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Oh, Yes You Cannes!

Oh, Yes You Cannes!

Oh, Yes You Cannes!

An epic gathering of L’Oréal Professionnel Paris’s (LPP’s) élite salon owner Portfolio Club

by CATHERINE | INFORM

“A glamorous view, a legendary city, an iconic moment,” announced Aurélien Guibert, the newly appointed Managing Director of L’Oréal Professional Products Division, as he welcomed guests to the 2025 gathering of L’Oréal Professionnel Paris’s (LPP’s) élite salon owner Portfolio Club this April. And with a stay in the ultra-deluxe Hotel Carlton in Cannes, complete with gorgeous sunshine, a crystal-blue sea and the greatest people-watching opportunities on the planet along the palm-lined Promenade de la Croisette, all the ingredients were in place for an epic experience.

Aurélien Guibret, Managing Director of L’Oréal Professional Products Division

As leading industry business thinkers, Portfolio members are used to challenging the norms, and with UK hairdressing undergoing a period of massive reinvention, LPP delivered food for thought from two keynote speakers. Damian Hughes, co-host of The High-Performance Podcast, gave advice on how to help teams navigate change (“You don’t need the answers, but you need to know how to ask the right questions,” he advised), while Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon encouraged the audience to “get out of your comfort zone” not just to embrace, but to help shape, technology in the workplace.

Meanwhile, LPP general manager Sussan Verghese took the opportunity to highlight the strength of the brand in the UK market, with 3.5X growth ahead of the pro hair market, cutting-edge technological breakthroughs in its product portfolio and incredibly strong consumer awareness. Strategies moving forward include elevating luxury colour services and dominating on colour-based care, armed with products like Vitamino and Metal Detox.

Portfolio Summits also provide a unique platform for members to share ideas and learn from each other, and the LPP team laid on a host of networking opportunities, including an al fresco lunch at the Carlton Beach Club, a boat trip with wine tasting tour and dinner at the world-famous La Maison de Bacon in nearby Antibes. With everyone sat at a single table, looking out across the spectacular coastline and enjoying some of the finest cuisine in the South of France, it was hard to think of a better way to celebrate UK hairdressing at the very highest level. 

ASP Celebrates 30th Birthday With Spanish Hair Carnival

ASP Celebrates 30th Birthday With Spanish Hair Carnival

ASP Celebrates 30th Birthday With Spanish Hair Carnival

Hundreds gather in Marbella to ‘be inspired and get creative’

by AMANDA | INFORM

Salon pro brand ASP has marked its 30th birthday with a two day hair carnival in Spain.

About 500 guests from around the world took over Marbella’s exclusive Hard Rock Hotel for the lineup of hair shows and seminars. The mission? For the British-born brand to show its support for the professional hairdresser with inspiration and creativity.

ASP’s education manager & head of creative, Sara Solomon-Jones, joined sales & commercial director, Ross Jones, to open the event with news of innovations launching in ASP’s portfolio in 2025 while also paying tribute to the company’s 30 year heritage. “Our ethos remains the same, the hair professionals are always at the core of our business, and the professional hairdresser makes us who we are,” said Ross.

A ‘90s neon’themed opening party set the scene, with a neon-rich hair show headed by ASP’s global ambassador, Tracey Ann Smith, and the ASP Colour RebelsMaisie Oddy, Poppy Goodwin, Megan Grant, Morgan Workman and Maire Abbett, working on their first global hair show.

On day two, masterclasses covered colour (with ASP ambassadors Terri Nadin and Let Lew), cutting (by Paul Thomas-Farr and Jon Ahern) and photography and social media (with ASP ambassador Sheree Tomic and hair stylist and photographer Desmond Murray).

The final night delivered a carnival themed spectacular, culminating in a hair show created by Tracey Ann Smith and the ASP Colour Rebels and ambassadors ahead of suitably thrilling party for all 500 guests.

 

VTCT Skills Survey Reveals More New Stylists Are Older And Hungry For More

VTCT Skills Survey Reveals More New Stylists Are Older And Hungry For More

VTCT Skills Survey Reveals More New Stylists Are Older And Hungry For More

Findings question if salons are casting the recruitment net wide enough

by AMANDA | INFORM

In a survey of 260 newly qualified stylists, VTCT Skills found a significant number of newlyqualified stylists are older, more experienced in life and already focused on upskilling and adding value from day one.  

