A LITTLE LUXURY, A LOT OF LOYALTY
EVERY DAY CAN BE ONE OF INDULGENCE AND RICH COLOUR WITH iNOA FROM L’ORÉAL PROFESSIONNEL PARIS
Clients continue to invest in products and services that they see value in. That is the bottom line that has helped to keep the luxury market afloat through pandemics, recessions and more. It’s time to take a leaf out of the luxury market’s book and prove to clients that investing time and money in you reaps huge rewards…
L’Oréal Professionnel Paris has an unrivalled ability to track consumers’ wants – and to deliver the right tools directly to you in the salon to deliver. You know better than anyone the power of a consultation too: of nailing a brief, of listening and learning how you can answer their needs… You know the power of the wow factor when a cut is perfectly paired with a stunning colour. And, most importantly, you know that clients will return when they see the value in what you’re able to do for them.
The great news is that not only are salon visits stabilising again after the turmoil of the pandemic, but they’re also increasing year-on-year. There has been renewed interest in professional colour, with a decrease in at-home colour use.*
While you possibly think that your clients aged 55 and over might be your target market with the most stable spending potential, ignore the 35 to 54 age bracket at your peril.
Similarly, don’t put all your eggs in the cool blonde basket, as brunettes and warmer tones have shown significant growth this past year. Branch out into bespoke finishes – the epitome of luxury – and you’ll delight a guest and keep them coming back for more…
However, there are barriers: despite wanting to colour, one in three clients have scalp concerns.** Damage, and worries about chemical ingredients, also appear in the top five reasons why a woman will not colour her hair.***
65 PER CENT WANT TO ENHANCE THEIR NATURAL SHADE/COLOUR
61 PER CENT COLOUR THEIR HAIR TO COVER GREYS
74 PER CENT ARE COLOURING THEIR HAIR TO MAKE IT LOOK SHINIER
76 PER CENT COLOUR TO MAKE THEIR HAIR LOOK HEALTHIER **
84 PER CENT AGREE THAT ‘HAVING MY HAIR DONE HAS A POSITIVE IMPACT ON MY HAPPINESS AND EMOTIONAL WELLBEING’*
80 PER CENT COLOUR TO FEEL CONFIDENT ***
L’Oréal Professionnel Paris has everything you need to succeed: insight, business support, and tools to help you secure your colour business this year.
In fact, it’s taken one of its much-loved colour ranges and given it a fresh look and feel for 2023. With high-impact shine, care and an ammonia-free, vegan formula, it ticks all the boxes for what colour clients are looking for right now.
L’ORÉAL PROFESSIONNEL PARIS iNOA
IS HERE TO PROVIDE UNDENIABLE LUXURY FOR YOUR CLIENTS. JUST WAIT AND SEE…
L’Oréal Professionnel Paris created iNOA to give you the power to create luxuriously lucent hair with zero ammonia, in a uid formula that makes it so much easier to use, enabling you to create your art and deliver the naturallooking nish your clients crave. This fan-favourite permanent colour line has been revamped for 2023 with a new vegan formula and new shades – while retaining that signature iNOA sheen and feel.
And the experience for your guests is better than ever, as the next-generation technology ensures optimal scalp comfort while their colour develops. No tingles, no unpleasant aromas, the comfortable colour service is a huge business opportunity for salons in 2023 as clients prioritise their experience when in your chair. Comfort, luxury, amazing service and a dazzling nish, ammonia-free colour business can be boosted to deliver all that while helping add to your bottom line. From the luxurious iNOA experience to the perfectly toned nish with Dia Light, even with Blond Studio Lightening Clay Powder for the most beautiful balayages, ammonia-free colour gives you a golden opportunity to really grow your artistry and your pro ts. And the megawatt gleam that today’s clients are crazy for? You’ll get that dialled up to the max with iNOA, which is powered by oil for a high-shine nish. In fact, the new formulation is kicking things up a notch by offering up to 48 per cent more shine.*
Two new copper shades are also joining the mix, 7.4 and 4.45, to give you the exact tools to offer clients the trending russet hues that show no sign of abating.
NO AMMONIA POWERED
OPTIMAL SCALP COMFORT UP TO 100 PER CENT WHITE HAIR COVERAGE* HIGH SHINE HIGH-IMPACT COLOUR
UNIQUE OIL DELIVERY SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY WITH 60 PER CENT OIL NO AMMONIA FOR A PLEASANT SMELL OPTIMAL SCALP COMFORT
FASTER AND EASIER TO MIX
EASIER TO APPLY AND RINSE
UP TO 100 PER CENT WHITE HAIR COVERAGE FOR HIGH-IMPACT RESULTS*
UP TO 48 PER CENT MORE SHINE* NEW VEGAN FORMULA**
EASIER TO EXTEND TO THE LENGTHS
DEVELOPER?
Because of iNOA’s unique oil-based formula, it needs the corresponding iNOA developer to get the most out of your colour. There are three levels of developer to choose from –10vol for lengths and ends techniques; 20vol for up to two levels of lift, ideal for white hair coverage; and 30vol for a boost of up to three levels of lift.
“Every client wants their hair to be in the best condition possible, so the bene ts of iNOA –an ammonia-free permanent colour that can cover grey and create a brilliant shine –make it the obvious choice.”
“The biggest trend in hair is condition and shine, so iNOA is the go-to product. As it’s an ammonia-free colour it will not strip the hair of natural oils. Instead it will help to lock in moisture with its oil delivery technology, giving clients six weeks of intense hydration while depositing unique colour.”
“I encourage my clients to return to the salon more frequently for smaller maintenance services. A hairline refresh every three weeks and a complete root application every six weeks, alongside a glossing service using the iNOA clear and 10vol – maybe with a small amount of tone to neutralise – keeps the colour fantastic.”
“When colouring lengths and ends don’t forget the versatility of having a 10vol developer. The simplicity of colour choice when looking for 100 per cent coverage is so easy and mixing half the desired shade with the corresponding fundamental shade makes it effortless to get predictable coverage.”
“My top tip for using iNOA is to blend shades thoroughly before adding oxidant, and ensure you avoid a swiping motion when applying, for perfect colouration. For medium to thick textured hair where 100 per cent coverage is required, I opt for a natural deep shade to ensure that full coverage is achieved.”
“The results are amazing! It has lots of uses for unlimited results. The technology helps to respect the natural protective layer of the hair, resulting in sublime shine and feeling luxuriously soft. The multi-tonal results are more natural.”
New for 2023, you can sign up for FREE virtual education sessions to ask any burning colour questions you might have. These virtual sessions give you a chance to talk directly with a L’Oréal Professionnel Paris educator about any of the products and courses available. Each session lasts 20 minutes, and they’re open to anyone in the UK and Ireland.*
*Subject to availability. For hairdressers [16+ years] based in the UK/ROI only. Appointments available 24.01.23 until 12.30PM 29.11.23. One appointment redemption per person. Appointments subject to availability and change at the discretion of the promoter, L'Oréal Professionnel Paris. Full T&Cs available at lorealaccess.com.
Want to learn more about the new iNOA formula? Sign up for one of the FREE threehour iNOA sessions. Get hands-on with a team of skilled educators, with multiple dates and locations available.
You’ll get your questions answered and try the colour for yourself. Want to get hands-on with the other colour ranges? Book onto the Hands-on Colour Induction course and see how much is out there!
DEVELOP YOUR COLOUR SKILLS WITH iNOA AND OTHER BRANDS WITH NEW EDUCATION SESSIONS AVAILABLE ON L’ORÉAL ACCESS
If you have a few minutes to spare between clients, then you can hop online to check out the NEW Foundation Theory Colour course. It consists of 10 short online modules to help you reaf rm the fundamentals of hair colour theory in bite-sized segments. It’s available on demand, so tune in whenever suits you!
L’Oréal’s Colour Keys courses have been a mainstay for years, and an absolute must-do for all colourists. This year, Colour Keys 1 and 2 have both enjoyed a makeover to better re ect updated products and best industry practice.
Enrol now to enjoy access to a digital prelearning video series before you join top educators in the classroom for practical applications.
How do you incorporate iNOA into your colour consultation?
The consultation is key. I have a huge consultation sheet which goes into detail for every client, and one of the things I talk about is the percentage of white hair present and how they feel about it.
Are they looking for coverage, blending, or for an opaque feel which is the more traditional feel? Or for a more modern client, are they looking for something more luminous, so there are more re ects?
That is where iNOA comes into its own. We know you get 100 per cent coverage but a totally different nish to a traditional permanent colour.
How would you use iNOA to recruit a non-colour client? Look at their curl formation; iNOA is ammonia-free and that’s a great selling point for curly and coily clients as they can have a 100 per cent ammonia free colour service.
The most important question is where do they want to be? iNOA works beautifully for this more modern look – super shiny, not a heavy coverage, great for highlights, lowlights, all over colour… it just depends on the client.
What service offering do you create when using iNOA?
It’s wonderful to have the ammonia-free option as a service. It makes it stand out and I think with our service menus we need to really showcase what we do. Something like an ammoniafree service – where you’re doing a global application, highlights or lowlights – is a great marketing tool. There are so many people out there concerned about damage.
