural intellect?

Representing a greater diversity of needs.

While dopamine beauty creates a space to encourage clients to be themselves, that space also needs to be able to accept a diverse range of people. The industry is calling for safer community spaces, better education around textured hair, and a wider representation and understanding of hair types.

Shag! salons aims to provide clients the most luxurious service possible and offer a space they can come to which feels more exclusive, safe, and private, as well as being able to provide disabled access and a private room for clients who require those elements. Services like this are integral for businesses to strive in the industry and Fresha’s data reflects significant contrast between customer satisfaction rates, with Black consumers three–times more likely to be dissatisfied with their options for haircare, skincare, and make–up.

Shag! London stylists

“Inclusivity has been a huge problem in the hairdressing industry for a long time,” says the Shag! Team. “Textured hair was only recently added to hairdressing training and even that required a 100,000-signature petition to City & Guilds to get it added in.”

Shag! Salons prides itself on having built a business around inclusivity. It covers everything from the basics such as gender-neutral pricing and training in all hair types, through to more in-depth practices. “We offer a private room for any clients that may need to cover their hair for health or religious reasons. We have tried to build a space where literally anyone can come in and ask for anything they could imagine. We have also made sure all our staff are well trained in cutting textured hair and brought in experts for several styles and hair types for courses to make sure the whole team is confident.”

Investment in education is vital for the success of every business. Being up-to-date with cultural needs globally and locally allows you to provide the best client care possible and future-proof your services.

Want to discover more about trends in the beauty and wellness industry?
Check out The Future of Beauty and Wellness Report 2024 by Fresha and WGSN here.

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SCHWARZKOPF PROFESSIONAL REVEALS THE 2024 #SKPCOLLECTIVE TEAM

Six social media stars from across the industry have been selected to join the prestigious team.

2024 #SKPCollective team

Following a fast-paced final audition day at Schwarzkopf Professional headquarters, the 2024 #SKPCollective team has been chosen. Out of the 12 talented finalists who showcased their skills and creativity, six social media-savvy stars have risen to the top, impressing the judges, including Creative HEAD’s digital director Kelsey Dring, with their passion for hairdressing and
their innovative approach to social media content creation.

The final auditions, held on Monday 8 April, commenced with a warm welcome from the Schwarzkopf Professional team, followed by the reveal of an exciting challenge. Each finalist was tasked with creating, editing, and posting an engaging reel within just one hour, using a box of Schwarzkopf Professional products. With an open brief emphasising the importance of showcasing their unique personality, the finalists rose to the occasion and delivered an impressive variety of content, ranging from hair transformations to ‘POV’ skits

Following a brief lunch break, the finalists engaged in one-on-one interviews with the judging panel, where they demonstrated their social media expertise, shared their vision for the #SKPCollective team, and reflected on their experience throughout the day.

The standard of talent showcased during the auditions was seriously impressive, making the final decision incredibly difficult for the judging panel. However, after much deliberation, the six members of the new #SKPCollective team for 2024 were selected…

Meet the new #SKPCollective team:
Alex Melville from The Hair Club in Stirling – @_styledbyalex
Chantelle Jones from Seckingtons in Northampton – @chantellehaircraft
Grainne McClelland from Coventry – @grainnemcclelland_hair
Harry Watson from DooDahs Hair in Hertfordshire – @hairbyharryx
Tommy Hardy from House of Marshall in Falkirk – @tommyhardyhair
Vishali Visavadia from London Road Hair in Leicester – @vsvstylist

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THIS IS THE NEW STANDARD FOR SUSTAINABLE HAIR EXTENSIONS

Promotion – Great Lengths

As an industry it’s paramount that we work towards more sustainable practices. Bringing a new approach to hair extensions, Great Lengths has achieved B-Corp certification.

When it comes to sustainability, it goes beyond Earth Month. As an industry, it’s vital we all do our bit, all year round, to work towards a more sustainable future for everyone. Very few brands and businesses are awarded B Corp certification, and Great Lengths is the first of its kind in the hair extensions market.

Following years of consistent, sustainable practices across the brand, Great Lengths has become the first extensions brand to have been awarded B Corp certification across the globe. This Earth Month, the Italian brand is shining light on its continued consideration for environmental and social responsibilities that have been part of its agenda for some time, with measures put in place more than 10 years ago which focus on care for both people and the planet by working towards a circular economy.

The B Corp certification recognises the efforts Great Lengths has made to be more inclusive at all levels, from the welfare of its employees and the trust of its consumers to working towards reducing the beauty footprint of the entire production chain. As one of the world’s leading names in human hair extensions, Great Lengths strives to use its influence for good and encourage others to consider the differences they can make.

“Working with B Corp brands such as Great Lengths is incredibly important to us,” says Susan Collins, owner of, B Corp certified salon Home of Hair, in County Wicklow in Ireland. “We actively seek out suppliers that are committed to the wellbeing of people and the planet, as we know those that have achieved B Corp status have exceptionally high standards of practise.”

‘Perception’ by Great Lengths

She adds: “Being a certified B Corp is confirmation that a company is fully transparent and has made ethical choices. This is a very easy sell to a client – if they’re sitting in your chair, they have already decided to spend that little bit extra, but they also know that there are no shady or grey areas in the product they’re investing in. Working with B Corp certified suppliers means that you don’t have to deep dive into everything to make sure they align with your company ethos and practices.”

Great Lengths offers a circular, transparent chain with its hair. Ethical sourcing of hair is fundamental to the brand philosophy, and it prides itself on the strict processes and measures that ensure both the quality and ethicality of the hair. All hair is sourced from Indian temples, where it is voluntarily donated during a ritual known as ‘tonsuring’. Each strand is given willingly and with full consent, and revenue generated is fed back into the local community.

In its continued effort to strive for sustainable practices, Great Lengths also has a global partnership with The Little Princess Trust and offers a donation scheme in more than 1,500 salons in the UK and Ireland and more than 60 countries worldwide. The scheme gives clients who use extensions the opportunity to change lives. When their extensions are removed, clients can choose to donate them to the charity to make into real hair wigs, which are provided free to children and young people who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other conditions. It costs nothing to be involved and is an impactful way for a salon to give back and reduce waste. Shorter hair extensions which are unsuitable for donation to the Little Princess Trust partnership are recycled in the same way as natural hair clippings.

To find out more about Great Lengths and its efforts towards sustainability, head to greatlengths.com.