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What We Loved About The Moroccanoil Collective 2025

What We Loved About The Moroccanoil Collective 2025

What We Loved About The Moroccanoil Collective 2025

Creative HEAD hit up Las Vegas with Joy Salon Services – this is what we brought back (along with a lot of merch)

by AMANDA | INFORM

There are plenty of reasons to visit Las Vegas – Elvis impersonators, 24-hour casino buffets, quickie weddings – but Moroccanoil give their community an irresistible cause… The Collective! This is an inspirational event to drive both creativity and business, while also including the brand’s Global Hair Competition and plenty of fun (think pool parties and club nights sprinkled in among the workshops).

Joy Salon Services, the UK distributor of Moroccanoil, hosted a contingent of stylists and salon owners, along with Aston & Fincher, at this second Collective event, at the jaw-dropping Fontainebleau. And no one left disappointed – this is what blew us away from The Collective event this year…

Gareth Williams and Oana Cioufu

The Workshops

Attendees had the opportunity to choose from an amazing array of practical workshops, and we got to sit in on four belters. Starting with Nancy Dobell’s The New Normal – she’s the senior global director of business and brand development at Moroccanoil we got a brilliantly helpful insight into consumer beauty and shopping trends and how salons can maximise the opportunities they present – Nancy had even devised an exclusive AI programme to help attendees come up with service menus around key calendar dates and themes.

On the subject of AI, Social Beauty Makers podcast host, Gordon Miller, lifted the lid on how best to maximise the different AI platforms out there, showcasing both the creative opportunities (animating still imagery) and the business possibilities (we met his AI assistant, Mary!).

Curl Explosion with Greg Gilmore and Tatiana Dudley shared some wonderfully useful techniques and tips for textured clients, while the UK’s Gareth Williams (joined by Oana Cioufu) revealed some dimensional blonde techniques that anyone in the audience could take straight back to the salon and start earning from.

Nicole Wilson, Global Hair Competition winner 2023

The Opportunity

The Collective includes Moroccanoil’s Global Hair Competition, with the finalists given the chance to present a collection on stage and work with theMoroccanoil team backstage at the iconic Eurovision. The overall winner? Well, they scoop $10,000, a salon retail package worth $5,000 and $2,500 of education at the Moroccanoil Academy in New York. Not bad at all – in 2023, Nicole Wilson from Northern Ireland was the winner and presented her models on stage this year in Vegas.

Global Hair Competition winner 2025 Tatiana from Puerto Rico, with Antonio Corral Calero

The Community

With a serious number of global attendees, there’s the chance to engage with salon owners and independent stylists from around the world. The support from the brand is felt throughout, and audience members we spoke to discussed how being part of Moroccanoil truly felt like a family, with pees that share ideas and lift up others. And there was no better example than the reaction to the Puerto Rico’s @tati.hair.magic winning this year’s Global Hair Competition – flags and vuvuzelas aplenty!

Robert Ham and Kevin Hughes

The Fun

We cannot undersell just how much fun the Moroccanoil team seems to be having on stage at the evening hair presentations. We’re talking choreographed dances, comedy skits, dream sequences with forest nymphs and a giant AI horse… props to senior vice president of global education, Robert Ham; global creative director, Antonio Corral Calero and vice president of artistry, Kevin Hughes, for being so game (and often in sequins, too!).

Oh, and the welcome pool party, with pina colada ice lollies in the brand’s iconic blue and inflatable Moroccanoil bottles? Yes, that’s how to welcome your guests with style.

The Merch!

The pop-up shop meant that you can put a serious dent in your credit card with all that azure-coloured merchandise – from cosy hoodies (good when the aircon was fierce) to silky dressing gowns to tie-dye tote bags, there was a plethora of goodies to shop (or win, with everyone receiving a voucher to play prize-laden games). Again, this all added to that community vibe, a sea of blue greeting you every time you arrived for the next happening. Very clever indeed…

Abby Whittaker on mic

Oh, and a shout out to Abby Whittaker, director of education for Joy Salon Services, who flew the UK flag on stage during a breakout panel discussion on reputation and education in hairdressing… and received some brilliant audience reaction too!