ADORED THE WORLD OVER FOR HIS COLOUR EXPERTISE, BALAYAGE KING JACK HOWARD SHARES HOW HE USES iNOA TO ENSURE HIS CLIENTS ARE ALWAYS DELIGHTED WITH THE RESULT
How do you drive rebooking?
Rebooking is always a dif cult one. That’s why offerings such as grey blending are a great service because there’s more longevity between the appointments, rather than going for an all-over tint.
A global tint is different. A client must understand that at the four-week mark they need to come back in to keep maintaining that colour. That all comes down to the consultation, talking about what their expectations are on their timings, because people can be both cashand time-poor. Find out where they sit before you start recommending speci c services.
What’s a big topic for education in the year ahead?
The big conversation this year will be around age and inclusivity. We’ve spent a lot of time perfecting our foil and balayage techniques, and with that we’re only speaking to a certain range of people who come into a salon.
What’s clear from Instagram and various education workshops is that it’s all about longer hair, which is going to be aimed at the 18 to 40-yearold age group. So we’re missing out on conversations with many other clients and we don’t want to ignore them.
AND RECEIVE THE CHROMAPLEX BOND BUILDER #1 AND BOND SEALER #2 FROM OSMO, WORTH MORE THAN €54*
Be one of the rst 10 new subscribers to Creative HEAD and you’ll receive a Chromaplex Bond Builder #1 and Chromaplex Bond Sealer #2 from OSMO, worth more than €54.
OSMO Chromaplex enables the strengthening and restructuring of hair bonds throughout the colouring or lightening process.
This simple three-step treatment system is the hair professional’s secret weapon. Its nourishing formulas are kinder to the hair, preventing damage to create healthier, longlasting colour and improved overall condition.
The addition of the Bond Sustainer aftercare enables clients to reap the bene ts of the Chromaplex treatment in between salon visits.
Already a Creative HEAD subscriber? Then we’ve got something for you too! One lucky subscriber will win a bumper hamper of Chromaplex Bond products, as well as an Aftercare Kit, worth more than €136.
For more information and to order OSMO for your salon, please visit your local wholesaler or visit osmo.uk.com
HOW DOES YOUR appearance affect your mood? Hairdressers play a key role in helping guests see themselves in the best possible light. Queen Salons have used clients instead of models in their new campaign (from page 42), and say they may never go back. We give you the lowdown on helping clients keep up with buzzworthy ingredients in a way that benefits them – and benefits you in terms of retail, extra service bookings and illustrating your professional expertise – on page 40. And because part of being a good hairdresser is having the energy to cope with that column (and the rest!), we also look at ways you can improve your sleep quality (page 50).
With a new season comes new trends, techniques, formulas, launches, ideas… new everything in the world of colour! Check it out from page 34 and start planning how you’re going to update your colour menu. Devoting your life to a service will have its tough days, but you and your team must never forget how many people you’re helping on your journey.
Rachel-Marie Walsh Editor-at-large
MWIT’s time! Creative HEAD’s Most Wanted and It List Awards are back and open for entry, with an extensive range of categories honouring individual hair talents as well as salons, barber shops and business innovators across the UK and Ireland. Ready to claim one of 22 soughtafter trophies? Turn to page 24 for details. And… final call for Salon Smart London! We’re gearing up for a whole day of business networking, advice and inspiration, delivered by more than 20 motivational speakers, on Monday 20 March. Tackling topics such as workplace wellbeing, future talent, and finding drive and focus, and featuring a slap-up Working Lunch and Proseccofilled finale, don’t miss out – see page 30 to book your place today.
creativeheadmag.com/events
It’s hair’s turn to give your guests the feelgood factor, with new regimens inspired by skincare
EDITOR-AT-LARGE
RACHEL-MARIE WALSH
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
AMANDA NOTTAGE
DEPUTY EDITOR
ANNIE MAY BYRNE NOONAN
ART DIRECTOR
NICK JABBAL
CHIEF SUB EDITOR
ADAM WOOD
DIGITAL DESIGNER
EVA VESTMANN
DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA ASSISTANT
AOIFE CONNELL
DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
KELSEY DRING
COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR
LAURA TUCKER
This year’s colour is all about happy contradictions and inclusive shades –find out what fashionforward clients will want this season
CREATIVE PARTNERSHIPS ASSISTANT
JOY WONG
CREATIVE PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER
JENNY BROOKS
CREATIVE PARTNERSHIPS DIRECTOR
JOANNA ANDERSEN
PUBLISHER
CATHERINE HANDCOCK
GREAT LENGTHS IS rolling out the red carpet for its annual GLammies Final, on 26 March at Medley in Dublin, with prizes that include a tour of the Great Lengths production facility in Rome.
Brooklyn Scargill at Urban Hair & Beauty in Limavady, Katie Cornally of Barnby and Brennan Hair & Beauty in Newbridge, Katie Crowley of Hession Hairdressing in Dublin, and Sorcha Fennelly at Crown Hair & Beauty in Kilkenny, are competing in In the Enviable Volume category.
The other creative categories are Longer Length, Captivating Colour, Best Newcomer, Creative Innovation and Bridal Creation. Business awards will be given for Republic of Ireland Hair Extension Salon of the Year and Great Lengths Trophy – Extension Excellence.
THE IRISH HAIRDRESSERS’ FEDERATION (IHF) has stepped up its fight against VAT hikes for salon businesses by submitting a report to government showing that the rate should be reduced to 5 per cent, despite February’s 4.5 per cent hike to 13.5 per cent. The body had previously fought to keep it at 9 per cent and expressed disappointment after last year’s budget announcement.
Since submitting the report, the IHF has encouraged members to seek support from their local TDs and intends to put their case directly to the Minister for Finance. Commissioned from Octavian Economics, the report contextualises the hairdressing industry amid a diverse set of problems, including how salons provide services that could not be fully adapted to online provision during government-imposed lockdowns, the expense of following the Covid rules for businesses, the loss of staff to freelancing or other industries due in part to post-Covid burnout or career changes, as well as being undercut by the black market. The VAT increase adds to employer costs the government has recently imposed, including an increased minimum wage, statutory sick pay and other obligations salons can ill afford.
And it’s not just employer costs that have salons feeling the squeeze. A survey of almost 300 IHF members indicated 47.5 per cent experienced a decline in demand in the second half of 2022 as clients tightened their belts.
Want to stay hydrated while supporting a sustainable Irish business? Narcissips reusable bottles and cups insulate drinks for 12 hours, and are made of high-quality materials, including foodgrade stainless steel. The brand is offering Creative HEAD Ireland readers 20 per cent off until the end of April, simply enter HEADIRELAND20 at checkout. Eos bottle (pictured) RRP €24. narcissips.com
CHLOE DUNNE OF Cheveux Hair in Tullamore is the fi rst winner of the Irish Hairtalk Creative Force Stylist of the Year Award. Chloe received a trophy and a €10,000 prize. Hairtalk founder and entrepreneur Katie-Jane Goldin launched the competition last year and, having received such a positive response, plans to expand the competition to include new categories next year.
Busy salon and barber shop days can leave owners and their teams feeling miles away from the support they need. Could 2023 be about improving client connections and securing talent? Whatever your goals, Salon Smart London is back to deliver all the inspiration and guidance you need. Think expert advice from the likes of Lee Stafford, Adam Reed, Allertons’ Nicholas Nicola and Danielle Garner. Taking place on Monday 20 March at The Chain and Buoy Stores in London, the event also offers access to business innovators at the Working Lunch, and Prosecco to round off the day. For tickets and more information, turn to page 30 or visit creativeheadmag.com/salonsmart
BRUNO-MARC GIAMATTEI IS THE NEW CREATIVE DIRECTOR FOR JOICO UK & EMEA. HE’LL WORK ON A VARIETY OF CREATIVE PROJECTS INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE JOICO ARTIST TEAM.
L’Oréal Professional Products is partnering with Net Zero Now, a small business climate action platform, to develop a guide for all salons in the UK and Ireland to help them become Net Zero businesses. Open to all hair salons beyond L’Oréal salon partners, the Net Zero Salons Programme guides them through calculating, tracking and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through tailored carbon reduction plans. The announcement joins other sustainability projects from the iconic hair company, including its Hairstylists For The Future, a dedicated programme to support salons and stylists on their sustainable transformation. There’s a free e-learning plan on L’Oréal Access that’s open to every hairdresser, so in fewer than 30 minutes a salon can start its journey to positive change. There are three modules – carbon, water and waste – that each last no more than 10 minutes and can be completed wherever you are, even on the go, all for free. See lorealaccess.com
MANAGE YOUR MOOD WITH WELLA EDUCATION
TRANSFORM INTO A high-vibe mood shaman with this one-day workshop led by business coach Hayley Jepson. Get culturepositive and seek out the good around you to elevate your mood.
WHEN 3 April, Dublin CONTACT wellastudiodublin @wella.com
ASP Mode Miracle Water is an ultra-light conditioning treatment with lamellar technology that transforms all hair types in just nine seconds! It instantly repairs, detangles and eliminates frizz, leaving hair smooth and silky.
