News

Personal Care finally recognised by UK Government as a specific sector

After months of campaigns, Personal Care has been recognised by Government as a specific sector, meaning beauty, spa and hair will no longer be lumped in with retail, hospitality or other sectors when Government decisions are made.

A campaign by industry bodies including the British Beauty Council, UK Spa Association, the National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF), Hair & Barber Council, and British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (Babtac) led to the Government granting a new sector-specific team to support Personal Care.

These organisations worked closely with the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to overcome the challenges that coronavirusrelated closures have brought in the past year and to highlight the size of the sector.

The British Beauty Council (BBCo) described the creation of this new dedicated sector team for beauty and hair as “a major milestone”.

Its positive implications are likely to include improved understanding by Government, and others outside the industry, of the intricacies and economic power of the beauty sector, hopefully paving the way for future financial support.

British Beauty Council chief executive Millie Kendall MBE said: “This cements one of the key goals of the British Beauty Council...to have the industry recognised at Government level.”

NHBF chief executive Richard Lambert added: “We are delighted that BEIS is giving the sector the recognition it deserves. Our work now continues to secure urgent [financial] support.”

Helena Grzesk, former general manager of the UK Spa Association [now at BBCo] described the move as “a monumental moment for the industry.” Babtac and Cibtac chair Lesley Blair said: “As one of the largest contributors to the UK Economy, our sector deserves to have a strong dedicated voice in Government.”

Brits forecasted to spend £ 31 billion on beauty and aesthetic treatments in 2021

UK consumers are forecasted to spend an incredible £31 billion on beauty treatments in 2021 once lockdown is over, discovered teeth alignment brand Smile Direct Club.

Almost half (45%) want treatments to boost their confidence, with many saying they want to look better on video calls (10%) and on social media (11%).

Clients are set to spend around £1,515 each on treatments this year, the report suggests, with 47% of people wanting to invest in weightloss, 47% in teeth whitening, and 22% in various anti-ageing treatments, the report found.

Men are more concerned about improving their looks for virtual meetings than women, with 15% wanting to look better on video calls versus 7% of women.

Eight beauty, aesthetic and wellness treatments that will be popular in 2021: 

1. Weight loss/keeping fit (47%) 

2. Teeth whitening (47%) 

3. Teeth alignment (26%) 

4. Anti-ageing treatments (22%) 

5. Breast enlargement (11%) 

6. Hair transplant (11%) 

7. Liposuction (10%) 

8. Nose job/reshaping (8%).

This research was collected by 4Media on behalf of Smile Direct Club, with 2,000 respondents aged 18 or over across the UK.

Brow lamination named most popular beauty trend on TikTok

“Laminated eyebrows” is the most searched-for beauty trend on social media platform TikTok, with an average engagement per post of 9,5049, a report by tanning brand Tanologist found. 

There are 1,655 videos of brow lamination on the platform, with the collective views for these at 157.3 million, showing how popular the look is. 

“Pore strips” is the beauty trend with the next highest engagement, followed by other popular search terms such as fox eye make-up, fake freckles and nose contouring, the report found.

“Blemish stickers” is the beauty treatment that has fallen out of favour with users the most, with an average engagement per post of only 1,236, discovered the data. There are only six videos of the trend, which have just 7,416 views collectively.

Save Our Salons campaign launches to call for VAT cut to 5%

Hellen Ward and a group of fellow salon owners have launched the Save Our Salons campaign, calling for an urgent reduction in the VAT rate for salons, spas and other personal care businesses.

The group is asking anyone working in the beauty, spa or hair industry to urgently write to their local MP, explaining the personal effect the coronavirus lockdowns and restrictions have had on their businesses and asking them to push for a cut in the VAT rate from 20% to 5%, in line with the reduction given to hospitality.

The new SaveOurSalons.co.uk website provides a template letter to download and personalise but Ward stresses it is imperative that salon owners do share their personal circumstances with their MP in the letter rather than simply forwarding it. Read more about the campaign in Ward’s column on page 34.

inbrief

// VTCT has appointed Jenny Sworder and Isabel Sucliffe as its new chair and vice-chair. Together they bring extensive knowledge of the beauty industry, qualifications and business. “I’m delighted to take forward the great work that Chris Laws has done for VTCT,” said Sworder.

// Beauty and hairdressing businesses were among the top 10 most popular start-ups since coronavirus began. The research from Capital on Tap, found that more than 6,000 new registrations of beauty and hairdressing business had been made since March 23.