The survey showed that while 46.3% of newly qualified stylists have already pursued additional training, the biggest group actively seeking to upskill isn’t the youngest it’s those who qualified in their 30s and 40s. Nearly 33% of those investing in extra training qualified in their 30s, and almost 20 per cent in their 40s. And unlike their younger counterparts, these professionals don’t struggle with confidence; they’re thinking about long-term career value, leadership and specialised expertise.

VTCT Skills are now urging employers and the industry to analyse recruitment strategies and ensure they’ve evolved to engage with all newly qualified stylists, not just the traditional school-leaver demographic.

Three Top Tips From VTCT Skills

1. Remember – Newly Qualified Doesn’t Always Mean Young & Inexperienced

Many assume that newly qualified stylists are young and hesitant, but a significant portion of this group is entering hairdressing later in life with confidence, experience and a proactive approach to training.

These professionals bring transferable skills from previous careers and are often focused on building business nous, specialising in high-value services or taking on leadership roles.

2. How Are You Targeting Your Recruitment Campaigns?

Are your recruitment ads and salon messaging aimed only at school leavers and early-career stylists? If so, you could be missing out on key potential talent.

Older newly qualified professionals are already looking for ways to upskill. How can your salon provide opportunities that appeal to them?

3. Engage A Broader Pool Of New Talent

Speak Their Language: Older stylists may be less focused on beginner training and more interested in structured career progression and specialist education.

Showcase Growth Potential: Highlighting leadership opportunities, advanced training and pathways to salon ownership could make your salon a more attractive prospect.

Rethink Mentorship: Not every new stylist needs hand-holding some may be great mentors themselves, bringing knowledge from other industries that could be valuable to your team.

The future of hairdressing depends on attracting a diverse range of talent. If salons only target young, early-career stylists, they may be missing out on a confident, business-minded group of professionals who are ready to invest in their careers from day one,” says Nicola Steinbach, business development manager at VTCT Skills. By thinking more broadly about recruitment, the industry can better support the needs and ambitions of all newly qualified stylists.
 

“At 24, I was single parent, returning to work. Out of everything, hairdressingstood out. I could make it work around my life.
The Older Apprentice: Emma Dixon, Ruby Tuesdays, Coventry

“At 24, I was single parent, my son was 18 months old and I started thinking of returning to work. I wanted that job to be something I wanted to do rather than just because I could do it. I thought back to what I was interested in before leaving school. Out of everything, hairdressing stood out. I could make it work around my life. 

During Lockdown I discovered Instagram and a community of like-minded hair pros who wanted to upskill and share their education. I made the most of this and retrained in the areas I felt I lacked confidence and experience. I was also excited to be trying and achieving new modern on-trend looks. It opened my eyes to the creative possibilities and so much more. My view of the industry now is exciting and inspiring. It has lit a fire of curiosity and ambition. It challenges my skills in many ways and I am loving the variety my opportunities give me. 

“Age should never be a barrier to entering the industry
The Employer: Robert Eaton, Russell Eaton Salons, Yorkshire

Taking on an older apprentice has been an incredibly positive experience for us as a business. When we first met Luke (by chance at a coffee shop where he was working), it was clear he had a real passion for hair, and when he reached out about an apprenticeship, we knew he’d bring something special to the team.

As someone with more life and people skills, he came in with a great work ethic and a natural ability to connect with clients. Fast forward five years and he’s now a fully qualified stylist on the floor, an amazing asset to the team and incredible with clients.

Age should never be a barrier to entering the industry. A mixed-age team brings different perspectives, energy, and experience, which only makes the salon stronger. I wouldn’t hesitate to take on an older apprentice again it’s about finding the right person, and Luke has been a dream apprentice from day one

 

“There has been a noticeable increase in mature learners in the Level 3 hairdressing course
The College: Chloe Woodbridge, senior lecturer in Further Education Creative Industries (Creative Services), University College Birmingham

This year, there has been a noticeable increase in mature learners in the Level 3 hairdressing course. Specifically, six learners aged 19+ are enrolled, indicating a broader age demographic in the field. This shift may suggest a growing appeal of hairdressing as a career choice for older students, possibly due to career changes or personal interest.

There are distinct differences between younger learners (straight from school) and older students. A common challenge with younger learners is the lack of problem-solving skills and initiative. These students may need more guidance when approaching tasks that require critical thinking or independent action. This could be a result of less practical experience or maturity in handling real-world problems.