RRP €20.54
gainfort.com
Schwarzkopf Professional created new IGORA Cools in response to client demand for cool tones, particularly on dark bases. There are ve new IGORA Royal permanent shades and three IGORA Vibrance demi-permanent shades.
schwarzkopfpro.com
Indola’s smart new colour offerings include an epic Color Transformer that substitutes an entire demi-permanent line –simply mix it into a permanent shade! For tailor-made results, reach for CREA-MIX for bespoke hues, and CREA-BOLD for braver clients.
indola.co.uk
American Crew has revamped its iconic styling range with 10 pucks to suit every hair style and type. From Pomade for curly hair to the ultra-smooth Grooming Cream, there’s a puck for everyone.
RRP €21.60
americancrew.com
A healthy scalp means healthier hair, and Revlon Professional’s new dual action Scalp Moisturizing Lotion, the latest addition to the RE/START HYDRATION range, protects the scalp microbiome and seals in moisture. It’s also free from silicones.
RRP €20
revlonproshop.com
ALFAPARF Milano Professional is ramping up its commitment to sustainability by revamping the packaging and ensuring vegan and biodegradable formulas for its beloved Semi Di Lino range. It’s starting with Semi Di Lino Reconstruction, designed to strengthen the hair bre.
RRP from €13.20
xpertprofessional.ie
No.4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo from OLAPLEX promises scalp nourishment and hair repair while eradicating odour and pollutants –all without dusty product build-up.
RRP €29.50
xpertprofessional.ie
capitalhairandbeauty.ie
A decade after its initial launch, ammonia-free colour icon iNOA from L’Oréal Professionnel Paris boasts a new vegan formula and new copper shades – while still delivering that signature iNOA sheen and feel.
In-salon service
ie.lorealpartnershop.com
Thanks to a clever blend of succulents such as cactus and prickly pear, R+Co’s Labyrinth
3-in-1 Texturizing Shampoo + Conditioner + Styler hydrates hair and delivers weightless, piecey volume.
RRP €32
xpertprofessional.ie
The new ghd duet style gives clients a salon-level finish at home – with no damage! An innovative new hot air styler that styles from wet to dry, it gives oodles more softness and shine. And there’s sleek talker too, a clever styling oil with heat protection that helps smooth, soften and replenish hair, while boosting frizz control.
This is a duet we’re on song with… RRP duet style RRP €399; sleek talker €40
Create the wow factor with Wella Professionals’ vibrant shades of Koleston Perfect Special Mix. UK & Ireland digital colour ambassador James Earnshaw has done just that with the new KP:POP collection!
In-salon service
wella.com
Scalp irritation, oiliness, dandruff… Unhappy scalps suffer many things. Luckily, the L’Oréal Professionnel Paris Scalp Advanced range tackles it all for healthier heads all round.
RRP from €22.60
ie.lorealpartnershop.com
SPRING IS
TIME
A
Hairdressing just got even smarter with the brand new Wella Colour Higher Level Diploma. It is a history-making move as the first degreelevel certificate of its kind, and will help students dive deeper into the intricacies of colour to produce top-of-their game colour experts.
Designed by Wella’s Senior Education Team and Glasgow Clyde College, students will experience an intensive learning journey and gain all the skills they need to become expert colourists.
Over the course of 18 months, students will develop practical skills, learn about academic writing, understand the impact of the economy on their colour business, and study subjects such as leadership, psychology, and client protection.
Upon completion, students will achieve the highest level colour qualification possible, and even participate in a graduation ceremony at Glasgow University. Enrolment for the first cohort begins in Summer 2023, look out for more information coming soon.
To view all Wella education, download the Wella Education Book at wella.co.uk/educationbook
EVERY ISSUE WE SPEAK TO A WELLA PROFESSIONALS COLOUR EXPERT ABOUT A KEY CHALLENGE AND HOW TO OVERCOME IT. KERRY BYWATER FROM @BELLAROSEHAIRDESIGN, SHARES ALL THINGS BALAYAGE, INCLUDING HOW TO GET CLIENTS BACK IN THE CHAIR MORE REGULARLY
“My favourite techniques for creating a soft dimensional balayage is to work in a brickwork pattern, working with V shapes. If the client requests a lighter, more natural blonde, I usually scatter teased babylights between sections. My top tip for creating a beautiful balance is to not over-blonde! Ensure you leave dimension by leaving natural depth between sections to make that blonde pop.
“My favourite lightener to use is always Blondorplex, which offers great lift but less damage. Balayage isn’t a colour service that needs doing every six weeks, so to keep the consistency of my clients returning, I advise faceframing top-ups or balayage refreshes. Shinefinity is my go-to balayage toner. With zero root shift, it fades beautifully and adds so much shine.
“I also find it is great for smoothing naturally frizzy hair. The shades are wonderful intermixed or on their own, with a great range so it’s perfect if a client fancies a little change with no commitment.”
THE PERFECT
FOR
REFRESH, SO HOW ABOUT UPSKILLING? FROM A NEW WELLA HIGHER LEVEL DIPLOMA TO TIPS ON CREATING MORE COMPLEX AND BEAUTIFUL BALAYAGE RESULTS, THERE’S A LOT TO GET INSPIRED BY
Shine nity and Illumina Color are the perfect partners; naturalised colour directions are a growing trend and having these products on your shelves is key! Both will embrace the natural highs and lows resulting in a sheer nish and high shine. Use Illumina Color on regrowth for 100 per cent grey coverage and Shine nity through the lengths to balance tone and depth with zero damage.”
JAMIE DORAN, WELLA PROFESSIONALS TECHNICAL EDUCATOR @JAMIEWELLAMCR
BEX EMMETT, WELLA PROFESSIONALS TECHNICAL EDUCATOR, @BEXWELLALDN
Blondorplex and 6% is my go-to lightening formula for Ultra Balayage. I know I can get optimum lightening without compromising the condition of the hair.
“For a luminous result, I love Illumina Color to root shadow, here using 20g 6/ + 20g 6/19 + Pastel 1.9% in a 1:2 ratio for ve minutes.
“For the ends, I mixed Shine nity 45g 09/61 + 15g 09/36 + 60g Bottle Activator, applied at the basin for 15 minutes.
“The addition of gold to the formula maintains brightness within an ultra-cool nish. Gorgeous!”
THE SCIENCE BEHIND HAIRCARE? WELLA STUDIO DUBLIN HAS YOUR BACK WITH BRILLIANT NEW EDUCATION
Every year we set out to smash our career goals. Buzzing with self-made promises, weeks later life and busy salon days can take over once again. This year, instead of sweeping your career plans into the bin, head to Dublin’s Wella Studio and add to your skill set. With a plethora of bang-on courses including nearly 30 new additions, Wella Studio Dublin can set your goals in motion! Here’s to your year of the career – and four of Wella Professionals’ freshest courses on science, styling, business and colour…
Social media is the place for colour trends and inspiration today. This course is for those after a better understanding of using it as a tool to increase brand awareness, build a bigger following, and to start their own viral colour looks.
Led by hair influencer and colour trends shaman Fergal Doyle, expect to be immersed in social media colour work and gain advice on creating compelling online content. Get inspired by mini-Instagram shoots and a hands-on colour and content workshop with live models… you’ll soon be creating social content that cuts through the crowd.
WHEN Tuesday 2 May
WHAT One-day advanced course, €275
@markblaketrichologist
This course shows you how to advise clients dealing with a sensitive issue, thinning hair and/or hair loss, which affects half of salon goers. Expect insights into hair nutrition, medication and surgical procedures, empowering you to advise clients in new ways, helping you stand out.
Led by salon owner and trichologist Mark Blake, who is highly skilled in identifying and treating underlying hair thinning and loss causes, you’ll learn about debunking hair myths, the causes of thinning hair, male and female hair loss, and more.
WHEN 12 June
WHAT One-day advanced course, €240
@michaelgrayhair
Every salon needs top blow-drying, styling and finishing services. This course promises just that, helping stylists create finishes that look stunning and last. Led by freelance stylist Michael Gray, who’s known for his long hair and bridal hair work, this workshop is ideal for junior stylists and the more experienced after fresh ideas and techniques. Learn the fundamentals of blow-dry preparation and fashioning different shapes, styles, textures, and lengths with new hot tools. Michael will advise on the products to use to enhance your finish.
WHEN Monday 10 July
WHAT One-day essential level course, €280
@my_salon_manager
This session is for salon owners and managers to learn about the ingredients needed to make a healthy profit via pricing.
Under the guidance of Simon Harris, who has helped grow many profitable hair salons as co-founder of MySalonManager, you’ll learn how to use prices to set targets that motivate stylists to sell, and how frequently you should be reviewing prices to attract clients and secure business growth, and other tips.
