Rising labour costs, the extension of debt warehousing scheme and the increased VAT rate of 13.5 per cent are among the “grave concerns” highlighted in a survey of Irish Hairdressing Federation members.

The research follows recently introduced government policy measures, which IHF president, Lisa Eccles, said has had a “seismic effect on many people’s businesses’ bottom lines”.

“Many members are gravely concerned as to the impact this 1 January legislation has had on cash flow for purchases and wages. Many members are fearful of their future and face having to let staff go or close up completely.”

The biggest burden highlighted in the survey is the newly introduced legislation, chiefly the increasing entitlement to paid sick leave for employees. In the past two years, five additional paid sick days have been added.

The VAT rate of 13.5 per cent – up from nine per cent in September 2023 – continues to cause upset, and the IHF has appealed to government to return it to its lower rate in order for businesses to continue trading. Increased energy costs and a variety of rising product costs that narrow profit margins were also causes for concern. The survey also highlighted members’ commitment to avoiding price increases for its clientele, who are also impacted by the cost of living. 

Examples cited by the IHF – which represents more than 500 salon owners nationwide – included one member with 10 staff in her salon, who was now facing an extra 50 paid sick leave days annually. She would need to find additional staff to cover those days on top of the additional sick leave costs.

Many members also stated how the stress of these policy changes had affected their mental health. “Government needs to urgently take into account the untold stress and trauma they are putting small business owners under,” said Lisa Eccles. “As independent salon owners these increased burdened measures are deeply affecting their mental health”.

Eccles requested an urgent meeting with An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD, Government Ministers Michael McGrath TD, Simon Coveney TD, and Neale Richmond TD to highlight the impact of this and future legislation is having.

Salon Services has revealed the winners of its first Professional Hair & Beauty Awards.  

Hosted by beauty journalist and entrepreneur, Ateh Jewel, at London’s Century Club, the awards celebrated the industry’s best loved professional products with a crowd that enjoyed cocktails in Salon Services’ own signature pink. Hundreds of thousands of the distributor’s professional customers shared their favourites on the online voting platform, alongside an expert panel who then tested the nominated products.  

 Ella Bella Bow’s Hair and Make-up scooped the Inspiration and Influencer Award, while The Little Princess Trust Award was given to Hair Story, with Jungle Hair and Beauty highly commended. 

And the hair winners are: 

Best Repair for Damaged Hair 
Wella Professionals Ultimate Repair  

Best Scalp Product 
L’Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Scalp Advanced Anti-Dandruff Dermo Clarifier Shampoo 

Best Curl Range  
L’Oréal Professionnel Paris Serie Expert Curl Expression  

Best for Colour Protection
Wella Professionals Invigo Color Brilliance Mask 

Best Range for Blondes 
Redken Color Extend Blondage  

Best Purple Shampoo
Osmo Super Silver No Yellow Shampoo 

Best Overall Haircare Range
Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate

Best Affordable Haircare
Osmo Deep Moisture Range 

Best Styling Product
L’Oréal Professionnel Tecni.Art Pli Shaper  

 Best All in One Multitasker 
Revlon Professional Uniqone Original Hair Treatment 

 Best Heat Protector 
Wella Professionals Eimi Thermal Image Heat Protection Spray 

Best Smoothing & Shine Product 
Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum 

Best Permanent Hair Colour
Wella Professionals Koleston Perfect Permanent Hair Colour 

Best Fashion Hair Colour
Crazy Color Semi Permanent Hair Colour Cream 

 Best in Affordable Hair Colour 
XP100 Intense Radiance Hair Colour 

Best Express Colour 
Wella Professionals Shinefinity Zero Lift Glaze 

Best Hair Dryer   
Diva Veloce 3800 Pro Hair Dryer 

Best Straightener
ghd Original 

Best Curling Tool 
ghd Curve Soft Tong 32mm 

 Best Clipper, Trimmer & Shaver  
Wahl 5 Star Magic Clip Cordless Hair Clipper Kit 

Best Scissor
Jaguar Pre Style Ergo Scissors 6.0″ 

Best Vegan Haircare 
Olaplex Haircare  

Best Vegan Colour 
Wella Professionals Koleston Perfect Hair Colour 

Best in Haircare Innovation  
Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate  

Best in Styling Tool Innovation  
ghd Duet Style 2-In-1 Hot Air Styler 

Inspiration & Influencer Award    
Ella Bella Bow’s 

Little Princess Trust Award             
Hair Story 

The government has announced that it will not be introducing the Hairdressing, Barbering and Beauty Therapy (HBBT) T Level to the hair sector and will not be pursuing hair or barbering specialisms in future T Levels. 

In a move welcomed by the National Hair & Beauty Federation, the government made the decision following feedback from employers in hairdressing and barbering. They have argued that the best route for learners into their industry is through completion of an existing apprenticeship, or through a Level 2 classroom-based provision that will get them into the salon faster than a two-year Level 3 programme. 

The decision not to roll out the HBBT T Level will also mean that, from September 2024, there will also be no T Level Foundation Year for the hair and beauty route.  

However, in beauty, the sector told the government that a good quality Level 3 classroom-based progression route is desirable. Therefore, the government has announced it will explore introducing a T Level which focuses on the beauty sector, with an emphasis on science, with an expectation that this could be introduced after 2025.  

Level 2 will continue as planned with the development of technical qualifications which are aligned to relevant standards in hair and beauty and will provide a classroom-based alternative to the apprenticeship. These technical qualifications would be available for teaching from September 2026.  

The NHBF has been informed that while there will be a development in technical qualifications against relevant hairdressing standards at Level 3 this area will not be reformed until at least 2027. In the meantime, the Department for Education will continue to fund existing qualifications, which means that learners can continue to be enrolled on to existing provision.  

Caroline Larissey, NHBF chief executive, said: “Following several meetings, where we outlined the concerns of our Members, we are pleased that the Minister has listened and taken on board our recommendations to support our sector, by focusing on a Beauty T Level and no longer introducing a combined Hairdressing, Barbering and Beauty Therapy T Level.”  

“Employers from hair salons and barbershops will always prefer that a prospective employee should enter the sector via a “job ready” route or qualification, such as an apprenticeship or through an equivalent college-based Level 2 qualification.” 

The government says it is taking steps to raise standards and funding for apprenticeships to ensure high quality training provision, working with hair employers to potentially improve assessment for the Level 2 Hair Professional apprenticeship, which, together with the funding uplift, aims to increase quality and completion rates. 

There was a 57 per cent funding uplift for the Level 2 Hairdressing Professional standard (from £7,000 to £11,000) last year, with a 28 per cent funding uplift for the Level 2 Barbering apprenticeship (from £7,000 to £9,000).  

Alongside this, it is also working with employers via the Hair Professional Apprenticeship Steering group, supported by the NHBF, to review the Level 3 Advanced and Creative Hair Professional Occupational Standard and apprenticeship. This review will ensure that the apprenticeship continues to meet employer needs, and supports progression from Level 2, ensuring hair professionals can build lasting careers in the sector. 

The update follows the Secretary of State for Education’s announcement in March 2023 of the decision to delay the delivery of the Hairdressing, Barbering and Beauty Therapy (HBBT) T Level to September 2024. It had originally been slated to start in September 2024.