Sustainability in Salons: How to Be More Eco-Friendly and Reduce Product Waste

Sustainability in Salons: How to Be More Eco-Friendly and Reduce Product Waste

Promotion

Six Steps To A More Sustainable Salon

The beauty world is evolving rapidly, and sustainability is stealing the spotlight! With growing awareness of our industry’s environmental impact, salons have a real chance and responsibility to go greener. Here’s how.

by AMANDA | INFORM

Understanding how a salon can become more sustainable without compromising on quality and client experience can be overwhelming. However, by making small, strategic choices while using the right tools, you can reduce your footprint, protect the planet and future-proof your business. We partnered with Fresha, the world’s leading beauty and wellness marketplace, to hear their guidance on achieving this:

1. Reassess product use and minimise your waste

Excess product not only costs your business money, it also contributes to pollution and landfill waste. Some ways to cut down:

– Measure carefully
– Track usage
– Switch to concentrated or refillable products

With Fresha’s built-in inventory management, you can easily monitor product usage, track low stock levels and reduce any unnecessary ordering, which helps cut down on waste and save you money!

2. Choose sustainable brands

Partner with brands that prioritise sustainability in their packaging, ingredients and production methods. Keep an eye out for:

– Cruelty-free and vegan certifications
– Biodegradable or recyclable packaging
– Low-tox or organic ingredients lists

If your clients are aware of their environmental impact, promoting sustainable product ranges are a great method to boost loyalty while reflecting your values, and theirs. On your Fresha profile, you can proudly promote your eco-forward choices, helping clients who care about sustainability find and choose your salon for their next appointment.

3. Rethink packaging and recycling methods

Salon waste is often dominated by plastic, foil, and paper. Here’s how to manage it more responsibly:

– Introduce a recycling station
– Recycle colour tubes and foils by joining programmes like Green Salon Collective, Sustain Beauty Co. etc.
– Eliminate single-use items: switch to reusable gloves, towels, capes and cups where possible

4. Cut down on water and energy consumption where possible

Salons are naturally resource-intensive, so looking at smart upgrades can make a massive difference:

– Install eco shower heads
– Switch to LED lighting
– Use energy-efficient appliances

5. Go digital

Moving towards a paperless salon isn’t just good for the planet, it’s also great for your business.

– Digital client forms, receipts and consultation records reduce paper usage
– Online booking platforms and digital marketing (emails, social media) mean less print waste

Fresha makes this easy. With online booking, digital forms and built-in email and SMS marketing, your salon can seamlessly switch from paper to digital, minimising waste and improving your workflow. Aug

6. Consider joining the Sustainable Salon initiative

Joining a dedicated initiative can really help you stay on track if you’re serious about going green. Programs like Sustainable Salons offer structured support for salons wanting to reduce their environmental footprint. They do all the hard work for you, turning hair which is incredibly hard to break down, into impactful and innovative environmental solutions.

Final Thoughts…

Becoming a more sustainable salon doesn’t happen overnight, but small tweaks in your business habits can lead to meaningful change. By utilising smooth-running software solutions such as Fresha, you’re equipped with the right tools to streamline your operations and make a transition like this as seamless and as simple as possible.

 Not signed up to Fresha yet? Sign up now for free, and see what the go-to booking platform for beauty professionals can do for your salon. 

IHF Searching for 2025 Champions

IHF Searching for 2025 Champions

IHF Searching for 2025 Champions

Entries close 25 August for the Championships

by AMANDA | INFORM

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

The Irish Hairdressers Federation are on the hunt for competitors for their 2025 Championship event.

Pitched as the ultimate online photographic competition for hair stylists across Ireland, the IHF Championship has a line-up of categories that appeal to everyone from seasoned senior stylists to trainees and even specialists in their fields. There are also the prestigious IHF Hairdresser of the Year and IHF Trainee Hairdresser of the Year titles, the former having been won by Martha Galvin from Mayo’s Allure Hair & Beauty for the past three years. 

