5 mins
IN THE KNOW
Hair & barbering T Level dropped
The Hairdressing, Barbering and Beauty Therapy T Level has been dropped, and there are no plans to pursue a hair or barbering specialism in future T Levels, the government has confirmed.
The decision followed feedback from employers who have consistently argued that the best route for learners is through existing apprenticeships. It also means that, from September, there will be no T Level Foundation Year for the hair and beauty route. However, the government will explore introducing a T Level focusing on the beauty sector, to be introduced after 2025.
The NHBF has been informed that while there will be a development in technical qualifications against relevant hairdressing standards at Level 3, this area will not be reformed until at least 2027. In the meantime, the Department for Education will continue to fund existing qualifications.
Government is working with employers via the Hair Professional Apprenticeship Steering group to review the Level 3 Advanced and Creative Hair Professional Occupational Standard and apprenticeship.
SEE IT!
The Cult of Beauty
THIS FREE EXHIBITION at London’s Wellcome Collection explores notions of beauty across time and cultures. Featuring more than 200 items, including historical objects, artworks, films and new commissions, the exhibition considers the influence of morality, status, health, age, race and gender on the evolution of ideas about beauty. Ends 28 April; wellcomecollection.org
HANDY HELPER
In an industry that is 87 per cent female, menopause symptoms can have a real impact on salon life. That’s where The Mellow Patch Company might be able to offer some assistance, with its Meno Relief patches. Each patch works for 24 hours, and contains a blend of ingredients designed to provide a little relief from symptoms that can dampen your day. £15.99 for 18 patches; themellowpatchcompany.com
Everybody’s talking about…
THE MOST WANTED AND IT LIST AWARDS
Creative HEAD’s search for unique, inspirational British and Irish hairdressing talent is back! The Most Wanted and It List awards span creativity, business, sustainability, service, innovation and more – with categories suiting employed, selfemployed and freelance hair professionals from all corners of the industry. This is about more than just an award; both competitions offer the opportunity to reflect on your whole career journey, celebrate your successes and take stock of your future. And winning unlocks doors! You’ve got until 13 May to enter – good luck! creativeheadmag. com/connect
BOOK IT!
Making the Cut
THIS COURSE FROM Avlon is designed to enhance your hair cutting skills for both natural texture and chemically treated Afro hair types. You’ll revisit the fundamentals and explore a range of cutting techniques, specifically tailored for Afrotextured or chemically treated hair. The focus is on adapting to different hair types, curl patterns and densities, ensuring each haircut is customised.
WHEN 22 to 23 April CONTACT 0121 522 2124 or info@avloneurope.co.uk
YAT team revealed
The 2024 Schwarzkopf Professional Young Artistic Team has been revealed! The lucky members are (pictured above, from left): Emma Thomber, Gypsy Rose Hair; Daniel Joy, Haug London Haus; Sophie Kinloch, Rainbow Room International; Max Andrea, Claxton Hair; Georgina Bradshaw, Hooker & Young; Corey Crosby, Kevin Kahan; and Olivia Brady, The Honey Comb.
NEW!
Wella ICONS is a subscription-based education platform from Wella Professionals, a cost-effective and practical way to learn the latest skills, techniques,and trends
Salonswin battle against insurer
More than 300 personal care businesses across the UK and Isle of Man will receive a pay out from the insurer Salon Gold over Covid-19 pandemic losses.
The win in the landmark case means Salon Gold insurance policies do cover losses suffered because of the closure and restrictions placed on businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic. The claims had been denied by Salon Gold for more than three years. This decision now also opens the door for similarly worded insurance policies which contain clauses relating to Public Emergency, Denial of Access, Public Authority Incident, Prevention of Access, and so on.
RLK Solicitors represented more than 300 policyholders against their insurance company, with the Hair & Barber Council’s Collette Osborne party to the arbitration. The arbitrator decided claimants’ Salon Gold policy did provide cover, and that cover was triggered by government action in response to the pandemic. The arbitrator also stated that the pandemic alone met the criteria of an emergency – in which circumstances the pandemic alone triggered cover under the policy. This means all Salon Gold policies should pay out without having to prove that there was Covid-19 in the vicinity of the premises.
CATCH-UP
Chris Doyle, owner of Instaco Hair in Belfast, has been revealed as a digital advocate and ambassador for ALFAPARF Milano Professional.
Cardiff salon O. Constantinou & Sons has been selected as an official provider and fitter of wigs for the NHS.
Jack Mead & Lydia Wolfe are now colour ambassadors for yuv, with Jack & the Wolfe the first salon worldwide to exclusively use yuv colour.
Daniel Couch is the new artistic director at Russell Eaton Salons.
Meet ASP Expert Haircare ELIXIR – the same formula and great performance but a fresh new name for the Infiniti line. You can create bespoke colour blending ELIXIR shades with ELIXIR Intensives, and the aluminium tube is made from 95 per cent PCR materials and is 100 per cent recyclable.
In-salon service
asphair.com
We’re heading to the coast with Davines and its hair art director, Tom Connell. He’s helped develop the new Dry Wax Finishing Spray from the More Inside line for effortless undone waves with natural definition.
RRP £22.25
uk.davines.com
Want up to 25 per cent quicker processing time, better lift and improved hair health? Then meet FASTFOILS, ultra-black coated foils with special thermal properties to get higher levels of lift and more effective colour deposit than regular foils.
Salon price from £13.70
fastfoils.uk
Women hate dull hair colour. Deliver shades that are three-times shinier with new Dia Color from L’Oréal Professionnel Paris, the demi-permanent made with up to 91 per cent natural origin ingredients and no ammonia.
In-salon service
lorealpartnershop.com/uk
Got a sweet tooth? Then you’ll love the Pink Lemonade shampoo and conditioner from milk_shake, with pigments to deliver a kiss of pink.
RRP from £19.99
milkshakehaircare.co.uk
It’s all about increased visibility, precision in compact spaces and comfortable handling with the 5 Star A•LIGN Trimmer from Wahl… and it has three hours of cordless power, too!
RRP £99.99 (exc. VAT)
wahl.co.uk
The revamped Chroma ID Colour Masks from Schwarzkopf Professional offer total colour flexibility, with super caring formulas boosted with integrated Bonding Technology that last 15 washes. You can also mix bespoke at-home treatments for clients, too!
In-salon service; at-home mask RRP £29.99
schwarzkopfpro.com