News

Move to Meet Diversity Needs

Afro and textured hair have now been included into one cutting and styling practice standard for all hair types in the recent review of the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for hairdressing.

Many current qualifications have no compulsory requirement for students studying hairdressing to be educated on cutting and styling Afro and textured hair. Many in the industry believe this leaves a significant gap in professional knowledge and hairdressing services, leaving this demographic largely uncatered for.

The new National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Hairdressing published in June now “meet the needs of the UK’s diverse community in one standard”.

Commenting on the new standards, Helena Grzesk, Chief Operating Officer at The British Beauty Council, which has been instrumental in pushing for the change, said: “Our aim is to amplify and celebrate the voices of all the communities the industry serves to ensure each and every one of us feels seen, heard, valued and excited to engage with the beauty industry. We are naturally delighted that the new standards have now been approved.”

The Hair & Beauty Charity has launched its first #supportyourfuture college fundraising week aimed at hair and beauty colleges to raise awareness of the charity amongst the next generation of industry professionals — plus raise much needed funds for the industry’s official charity.

Once registered, each college will be emailed a #supportyourfuture fundraising pack, full of ideas and advice to help colleges find a suitable fundraising event, together with an event poster and sponsorship form. Colleges are then encouraged to work together with their lecturers and students to raise funds during the week of October 18 – 22.

To kickstart the fundraising initiative, the first 25 colleges to register for #supportyourfuture campaign will receive a prize of a luxury travel pack (RRP £49.95) donated by one of the charity’s sponsors, Alan Howard, that can then be raffled to help raise funds.

LATEST

Face-to-face Education Returns for PROJECT: Men Team

After a year of Zoom calls and online mentoring, the PROJECT: Men team were recently treated to a live, face-to-face education session with London barber Matt Gavin.

Matt, who is senior stylist at Manifesto, in Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross, held a practical creative session for the team, delving into different ways to think about men’s hair and ways to be creative.

“I wanted to open their minds to a different way of thinking towards their approach to a haircut and not just doing it as a haircut, but being able to manipulate it and change it into something more editorial as well,” said Matt.

Team member Tammy Reynolds, said: “It’s always great to hear someone’s take on education and creativity. Even though we all do hair we are so unique in the way we approach the creative process especially in how we research and the outside things we look at for inspiration.”

Hair and Beauty Charity Launches College Campaign

To register for #supportyourfuture college fundraising campaign visit www.hairandbeautycharity.org/supportyourfuture

Access to Total Texture

Total Texture is a new and free L’Oréal Access online training course, created in collaboration with Industry leader and three-time British Hairdressing Afro Hairdresser of the Year winner, Charlotte Mensah.

Total Texture is a 45-minute introductory online course, comprising 13 short videos, designed to equip hair professionals with a foundational understanding on how to nourish and nurture hair of all textures.

“To be a great hairdresser it is so important to know how to work with every hair type so that anyone who walks through your door can be welcomed,” said Charlotte.

Sally Brooks Honoured at Australian Hair Industry Awards

British Hairdresser of the Year Sally Brooks has been named International Hairdresser of the Year at the Australian Hair Industry Awards.

The category, which was introduced to the awards this year, was part of the live event held at The Star in Sydney and live streamed across the world.

Said Sally: “I was delighted to receive this recognition from Australian peers and judges. It was lovely to see a live event that reminds us all in the UK what the energy of a room of hairy creatives feels like.”

let's get social

empowered by instagram

Top stylist Ashleigh Hodges talks about the empowering effect Instagram has had on her career.

“If it wasn’t for Instagram, I wouldn’t have the career I have today. I started my career in a small town in Northamptonshire - not a big city or a big brand. Thanks to Instagram I was able to connect with the industry and show off my work. I use it, even today, for self-promotion and networking. I’m an introvert and can be very awkward in person with new people, but online you can connect with people while in a comfortable environment at home, so it’s easier to ask advice and talk to new people especially those you admire.

Hairdressers are visual people, so for me Instagram is my go-to social media app. Now Instagram also allows you to save images to boards. I use this feature for a lot of my inspiration for both work and personal use.

Instagram is a way for me to see what is happening in the world. I use it for everything — it’s grown from it being about PR to so much more. I follow pages that I want to learn from, especially outside of our industry, from fashion to politics. I know an Instagram tile, reel or video is easy for me to digest so it’s a great way to learn something new, and save it to go back to later as well.

My top insta-tips are:

1Always be yourself. People will want to connect and follow you because of your personality and work, don’t try to mimic anyone else.

2Follow accounts that inspire you and teach you something new across multiple industries, from fashion to food.

3Give everything a go, try making reels, lives and different forms of content until you’re happy —then mix it up again.

@ashleigh_hodges_hair