Discover The Winners At The IHF Hairdressing Championships

Oct 9, 2024 | HOME INFORM, INDUSTRY NEWS, INFORM

Discover The Winners At The IHF Hairdressing Championships

A hat trick of wins sees one stylish entering the Hall of Fame

by AMANDA | INFORM

Laurna McGrath, Vanilla Hair Design, and Martha Galvin, Allure Hair & Beauty

Martha Galvin, owner and stylist at Allure Hair & Beauty in County Mayo, is the IHF Hairdresser of the Year for the third consecutive year.

Her hat trick of wins earns her a place in the IHF Hall of Fame – and she also scooped trophies in four other categories, including the Creative Colour trophy.

“What Martha has accomplished is nothing short of extraordinary. To win and enter the Hall of Fame is a huge honour, and it reflects her unwavering commitment to excellence,” said IHF president, Lisa Eccles. “Martha’s passion, creativity and hard work over the years have earned her this well-deserved recognition, and she continues to set the bar for others in the industry.”

It was a good night also for Vanilla Hair Design in Carlow, as Laurna McGrath won IHF Irish Trainee Hairdresser of the Year, and Samantha Byrne scooped both Hair Up and Fantasy titles. Menspire’s Patrick Browne was also celebrating, as he took home first and second place in the Barber Technique category.

The 2025 IHF STAR Team was also revealed, welcoming Emma Killeen (Allure Hair & Beauty, Mayo), Jade Hennessy (Albert’s Hair Design, Wexford), Ellie Purdy (Brown Sugar, Dublin), Danielle O’Sullivan (Vanilla Hair Design, Carlow) and Caitlin Smith (Hair Creations, Dublin).

Three IHF Icon Award recipients were also celebrated – Cats Hair Salon’s Ian Brady, Reds Hair Salon’s Carolann McGuirk and an honorary award for the IHF’s first president, the late Robert Byrne.

Hosted at Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny, the event showcases exceptional work from leading stylists across the country, judged by a panel of national and international experts.

And the winners are…

IHF Irish Hairdresser of the Year (sponsored by Wella Professionals)

Martha Galvin, Allure Hair & Beauty, Mayo

IHF Irish Trainee Hairdresser of the Year (sponsored by ALFAPARF Milano Professional)

Laurna McGrath, Vanilla Hair Design, Carlow

Newcomer of the Year – Trainee (sponsored by Davines)

1st Rhiannon Black, Brown Sugar, Dublin

2nd Laurna McGrath, Vanilla Hair Design, Carlow

3rd Rebecca Donegan, Olivia’s Hair Studio, Wicklow

Creative Colour – Trainee (sponsored by Image Skillnet)

1st Tiegan Neary, Allure Hair & Beauty, Mayo

2nd Sara Gilhooly, Our Salon by Derek & Fergal, Meath

2nd (Joint) Danielle O’Sullivan, Vanilla Hair Design, Carlow

3rd Ella Clarke, House of Colour, Dublin

Trend Upstyle – Trainee

1st Tiegan Neary, Allure Hair & Beauty, Mayo

2nd Laurna McGrath, Vanilla Hair Design, Carlow

2nd (Joint) Leah Caroll Byrne, Vanilla Hair Design, Carlow

3rd Mia Massey, Ashleigh Kelly Hairdressing, Dublin

Fantasy – Trainee (sponsored by EasyDry)

1st Danielle O’Sullivan, Vanilla Hair Design, Carlow

2nd Emma Killeen, Allure Hair & Beauty, Mayo

3rd Laurna McGrath, Vanilla Hair Design, Carlow

Creative Colour – Senior (sponsored by L’Oréal Professionnel Paris)

1st Martha Galvin, Allure Hair & Beauty, Mayo

2nd Nadine Brady, La Mode, Dublin

3rd Anthony McNally, Ross Adams, Dublin

Hair Up – Senior (sponsored by Phorest)

1st Samantha Byrne, Vanilla Hair Design, Carlow

2nd Martha Galvin, Allure Hair & Beauty, Mayo

3rd Amanda Ryan, Allure Hair & Beauty, Mayo

Fantasy – Senior (sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional)

