NEWS

UK wellness industry soars to £171 billion, with beauty worth £28.5bn

The global wellness economy is projected to increase to a value of £6.7 trillion by 2027, an 8.6% compound annual growth rate.

The new Global Wellness Economy: United Kingdom report by the Global Wellness Institute ranks the UK as the fifth-largest wellness economy in the world, and secondlargest in Europe, reaching US$223.8 billion (£171 bn) in 2022.

All sectors have recovered well, following a pandemic dip, reaching and surpassing figures from 2019.

UK wellness by sector

• Physical activity: US$50.4 billion (£38.5 billion)

• Public health, prevention and personalised medicine: $44.87 bn (£34.3bn)

• Personal care and beauty: $37.35bn (£28.56bn)

• Healthy eating, nutrition and weight loss: $36.35bn (£27.79bn)

• Wellness real estate: $23.37bn (£17.87bn)

• Wellness tourism: $15.62bn (£11.94bn)

• Traditional and complementary medicine: $7.6bn (£5.8bn)

• Mental wellness: $3.81bn (£2.9bn)

• Spas: $3.2bn (£2.4bn)

• Workplace wellness: $2.72bn (£2.1bn)

• Thermal and mineral springs: $50 million (£38.2m) The beauty and personal care sector was named the third largest in the UK’s wellness economy, just behind physical activity and public health, valued at US$37.35bn (£28.56 bn), and growing at a rate of 4.7%.

Meanwhile, the spa industry has bounced back, with a significant revenue increase from $2.11 billion (£1.62bn) in 2020 to $3.20 billion (£2.4bn) in 2022.

The number of spas in the UK has also increased, with 3,797 open in 2022, compared to 2019’s 3,783.

Wellness tourism also saw huge growth, in both domestic and inbound trips, with an average spend of US$661 (£505) per trip.

Industry calls for urgent regulation following first UK death from liquid BBL

Beauty and aesthetics professionals are calling on the Government to accelerate plans for industry regulation following the death of a British woman after a non-surgical Brazilian butt lift (BBL) procedure.

Alice Webb, a mother of five, died on September 24 following complications from a “liquid Brazilian butt lift” (BBL), which involves injecting large quantities of hyaluronic acid into the buttocks.

Although the liquid BBL is often promoted as a safer alternative to a surgical BBL, risks are still high. Dermal fillers injected in large quantities pose health risks such as blood clots, sepsis, and tissue death.

The incident led to the release in October of a new guidance document from the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP).

Created in in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and the British Beauty Council, the document is specifically aimed at supporting local authority environmental health officers in addressing the risks associated with buttock augmentation and other body contouring procedures.

Commenting on the death, Lesley Blair, chair of Babtac and Cibtac said, “It demonstrates how imperative it is to have legal oversight in the industry, to avoid tragedies like this from happening. We are currently still awaiting feedback on the consultation we took part in with government for the impending licensing scheme.”

Michael Saul, partner at Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors, said the BBL is one of the most dangerous cosmetic procedures available in the UK. He added, “Despite this, BBLs are still on the rise, fuelled by unrealistic body standards.”

Beauty salons see 9% growth in numbers in five years, despite challenges

Beauty salons have seen a 9% growth in numbers over the last five years, with nail salon numbers growing by 8%.

The latest report from the National Hair and Beauty Federation (NHBF) is based on figures provided by analyst the Local Data Company. It highlights continued growth in the beauty and nails sector, with 1,680 new nail salons opening alongside 4,490 new beauty businesses.

These sectors have remained resilient, particularly in high street and out-oftown locations, where both categories continue to thrive.

With independents making up 99% of the sector, these figures demonstrate the resilience and passion of small business owners within the beauty industry However, there were some challenges reported. Beauty salons saw the largest decline in five-year survival rates, with only 54.4% of businesses reaching this milestone.

Clarins Beauty Studio was the fastest-growing brand in the beauty salon category during this period, while laser clinic group Therapie has made significant strides, increasing its footprint by 457% since 2019. Nail salon brand Townhouse also significantly expanded to 28 locations across the UK.

Caroline Larissey, chief executive of the NHBF, said, “Despite an unbelievably challenging context our sector is growing, and it’s great to see this success. However, it’s sad to see that only just over half of businesses are making it past the five year mark.”

SS25 beauty trends to include new twists on colour pop and clean-girl looks

London Fashion Week SS25 showcased experimental beauty looks that will set the tone for the season ahead. Here are three of the key trends to watch.

Dirty-clean: Clean girl makeup has maintained its popularity since its inception in 2022, but with the residual influence of “Brat summer”, London Fashion Week saw a slightly messier natural look take centre stage.

The 16Arlington show, supported by CND, for example, used natural make-up and high-shine, nude toned nails. Standout shades were Sweet Cider, a warm caramel, and pale pink Gala Girl.

Making it pop: Pops of colour were trending in the catwalk fashion looks, and the could also been seen in makeup.

Apujan used red accents on the lips, but also graphic red eye looks to elevate the otherwise natural makeup.

