NEWS

45% of Brits would be happy to pay a fee to fast track their beauty or hair appointment as salons, spas and mobile businesses reopen after lockdown 3.0, according to research from supplier Capital Hair and Beauty.

Upwards of 5.2 million people said they would splash out an extra £20 on top of their usual salon fees to get booked in quicker with their beauty therapist or hairdresser, which would equate to an additional £105m being injected into the industry if this happened.

The beauty treatment people have been looking forward to the most is massage (17%), which could be, in part, because more than a third (36%) of respondents said they have experienced an increase in back pain in the months following the move to home working.

Also, it’s not surprising that Brits are excited to see a professional, when seven in 10 adults (72%) admitted they attempted a DIY beauty treatment or haircut during this most recent lockdown, the report found.

The beauty treatments Brits tried most at home included manicures and pedicures (8%), facials (6%), and back and neck massages (5%). Meanwhile, 58% of men gave themselves a DIY haircut, compared to 36% of women.

“It’s easy to see just how much the nation has missed both beauty and hair professionals –and we’re sure they’ve missed their clients too. It really has also brought home to many just how much we rely on them to help make us feel a more fabulous version of ourselves,” said Samantha Shamplina-Burkwood, marketing manager at Capital Hair and Beauty. However, a smaller percentage (11%) said that they are not ready to head back to salon just yet.

33% increase in people launching beauty and hair businesses during Covid-19

Coronavirus has prompted many aspiring entrepreneurs to start their own hair and beauty businesses, with 496 new hairdressing and beauty companies created by Brits on furlough during the pandemic and more than 1,100 business registrations made by those who had been made redundant during this time.

According to The Accountancy Partnership’s “Boom or Bust: Beginning a Business in a Pandemic” report, there has been a 33% increase in people starting hair and beauty businesses after being made redundant during Covid-19 and 14% of these business registrations – around 990 enterprises – were the result of a need for an extra source of income.

Although unemployment and money struggles played a significant part in the surge, almost half (46%) who started these businesses did so as they had always wanted to be self-employed or own their own company, the report found.

However, an ever-growing interest in side hustles also contributed to the boom, with 21% of pandemic-born hair and beauty businesses starting life this way, a 40% increase from 2019.

“Our research shows that many lockdown entrepreneurs saw creating their own business as their only option after being made redundant or facing other financial troubles, but the statistic of those fulfilling longer-term dreams of owning a business is hugely encouraging,” said Lee Murphy, managing director of The Accountancy Partnership.

Beauty and hair professionals have lost more than £11,000 in earnings during the Covid-19 pandemic

Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, beauty and hair professionals have lost on average £11,603 each in earnings and anticipate that Covid-19 will eventually cost them £12,801 in earnings in total, discovered a new report from Simply Business.

However, despite the challenges the pandemic has thrown at them, many believe that the industry will bounce back. An incredible 99% of beauty and hair professionals expect their business to survive past 2021.

Meanwhile, there are just as many hair and beauty pros planning to start a new business as there are who said they’ve permanently ceased trading (9% each).

Two thirds (66%) said the vaccine rollout has made them more confident about business recovery, while one in three (36%) also feel positive in general about life after coronavirus lockdown.

It’s not surprising to learn that more than half (62%) of beauty and hair professionals used the pandemic to spend more time with their family, while others have focused on taking care of themselves (35%), resting (34%) and learning new skills (20%).

Yoga is the UK’s most popular wellness retreat

Yoga is the most popular wellness retreat in the UK, found research from motorhome rental company Camptoo.

Online searches for yoga-based UK retreats soared 890% from January to April 2020, while searches for “meditation retreats” also rose.

Interest in “activity camps” close to home increased 928% last year and the search volume for “wellness retreats” soared by 81% from 2019–2020, the report found. This ties in with the steady interest in wellness retreats in general, with online searches for the term rising by 1,605% since 2015.

“The industry was booming prior to coronavirus lockdown last year and, despite being locked away, we can see that that enthusiasm has not dropped, and with everyone desperate to get out of their homes, it’s the perfect time to get out and explore the great British outdoors,” said Ed Bassett, Camptoo’s head of wanderlust.

79% of Brits support UK ban on sample sachets to reduce plastic waste in the beauty industry

Almost eight-in-ten Britons say plastic sample sachets should be banned in the UK, and more than four-in-five say the Government should not ignore their impact on plastic pollution.

These figures come from a poll of 2,000 over-18s in the UK, conducted by One Poll and commissioned by campaign group A Plastic Planet as part of its Sack the Sachet campaign.

Currently, there is no legislation in the UK or EU to tackle the environmental impact of plastic sachets, with the single-use plastics ban only covering plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds.