WHEN 11 July
WHAT One-day advanced course, €190
TO BOOK CONTACT THE WELLA STUDIO DUBLIN ON 01 416 0900 OR WELLASTUDIODUBLIN@WELLA.COM. FOR MORE ON ALL THE WELLA STUDIO COURSES AVAILABLE, DOWNLOAD THE EDUCATION BOOK 2023 AT WELLA.CO.UK/EDUCATIONBOOK
Pauline Whelan, managing director of Queen Hair Salons, recently opened in Limerick and knows the southern city well. “I moved to Limerick to manage a TONI&GUY there at 19 and then opened my own place, Halo, at 22.” She later moved to Dublin to join Queen and has now decided the time is right to open in Limerick, with a new look, industrial yet soft.
“The Jetland shopping-centre space is ideal as the roadworks that have been happening in Limerick for three years now are seriously impacting footfall for local businesses. But we knew we’d be assured of customers with so many major retailers nearby,” she adds. The centre has high ceilings, and Pauline added glass droplights into the metal grid. Circular mirrors light up at their centres, illuminating a salon that’s been furnished with brown leather interiors and walnut units.
She adds: “I took a day a week for a couple of months to research and source materials myself and am delighted with how well it’s worked out.”
Film is art, right down to the hair, so why not encourage your juniors to engage with the festival happening in the capital until 4 March? Ireland’s biggest film event offers a programme of exciting international cinema, the best new Irish features and a retrospective of much-loved classics.
HAWKSMOORDUBLIN.COM
Upscale British steakhouse Hawksmoor is soon to open its first Irish restaurant. The group has taken over the old National Irish Bank building on College Green in Dublin, restoring the hall’s cast-iron dome and ornate plasterwork, and reinstating iron railings just like the bank’s 1880s originals.
TICKLE YOUR CLIENTS PINK – OR WHATEVER SHADE THEY DESIRE!
– WITH THE WELLA PROFESSIONALS KP:POP COLLECTION
FROM PUNCHY BOLDS TO SUBTLE NUANCES, WELLA PROFESSIONALS
KOLESTON PERFECT CAN DELIVER THE STATEMENT YOUR CLIENTS DREAM OF
The Pop Art movement began as a revolt against the norm – the unapologetic boldness of the designs, the vivid colours... Wella Professionals has channelled that rebellious energy and thrilling embrace of colour to create a fresh new collection for 2023 – KP:POP!
Showcasing the power of Wella’s Koleston Perfect colour line, it’s a testament to what you can create with the tools you already have… all you need is that spark of inspiration. Feed your imagination with two new colour services, and a heap of inspiration to get you and your client excited to do things differently this year.
It’s safe to say that we could all do with a little brightness right now. This feelgood factor has spilled into fashion, the idea of ‘dopamine dressing’ resulting in bright swathes of colour showing up on the catwalk. People feel better and brighter in themselves when wearing bolder colours that bring them joy.
The S/S23 shows saw the likes of Marni, Issey Miyake, and Del Core turn the runway into a rainbow and it’s going to be a huge trend for 2023 through fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Wella Professionals selected the perfect partner to meet this trend: someone who could seamlessly combine feelgood dressing and Pop Art with the core colour line of Koleston Perfect. To excite, invigorate, and challenge Wella artists to try something new. It could only be James Earnshaw, Wella Professionals’ UK & Ireland digital colour ambassador. He knows exactly how to harness the power of joyful colour – just look at his Instagram @jhair_stylist! Along with the Wella Professionals Education team, he set out to create a collection that would challenge perceptions of what Koleston Perfect can do. Inspiring, creative and completely versatile. It’s safe to say this collection really pops!
Koleston Perfect is beloved the world over for its reliability. Wella Professionals’ ultra-pigmented permanent colour line is a mainstay for services thanks to its easy mixability, the fact it delivers up to 100 per cent grey coverage, and its patented ME+ technology that helps reduce the likelihood of allergic reactions. You might think of Koleston Perfect for root touch-ups, global colour and rich, natural shades. It is all those things, of course, and it’s also SO much more. Turn up the saturation with the Koleston Perfect Special Mix shades – 10 colours with that same beautiful, reliable finish, that same intensity of colour, plus some added fun.
HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE WELLA PROFESSIONALS TEAM DECIDED TO PLAY WITH KOLESTON PERFECT…
The beauty of Wella Professionals’ KP:POP collection is its simplicity. These looks are bold and exciting and would work just as well in shades of blonde, brunette and trending copper tones. You can dial the intensity up and down, while still getting clients excited about a totally new look.
“These are almost vintage techniques,” says Kelly Laurie, wholesale education lead for Wella Professionals and part of the team that helped to develop the techniques with James Earnshaw. “Wearable looks that work for every palette. It was good to get back to these sorts of sectioning techniques and update them.”
DISCOVER THE ENTICING IN-SALON SERVICES TO ADD THE POWER OF POP FOR YOUR CLIENTS
“I love being challenged; crafting the perfect green shade for this look was not easy… but Koleston Perfect delivered!”
JUST LIKE POP ART, KP:POP IS A REBELLIOUS, FUN TAKE ON THE NORM. ARE YOU READY?
“KP:POP IS A RETURN TO PLAYFUL, EXPRESSIVE HAIR COLOUR. BOLD PLACEMENT, INTENSE TONALITIES AND SHADES THAT REALLY POP. KOLESTON PERFECT IS THE PERFECT RANGE FOR THIS, THE PALETTE REALLY DOES HAVE IT ALL; I WAS ABLE TO CREATE THE BESPOKE SHADES I WANTED TO BRING THIS COLLECTION TO LIFE”
JAMES EARNSHAW
WELLA PROFESSIONALS UK & IRELAND DIGITAL COLOUR AMBASSADORRAINBOW LIGHTS: MULTI-TONE SERVICE JAMES EARNSHAW, WELLA PROFESSIONALS UKI DIGITAL COLOUR AMBASSADOR
3D COLOUR SERVICE
KELLY LAURIE, WHOLESALE EDUCATION LEAD
“Koleston Perfect means reliability and successful results”
3D COLOUR JAMES EARNSHAW
“I adore how Koleston Perfect allows you to formulate your own shades using Special Mix”
RAINBOW LIGHTS: FACE FRAME
KARAM RAI, WELLA EDUCATOR
“I love how Koleston Perfect achieves powerful and playful results”
3D COLOUR
DANIELLE CULVERWELL, WELLA EDUCATOR
“Koleston Perfect means absolute creative freedom”
RAINBOW LIGHTS: SHADOW ERYKA REID, WELLA EDUCATOR
“Koleston Perfect embodies all the things you need from a permanent colour – richness, coverage and vibrancy”
THE KP:POP COLLECTION HAS BEEN SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO GIVE YOU THE TEMPLATES FOR BRAND-NEW LOOKS THAT ARE ULTRA-VERSATILE. POP ’TIL YOU CAN’T STOP, OR DIAL THINGS DOWN FOR A GENTLE BURST OF TONAL SHIFTS
A new and exciting colour collection is all well and good for giving you and your colourists a fresh dose of creativity – but does it always transfer to clients?
This is where the KP:POP techniques really impress. They have been designed as quick and simple but high-impact, clients will be trans xed!
It’s not just the colours that you can switch around – the techniques work across all types of hair. Wella Professionals tested this by asking four salon stylists to put their own consumer-friendly spin on the techniques. Let’s see how they got on…
3D COLOUR
NIKKI CLIFFORD, OWNER OF NJUK HAIR SALON, took the technique for the vibrant spiced orange bob and used the same sectioning patterns to create this attering colour melt on her client.
“This technique was super-quick and easy, I love how it can be used to adapt striking looks into subtle results depending on your chosen colour palette.”
RAINBOW LIGHTS: MULTI-TONE
FERGAL DOYLE, WELLA PROFESSIONALS
COLOUR CONSULTANT AND OWNER OF FERGAL DOYLE HAIR, used the Rainbow Lights: Multi-Tone technique of peacock hues popping from beneath darker lengths, to add interest to a blonde client’s look.
“Rainbow Lights is a quick and effective technique for turning any colour into a creative colour service. Whether you’re working with bold, pastel or vivid shades; or soft, natural tones, it works.”
Face framing sections, money pieces – whatever you call them, their appeal shows no sign of diminishing. DANIEL COUCH, HEAD OF COLOUR AT RUSSELL EATON SALONS, transformed the vibrant magenta shade of the shoot.
“This is the perfect section pattern to add a high-end bespoke nish for clients. It was an easy and effective way to create a texture and tone.”
RAINBOW
How would you have gone about translating the bold scarlet hues of a stunning Afro look in the collection?
JORDANNA COBELLA, DIRECTOR OF COBELLA SALON, wanted to keep that energy while still being easy to wear, and opted for this gorgeous mix of copper shades.
“I found this technique easy to recreate. Working with it on a different texture gives the look a different edge but still provides a contoured feel for my client.”
HOW WILL YOU TRANSLATE THESE SUPER ADAPTABLE KP:POP TECHNIQUES? WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE!
Tantalise clients and get them picturing new possibilities with KP:POP services. You can find a cornucopia of brilliant education from Wella Professionals on how to use KP:POP to the fullest.
• New fresh look, interactive step-by-step videos
• KP Look Book to get clients excited
• Guide on how to translate creative looks into commercial winners
• Colour mixtures to try
• In-salon and studio-based digital step-by-steps
• Account manager training on the new techniques
ARE YOU READY TO POP?
