NEWS

PB launches #SupportOurSalons campaign following the Autumn Budget

Professional Beauty Group has launched the #SupportOurSalons campaign, encouraging salon owners affected by the announcements made in the Autumn Budget to share their stories and join the call for support.

The campaign is dedicated to sharing your stories and supporting the wider industry push to encourage Government to offer relief measures that will help mitigate the increased costs created by the Autumn Budget.

Professional Beauty believes that the rise in employer’s National Insurance contributions from 13.8% to 15%, and the scaling back of the threshold from £9,100 to £5,000 will disproportionately hurt the salon sector.

New reports, including a study commissioned by the British Beauty Council (see below) suggest that some salons will be forced to close, while others will cut back staff and apprenticeships – which will have a long-term effect on our industry.

Many in the industry fear that the measures will drive business underground, with a move toward selfemployment contracts, which will have a negative effect on HMRC’s revenue.

To inform our campaign and support the movement, we’d love to hear how the Autumn Budget will affect you and your business, including any changes you have made or plan to make as a result of the budget announcements. Please fill in the quick form at professionalbeauty.co.uk/supportoursalons

We are also encouraging beauty professionals to write to their local MPs.

We have drafted a template letter which can be edited as you wish to reflect your own views and story, explaining how the measures will impact your business and even inviting them into your salon to experience just how good your services are.

The template letter to edit for this purpose can be downloaded at professionalbeauty.co.uk/supportoursalons

Beauty services industry to see £193 million rise in staff costs post Budget

Budget measures, including the National Minimum Wage increase and changes to the National Insurance thresholds and rates, mean the beauty services industry, including hairdressing and beauty therapy, will see a £190m rise in costs, according to a new study.

The report by Pragmatix Advisory, commissioned by the British Beauty Council, found the service sector will be hit harder than other areas of the beauty industry.

The beauty industry as a whole – including retail, hairdressing and beauty services, and wholesale manufacturing and selling of products – will see a 4.6% (£400m) increase in staff costs, which is the equivalent of almost 20,000 jobs, according to the report.

The second-hardest hit segment of the industry, after beauty services, will be beauty retail, which will see staff costs rise by £160m.

With over 70% of businesses in the industry being SMEs (employing fewer than five people), the sector will face unique challenges in the wake of these measures.

To mitigate these cost increases, industry bodies including the British Beauty Council and NHBF are calling for tax reform including a reassessment of VAT policy.

They are also calling for an evaluation of the unintended consequences such as lay-offs, employment freezes, forced self-employment, disguised employment and an increase in the underground economy as wholesale review of business rates.

The British Beauty Council said in a statement: “The beauty industry already has a growing movement towards self-employment, a fundamental issue with recruitment and a marked decrease in apprenticeships of over 70% – this will only exacerbate these challenges.”

71% of Gen Z buy skincare based on influencer recommendations, study finds

Nearly three-quarters of Gen Z (people aged 18-26) are influenced by social media when purchasing skincare, according to a study by accreditation body Skin Health Alliance.

The survey highlighted social media’s significant role in skincare decisions, mental health and lifestyle habits among young adults.

71% of respondents said they would buy skincare recommended by influencers. However, social media also negatively affects self-image, with 96% of Gen Z stating it impacts their mental wellbeing, and 66% reporting significant effects on self-confidence.

Social media trends also influence behaviour like sunbed use, with 60% of the young respondents saying they use sunbeds and 25% doing so frequently.

Hashtags like #Sunbed and #Sunbeds amassed over 100k posts and 900 million views, often showcasing tanning hacks and dramatic transformations. The study further revealed that 66% of respondents engage in habits like smoking, vaping or drinking, which can visibly impact skin health.

Other trends emerged too, with 65% of respondents frequently using sunscreen and 85% considering skincare’s environmental impact, showing a shift towards informed choices.

Preventative Botox is also on the rise, with 59% of Gen Z expressing interest in aesthetic treatments.

Wales first in UK to implement country-wide licensing for special procedures

Wales now has mandatory licensing rules in place for acupuncture, body piercings, electrolysis and tattoos, including semi-permanent makeup.

While these treatments are licensed in England by local authorities, with requirements varying from area to area, this is the first country-wide initiative of its kind in the UK, which the Welsh Government said is a measure to help protect the public’s health.

From November 29, practitioners and individuals in control of premises or vehicles where any of these four “special procedures” are performed must complete an infection prevention and control course for special procedures, and their premises and vehicles must meet strict safety standards, among other criteria. The new measures aim to reduce the hygiene and safety risks of these procedures, such as bloodborne infections.

“The requirements of the scheme will enable local authorities to apply a robust and consistent approach to regulation across Wales, including more effective powers to deal with anyone who operates illegally,” said Keith Reid, deputy chief medical officer for Wales.