Older learners generally have more life experience, but attendance can be a significant issue. They may juggle multiple commitments outside college (work, family, etc), which impacts their ability to attend classes regularly. This challenge is important to address to ensure consistent learning and progress. Support in balancing these commitments or flexible learning options could help mitigate this issue.

Confidence levels can vary widely among both younger and older learners. At times, younger students may exhibit lower confidence in their skills, particularly in practical settings where performance is observed. They may still be developing their professional identity and feel uncertain about their abilities.

Confidence in older learners can vary depending on their previous experiences. Some may feel more confident due to their maturity and life experience, while others may struggle with self-doubt, especially when returning to education after a long break.

VTCT Skills Survey – More Insights

The age of qualification, based on the survey of more than 260 newly qualified stylists:

23% – 16-18

24% – 19-25

25% – 26-35

23% – 36-50

5% – 51 and above

Their career path:

34% of respondents are successfully self-employed

26% are employed in salons and businesses, enjoying stable careers and ongoing development

17% are pursuing further study, demonstrating a commitment to skill enhancement and career progression

[LAURA – what about the rest?]

Their ambitions:

32% dream of running their own business and shaping the next generation of stylists

27% of the respondents wanted to be working in a salon, many of whom are facing challenges

13% referenced wanting to be freelance, self-employed or offering mobile hair services

5% expressed a desire to mentor and train the future workforce.

The biggest challenges for the newly qualified? 30% mentioned the challenge of finding work and clients, while 17% emphasised the importance of confidence-building, underscoring the need for ongoing mentorship and real-world experience.

Many wanted to expand their technical skills: respondents mentioned colouring expertise (mentioned 27 times), extensions (13 mentions), Afro, textured and curly hair techniques (15 mentions) and perming (15 mentions).

Nearly half (46%) of newly qualified professionals have actively pursued further training post-qualification, with courses in advanced cutting, barbering, business management and client acquisition proving popular, highlighting a strong dedication to continuous learning and improvement.

As part of its commitment to empowering hair professionals, VTCT Skills is launching a membership platform. This will give access to a range of bitesize training, discounts on insurance, individual portfolio pages so employers can recruit and more. Join the wait list to be the first to know when it goes live.

Revlon Professional Reveals Visionaries Re:Mastered Team for 2025

Revlon Professional Reveals Visionaries Re:Mastered Team for 2025

Revlon Professional Reveals Visionaries Re:Mastered Team for 2025

Four talents win a place on the mentoring initiative

by AMANDA | INFORM

Revlon Professional is welcoming four stylists to the Visionaries Re:Mastered Team for 2025, the year-long mentorship programme that gives budding stylists the chance to supercharge their skill set.

The Visionaries Re:Mastered Team 2025 is…  

Phoebe Bashford, HJ for Her, Forest Row @phoebe_hairoholic

Ellie Smith, Smith England, Salisbury @ellie.smithengland


Lukas Payne, Lukas Payne Hairstylist, Wolverhampton @lukaspaynehairstylist

Irene Moreno, Teresa Weller Hair Art, Dorking @irenemoreno.hairart

With opportunities ranging from photoshoots, shows and demonstrations to colour and cutting courses and social media workshops, the programme aims to offer a fast-track route to a stellar hair career.

Twenty finalists gathered at SE1 Studios to compete in two heats in front of industry judges Darren Ambrose, Errol Douglas MBE and Robert Eaton. Finalists were asked to recreate the photographic looks they had submitted as part of their entry.

The four winning stylists begin their journey with a two-day module on ‘Becoming a Visionary’, held at Revlon HQ and led by Karen Thomas.

 

In A Different World 

In A Different World 

Promotion

In A Different World

Innovative and heavenly to hair health, the new Atmos Professional Stylers from Diva Pro Styling ensure your tailored finish is speedy and shiny – all without damaging your client’s hair  

When you reach for your heated styler, you want to know you can trust it. That it’s going to give you incredible results quickly, and without damaging your client’s hair. Meet the innovative new range of stylers that you can put your trust in – and deliver deliciously different (but always gorgeous) finishes unique to your signature style and bespoke to each client in your chair.  