Looking to level up the way you capture work for social platforms? 2022
Wanted Colour Expert
shares her top tips for snapping those all-important process shots
The 2023 Most Wanted and It List Awards are officially open for entries. You have until 22 May to make MWIT happen. Good luck!
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Grace Dalgleish
Stylist to the stars Jay Birmingham is in South Africa creating show-stopping looks for Love Island host Maya Jama. Get the inside scoop by reading his backstage diary
MONEY EQUALS SUCCESS, right? Especially when paired with a gruelling, ‘I’ll prove them wrong’-shaped chip on your shoulder. The thing about hair professionals is that whether we accept it or not, we are conditioned for the ‘hustle’. Our industry connects and jokes over our absence of basic rights at work, normalising the behaviour: “Lunch on a Saturday? Are you mad?”. That sets the scene for why my own business and mental health imploded. We come from an industry that prioritises success far above our own welfare.
When Covid hit I was an educator, and found as lockdowns stretched on and on, every email cost me money. After wallowing in what felt like an endless well of self-pity, I began moving my focus online, and I thrived. With all those eyes on what I was doing, I started a subscription Instagram account – which grew to just under 1,000 subscribers and at points pulled in almost €18,000 a month. But as restrictions lifted and the strain of everyday life slowly returned, I began to struggle. By prioritising my business, I did not prioritise myself. I did not plan for long-term project sustainability, or factor in time off or boundaries, or the restart of everyday activities, friends, or holidays. My phone became a constant source of anxiety. I became withdrawn, making business decisions in a reactive way.
One day, for no particular reason, it came crashing down. I just couldn’t do it anymore. This was the way I looked at it: I could be rid of all this worry overnight, but the catch was it would cost six figures. Would I take it? That day I decided I would.
It was incredibly difficult, and it felt like the worst break up, but I regret nothing. It was as if I had built a skyscraper on top of matchsticks. Through psychiatric help I learned of my ADHD, and why the structure (or lack of it) I had created essentially imprisoned me. If you have the option of safely walking away from something and can guarantee your happiness as a result, do it. Prioritise self, wellness, and health always. I’m now slowly understanding what I need for my own version of success.
“When I finished school, I headed to college to study business and, to start with, I enjoyed it. But working in an office didn’t really appeal to me, so once I left I just hung around not really knowing what to do. My dad’s best friend was a barber and cut my hair and I loved the whole banter in the shop, so when a friend suggested a job at TONI&GUY I thought, ‘why not?’. I visited the TONI&GUY Academy and as soon as
I got there, I realised it was what I wanted to do. I was full of enthusiasm, I loved the precision, the elevations, the distribution –but my hands and mind just wouldn’t co-ordinate. It didn’t come naturally to me and I failed my first hair test. The tutor suggested maybe I had chosen the wrong career – and I was devastated. I was all fingers and thumbs but I was determined to prove them wrong. I practised all weekend, retook the test and passed. From then on, I learnt all I could, wanting to be the best I could be. That feeling has never left me and it instilled life-long passion, determination and love for the craft. It also began my love of education; some of the best teachers in the industry spent time with me to make me who I am today, and it’s now my turn to help the next generation.”
Let’s face it, dry shampoo rarely wows. From a at-looking nish to dusty product residue, it might cover up grease between washes, but do clients really love the result? Well, it’s all about to change. Dry shampoo has evolved, and bond-building pioneer OLAPLEX is leading the charge.
No.4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo, OLAPLEX’s rstever dry shampoo, promotes a healthy scalp for healthier looking hair. Going deeper, it detoxi es the scalp while absorbing oil, odour, and sweat – ensuring a better result for all hair types and textures. And as scalp care is one of the fastest-growing client concerns, this innovation taps into exactly what they want right now – a brilliant opportunity to grow your business.
Like other OLAPLEX products, No.4D is about restoring hair health. Employing the brand’s iconic multi-patented OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology, which instantly repairs damage and strengthens hair on a molecular level, No.4D counteracts odourcausing pollutants without clogging pores. Actively combatting odour instead of covering it up, scalps that use No.4D are purer and more nourished. Flakiness, build-up, and irritation are gone.
No.4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo follows the OLAPLEX philosophy of being non-toxic, cruelty-free, and vegan. Free from
sulphates, phthalates, parabens, and gluten, the formula illustrates how hair health and care are priorities. Inside are powerful, naturally derived ingredients including rambutan seed extract, a source of antioxidants that detoxi es and neutralises odour and pollutants while calming the scalp.
There’s also ultra- ne micro starch from rice, which aids oil absorption and leaves hair cleaner and without the undesirable build-up of other dry shampoo products. Hair looks lighter, shinier, fresher, achieving weightless results with no dullness. It’s all about renewal and that just washed feeling. All scalps can bene t, with the product cleverly adapting to all colour shades with no dusty after-effect.
Now when clients talk about their greasy hair woes you can recommend a product that works, without any nasty powder or grit left behind. No.4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo has received two thumbs up in clinical consumer tests, with 100 per cent of consumers reporting no white residue, while 97 per cent said they saw oil reduction and hair looking clean.*
So, next time clients come calling for a dry shampoo that covers hair between washes while improving its health, be ready. With OLAPLEX, scalps are de nitely in the right hands.
GIVE CLIENTS WHAT THEY WANT WITH OLAPLEX NO.4D CLEAN VOLUME DETOX DRY SHAMPOO, AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL PROFESSIONAL DISTRIBUTOR: ASTON & FINCHER, CAPITAL HAIR & BEAUTY, SALLY BEAUTY, SALON CONCEPT, SALON PROMOTIONS, SALONS DIRECT, AND XPERT PROFESSIONAL, OR BUY ONLINE AT UK.OLAPLEX.COM
FOUNDER OF DIVINE HAIR
BY NIAMH HAYDEN IN WATERFORDI GET UP AT… Different times, depending on what’s going on that day. Whether I am at the salon, teaching a course or going to the gym before work, my day usually starts at 7am.
I’m a salon owner and senior stylist. So, I’m looking after clients with anything from colouring, cutting, and styling. But colour is my favourite; I love a good blonde or a good challenge! I’m also artistic ambassador for Matrix for the UK and Ireland, so anything from teaching and delivering courses, product testing, creating content and travelling around meeting amazing hairdressers.
I GOT HERE BY… When I started, I was always pushing myself and trying new things. Every year there was something
new and I learnt to never say no. Even if it was out of my comfort zone I just said yes, and it’s paid off in the end! I have had some amazing opportunities, from working at London Fashion Week to going on stage at Matrix Evolve in Manchester.
MY FAVOURITE WORK TOOL IS... My YS Park tail combs. Also I couldn’t live without the wide foil and Instacure from Matrix.
MY DAY CONSISTS OF… At the moment it’s all work. There is always something on my to-do list! I’ve been teaching a lot in the UK so have been travelling and catching up with my industry friends. I also love downtime with family and friends; balance is key.
WHEN I GET STRESSED I… To be honest I don’t get stressed often. Everything happens for a reason and works out in the end. Nothing can be so bad it can’t be sorted.
THE HABIT I NEED TO BREAK IS… Not believing in myself enough! I always doubt myself but then I look back and see how far I’ve come and everything I’ve achieved. I need to trust myself more.
THE MISTAKE I LEARNT MOST FROM IS… Daring to make mistakes. If you don’t make them, you will never push yourself! Some of your best lessons and results happen this way. And believe me, you will never make the same mistake twice!
THE ADVICE I’M GLAD I IGNORED IS… When I was at school they told me not to be a hairdresser as I could ‘do better’. I’m so glad I never listened. I love my job and it never feels like work as every day is different.
MY INBOX LOOKS LIKE… Always full of messages but I’m quite good at replying and I try my best to answer within 24 hours.
I DECOMPRESS BY… Travelling. I love taking some downtime on holiday with family or friends and totally switching off from salon and work life. I have the best team to take care of it all.
It’s so visual, I love sharing my work and courses. But I learn so much from everyone else too.
TikTok
I lose hours of my life just scrolling through, it’s a total switch off! I’m not very active on it, but I’m there.
Spotify
Who doesn’t love music? Hairdressers could not work without it. I love a good, upbeat playlist.
The new cut and colour Collection is inspired by connection and by regaining all those actions that make us human. Exclusive shades for a palette that conveys balance, naturalness and harmony, suitable to any type of skintone. Discover the new collection designed in collaboration with Rudy Mostarda, Global Creative Director of ALFAPARF MILANO PROFESSIONAL.
alfaparfmilanopro.com
@alfaparfmilanopro_uki
#MWIT23
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CREATIVE HEAD’S MOST WANTED AND IT LIST AWARDS ARE SEARCHING FOR THE UK AND IRELAND’S MOST EXCITING HAIR TALENTS, ARE YOU ONE OF THEM?