1st Samantha Byrne, Vanilla Hair Design, Carlow

2nd Samantha Byrne, Vanilla Hair Design, Carlow

3rd Lisa McGuiness, Allure Hair & Beauty, Mayo

Barber Technique – Specialist (sponsored by Remi)

1st Patrick Browne, Menspire, Dublin

2nd Patrick Browne, Menspire, Dublin

3rd Sandra Keegan, The Academy Barber, Kildare

Textured – Specialist (sponsored by The Tattooed Accountant)

1st Saoirse McDermott, The Hair Space, Galway

2nd Samantha Byrne, Vanilla Hair Design, Carlow

3rd Patrick Browne, Menspire, Dublin

Salon Social – Specialist (sponsored by LanaiPro)

1st Caitlin McCarthy, Salon Anu, Dublin

2nd Mark Sherwood, Zeba Hairdressing, Dublin

3rd Aishling Moriarty, Rustiq, Kilkenny

Extensions – Specialist (sponsored by Hairtalk)

1st Emily Whelan, MD Hair, Carlow

2nd Kelly Murray, Cut Social, Dublin

3rd Martha Galvin, Allure Hair & Beauty, Mayo

3rd (Joint) Martha Galvin, Allure Hair & Beauty, Mayo

Hair by Martha Galvin

IHF president Lisa Eccles and IHF Icon Award recipient Ian Brady, Cats Hair Salon

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Trevor Sorbie Partners With Yuv

Pictured at Leinster House for the launch of the SME Alliance campaign were (from left): Vincent Jennings, Chief Executive Officer, Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association; Neil McDonnell, Chief Executive, ISME: Lisa Eccles, President, Irish Hairdressers Federation; Adam Hallissey, Public Affairs Manager, Restaurant Association of Ireland; Carole Hingerton, Founder and Owner, Lettershop; Jackie Conboy, Co-Founder, Music & Entertainment Association of Ireland; Suzanne Bannon, Director, John Bannon Ltd; and Keelan Bourke, Head of Commercial, Retail Excellence.

IHF Joins Forces With SME Alliance To Demand Major Reforms – Is The Government Listening?

Regis And House of Colour Win Big At Wella Professionals TrendVision Award Final

Oct 8, 2024 | HOME INFORM, INDUSTRY NEWS, INFORM, INFORM HEADER

Regis And House of Colour Win Big At Wella Professionals TrendVision Award Final

New venue and six epic shows round off stellar event

by AMANDA | INDUSTRY NEWS

Regis and House of Colour were the big winners at the 2024 Wella Professionals TrendVision Award Final, each taking home two trophies.

Hosted by Love Island’s Laura Whitmore and Wella artist, Fergal Doyle, at Old Billingsgate on the banks of the Thames, the evening also found Scottish salon brand Medusa celebrating a win in front of a 600-plus strong audience. Interactive elements included key artists wearing Meta Glasses, offering the chance to see the event through different perspectives, such as a backstage perspective with James Earnshaw and a host’s view of the audience through Fergal Doyle.

As TrendVision celebrated its 20th anniversary, the theme of the night was ‘self-expression’. “We have celebrated more than 200 winners and each time it becomes a life changing event in their career,” said Max Amen, Wella Company general manager, UK & Ireland. “TrendVision is not just about the finalists and the stylists, it’s also about the businesses that invest in education to train and elevate their teams.”

Renaissance by Cobella

Six boundary pushing creative shows, offered a “window to the soul” of the artistic teams, with the stage acting as their canvas for personal storytelling. Wella’s UK & Ireland colour & trend ambassador, Jordanna Cobella, presented ‘Renaissance’, celebrating the palette of the golden hour glow through period hair, fashion and photography with contemporary embellishments.

Beyond Boundries by Sassoon

Hair at TONI&GUY

Sassoon visited 1920s Berlin and Paris in ‘Beyond Boundaries’ with an immersive show that centres on three powerful colour – red, black and white. ‘Hair at TONI&GUY’ from the high street favourite referenced their fashion heritage with a bright, colourful and diverse showcase of colour and texture.