For details on all the categories and how to enter, click here. The winners will be revealed at the IHF Gala event on 5 October at the Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny.

Tickets go on sale from 26 August.

See all the winners from the 2024 IHF Championship here.

 

Evo’s Unplugged To Hit UK


Evo’s Unplugged To Hit UK


Evo’s Unplugged To Hit UK

Ky Wilson joins event’s creative line-up

by AMANDA | INFORM

Ky Wilson

Ky Wilson will be part of the salon pro event Unplugged when Australian favourites evo bring the event to the UK this Autumn.

Pitched as a time to “switch off and unplug”, stylists will get the chance to learn the latest tips and tricks from some of evo’s creative team, also including the rather brilliantly named ‘director of good times’ Jules Tognini and regional educator, Jodie Palmer. Attendees to the 12 October event will see evo’s creative collection, including colouring, cutting and styling and the chance to connect with other creatives.

Unplugged will be followed by two additional education workshops the following day – creative cutting class cut to the chase with Jules, and creative styling class super stylin’ with Ky. Click here to book your place.

Michael Van Clarke Unveils Podcast

Michael Van Clarke Unveils Podcast

Michael Van Clarke Unveils Podcast

First season features brother Nicky Clarke

by AMANDA | INFORM

Michael Van Clarke is the latest big name hairdresser to launch a podcast, pulling in celebrity stylist brother Nicky Clarke for season one.

Called Heads Together, the first series also features  Principal Stylist from Michael’s Marylebone salon, Mitchell Scott. The trio will be sharing stories from across their careers, promising insight into high profile clients and a little salon-based drama.

“When you’ve spent a combined hundred years in any industry you’ll have lived through upheavals and dramas, highs and lows. Add in celebrities, royals and the quirky creatives of the hair and fashion world and there’ll be stories to tell,” teased Michael.

Principle Stylist Mitchell Scott. Featured in episode 2

“Nicky and I rolled up at the podcast studio, mobile cocktail cabinet in hand, to talk about a life wrist-deep in hair and a craft that we both love,” he added.

Episodes drop weekly on Mondays, with 14 in this season. The podcast can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Amazon Music, Play FM and Podcast Addict.

“There’s A Massive Problem. And We’re Going To Fix It!”

“There’s A Massive Problem. And We’re Going To Fix It!”

“There’s A Massive Problem. And We’re Going To Fix It!”

Jade Hayter’s new capsule collection of salon-friendly fashion is not just elegantly tailored, it will help you do your bit to save the planet.

by CATHERINE | INFORM

Jade Hayter

Make no mistake, Jade Hayter, hairdresser and founder of the 145 Collective, a hub for freelancers and businesses in Glasgow, loves fashion. It’s fast fashion she has a problem with, the production of rapid, low-cost, trend-driven clothing that drives nearly 10 per cent of global carbon emissions, consumes huge amounts of water – and the vast majority of which ends up in landfill.

Adding to her feeling of unease was the discovery that 140,000 metric tons of that textile waste are generated by hairdressers – mainly garments discarded after contamination by hair colour and bleach. This high risk of damage means hairdressers often resort to wearing cheap clothing in the workplace, perpetuating the disposable clothing culture. But while there were plenty of discussions around sustainability focused on chemical waste from products, it seemed nobody was talking about the impact of textile waste. Something, it occurred to Jade, had to be done.

“There was nowhere that I could buy really nice, tailored clothes that weren’t going to get ruined at work,” she says. I’m talking about the clothes that I like to wear on days when I don’t have clients or when I’m not doing colour. And that got me thinking, ‘What I need are some really nice statement pieces that I can wear to work and not have to worry about them.’ And when I did a deep-dive into the stats around how much clothes get ruined at work, I was disgusted. And I thought, ‘There has to be a better option.’”