OPEN TO THE OWNERS AND EMPLOYEES OF SALONS AND BARBER SHOPS, AS WELL AS FREELANCE HAIR PROFESSIONALS, ALL WORKING IN THE UK AND IRELAND
AWARD FOR INNOVATION
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DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES MONDAY 22 MAY FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FRIDAY 16 JUNE
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For teamwork at its best
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OPEN TO THE OWNERS AND EMPLOYEES OF SALONS AND BARBER SHOPS, AS WELL AS FREELANCE HAIR PROFESSIONALS, ALL AGED 30 OR UNDER AND WORKING IN THE UK AND IRELAND
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“We are hooked on Salon Smart and just love the honesty of it all – it’s so real”
Monday 20 March 2023
9.15am-5.15pm
The Chain and Buoy Stores, London
Tickets £95 plus VAT*
Salon Smart HUB members pay £80 plus VAT
Book now at creativeheadmag.com/store
*Ticket price includes access to the full business agenda, all-day refreshments, lunch, Prosecco at the closing session, and a goody bag to take home. And you’ll get 24/7 access to our online, members-only business resource, the Salon Smart HUB. Terms and conditions apply
2023 IS ABOUT happy colour contradictions and inclusive shades. While we’ll see trends of yesteryear return with an added twist, the walls are coming down on definitive colour. We’re not all emerging from the pandemic in the same way; plenty of your clientele are craving a brighter future…
PANTONE’S 2023 colour of the year is Viva Magenta – and what a magenta it is. Think turning up the volume on last year’s more muted pink shades. Flexible and long-lasting, Viva Magenta is a shoo-in for 2023, suiting budget-conscious clients.
“Viva Magenta is a great colour for hairdressers to get creative with because it looks good on everyone, from a dark base to lighter bases,” says Matrix artist ambassador Niamh Hayden, founder of Divine Hair in Waterford. “It can be bright and bold on lighter bases, but will also look amazing blended as a balayage on your darker bases, or if you want to add a pop of bright colour. On its own it will be super-impactful, too!”
Not everyone will go full-on magenta in 2023, but its influence will be seen among more subtle colour looks.
SAY HELLO TO Cherry Pop, Goldwell’s colour of the year. Red hair has seen many iterations before, but Cherry Pop is a braver, more ebullient red, with a shock of pink that creates a seductive undertone.
It has a mood-boosting quality that’s sure to put a swing in the step of anyone wanting to leave the pandemic behind in style, Cherry Pop is about glamour, creativity and experimentation. It has even won the seal of approval from global colour expert Jane Boddy, who says it “creates a visual vibration that ignites and excites the senses… and reinforces our connection to humanity”. There will certainly be no more social distancing for those taking on this shade.
TAKE YOUR BLONDE KNOWLEDGE –AND YOUR COLOUR BUSINESS – TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH NEW INNOVATIONS FROM BLONDME, THE ICONIC RANGE
BY SCHWARZKOPF PROFESSIONAL
WANT TO SEE A BOOM IN YOUR BLONDE BUSINESS? CREATE BLONDES THAT ARE BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY, AND STRONG USING TECHNIQUES THAT TODAY’S CLIENTS WILL LOVE, WITH BETTER-THAN-EVER BLONDME FROM SCHWARZKOPF PROFESSIONAL
Blonde is big business; 60 per cent of a salon’s colour revenue is blonding related, in fact. Get your services and experience spot on, and the potential for your bottom line is clear. But they need extra TLC – all that lifting can play havoc with hair’s health. Deliver beautiful blonde that’s lifted with love, care and con dence? That’s the winning formula…
BLONDME from Schwarzkopf Professional is a haven of innovation, the rst to cleverly integrate bonding technologies into its formulas to create, protect, maintain and repair bonds. Now its high-performing bonding technology has moved into high gear! Introducing new Anti-Metal Bond Protection Technology for unbeatable performance, minimised breakage and ultimate con dence – we’re talking strong bonds for strong blondes! This next-level formula sees two technologies blended to save colourists and salons time and money, as you’ll need no bonding additives or anti-metal treatments. A new biodegradable chelating agent means any metal ions in the hair are enveloped to prevent damaging free radicals forming during lightening and colouring. In turn, this helps prevent hair breakage, always a concern for blondes. Add in highly effective succinic acid to penetrate hair, and you create a protective layer that boosts strong structural bonds, maintaining hair strength and elasticity. This is your chance to master the craft of creating exceptional blonde results, and become a true authority in blonde. Can you see the light?
PRECISION LIGHTENER
This lightener boasts a formula for minimal swelling, while offering up to seven levels of lift and minimised breakage. It’s perfect for precision, so use it on even the smallest regrowth applications.
PREMIUM LIGHTENER 9+
Featuring up to nine levels of lift and minimum hair breakage, this lightener has been reformulated for less swelling. Anti-yellow agents neutralise warm undertones, suitable for all hair bases.
Specially designed for creative, freehand techniques, this gives you up to seven levels of lift with minimised hair breakage. And thanks to the soft-to-solid formula, there’s no need for foils!
The perfect base in one step, this lightens and neutralises for amazingly even results. Use this additive with all BLONDME lighteners, it’s available in Violet, Ash and new Matt.
The new 1:2 mixing ratio gives you an optimised performance with up to ve levels of lift. It’s available in six shades including new Biscuit, an enriching beige with a slight rose touch.
Want intensi ed blonde tones or unwanted warm tones neutralised? This has you covered, alongside a new Clear shade to dilute the intensity of all Blonde Toning shades.
Ideal for lowlights and root transitions, this is designed for prelightened or natural hair bases levels 5 to 8. Now with a new Peach Sorbet shade for pastel Copper Cendré effects.
SCHWARZKOPF PROFESSIONAL IS COMMITTED TO REDUCING ITS ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT
•BLONDME features vegan colour formulas
•BLONDME colour tubes are made of 100 per cent recycled aluminium and plastic, 93 per cent recycled cardboard and fully recyclable
•BLONDME lighteners now have a fully recyclable container and no longer come with a plastic scoop, saving up to 50 tonnes of plastic per year. Instead, order the new reusable scoop that’s made of 100 per cent recycled material
For top blonde and white hair coverage, this lifts and tones in one. Mix with BLONDME Premium Developer for four levels of lift and great white blending results.
PERFECT FOR: Achieving the clearest blondes on even the darkest bases
TECHNIQUE: Back-to-back foils
HERO PRODUCT: Premium Lightener 9+
PERFECT FOR: Creating illuminated blondes
TECHNIQUE: Freehand
HERO PRODUCT: Clay Lightener
PERFECT FOR: Achieving the clearest blondes while keeping even delicate hair healthy
TECHNIQUE: Back-to-back foils
HERO PRODUCT: Bleach & Tone
Lightener Additive
PERFECT FOR: Lightening the smallest regrowth for seamless blonde results
TECHNIQUE: Root application
HERO PRODUCT: Premium Lightener 9+
PERFECT FOR: Lifting natural blondes and blending white hair
TECHNIQUE: Root application
HERO PRODUCT: Lift & Blend
PERFECT FOR: Bespoke colour results
TECHNIQUE: Freehand
HERO PRODUCT: Clay Lightener
PERFECT FOR: Soft, natural blonde touches on light hair
TECHNIQUE: Classic highlights
HERO PRODUCT: Blonde Lifting
PERFECT FOR: Spicing up any blondes
TECHNIQUE: Pastel toning
HERO PRODUCT: Pastel Toning
Join the Authorities In Blonde in hands-on academy courses and online to transform yourself into a true master of blondes! Courses include:
•BLONDME ESSENTIAL
Explore BLONDME in this one-day course. You’ll deepdive into patented bonding technologies and learn how to create beautiful blondes.
•BLONDE EXPERT
A two-day course that will take you to the next level. Live demonstrations and practical workshops led by Schwarzkopf Professional ambassador Tim Scott-Wright will hone your technical skills and product proficiency.
Give your business a boost by leveraging a tonne of fantastic aids to up your skills, your consultation technique and make your feed even more fabulous!
Discover or refresh your BLONDME colour and care knowledge online through interactive activities. Learn more at eacademy. schwarzkopf-professional.com
•LET’S LEARN!
Explore a wealth of content, from dedicated service tutorials to tips and tricks. You’ll find specialised content to help you visualise your results and discover more about the technology behind BLONDME – how it works and why it delivers the best results for your clients.
•LET’S SHARE!
Get the chance to be featured on the brand’s channels. Boost your salon’s visibility by tagging @schwarzkopfprouk and show off your creations.
•LET’S TALK!
BUILD A BRILLIANT NEW WORLD OF LIGHTER LOOKS AND BECOME AN AUTHORITY ON BLONDE WITH BLONDME FROM SCHWARZKOPF PROFESSIONAL. DISCOVER MORE AT SCHWARZKOPFPRO.COM
The House of Color App is your digital assistant for on-thego consultation. Now with new BLONDME primed and ready! @SCHWARZKOPFPROUK
YOUR CLIENTS AREN’T one dimensional and neither is colour – or it shouldn’t be. As noted in the Pinterest Predicts 2023 trend report, two-tone shades, also known as Gemini Hair, is set to hit salons in a big way as clients look to mix vibrant tones with natural hues. Embracing perfectly imperfect contradictions and the dual-natured essence of the Gemini star sign, blondes won’t have to choose between going lavender or staying how they are, they can have both! The same goes for all kinds of natural/bright shade fusions, such as pairing black braids with shocks of blue. Paco Latorre, creative director at Live True London Soho, explains why two-tone hair is back with renewed vigour and in-keeping with this year’s theme of innovation. “From natural tones to vivid pinks and blues, anything goes! Any hair texture or length can achieve this look.”