Scandi Style Storytellers by STIL Salon

Alien Allure: A Futuristic Hair Odyssey by James Earnshaw

STIL Salon’s ‘Scandi Style Storytellers’ saw minimalism meeting something a little more bold as they played with Nordic aesthetics. James Earnshaw’s ‘Alien Allure: A Futuristic Hair Odyssey’ utilised an intense colour palette, from acid-wash to vivid violets and bold blues alongside exaggerated shapes and textures,

Infinity by HOB Academy

Finally, ‘Infinity’ from HOB Academy also took the audience on a futuristic journey, showcasing the power of transformation. Bronzed curls, fluffed out texture and heavily straightened lengths against curled bangs delivered everything from sleek and polished to avant-garde and voluminous.

The night then switched gears with the after party, with the iconic DJ Fat Tony on the decks above a packed dancefloor.

And the winners are…

Craft Visionary

UK: Corinne McNaughton, Medusa Bread Street

Craft Visionary

Ireland: Alex White, House of Colour

Colour Visionary

UK: Dawid Mielnik, Regis Manchester

Colour Visionary

Ireland: Maggie Grant, House of Colour

XPOSURE Creative Colour

Skye Holford, Kleek Apprenticeships/Regis UK

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Trevor Sorbie Partners With Yuv

IHF Joins Forces With SME Alliance To Demand Major Reforms – Is The Government Listening?

The Irish Budget 2025 – What You Need To Know

Oct 2, 2024 | HOME INFORM, INDUSTRY NEWS, INFORM, INFORM HEADER

The Irish Budget 2025 – What You Need To Know

From Minimum Wage Rise To A Delay in Pension Auto-Enrolment

by AMANDA | INDUSTRY NEWS

A delay to the Auto-Enrolment Pension Scheme and an increase in the National Minimum Wage are among the key highlights from Ireland’s Budget 2025, revealed by Minister for Finance, Jack Chambers.

Here are the key takeaways:

The Minimum Wage will increase by 80 cents to €13.50 per hour from 1 January 2025.

The Auto Enrolment Pension Scheme is not set to start in September 2025. This has been postponed from January 2025.

VAT registration threshold will rise to €42,000 from €40,000 for the supply of goods and services.

VAT for utilities – currently at 9 per cent – is extended for another six months to 30 April 2025.

Personal, Employee and Earned Income Credits will increase by €125.

The 4 per cent USC rate is reduced to 3 per cent.

The Small Benefit Exemption increases to €1,500 from €1,000. You can provide employees up to three tax-free benefits annually, as long as the combined value doesn’t exceed €1,500 and none are in cash.

The Standard Rate Cot-Off Point has been raised by €2,000 to €44,000, with proportional increases for married couples and civil partners.

Details will also follow on support for the retail and hospitality sector, with a €4,000 flat-rate payment for businesses with a rates bill below €30,000 to be launched.

You can find more details here

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Trevor Sorbie Partners With Yuv

IHF Joins Forces With SME Alliance To Demand Major Reforms – Is The Government Listening?

Saddle Up And Style

Oct 1, 2024 | HOME INFORM, INDUSTRY NEWS, INFORM, INFORM HEADER

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Promotion – BaByliss PRO

BaByliss PRO is the home of iconic precision tools that empower professionals the world over to deliver dazzling looks on the daily. Always evolving, always advancing, it’s time to say howdy to its latest professional styler – STILISTA

by AMANDA | INDUSTRY NEWS

Creative-Head-Harvey-Williams-Fairley-0002

Whether you’re styling urban cowboys or Dolly Parton wannabes, BaByliss PRO has a tool in its arsenal that will amplify your creativity and your results, every time. And because it’s always innovating to ensure you have exactly what you need, there’s a new tool making its home on the range…

STILISTA is an advanced professional styler that’s perfectly engineered for optimum heat and control to create flawless long-lasting styles in an instant.

Advanced Ceramic Technology gives you more power, speed and responsiveness. We’re talking faster heat up – up to 190°C in just 30 seconds! – and instant recovery to maintain a constant temperature and exceptional heat distribution over the entire surface of the plates. That means it delivers better styling and long-lasting results. Yee-haw!

Creative-Head-Harvey-Williams-Fairley-8973

Crafted from titanium, one of the strongest and most durable materials, floating plates deliver outstanding heat transfer for perfect straightening in just one stroke… even at lower temperatures. Its curved design and its stay cool housing gets you right into the roots, bang on for boost lift and volume. That new rounded exterior also means you can wave and curl effortlessly.