Meanwhile, Chopova Lowena used bright colours on the lips and eyes to complement its streetwear, and extra-long individual lashes in red and green.

Smoke and mirrors: A smoky eye never goes out of style, and London Fashion Week showed several twists on the classic, such as at Jayne Pierson, which used an angular blend to add a witchy vibe to the show.

20th Nailympia celebrates international nail talent

The 20th Nailympia London took place at Salon Beauty on October 13–14, 2024, wrapping up an outstanding year of competitions for the global nail sector.

The London contest featured 10 categories that could be entered online, and nine that took place in the Salon Beauty arena. Across these 19 categories, 165 competitors from 32 countries took 544 competition seats. This year, Olena Oezman from Italy was admitted into the Nailympia Hall of Fame, after winning the Global Cup for a third time.

Mui Tran took home the trophy for Top UK Nail Tech as well as winning the Art Winner of Winners and Perfect Match Division 1.

Other UK winners included Loi Van Nguyen, who won Art of Nails Division 3; Laura Pote, who won Poster Pedicure Division 2; and Katalin Dobo, who won Division 2 of both Salon Nails and Stiletto Nails.

Also from the UK, Mino Vo who won Division 3 in both Reality Nails and The Joy of Nails; and Tuyet Luong came first in UV Gel Tip & Overlay Division 2. See the full list of winners at professionalbeauty.co.uk/nailympia24

National Massage Championship reveals 2024 winners

The National Massage Championship (NMC) 2024 brought together massage therapists from around the world to compete at Salon Beauty 2024 at Excel London.

Over two days, competitors demonstrated their expertise across seven categories including Facial Massage, Chair Massage and Swedish/Deep Tissue.

The winners were: 2024 Judges Excellence Award: May Au, Advanced/Medical: Nikki Hofford; Swedish/Deep Tissue: Andreea Dumitrescu; Freestyle: Csenge Kerekes; Spa/Wellness: Julien Wadoux; Eastern: May Au; Chair Massage: Anton Ange; and Facial Massage: Vanessa Nipapan Nimitwiphawong.

NMC co-organiser Kate Tora said, “Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to announce we will be expanding the event further, with new categories, more educational platforms and stage talks to enhance learning opportunities.” To view the full list including those who placed second and third, visit professionalbeauty.co.uk/nmc24

New chief executive for aesthetics company Sinclair

Sinclair has appointed Amber Edwards as its new chief executive.

With more than 25 years of experience in the health and wellness industry, Edwards has held senior roles including global head of Alastin Skincare, and VP of international strategic marketing at Allergan.

Sinclair chairman Chengwei Liu said, “Amber’s extensive experience in both start-ups and large corporations, combined with her customer-centric approach and executional excellence, make her the perfect choice to lead Sinclair.”

Guinot collaborates with Hayley Snishko to deliver business training

Massage specialist and Professional Beauty’s Therapist of the Year 2024 Hayley Snishko has announced a collaboration with skincare brand Guinot to deliver training.

She will be delivering The Therapeutic Connection to Guinot franchises across the UK and Ireland, helping therapists to develop an understanding of what mental health is and how they can assist clients with their mental wellbeing.

The course is Babtac accredited, and will cover mental health, hierarchy of needs, massage, case studies, vicarious trauma and self care.

Commenting on the collaboration, Snishko said, “As an industry, we are in a strong position to help those people who are struggling through ease of the physical symptoms. In order to create change and for us as an industry to push ourselves forward as a support for those struggling, education must come first.”

The Gel Bottle opens full-service spa in Brighton

Daisy Kalnina, founder of The Gel Bottle nail brand, has opened TGB Spa, a fullservice spa in Brighton.

The treatment menu includes mani-pedi treatments, massage, facials, lashes, lymphatic drainage, laser treatments and microneedling.

The signature facials use products from Grown Alchemist, with protocols aimed at tackling signs of ageing, pollution, dull skin and pre-event sculpting.

Meanwhile, the massage menu uses Espa and features six body treatments, including a Swedish massage, salt and oil scrub, and pre-natal massage.

The spa, which is on Brighton’s West Street, also has a hair studio led by stylist and colour specialist Luke Tyrrell, and a bar with cocktails, coffees and juices.

Kalnina said, “From the custom mani-pedi chairs all the way to the mood lighting and special materials – each and every detail has been taken into consideration.” TGB Spa is part of DKollection, Kalnina’s travel and interiors business which includes locations in Brighton, Tulum and Dubrovnik.

Scrummi launches subscription service

Biodegradable salon supplies brand Scrummi has launched a subscription service, designed to streamline operations and keep salons stocked with its products. The service can be tailored, allowing salons to schedule deliveries to suit the business’s needs. The service will also offer discounts to subscribers.

Salons can sign up to the two-step process online. First, they choose the products they would like regularly delivered from Scrummi’s range of disposable towels and eco-friendly products, before deciding how often they would like a delivery. Scheduling can be paused, edited or cancelled at any time.