IT TOOK INSIGHTS from 1,500 colour experts across 26 countries to land on Revlon Professional’s hair colour of the year for 2023: Virtual Mauve Blonde. This shade’s triple dimension reflect puts it in the same trend camp as multidimensional luxe. The very definition of bold and intense, Virtual Mauve Blonde brings virtual dimensions to the real world. Its triple-reflect colour gives off richness, vibrancy and multi-tonal expression in buckets – perfect for those after a show-stopping ‘who is that?’ effect.
2023 IS ALSO about embracing what clients have, there are no cookiecutter shades. So make room also for a more subtle trend: softer and healthy-looking multi-dimensional tones.
Think of more delicate blondes and brunettes where changes are more subtle yet still impactful. Some clients may want to weave in magenta, but the multi-dimensional look is about giving hair richness and depth, rather than a drastic change.
“We are seeing a lot of subtlety coming back,” says Mark Sherwood, lead colour educator for the Zeba Hairdressing group. “Instead of overhauling hair colour, clients are looking for ways to go back to their roots. Literally!
“For blondes, it could be a case of toning it down and adding some dimension back in. We want colour to look the best hair can possibly look and condition and shine are what makes hair looks expensive.”
Neil Moodie Studio
JUST IN TIME for the spring/summer blonde stampede, Schwarzkopf Professional has launched its better-than-ever BLONDME range. Boasting a new formula, its AntiMetal Bond Protection Technology helps lighten and lift with limited damage, producing higher-grade and wellprotected blondes. New additions include Precision Lightener, which offers up to seven lift levels and minimised breakage, while Blonde Lifting has a new 1:2 mixing ratio giving up to five levels of light-bright lift. There’s also a handy menu of eight techniques to make the most of the revamped BLONDME portfolio, so there’s genuinely something for every blonde. schwarzkopfpro.com
COLOUR IS A serious business, and Wella is helping to give it (and hairdressing in general) the kudos it deserves. It’s launching a degree-level colour qualification with Glasgow Clyde College in what it’s heralding as the first of its kind.
The Wella Colour Higher Level Diploma will cover practical skills alongside modules including academic writing, how the economy impacts colour business, and study subjects such as leadership, psychology, and client protection. The course takes 18 months to complete and students will graduate at Glasgow University in a formal ceremony to celebrate – get those mortar boards ready! education.wella.com
Barbiecore is in full force ahead of the live action film’s release, so get your pink skills in gear.
“Shinefinity is my number one choice for this,” says House of Colour Dublin’s colour and style expert, Aisling Kenny. “It allows my guests to express themselves with bespoke pink shades.”
NEW OFTEN means more, adding to what you already have. But what if ‘new’ actually meant less? Take a look at what Indola is up to with the revamp of its colour portfolio. With one new product – Color Transformer – you can convert permanent Indola shades into demipermanent colours. Boom, just like that. For independent colourists and salons with an eye on costs right now, that is the kind of colour innovation that matters. With the capsule collections of new CREA-MIX shades and CREA-BOLD direct dyes too, it’s a clever and practical line-up that will win plenty of fans. indola.co.uk
YOU’VE KNOWN Koleston Perfect for years, it’s iconic. But have you had a proper play with it recently? That’s the thinking behind the KP:POP Collection from Wella Professionals, showcasing the playful, experimental and just blooming fun side of an OG classic. There are techniques and templates to get to grips with too (hello Rainbow Lights!), that work just as well in the salon for tonal shifts and hints of playful shades. Pop it open and have a play… wella.co.uk/educationbook
There’s something new coming to Redken, so make a note to keep an eye on @redken on 9 March. Michelle Marshall, Redken artist and founder of Michelle Marshall salon, has had a sneak peek… “Redken’s Color Gel Oils are not to be missed. The permanent colour results on grey and non-grey hair are phenomenal, saturated with a glass-like shine. A liquid colour that flows through the hair, but at the same time stays where you put it.”
RICHER HUES ARE raging in 2023 and L’Oréal Professionnel Paris’s new-look iNOA colour selection has two sizzling copper shades in 7.4 and 4.45. Part of its freshly launched and extra fluid ammonia-free range, colour goes further while keeping up shine and locking natural oils firmly within the hair and scalp. Colour is bold but natural-looking with reliably sensual results. Client after a classy copper? Reach for this colour expert toolkit and venture deeper… ie.lorealpartnershop.com
IT’S NOT GOING to be Viva Magenta for everyone, and that’s okay. From ALFAPARF Milano Professional, the focus is on celebrating the “return to experiencing all our senses after living through a time of a global absence of human contact”. Its SENSES collection encapsulates that, alongside its new Evolution of the Color³ Suedes palette, designed to match and enhance any type of skin tone. xpertprofessional.ie
WANT TO BE an elite colourist? Take a look at the new JOICO Color Excellence Program, a 10-day bootcamp that will make you a JOICO Color Expert. From advanced theory to colour correction and creativity, you’ll cover the lot. Find out more at joico.eu
Drawers stuffed to bursting… cupboards spilling over… bulging kit bags… has your love of colour become obsessive? Stylists want to offer all colour services to their clients, and need to be ready for anything. But keeping every colour possibility to hand can suck up space and spend. You dream of a spring clean…
Now you can embrace your love of colour and streamline your stock with Indola’s refreshed
colour range, complemented by new creative colour additives and service essentials. Featuring the same high-performance vegan formula, Indola’s relaunched PCC range is streamlined yet intermixable, proving that great things come in smaller packages. The formulas are easy to identify, and package information is clear, giving you reliable permanent and demi-permanent colour results.
Offer loads of service opportunities without multiple products, thanks to an innovation that – wait for it –substitutes an entire demi-permanent line with just one hero product!
Color Transformer is a minimalist marvel you simply mix into Indola’s iconic PCC permanent range. Suitable for dual application with easy 1:1 mixing, this gentle formula converts more than 80 shades into demipermanent splendour for spectacular root-to-tip results.
Inside, mineral oil evens out colour, making hair feel fabulous to the touch while the pH balancer adjusts colour penetration. And with low peroxide, it’s also reducing potential damage too. Perfect for tempting colour-cautious clients to shorter-term shade solutions.
But that’s not all the clever Color Transformer can do. Use it to refresh colours that are prone to fading such as reds, coppers and purples. Dial down on further clutter with Indola’s compact line of cream developers in four strengths. Used in perfect harmony with all Indola’s permanent colours, expect peak performance, stellar shine and long-lasting, beautiful hues.
Colour possibilities are endless – and Indola’s Smart Creatives range also helps stylists offer bespoke colour services with CREA-MIX in six intermixable shades to intensify or neutralise tones.
Using these six stellar shades, including clear, fashion your own colour creations or remove warmth. Add the Color Transformer to scale up or cool down. You’re in charge! For the more experimental clients, reach for the brand new CREA-BOLD line. There are eight shades for vibrance seekers, intermixable semi-permanent direct dyes that can deliver the full colour spectrum, from bright rainbow radiance to pastel perfection.
You can also provide extra protection against two of the most unwanted colour results, with Indola’s Service Essentials. Got clients prone to discomfort and irritation? Indola has your back. Its NN2 NO STAIN, NO PAIN hydrates, strengthens and helps hair shine while acting as a barrier against scalp irritation and colour staining. Simply mix it in with your PCC shades, and your sensitive clients will feel the comfort.
There’s also CC2 COLOR CONDITIONING SPRAY, which prepares porous hair for colouring and can be used afterwards on all hair types to smooth and show off new shades. This is a new chapter in your love story with colour, and guaranteed to be a happy ever after!
SO MANY HAIRDRESSERS know this story: you’ve spent time creating an artful technical cut or maybe progressively lifting a dark colour over several months, but your client –so engaged in the chair – is less than keen on an aftercare regimen. And you know these same clients will spend twice as much on double-cleansing, acid exfoliants, and other trend-boosted skincare. Skin is important but we wear our hair just as often. Let’s look at how to use this new area of interest to improve client wellbeing, and your retail…
What does your client really know about trending ingredients such as ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid? Here’s what a hairdresser knows: they’re often not that new. Well-established ingredients that have been in personal care products for years get a marketing makeover and suddenly people worry they’re not getting enough. As a professional, you know a product is only as good as its overall formula, and no single ingredient can save an unimpressive blend. Sharing your knowledge is as helpful to a client as what you do with your hands.
Katrina Kelly, JOICO educator and owner of Cut Social in Dublin, advises looking at common threats to the hair so clients understand how ingredients can help as part of a routine. “When you educate a client well and they know about things such as hard water and the damage it can do, they will better understand how trending ingredients such as niacinamide can be healing and strengthening, helping to promote keratin production, as well as how rich ingredients can help to seal the cuticle,” she explains. “It may no longer be enough to point to a product and say ‘this works’, but it can help maintain your relationship with that client – as well as make a sale – if you take that time to discuss how ingredients they care about benefit their hair.”