// Brand management and distribution company French Beauty Expert has appointed Jayne Austin as business development manager to strengthen the presence of French brands Phyt’s, Durance and Matis Paris in the UK. Keeley Goodwin has been appointed regional business manager to oversee accounts in the UK and Ireland.

// London’s beauty industry began losing £16 million per week with the introduction of tier 4 and then lockdown, according to figures from the National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF). Chief executive Richard Lambert called for “urgent financial assistance from Government”.

// Callum Jackson, director of wellness brand FitSpace, has predicted five fitness trends of 2021: large classes will give way to micro-group training; hybrid online training – a mix of live and pre-recorded – will rise in popularity; corporate wellbeing will focus on exercise; and we’ll see more emphasis on personalised coaching and mental health.

inbrief

// The E.A.T.O.W (Embracing All Tones of Women) Make-Up Artist of the Year Awards has launched to raise the profile of women of colour working in make-up. The awards will be assignmentbased to “create a level playing field,” said founder Eryca Freemantle. Winners will be crowned in June.

// The Gel Bottle Inc hosted its first ever award ceremony, virtually, on December 2. Educator of the Year went to Eva Krzo, Brand Ambassador of the Year was Uma Bárbara, and Abigail Ellwood scooped Nail Art Specialist of the Year. The title of Salon of the Year was awarded to OMY Nails and Nail Tech of the Year went to Anna Hughes.

// Manchester, Liverpool and London are the UK’s fittest cities during Covid-19, according to research by tech retailer Currys. The report found that Mancunians exercise 2.54 times per week, with 41% training three to six times. Liverpool’s citizens train 2.53 times and Londoners 2.5 times a week.

// The Irish spa industry has been deemed “highly capable” of trading during Covid-19, in a report by The Irish Spa Association. 100% of respondents were compliant with PPE measures and none of the surveyed facilities experienced confirmed outbreaks within the salon or spa setting.

// Gharieni is undertaking a study on its SpaWave and Quartz table treatment beds and their impact on the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which is responsible for regulating digestion, heart rate and respiratory rate. Initial results show the beds had a positive impact on ANS and an anti-inflammatory effect.

Searches for “self-care” soar 250% during Covid-19 pandemic

Google searches for “self-care routine” have risen 250% since the first coronavirus lockdown in March 2020 – reaching their highest levels since 2004. Searches for the term “anxiety” also reached their highest levels in 16 years on Google.

Among the wellness trends growing in popularity during Covid-19, found by natural health remedies retailer The Drug Store, improving skin quality, boosting immunity and ways to aid mental health were among the most searched-for, the report found.

There was a 2,600% increase in searches for “How does vitamin C help your body?” in 2020, which is no surprise as it has immune-boosting properties, as well as a 140% rise in searches for hyperpigmentation, during the same period, which the vitamin is also known to help reduce the appearance of, the self-care report found.

As people seek out tools and resources to aid their mental health during the pandemic, searches for “CBD drops for anxiety” increased by 2,750% in 2020. The Drug Store has also recorded a 200% rise in CBD product sales year-on-year.

Yvonne Ebdon named GM at UKSA as Helena Grzesk joins British Beauty Council

Yvonne Ebdon (left) has joined the UK Spa Association (UKSA) as general manager, and Helena Grzesk (right) has stepped down after four years in the role to join the British Beauty Council (BBCo).

Ebdon, a long-standing UKSA board member who has more than 20 years’ experience in hospitality and spa, will work alongside chairman Adam Chatterley to support UKSA members and raise the profile of spa and wellness.

“I look forward to supporting you all in your businesses and continuing to raise the profile of the sector,” she said.

Grzesk stepped down from the role because she is joining BBCo as its chief operating officer, working to strengthen the voice of the wider beauty industry.

She said: “I believe that we can inspire change and successfully steer the future trajectory, reputation and recognition of the sector.”

inbrief

// Pop-ups and spelling errors are the biggest red flags that lead customers away from business websites, found AddictiveTips.com. 80% of people surveyed wouldn’t make an online purchase if a business’s website overused pop-ups, while 76% would leave a website with obvious spelling and grammar issues.

// Aesthetic device manufacturer Lynton has named Dr Ahmed El Houssieny as a brand ambassador. Dr El Houssieny will provide promotional, educational and support materials around the Lynton Lumina device. Lynton has also promoted Steven Newell to export manager to oversee the expansion of the Lynton portfolio globally.

