Richard Marshall Awarded MBE in King’s New Year Honours

Expelled at 15 to Government Advisor

by HAYDN | INFORM

British entrepreneur and founder of Pall Mall Barbers, Richard Marshall, has been awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year Honours List for Services to International Trade, Mentoring and to People with Dyslexia.

Marshall’s journey is one of the most remarkable stories in modern British barbering, a transformation defined by resilience, self-belief and an unwavering commitment to opening doors for others.

Diagnosed with severe dyslexia at the age of five, Richard struggled throughout childhood with reading, writing and spelling, even finding it difficult to write his own name. Later in life, undiagnosed ADHD added further complexity. Expelled from school at just 15 with no formal qualifications, his early prospects appeared limited. For the first decade of running his business, everyday tasks such as filling out cheques remained a challenge.

Yet it was through observation, practical learning and mentorship, rather than traditional education, that Marshall began to forge a different path. Against the odds, he went on to build one of the world’s oldest barbershop brands into a global enterprise, with locations in London and New York, and a reputation for British excellence on the international stage.

Despite the barriers he faced, Marshall rebuilt his life through determination and alternative ways of learning, becoming one of the UK’s most respected figures across men’s grooming, hairdressing, small business and exports.

His story reached national prominence when former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak referenced Richard live on television, highlighting his resilience and contribution to British entrepreneurship.

Today, Marshall advises the UK Government as a member of the Small Business Growth Council, helping to shape policy for the 5.6 million small businesses that underpin the UK economy.

Reflecting on the honour, Richard said: “I’m overwhelmed to receive an MBE from the King. I hope my story and journey demonstrate that it really is possible to overcome the most difficult of challenges. It’s not easy, so I focused on a different direction — grabbing every opportunity with both hands and learning everything I could from other businesspeople. Now I share my knowledge to show parents, employers and teachers that dyslexia and neurodivergence do not mean a restricted future. It’s about instilling can-do confidence.”

Revlon Professional Reveal Hair Color Of The Year

It’s a bit bolder than Pantone’s ‘Cloud Dancer’

by AMANDA | INFORM

Red alert – Revlon Professional’s Hair Color of the Year is a fiery hue that’s set to make quite the statement.

The global professional hair brand has unveiled 66.66 Bold Crimson Red as its Hair Color of the Year 2026, citing it as a “tribute to empowerment through colour”.

Designed for “the fearless and unapologetic”, the hue is a “bold celebration of those who take risks, radiate coolness and refuse to fade into the background”. Available through the brand’s Revlonissimo Colorsmetique line, 66.66 is formulated with the C5 pigment, designed to deliver ultra-vivid colour with intensity and lasting power. Unlike traditional red shades, C5 molecules have a higher affinity for hair, locking in bold, long-lasting colour. The Revlonissimo Colorsmetique line also boasts KER-HA Complex, made with hyaluronic acidand repairing phyto-keratin, with twice the care, shine and colour vibrancy alongside integrated protection against metals.

The choice of 66.66 as the shade for 2026 comes from the global Revlon Professionalcommunity, reflecting a global shift toward expressive shades designed to stand out (take that, Pantone’s Color of the Year, Cloud Dancer!).

There’s also a special offer to help increase interest. Every client who opts for a Color of the Year service can grab a free red Revlon lipstick. When salons buy 40 colour tubes (including at least one tube of the Color of the Year), they’ll receive 12 complimentary red lipsticks and a free counter card to promote the offer in salon. The brand has a plethora of business building techniques and consultation tips available at @revlonproalways on TikTok.

Could You Win A Keune Hair Stylist Award?

2026 entries are now open – prizes include €3,000 cash and a global campaign collab

by AMANDA | INFORM

Entries are now open to the 2026 Keune Hair Stylist Awards, inviting stylists globally to take a chance to win some incredible prizes, including €3,000 cash.

The Keune Hairstylist Awards offers an invitation to showcase visionary skills, inspire the next generation and join a worldwide community of creative excellence. It’s open to all hairdressers, including session stylists, salon owners, educators and freelancers, and each participating country hosts its own national competition, where stylists compete in three categories.

The Categories

Style: Call on your innovative, cutting-edge styling skills to create a look that’s both modern, creative and on trend. Challenge yourself but make sure your creation remains wearable.



The Prizes

Global winners will enjoy prizes including:

• €3,000 cash, perfect for new projects, education or a well-deserved holiday
• €1,000–worth of Keune products of their choice
• The chance to collaborate in a global campaign for Keune, with a social media shoot guided by Luke Benson.
• A trip to Amsterdam and Keune HQ to explore the lab
• A feature in an international magazine
• A meet & greet with the Keune family

The global winners will be chosen by a panel of industry judges, evaluating each finalist on aesthetics, creativity and professionalism. They include Trevor Sorbie’s Giuseppe Stelitano; Keune global ambassador Luke Benson, stylist to names including Billie Eilish and Joe Jonas; Eelco Keune, president of Keune and third generation of his family to head up the company and more names will follow.

The Dates You Need To Know

Entry deadline: 31 March
National winners announced: 1 May
Global winners revealed: 30 June

Want to enter? Find out more and submit your entry at keunehairstylistawards.com

The Future of Hair Health Has Arrived

Haircare that works from the inside out…

by ZURI | INFORM

Move over, traditional salons. AEVUM, co-founded by international hair visionary Tom Smith and luxury salon stylist Chris Donohue, is redefining what it means to work with hair at the highest level. Located in Bloomsbury, AEVUM is the first full-concept hair-longevity salon, blending craftsmanship, science, and personalised care to support hair health long term. setting a new benchmark for what a modern salon can offer.  