There’s a treasure trove of tech, as high-capacity ionic technology creates smoother, softer and shinier hair for a long-lasting sleek finish no one will want to hide under a Stetson.

Versatile, high-performing, impactful – STILISTA is the BaByliss PRO styler you need in your holster, whether you’re in the salon, on set or in the studio.

“Oh my goodness, wait til you get your hands on the STILISTA. This is incredible. It’s an amazing multi styling tool” Michelle Sultan, BaByliss PRO ambassador

Wherever your styling journey takes you – from Quiet Luxury to Cowboy Core and beyond – create and innovate every time with STILISTA from BaByliss PRO. Discover more at babyliss.com

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Trevor Sorbie Partners With Yuv

IHF Joins Forces With SME Alliance To Demand Major Reforms – Is The Government Listening?

Trevor Sorbie Partners With Yuv

Oct 1, 2024 | HOME INFORM, INDUSTRY NEWS

Trevor Sorbie Partners With Yuv

Their six salons will be using the refillable, customisable colour lab system

by AMANDA | INDUSTRY NEWS

Trevor Sorbie Salons, celebrating their 45th anniversary, are partnering exclusively with colour innovation brand yuv across their six salons. This will see the iconic salon name using the lab system, which uses refillable cartridges to create customisable colour.

In addition, Giuseppe Stelitano, Trevor Sorbie International’s creative director, and Nathan Walker, its brand education director, will both become yuv colour ambassadors. They will play integral roles in showcasing yuv’s technology and sustainable practices.

At an event at London’s Shoreditch House, Trevor Sorbie’s Bree Davie remarked how the yuv partnership continued “the disruptive legacy” of the salon group’s iconic founder. “We were both burning with the fire of passion and excitement by what we saw, we both wanted the same thing,” said Nathan of his and Guiseppe’s visit to see the yuv system for the first time.

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Trevor Sorbie Partners With Yuv

IHF Joins Forces With SME Alliance To Demand Major Reforms – Is The Government Listening?

Sep 20, 2024 | HOME INFORM, INDUSTRY NEWS, INFORM, INFORM HEADER

IHF Joins Forces With SME Alliance To Demand Major Reforms – Is The Government Listening?

IHF joins with SME Alliance in a nationwide campaign to push the Irish government for change

by MADDI | INDUSTRY NEWS

Pictured at Leinster House for the launch of the SME Alliance campaign were (from left): Vincent Jennings, Chief Executive Officer, Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association; Neil McDonnell, Chief Executive, ISME: Lisa Eccles, President, Irish Hairdressers Federation; Adam Hallissey, Public Affairs Manager, Restaurant Association of Ireland; Carole Hingerton, Founder and Owner, Lettershop; Jackie Conboy, Co-Founder, Music & Entertainment Association of Ireland; Suzanne Bannon, Director, John Bannon Ltd; and Keelan Bourke, Head of Commercial, Retail Excellence.

With salons across Ireland facing sky-high costs and endless regulations, IHF president Lisa Eccles is calling for serious action to save the industry from collapse. “We are the backbone of local communities, providing vital services and jobs, yet many of us are struggling to keep our doors open,” Eccles said. “The government must act in this budget to ease the burden on small businesses like ours before it’s too late.”

The IHF is calling for a National Minimum Wage reform. They argue that the current system is outdated and unfair, especially when 48 per cent of the workforce is employed in higher-paying public or multinational jobs. They want future wage increases capped at inflation rates and public sector pay excluded from calculations.

Next, they’re advocating for tax reform, pushing for a permanent 9 per cent VAT rate on personal services and a rollback of the current 23 per cent VAT rate to its historic 21 per cent. Additionally, the IHF supports applying the 8.8 per cent Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) rate to the full National Minimum Wage, currently €495.30 per week – a recommendation the SME Alliance understands the government has already accepted for Budget 2025.

They’re also proposing an Industrial Relations reform. With SMEs making up 68 per cent of the workforce, they’re demanding pro-rata representation of key decision-making bodies, such as the Low Pay Commission.

Next week, the IHF will meet with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to discuss how statutory sick pay change has affected salons.

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