// Lancashire-based Stanley House Hotel is set to expand its spa and wellness facilities as part of a £20 million development. The owner of Stanley House, Monte Leisure, has also revealed plans to create 70 more bedrooms, build a banqueting hall for events, and extend the hotel entrance and restaurant.

// New beauty and wellness booking app Your Fleek is offering salons and beauty professionals free subscriptions in 2021. Pros can upload their portfolio to showcase their artistry, add direct links to their social media and set their daily availability.

// Seaham Hall, Durham, has supported several deserving local causes this winter. Volunteers have made cream teas for Ascot Care Home residents and staff, and supported the Hartlepool branch of Mind with bake sales. Seaham Hall is also supporting its local branch of Cash for Kids.

10–18 year olds spend £709m on toiletries and cosmetics per year

Annual spend on toiletries and cosmetics by UK children aged 10–18 has reached a huge £709 million, according to data from analyst The Insights People’s new Kids Insights Global Health & Beauty Report.

Vegan health and beauty is a key driver, with the data showing that animal cruelty is one of the leading concerns for children across all age groups, and not just in the UK, but globally.

The report highlighted a shift from the use of chemical-based beauty products towards cruelty-free and plant-based options across categories from make-up to deodorants.

As beauty and mental health conversations continue to merge, it’s no surprise that mental health is one of the biggest concerns for 20% of children in the UK, the report found. Teen girls in the UK who say make-up is their favourite hobby are 49% less likely than average to feel confident “all the time”, and 32% more likely to cite mental health as their top concern.

This indicates an opportunity for beauty brands to develop more initiatives to boost the mental health of their young consumers.

22 top salon owners launch book to inspire aspiring beauty pros

Consultant Susan Routledge has worked with 21 salon owners to create Beauty & The Best – a book which showcases the exciting opportunities available to those who work in the beauty industry.

Available on Amazon Kindle and soon to be printed as a paperback, the book sees 22 leaders share their experiences and challenges of working within the sector to help those who dream of being successful in beauty.

The book includes stories from Routledge, along with Sarah Atkinson, Jane Barker, Lesley Blair, Verity Davies, Sandra Fludgate, Sarah Hurst, Brenda Kingswood, Maria Mason, Susan Over, Jill Yvette Painter, Katt Philipps, Clare Reed, Azra Riaz, Stefania Rossi, Joan Scott, Sara Shoemark, Dawn Stanley, Anita Stubbings, Susanne Webb, Catherine Whelan and Marta Zaczkowska.

“I feel privileged to be able to bring together this book, highlighting the amazing opportunities this great industry has to offer by showcasing the highs, lows and fantastic stories behind amazing industry leaders,” said Routledge.

Celluma partners with Wynard Aesthetics for online Light Therapy Certification programme

LED light therapy device manufacturer Celluma has joined up with Wynyard Aesthetics Academy to offer an online Light Therapy Certification programme.

Taught by independent nurse prescriber Pam Cushing, the course is titled The Science Behind Light Therapy and its Clinical Application and is split into three segments – The Science, The Clinical Application and a Q&A. The first course ran on January 18, and there are two more dates to come: February 15 and March 15. There is availability for 10 delegates on each date.

Delegates who complete all three segments of the course will receive an accredited Certificate of Attendance with CPD points from Wynyard Aesthetics. The online Light Therapy Certification programme is £30 per delegate.

There will be an opportunity to be assessed for a Level 4 Principles and Practice of LED Light Therapy course at a later date for delegates who complete the online programme.

Lynton launches classes in skin rejuvenation, body sculpting and Fungal Nail, Warts and Verrucas

Aesthetic equipment manufacturer Lynton has launched three new masterclasses – Skin Rejuvenation, Body Sculpting, and Fungal Nail, Warts and Verrucas – to help therapists meet client demand as interest in these treatments grows.

Designed for beginners and those who already have experience in performing Laser and IPL treatments, the Skin Rejuvenation class offers a detailed insight into areas such as ageing skin and vascular and pigmented lesions; while Body Sculpting covers skin tightening, cellulite reduction and fat loss. The topic of fungal nails, warts and verrucas is covered during the final masterclass.

Dr Samantha Hills, who runs the courses, said: “We cater for a range of needs, including complementing existing training. Attendees will also have the ability to apply their knowledge to any machine.” The classes will be held at the Lynton Training Centre in Crewe.