At AEVUM’s debut event, hair expert Tom Smith joined award-winning aesthetic doctor Dr Sophie Shotter and beauty editor Bridget March to explore how hair can stay healthy, strong, and beautiful long term. The trio unpacked the science behind hair longevity, bridging medical expertise, in-salon treatments, and at-home care. Framing hair as a reflection of overall health, they shared a clear goal for stylists: restore hair to its optimal state, not reinvent it.  

Here are some of our key takeaways: 

Regenerative Hair: The Science Shaping the Future 

OLAPLEX was just the beginning. Today, molecular science targets living tissue, stem cells and follicle activity, not just the visible hair. One of the innovations Tom finds most exciting? Stem cell signalling. He likens hair follicles to an orchestra; over time, musicians leave and the music fades. Treatments like Calecim help restore density, harmony, and vitality, supporting the follicle from the inside out. 

By activating stem cells within each follicle, Calecim encourages repair, renewal and healthier growth cycles. For stylists, understanding these early signals is key to guiding clients toward preventive, long-term hair health beyond cut and colour alone. 

Personalisation Is The Future 

Hair health isn’t one-size-fits-all. Genetics, nutrition, stress, and lifestyle all affect how hair grows. At AEVUM, DNA tests, blood panels and epigenetic insights help stylists create personalised plans, pinpointing issues like vitamin deficiencies or stress-related shedding.  

Dr Sophie highlights blood testing as the most accessible and reliable starting point and guides tailored supplementation for supporting hair health. While vitamin D deficiency is common in the UK, she stresses that supplementation should always be tailored, with clinically backed options like Viviscal Professional or Nuchido TIME+ working best for most clients when guided by testing.  
 
Tom puts it simply: hair reflects overall wellness, and stylists are well placed to help clients make sense of that connection.  

The Emotional & Creative Dimension

Tom sees hair as deeply personal, a reflection of identity, confidence and emotion. At AEVUM, technical skill is paired with wellness practices like reflexology, shiatsu and acupuncture, recognising that how a client feels can directly affect their hair. This whole-person approach underpins Tom’s three-pillar philosophy. 

He frames hair health as a progression: first, preparing the scalp and follicles with smart diagnostics and early support; then working at a deeper, molecular level to regenerate and strengthen the fibre itself; and finally, guiding clients through their daily routines and rituals to help those results last. It’s a holistic rhythm that connects science, care and long-term transformation. 

Could this finally be the answer to reversing grey? 

Tom suggests that if grey hair can be reversed, the breakthrough will come from regenerative science, not traditional haircare. He and Dr Sophie have spotted small but promising signs that when follicles are restored, some new growth appears with renewed colour and vitality. Greying happens when melanocytes slow down, so if regenerative treatments can help those cells function again, re-pigmentation becomes a realistic possibility.  

It’s early days, but the science makes sense. For now, it’s a developing field, but one that Tom and Sophie believe is moving in the right direction. 

The Future of Hair Health: What Stylists Can Take Away 

The future of hair is holistic, personalised, and regenerative. Stylists can now go beyond cut and colour, using insights from Tom and Dr Sophie to guide clients toward lasting transformation. By blending skill with science and wellness, they can redefine what it means to support hair, and the people who wear it. AEVUM is driving this change, showing what’s possible when artistry meets innovation. 

For those ready to embrace this new frontier, the message is clear: the future of haircare isn’t just about what you style; it’s about what you know, how you guide, and the results you help clients achieve beyond the chair. 

Which Hair Brand Is Launching Pro Tools?

Stylists will think these new tools are ‘bella’…

by AMANDA | INFORM

Italian favourites ALFAPARF Milano are introducing styling tools geared to working stylists.

The PRO Tools range has been crafted with the stylist’s comfort in mind, includinglightweight materials and balanced designs that reduce strain during long styling sessions.Ergonomic handles and intuitive controls add to the focus on form and function, all to help “minimise fatigue and maximise precision”, so hairdressers can focus on their craft and not their tools.

The first drop from the brand includes three professional hairdryers and two straighteners for use in salons and for salons to retail to clients. At the top end, the ALFAPARF Milano Oracle Hairdryer (£105/€120 for salons) is powered by ‘AI in Motion Technology’ and engineered to deliver fast drying while protecting the scalp from heat damage. It has a ‘latest generation’ ionic generator to reduce frizz, a BLDC electronic motor with a 2,000-hour lifespan and a built-in self-cleaning mode.

The lightweight and fast Iconic Professional Hairdryer (£65/€69.95 for salons) and frizz-reducing The Visionary Professional Hairdryer (69.95/€79.95 for salons) have also been unveiled.

The Infinite Original Hair Straightener (£50/€55 for salons) features dual action titanium vibrating plates that float to avoid snagging and can adapt to hair types. The Eclipse

Wide Hair Straightener (£50/€55 for salons) offers the same technology with wider plates, for wider-section styling.

The brand promises an “evolving collection of tools, brushes, scissors, clippers, trimmers and tongs” with more launching in 2026.