The new Diva Atmos Professional Stylers herald the next generation of styling, signalling a groundbreaking advancement in pro hair tools. You’ll get unprecedented speed, efficiency and care, all thanks to the intelligent Adaptive Heat Technology that continually adjusts the heat output of the styler’s plates, ensuring consistent heat from root to tip. We’re talking true one-pass styling – that means saving you precious salon time while minimising heat damage for your client. 

With your styler an extension of your skilled expert hand, you need to know it’s going to always deliver. Why should you trust the new Diva Atmos Professional tools? Let’s break it down…  

Heat Recovery? They’ve Got It Nailed!   
With an industry-leading recovery rate of 12°C per second, Atmos is twice as fast as comparable tools, maintaining the precise temperature needed for flawless results.  

Clever Heaters = Better Results  
They use premium MCH heaters for stable uniform temperature, longer lifespan and energy efficiency.  

Healthy Styling, Thanks To Oil Power! 
Floating ceramic plates infused with macadamia and argan oils, alongside keratin, deliver enhanced shine and nourishment, while far-infrared heat protects natural oils.  

Versatile And User-Friendly  
They’re available in four plate widths – 13mm Super Slim Styler; 25mm Standard Styler; 42mm Wide Professional Styler; 51mm XXL Wide Styler. Atmos Professional suits every hair type and styling need, whether hair is short, textured, long or voluminous. The rounded housing makes curling effortless, while silicone heat-protective cool tips keep your fingertips safe!  

Professional Precision  
You have the power thanks to adjustable heat settings from 80°C to 235°C, a three-metre heat-resistant swivel cord and an auto shut-off function. These stylers are reliable and energy efficient.  

You Can Go Global   
Designed with multi-voltage capabilities and a UK/EU plug adaptor, the Atmos Professional Stylers are ideal for worldwide use – great for global travel.  

Brilliant For Business In The Salon   
As a busy stylist, you’ll love the faster, consistent results that cut down on styling time. These stylers also deliver locked-in curls, waves and flicks that last longer. And that clever energy-saving technology means they’re cost effective across the long term. Boom!   

With Diva Pro Styling you have the ideal fusion of cutting-edge technology with practical design, all with one goal in mind – to meet the evolving needs of stylists and consumers around the world. And with the new Atmos Professional Stylers, you have that perfect blend of innovation, efficiency and hair health right at your fingertips, empowering you to create. Showcase your difference with Diva Pro Styling.   

Deliver the different to your client every time, whatever their style, whatever their hair type, with Divo Pro Styling’s new Atmos Professional Stylers. For more information, visit divapro.co.uk.  

@divaprostyling  

Who’s The 2025 Gloss Boss?

Who’s The 2025 Gloss Boss?

Who’s The 2025 Gloss Boss?

Winners revealed for all categories of Redken’s Shades EQ competition

by AMANDA | INFORM

Sienna Wetteland, based at Norfolk’s Headlines Hair & Beauty, is heading to New York – her prize for being named the overall Shades EQ Gloss Boss at this year’s UK and Ireland awards from Redken. 

Sienna (@sienna_headlines) also took home the Brunette Gloss Boss title. In the other categories, Laura Kimberley Cole (@laurakimhair) grabbed the Blonding Gloss Boss prize and Michaela Marshall (@michaelacreates.ldn), based at Somewhere in Queens Park, won the Texture Gloss Boss crown. And nailing the People Choice’s vote, which saw a winner voted from the runners-up from the three main categories? That was Millie Keal (@Millie_Strands) from Strands Hairdressing in Hampshire. 

Redken’s easy-to-enter digital Shades EQ Gloss Boss Awards is all about celebrating hair that beams with high-shine colour and a healthy-looking finish that stops the scroll. All captured on a before/after Instagram Reel, entries deliver grade-A glossing skills with a side order of fun.

The Gloss Boss Award judges were looking for colour, technique and placement skills, as well as a jaw-dropping style and finish to seal the deal. They included Amanda Nottage editorial director, Creative HEAD; Carla Rose, Redken Artist; Keeks Reid, beauty director, Cosmopolitan and TV presenter; Samantha Cusick, Redken Business Advocate and Redken Advocates Claire Martin, Rory Mcphee and Tia Lambourn

This year’s prizes include an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City for two to attend a signature class at the Redken 5th Avenue Exchange. Runners-up receive complimentary tickets to a Redken Masterclass and Redken on Stage.