There are more than 4,000 practitioners operating in Wales who will need to be licensed, and over 2,000 premises that will need approval under the new mandatory licensing scheme, according to the Welsh Government’s website.

“Aura beauty” and “sea witchery” among Pinterest 2025 beauty trend predictions

Pinterest’s 2025 trend forecast suggests that gen Z and millennials will be embracing “sea witchery”, featuring wet-look hair, sultry siren makeup and moody mermaid manicures.

During Pinterest's analysis period of September 2022 to August 2024, its internal data showed that searches for “dark siren makeup” surged by 695%, alongside increases in “wavy wet hair look” (+80%) and “seainspired nails” (+65%).

Another standout trend was “aura beauty”, where bright hues radiate beyond the eyes, blending blush and eye makeup for a unified and vibrant look.

Originating with “aura nails”, this high-hue trend is gaining traction with generation Z and the boomer generation.

Searches for “full-colour makeup eyes” soared by 365%, while “golden aura” searches were up 75%.

The forecast also highlighted a “goddess complex”, celebrating divine feminine energy with gold facials, ethereal nails and goddess braids.

Searches for “goddess nails” have spiked by 760%, and “goddess energy aesthetic” is up 170%.

Other trends to watch include “dark cherry red” nails and makeup, “castlecore”, inspired by medieval aesthetics, and “rococo revival”, evoking the grandeur of the late Baroque period.

Sk:n and Harley Medical Group clinics relaunch

Sk:n and The Harley Medical Group (THMG) clinics have relaunched following their acquisition by Lorena Cosmetics Holdings SPV.

The relaunch is part of a strategic consolidation that also includes The Skin Experts and ABC Medical under Lorena Cosmetics Holdings SPV.

The group has re-employed around 150 former Sk:n and THMG staff and said it is committed to delivering services across 30 UK locations, including flagship clinics on London’s Harley Street and Glasgow’s St. Vincent Street.

Over half of the reopened Sk:n clinics have moved to new premises within Optical Express locations, also owned by Lorena Cosmetics, to ensure regulatory compliance for advanced treatments and surgeries.

Lorena Cosmetics said it plans further expansions in 2025, introducing new treatments like polynucleotides and advanced dermatology services.

The Skn Group, which previously owned Sk:n, The Harley Medical Group, Skinbrands, The Skin Experts and ABC Medical, ceased trading on July 17, 2024.

Stephen Hannan, clinical services director at Lorena Cosmetics, said, “We are acutely aware of the impact the previous business liquidation had on patients, employees and suppliers alike. We are committed to rebuilding consumer trust by implementing a robust business infrastructure and support for patients.”

Treatwell partners with John Lewis for beauty service bookings

Booking software company Treatwell has partnered with department store group John Lewis, with John Lewis adopting the “Software as a Service” platform across nine of its UK stores.

Treatwell has been powering the bookings for John Lewis’s in-store beauty brands, including Elemis, Dermalogica, Blink Brow Bar and Cavendish Clinic, as of November 20. The Treatwell app will be available to book treatments in: Peter Jones, Oxford Street, White City, Kingston, Stratford, Cambridge, Southampton, Milton Keynes and Bluewater.

Separately, Treatwell has improved its stake in Dutch salon software company Salonized to become the sole shareholder, in a deal valued at close to €25 million (£20.6m).

Elleebana hosts masterclass in London

Lash and brow brand Elleebana hosted over 80 lash artists and beauty industry influencers for a Global Elleevation Masterclass, covering everything from lash and brow techniques to social media and client experience advice.

Otto Mitter, the managing director and founder of Elleebana, flew in from Sydney, Australia, to demonstrate his Lash Lift Mastery session.

He discussed the importance of thoroughly analysing the client’s lashes before a lash lift for consistent results, from looking at the lipid content and texture of the lashes, to the direction of growth and testing lash resistance.

He also provided tips on a variety of techniques, and how to approach various eye shapes, as well as discussing the importance of aftercare.

The masterclass also included a live lash and brow lamination demonstration where Elleebana educator Anieka Mudford undertook a freestyle lamination, showing attendees how to achieve an effective lift without a shield.

Chief executive of Australian marketing agency The Digital Picnic Cherie Clonan shared her insights and strategies on how to elevate online presence.

Clonan discussed the advanced social media strategies making waves in 2024/25 and how to choose the right social platform for your business as well as sharing some content ideas for the year ahead.

Before the final panel discussion on how to navigate the industry in the current economic climate, Amie Buckley, Elleebana educator, shared her insights on strategies to elevate the client journey. All attendees were then invited to network at an after-party, rounding off a day full of education.