CND crowns Liza Smith its Education Ambassador of the Year 2020 in the EMEA region

UK CND education ambassador Liza Smith (pictured) was crowned CND’s Education Ambassador of the Year 2020 in the EMEA region – voted for by CND distributors from Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Having started her CND journey in 2002, Smith has remained at the forefront of the nails industry, working at international Fashion Weeks and teaching the next generation of techs. Over the past year, she has helped pros stay focused during the Covid-19 pandemic by hosting engaging lives on social media.

“Liza’s modern and innovative approach is must-have in the current climate. She is an exceptional role model…and is not afraid of any challenges that come her way,” said Nataliya Al-Ta’ai, CND education manager for Europe, Middle East & Africa.

diarydates

// February 28–March 2 Professional Beauty World Online 

The online event returns with conferences spanning beauty, hair, spa and aesthetics, plus a host of demos and special offers. 

020 7351 0536 

professionalbeauty.world

// June 13–14, 2021 Professional Beauty Business ExCeL London 

The new targeted, invitation-only business event for salon and spa owners. 

020 7351 0536 

professionalbeauty.co.uk/business

// July 11–13, 2021 Spa Life UK Convention Wyboston Lakes Resort, Bedfordshire 

The convention will deliver activities to help spa pros grow their businesses. 

01268 745892 

spa-life.co.uk

// September 26–27, 2021 Professional Beauty North Manchester Central 

The largest beauty exhibition in the North is back with hot launches and education. 

020 7351 0536 

professionalbeauty.co.uk/north

// October 17–18, 2021 Professional Beauty London ExCeL London 

The flagship show from the PB Group will return this year, running alongside major hair event Salon International. There will be conferences for beauty, spa, manufacturing and more. 

020 7351 0536 

professionalbeauty.co.uk/ london

// November 7–8, 2021 Professional Beauty & HJ Live Ireland CityWest Dublin 

Join Ireland’s biggest beauty, hair and spa trade show. 

020 7351 0536 

professionalbeauty.ie

Pro brands launch new tools to help businesses upskill during lockdown 3

As coronavirus continues to take its toll on the industry, having access to advice on how to make it through these uncertain times has never been more important.

In January, the Professional Beauty Group launched PB Upskills – a daily programme of free education to help beauty and spa professionals use the Covid-19 lockdown to upskill, so they can reopen their businesses strong and ready.

As part of the ongoing PB Upskills series, we’re highlighting the training and support professional brands are offering to beauty businesses.

Fresh Education

Aromatherapy brand Eve Taylor is educating beauty professionals on a selection of essential business skills and practical techniques through its syllabus of online content, which covers face and body treatment techniques and retailing strategies.

Guinot has introduced Salon Surgery Sessions for its franchise network and PhD candidates along with Monday Motivation webinars to help them refocus their minds and set new goals for the week.

Mesoestetic has rolled out online training for aesthetic and medical courses, including webinars on skin preparation, mixology protocols, consultation techniques and homecare solutions.

Offering a formal qualification at a discounted price, Celluma Light Therapy has created The Science Behind Light Therapy and Clinical Application course. Meanwhile, Lynton is offering a 50% discount on its new masterclasses (see page 20 for information on both).

Tracey Smith, director of waxing brand Ashmira Botanica, has introduced free Zoom sessions for any pros looking for waxing, beauty and business advice; while Pure Nails is providing virtual workshops on its Instagram page every Wednesday. Run by head of education Tina Bell, the workshops provide advice on topics such as acrylic application and nail art techniques.

Glo Boutique Academy is offering free, accredited online training for henna brows, brow lamination and lash lifts, while Image Skincare has launched the Image Business University, providing the resources salon and spa owners need to ensure sustainable business success. Topics covered include leadership skills, profitability, and staff recruitment and retention.

Cash flow support

3D-Lipo is continuing its 3D Business Stimulation Initiative, which allows salons to launch new services at a discounted price. The brand has also introduced its Smart Buy Scheme, designed to boost salon profits through free promo materials and Facebook marketing advice with expert Kris Trinity.

CACI aims to help businesses return to profit post-lockdown through its extended Lockdown Bounce Back Offer, allowing salons to introduce the Synergy system while paying nothing for the first six months of use.

Check out upcoming PB Upskills education at professionalbeauty.co.uk/site/pbupskills