According to A Plastic Planet, the personal care industry produces 122 billion plastic sachets each year. Many are made from a laminated film comprised of plastic and aluminium, making them hard to recycle.

Hilary Benn, Labour MP for Leeds Central and former Secretary of State for the Environment, said: “We have bans in place curbing the use of plastic straws, cotton buds and stirrers, but this barely scratches the surface of the plastics crisis. It’s really important that the Government’s action doesn’t end here, and I hope that plastic sample sachets will be included in the ban.”

Shropshire and Powys have “best” UK tap water for skin health

Shropshire and Powys have the best-quality tap water for skin health in the UK, according to a new study by Homecare Plumbers, which analysed water quality across England and parts of Wales.

Both Shropshire and Powys have “soft” water and low nitrate levels, while most of the North West – Merseyside, Lancashire, Cumbria and Greater Manchester – were found to have the second-best water for skin and hair health, the data revealed.

However, the research showed that Essex has some of the hardest water in the UK – “very hard” – and one of the highest levels of turbidity at 0.25, putting it top of the board as the “worst” area for water quality for skin and hair health.

Beauty students to complete courses without close contact assessment due to coronavirus

The End Point Assessment process for beauty students and apprentices due to complete their course has changed to accommodate for the disruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A statement released by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfaTe) explained that the Hair and Beauty End Point Assessment is being updated to help beauty and hair apprentices who have experienced delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Apprentices and students will be able to complete their courses without having to carry out a close contact assessment until at least the end of August 2021.

IfaTe explained this short-term change is being made to provide additional flexibility due to Covid-19 with the aim of giving apprentices a fair chance to complete and continue with their career.

Nikki Christie, deputy director for apprenticeship assessment and quality, said: “These are extraordinary measures which we are taking to help clear blockages in the system and give more apprentices a fair opportunity to complete.”

The update follows a consultation with employers, end point assessment organisations and regulators, including representatives from the IfaTe’s route panel, Ofqual, the NHBF and the employer-led hair professional and beauty professional steering group.

The new arrangements will be monitored to ensure quality control and may also be extended beyond August 2021 if necessary.

46% of women over 40 are investing more in their skincare

Almost half (46%) of women over 40 said they have been investing more in their skincare and haircare during lockdown, according to a report from media company Future.

The report found that more than three quarters (78%) of women in this age group said that caring for their body and mind makes them feel happy. However, 38% of the 40-plus age group confessed that they don’t feel confident when it comes to buying cosmetics online, and that when they do, 58% research everything more carefully than when shopping in store.

Being eco-friendly is also important to UK women aged 40-plus, with 33% of this age group saying that cosmetic brands should become more sustainable and 25% stating these companies should help charities out more, the report found.

Kerry Evans named UK general manager as Elemis’s expansion plans continue

Elemis has expanded its senior team as part of its plan to become the numberone British premium skincare brand.

Kerry Evans (pictured above) has been appointed UK general manager, having previously held senior roles at Estée Lauder and La Mer. Evans will be responsible for driving the strategic brand vision and growing regional consumer experience and engagement on Elemis’s home soil, while Suzanne Pengelly (pictured below) has taken on the role of US general manager.

“Both Kerry and Suzanne have outstanding reputations within the beauty industry, with proven leadership track records. With their extensive experience, strategic approach to growth and passion for the industry, we’re delighted to have them on board,” said chief executive and co-founder Sean Harrington.

Meanwhile, Marc Gallagher has been promoted from senior vice president of global brand and digital, to chief brand and digital officer, based in New York.

Venus Concept signs Venus Williams as global brand ambassador

Venus Concept has announced tennis player Venus Williams, a four-time Olympic gold medallist and seven-time grand slam champion, as its global brand ambassador for non-invasive fat reduction device Venus Bliss.

“We consider [Williams] a perfect fit for Venus Concept,” said chief executive Dom Serafino. “Her excellent reputation as an athlete and person is consistent with our company goals and vision.

“We’re looking forward to building successful brand awareness campaigns with her and we’re confident that our customers and their clients will connect with her integrity and public image.”

Dr Gabriell Prinsloo appointed IIAA’s new medical director

Dr Gabriell Prinsloo has been appointed medical director at the International Institute for Anti-Ageing (IIAA), which is the distributor for brands Environ, Jane Iredale and Advanced Nutrition Programme (ANP).

Prinsloo will work alongside the IIAA team to empower beauty therapists to deliver results for clients, bringing medical knowledge and experience working in general practice to the company’s extensive education offer.

In addition to her medical degree, Prinsloo has a PhD in exercise science and stress management; has studied functional medicine, nutrition, psychology, meditation, sleep and other healing modalities; and is a yoga teacher and hypnotherapy expert.