Establishing your independence as an expert can help to build trust. The haircare brands you stock know how to sell themselves. What you can fulfil is a client’s human need to feel seen, preferably by someone who cares about what they do and wants to help. Katrina says: “If I think simply buying a filter could prevent a client’s hard-water hair issues, I will recommend trying that first. I also think it’s important to highlight that clarifying shampoos do cause some dryness and to teach them how much to use and how often, even if it means they won’t buy another bottle for months.”
Katrina and her Cut Social team curate a box of products tailored to the customer’s needs after each paid consultation, along with a leaflet confirming the advice, further building a personal relationship.
The rise of online hair influencers and their home demonstrations illustrate the power of human connection, and it’s often interesting to examine. You may have to get more basic with your communication than you think.
“The most common complaint I hear about aftercare from clients is that it weighs their hair down or leaves residue, and I know instantly that they’ve used to much,” says Lisa Eccles, owner of Zinc Hair & Beauty in Dublin and vicepresident of the Irish Hairdresser’s Federation. “Improper application wastes money and keeps them from sticking to a product or regime.”
Her solution is a hands-on demonstration. “When I get them to the basin, I show them exactly how to break products down in their hands until the consistency changes and when to add water. Professional products are more active ingredient-concentrated than they may understand. I liken a 250ml bottle of OLAPLEX shampoo to a one-litre bottle of a supermarket formula. Once they know how to use it properly, they may wind up using just two bottles a year, but they will buy again, and their hair will look much better for it.”
She feels a lot of clients do understand the importance of aftercare; it’s just poor education that puts them off. “If someone spends more than €100 on a service, they know not to use a budget shampoo. Staying aware of ingredient trends is just one means of better communication with clients about aftercare you can see they need,” says Lisa.
Overdoing it with a product can also provoke an ingredients-based reaction on the scalp. “Having at least one staff member with trichology education who can really help is a great thing,” she adds. “Just being able to distinguish between a dry scalp and more serious issues like psoriasis can mean you are able to provide a safe space for the client to talk about something they may be bothering them.”
Lisa recommends sending a trainee on a course, as having that extra bit of knowledge gives them confidence while boosting their skillset. For example, The Institute of Trichologists provides a two-and-a-half-year distance learning course backed by clinical practice.
Don’t discount the idea of being an influencer yourself. Even a few videos of your team sharing their skills can step up your socials. You’ve probably put shots of your retail products online, but have you thought about step-by-step videos on what they contain and how to use them? You may be surprised how far advice such as how to distribute mousse before a blow-dry can go towards convincing followers to invest, says Bridget Haren of the eponymous Clare salon.
She adds: “Our Instagram Lives with products get very good feedback. I’d also recommend keeping an eye on trending search terms, on Google and your own site. I’m not a digital expert, but it helps to know what I need to know.”
CLIENT
SKINCARE HAS EXPLODED IN RECENT YEARS OF LOCKDOWN, AS MANY PEOPLE LOOKED TO IMPROVE THE WAY THEY FEEL IN THEMSELVES, RATHER THAN SIMPLY HOW THEY LOOK. NOW IT’S HAIRCARE’S TURN TO PROVIDE THAT BOOST
‘REAL WOMEN, REAL STYLE, REAL BEAUTY’ IS A CAMPAIGN BY QUEEN SALON IN DUBLIN, MASTERMINDED BY CREATIVE DIRECTOR KATHERINE SWEENEY. USING REAL-LIFE CLIENTS, THE SHOOT IS A CELEBRATION OF THE EVERYDAY ROYALTY THAT VISITS THEIR SALONS
Live event welcomed more than 200 guests – Wella RED members, salon managers and owners – to The Belfry Hotel & Resort in the West Midlands for two days of motivational speakers, networking and business building.
From entrepreneurs to a professional poker player, a wannabe pirate to an Olympic icon (Sir Steve Redgrave!), the mix of speakers had something for everyone. The takeaway from the event? This is a time to take calculated risks…
“As a business owner you only ever feel two things: euphoria and terror,” said Priya Lakhani OBE, founder of Masala Masala and Century Tech. “Either disrupt or be disrupted.”
Be More Pirate author Sam Conniff Allende echoed the sentiment: “There are only two things that stop people in business. Fear and admin. Rule breaking is not the risky way to act, it’s the responsible way.”
A panel session found salon owners Collette Osborne, Salv Mule and Anya Dellicompagni discussing the realities of salon life, alongside Clientwave’s Carole Taylor and business expert Liz McKeon. There was also plenty to gain from Linda Moir, who led customer service at Virgin Atlantic and at the London 2012 Olympics. “When crew satisfaction goes up, customer satisfaction goes up. Create the culture inside the team that you want customers to see.”
There was also plenty of fun, with an evening party game that included plenty of (Wella branded!) cocktails, poker, a 360-degree photo booth, dance simulator, close-up magic and music into the early hours.
Priya Lakhani OBE Sam Conniff Allende
Sir Steve Redgrave
Oli France
Linda Moir
Tatiana Suvorova
THERE WAS ANTICIPATION in the air at the first Phorest Salon Owners Summit since 2020. Held at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre, Phorest Salon Software’s chief executive Ronan Perceval explained that now is a great moment to take stock: “It’s the best time to reflect on what’s gone on before and to consider the things you wish to implement.”
The summit theme, ‘Ignite’, was appropriate considering the two-year Covid-related hiatus, and salon owners enjoyed inspiring talks on sustainability, workplace toxicity, and more. The great and good of hair and beauty were there from Liz Earle MBE and Image Skincare founder and chief executive Janna Ronert to the charismatic Not Another Salon owner and educator Sophia Hilton. Those set on going greener heard from Sustain Beauty Co’s Valorie Tate, who advised salon owners to try more sustainable options such as single-use biodegradable towels and alternative energy providers.
And for those worried about unhappy teams, Jill Ruone and Derek Anthony from business mentors Culture Curators talked good leadership – where ignoring your team’s needs can spell disaster.
Jill explained how poor workplace culture led to a group walkout from her salon. “I was not the leader my team deserved,” Jill said, and admitted it cost her the business. “Everything rises and falls on leadership,” she concluded.
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POOR SLEEP HABITS ARE BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH AND HOW WELL YOU WORK. LET’S UP THOSE ZZZS…
SOME TIME IN the 1980s, TV personality Claudia Winkleman’s mother – the journalist Eve Pollard – had lunch with a brain surgeon. Their advice? To let her children sleep as long as possible, saying: ‘It’s the best life insurance policy we have. The brain grows and the body fixes itself while at rest.’ Claudia writes in Quite, her 2020 essay collection, that her mother was so impressed by this wisdom that she never made her get up at the weekend again.
Lie-ins may rarely be part of a hairdresser’s average week, but awareness of how insufficient sleep harms your health is improving. Indeed, Ariana Huffington’s Thrive Global firm tries to scare sense into us with research. One study shows that if you’ve been up for 17 to 19 hours – which is normal for many of us – you have the cognitive impairment equivalent of a 0.05 per cent blood alcohol level. That’s on a par with being legally too drunk to drive, and the impairment increases the longer you’re awake. Creativity and performance are also affected by sleep deprivation. In short, part of being a good manager or hairdresser is getting enough shut-eye to cope.
“Almost everything adults do affects sleep,” says sleep expert Lucy Wolfe. In the bedroom, she advises creating a calm, clean and dark place to sleep, and choosing bedding and sleepwear that is comfortable and breathable. “You need to establish the earliest time that you must be awake during the week and commit to getting up at that time every day until your sleeping patterns are more regulated.”
Her advice is to avoid the snooze button and allow 90 minutes
before you have to leave the house. Welcome in some natural light when you wake up. Stop consuming caffeine after 2.30pm and try to eat at set times. She also suggests a GP check-up to rule out any underlying, sleep-disruptive health issues.
And don’t stress if your partner’s sleep habits differ from your own. “It’s very common to be attracted to a night owl when you’re an early bird,” says mindfulness teacher and sleep therapist Jean O’Hanlon. “We’ve evolved to support one another, and it’s natural to want someone who is going to keep watch and take care of children as you sleep.” She recommends purchasing a king-sized bed frame and separate duvets, or reaching for sleep masks and ear plugs.
She also suggests salon owners allow time for meditating as a team during the day to increase the impact of the practice. “The salon is an extremely stimulating environment and it’s common to enter a ‘tired but wired’, state that makes it hard to wind down in the evening. Allowing just 20 to 30 minutes of group meditation a day does a lot to calm the mind. I recommend learning how on a mindfulness course with an accredited teacher. Once you master your mind you can help your sleep, your creativity… so much falls into place.”
Of course, life does get in the way even when we make sensible choices. “Stress and anxiety make up more than 40 per cent of sleep issues, in my experience,” adds Lucy Wolfe. “Unwanted thoughts increase adrenaline, making going and/or returning to sleep challenging. Counselling or simply writing your worries down may help.”