The capsule collection includes smart tailored pieces for men and women

Jade, who studied fashion and textiles before becoming a hairdresser, set about her mission of re-writing the fashion cycle by designing a collection of elevated, bleach-proof clothing that would appeal to the modern hair pro, last longer, be kinder to the planet and which could be worn season after season. In the end, it took her almost a year before she discovered a fabric that was up to the task – a coated polyester that is almost 100 per cent bleach-proof – but now, with the launch of her new business, her dream has now finally become reality.

Available to pre-order exclusively now at jadehayter.com (get a 20 per cent discount using code JH20 until 31 July), Jade’s launch collection consists of an oversized blazer, a waistcoat and trousers for women, plus an oversized shirt and trousers for guys (though Jade is keen to point out that men have also asked to wear the blazer). Smartly tailored and with beautifully detailed stitching and buttons, the collection is currently available in black and navy-blue options, with plans to release the styles in different colours moving forward. A classic T-shirt is also in the pipeline.

“I’m not saying you have to wear top-to-toe Jade Hayter,” she says. “This is a capsule collection and the idea is that you can combine these pieces with other items of your own. I’m more interested in creating a movement where you’re educating people on how to wear clothes well. It’s imperative that we have a capsule wardrobe that we don’t discard, we actually keep adding different pieces s we move forward. The key thing about fast fashion is that constant new season, new this, new that. I wanted to design pieces that are timeless, that suit any age, any style – it’s for everyone.”

All articles are bleach- and tint-proof and designed to last

With prices starting at £65 for the waistcoat and rising to £140 for the blazer, Jade realises this presents a challenge when it comes to her desire to halt the rise of fast fashion. While shoppers, and particularly the younger generation, say they’re concerned about sustainability, a recent study by Sheffield Hallam University found that nine out of 10 Gen Z-ers are still buying fast fashion. The fact that Shein adds, on average, an eye-watering 6,000 new styles to its website every day shows the scale of what she’s facing.

Jade insists her clothes will never go on sale (“This is such a driving factor in fast fashion”) but she’s offering an initial 20 per cent discount on orders and in the longer term will introduce a reuse andrecycle initiative where clothing can be returned to be cleaned, repaired and re-sold at a discount price. All the packaging is 100 per cent curbside recycled, too.

The fact that it’s normalised in our industry just to bin clothes that are ruined needs to stop,” saysJade. “It’s a massive problem but it needs to be fixed and I really do want to change things. People have laughed at me because I’m just one person, but I’m so passionate about my brand and what it can achieve. What I’m doing really stands out from other bleach-proof lines that are popping up but that are emulating fast fashion. There’s room for everyone and I want to build a community of stylish hairdressers who want to do good and look good. If I can change the way someone thinks about purchasing, then I’ve done what I set out to do.”

How Does Fast Fashion Affect The Environment? 

According to the United Nations, the fashion industry is responsible for between 8 and 10 per cent of all global carbon emissions*. That’s more than all international flights and shipping combined.

It also accounts for 20 per cent of all wastewater production. About 93bn cubic metres of water – enough for 5 million people to survive – is used by the fashion industry every year.

A significant portion of discarded clothing ends up in landfill. Globally, the textile industry occupies roughly 5 per cent of all landfill space, with about 92 million tons of textile waste produced every year.

Only 1 per cent of used clothes are recycled into new clothes, according to the European Parliament. On average, Europeans use nearly 26kg of textiles and discard about 11kg of them every year. Most (87 per cent) are incinerated or landfilled.

The rise of fast fashion has been crucial in the increase of clothing consumption, driven partly by social media and the industry bringing fashion to consumers at a faster pace than in the past.

New strategies to tackle this issue include developing new business models for clothing rental, designing products in a way that would make re-use and recycling easier (circular fashion), convincing consumers to buy clothes of better quality that last longer (slow fashion) and generally steering consumer behaviour towards more sustainable options.

Despite the growing popularity of sustainable and ethically made fashion among younger generations,fast fashion is growing rapidly in volume and profit. According to research by CoherentMI, in the United States alone, fast fashion was worth $41.15 billion in the year 2023 and is anticipated to reach $59.85 billion by 2030.