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.

The L’Oréal Colour Trophy 2025 Is Your Platform For Fame

Which category will you enter?

by AMANDA | INFORM

Embark on a journey of self-discovery, challenging your imagination and your skills to deliver something special that pushes fresh trends, showcases technical excellence and excites your clients. Successful entrants will go straight into competing live at one of the two most iconic nights in the hairdressing calendar – the UK and Ireland Grand Finals.

Choose Your Category
The L’Oréal Colour Trophy is free to enter, and winning leads to a host of incredible opportunities. Are you ready? Let’s go!

L’Oréal Colour Trophy STAR Award
For 16- to 25-year-olds. Before and after photos are required and entrants will be interviewed on their work by the judges should they be successful.

DISCOVER MORE – UK

DISCOVER MORE – IRELAND

L’Oréal Colour Specialist Award (UK only)
For hair colour aficionados who have completed the 15-day L’Oréal Colour Specialist Diploma. Entrants must create a colour look on any model of any gender or gender identity of any hair type.

DISCOVER MORE

L’Oréal Colour Trophy Future Talent Award
For college students, part- or full-time, who are studying on a listed eligible course.

DISCOVER MORE – UK    

DISCOVER MORE – IRELAND

Winning Changes Everything!

“Winning has created brand awareness for New Hair Order – on an industry level and with new clients recognising our win and wanting to book”

Mark Byrne and Lisa May, New Hair Order, Dublin Winner, Ireland L’Oréal Colour Trophy 2024

All The Important Dates

April 3 – Entries close at 6pm

May 6 – Finalists announced at lorealcolourtrophy.com and lorealcolourtrophy.ie

June 9 – Ireland Grand Final

June 30 – UK Grand Final

Follow @lorealpro_education_uki #LCT25

Apprenticeship Reforms Aim To Cut Red Tape And Time

Changes to English and maths qualifications for over 19s and shorter apprenticeship duration included

by AMANDA | INFORM

The Department for Education is removing English and maths functional skills exit requirements for adult apprentices, alongside a reduction in the minimum apprenticeship duration from 12 to eight months and a streamlining of End Point Assessments. 

Businesses will now be able to decide whether adult learners over 19 need to complete Level 2 English and maths qualifications to pass their apprenticeship. The change comes in with immediate effect. 

The reduction in the minimum amount of time it takes to complete an apprenticeship – cut from 12 to eight months – will take effect from August 2025, with an eye on speeding up the development of future workers.  

 Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, said: “Businesses have been calling out for change to the apprenticeship system and these reforms show that we are listening. Our new offer of shorter apprenticeships and less red tape strikes the right balance between speed and quality, helping achieve our number one mission to grow the economy.”  

The reforms also include changes to End Point Assessments (EPAs). From April 2025, the assessment process will become more streamlined. This includes more proportionate assessment methods that remove duplication, potential for on-programme assessment where appropriate and greater flexibility for training providers to deliver certain assessment elements. 

Caroline Larissey, chief executive of the National Hair and Beauty Federation, commented that the change to English and maths requirements could appeal to those who “excel in practical skills but struggle with formal qualifications”. “This could lead to a more diverse and skilled workforce, better equipped to meet the evolving needs of our clients,” she said. 

Cathy Weston, director of quality and standards at the NHBF, added that the change was “particularly promising” when considering completion rates and could “significantly improve success rates” while maintaining high standards. 

 However, Larissey said the increase in apprentice minimum wages and the need for “more robust employer incentives” still posed challenges: “The NHBF will be pressing the government for answers on how they plan to support employers in maintaining sustainable apprenticeship programmes, particularly in a sector where margins are already extremely tight.” 

Seven Key Takeaways From The 2025 Phorest Salon Owners Summit

The 2025 Phorest Salon Owners Summit in Dublin brought together salon professionals from around the world for a refreshing event designed to help them elevate their businesses and prepare for the year ahead. Creative HEAD was there – these are the insights you need to know!

by AMANDA | INFORM

1. Customer Intimacy Is Key To Brand Success

Ken Hughes, a consumer and cyber behaviouralist, emphasised the importance of human connection, exploring how salons can foster intimacy by going beyond expectations. His example? Taylor Swift and her success at building customer relationships! His advice including using their spaces as community hubs and recognising the employee experience as equally valuable to the customer experience.

2. Empower Staff For A Thriving Culture

Hairstylist Daniel Mason-Jones focused on creating a healthy workplace culture by addressing mental health and setting boundaries. Provide clear communication and training, and use tools like Phorest Tips to empower staff with transparent compensation structures.

Ronan Harrington

3. Break Barriers In Beauty

A live panel tackled diversity and inclusion in beauty, featuring trailblazers such as Carra’s Winnie Awa, Texture vs Race’s Keya Neal, Ruka Hair’s Tendai Moyo and beauty writer DijaAyodele. The discussion explored expanding circles of trust, product innovation (including Tendai’s biodegradable synthetic hair) and the need for truly diverse industry panels and leadership. There were lessons from the US beauty market, which was seen as “eight to 10 years ahead” of the UK in inclusivity terms.

4. Prioritise Resilience And Wellbeing

Resilience teacher Ronan Harrington offered tools to navigate challenges with intention and grace. Begin each day with purpose and focus on meaningful connections. He advised shifting from a “victim mindset” to a “creator mindset”, while also taking care of personal wellness to avoid burnout. Spa innovator Peigin Crowley also highlighted the importance of mental health, encouraging salon owners to recognise and manage burnout effectively.

5. Leverage AI To Transform Salon Operations

AI and its potential to revolutionise salons were a recurring theme. Phorest’s John Doran discussed how AI can boost average bills through upselling and cross-selling, provide actionable insights from data, help staff achieve goals with forecasting tools, enhance marketing with AI-generated content and improve client communication through an AI receptionist.

6. Master The Client Lifecycle

Marketing guru Kati Whitledge shared strategies for winning and retaining clients, stressingthe importance of continuous exposure, creating a desire for your services through visibility. You’ve got to be proactive in pursuing clients and prioritise making a lasting impression at every client touchpoint.

Peigin Crowley

7. Unlock Hidden Gems In Phorest Tools

Phorest’s own Patrick Monaghan and Rich Cullen unveiled five “hidden gems” within its software that every salon should be using – advanced online booking settings, reporting tools, digital loyalty programmes, marketing magic features and Phorest’s Benchmark Report, which tracks industry trends and performance metrics.