NEWS

72% of hair and beauty businesses to raise prices following Autumn Budget

The 2024 Autumn Budget will add £139m in costs to the UK hair and beauty sector, forcing 72% of businesses to raise prices and 45% to cut staff, according to a new report.

National Hair and Beauty Federation (NHBF) has revealed that the report, prepared by Pragmatix Advisory, showed that rising wages, National Insurance changes and reduced business rates relief will significantly strain the beauty and hair sector, which contributes £5.8bn annually to the UK economy and employs more than 220,000 people.

Key findings include:

• Labour costs will rise by £100m (4%)

• 72% of businesses plan to increase prices

• 45% will reduce staff hours or cut jobs, averaging 2.7 full-time staff losses per business

• Sector profits are projected to fall by 15%

• Turnover is expected to drop by £20m

• Corporation tax revenue from the sector is set to fall by 17%, from £240m to £200m

NHBF chief executive Caroline Larissey warned of “unprecedented pressure” on a sector that primarily employs women and young people.

The report also predicted a shift towards self-employment, with 19% of businesses considering this model, potentially reducing tax contributions by £40m.

To address these challenges, the NHBF has proposed key measures, including an urgent VAT review, targeted apprenticeship support, business rates reform, energy supplier flexibility and enhanced HMRC resources.

The NHBF’s new Survive and Thrive initiative aims to help businesses adapt, but Larissey stresses that government support is essential to safeguard jobs, training and the sector’s future.

British Beauty Council tackles packaging waste with recycling initiative

The British Beauty Council’s Sustainable Beauty Coalition launched The Great British Beauty Clean Up in March to tackle packaging waste and promote responsible recycling across the industry.

The initiative followed research revealing that 86% of plastic beauty packaging is not recycled, despite 79% of consumers valuing sustainability.

However, only 23% currently use refillable skincare products, highlighting a major gap between intention and action.

The campaign was aimed at educating consumers and industry professionals on how to dispose of beauty empties responsibly. It also provided clear guidance on which materials can and cannot be recycled through household collections.

Over 50 retailers, brands and businesses backed the campaign, including major industry players such as Medik8, Elemis, L’Oréal, Boots, John Lewis, Tesco, Cult Beauty, Lookfantastic and L’Occitane.

To support the initiative, the British Beauty Council updated its interactive recycling map, highlighting beauty-specific recycling programmes across the UK.

The campaign was also aligned with key environmental awareness dates, including Global Recycling Day and the United Nations International Day of Zero Waste.

Hair and beauty sector facing employment and apprenticeship crisis, says CBI Economics report

The hairdressing and beauty sector is facing a crisis, according to the results of a new report.

The report by independent consultancy CBI Economics, commissioned by the British Hair Consortium, got responses from over 2,000 salon owners and professionals. It highlighted that:

• The sector is far more labour intensive than most other high street businesses with limited chances to reclaim VAT costs.

• This labour intensiveness creates an unlevel playing field, with taxes impacting the sector three times as much as other high street operators.

• VAT-registered businesses are at a disadvantage with the rising levels of "disguised employment", where contractors are hired to avoid VAT and NI payments. This creates an unlevel playing field where employers often contribute more than double the tax (123% more) compared to the disguised model.

• By 2027, there may be no new apprenticeships offered and direct employment could plummet 93% by 2030.

• The shift to self-employment has coincided with a decline in overall sectoral employment, which may have cost the Treasury £2.4bn in VAT receipts alone since 2009.

• Cutting VAT on salons’ labour costs would be hugely cost positive and potentially reverse the decline in VAT registrations.

Hair and beauty salon owners are now calling on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to support the sector, particularly with a VAT cut on services.

Babtac presents TIME initiative at Scottish Parliament amidst consultation on aesthetic regulation

Babtac’s TIME (training, insurance, monitoring, evidence) initiative was presented in Scottish Parliament in March in a bid to influence decisions around aesthetic regulation.

The Scottish Government is looking to regulate aesthetic procedures with a consultation process currently underway. Proposed legislation will focus predominantly on non-surgical cosmetic options such as dermal fillers, liquid BBL, ablative blasers and other advanced procedures.

It is believed that legislation may take effect in Scotland before any comes into force in England (where the movement has been delayed since the change in government), meaning any changes could be important as a basis for future legislation across the UK.

Babtac originally launched TIME in London in 2023. To present the initiative in Scotland, Babtac chief executive Lesley Blair was joined by Skin Rocks Pro founder Caroline Hirons, Guinot UK managing director Myriam Welsh and Jenny Storey, owner of Scottish salon and training company Urban Retreat and The Academy.

Babtac’s TIME initiative offers a checklist of questions for consumers to ask to ensure a treatment provider is qualified and safe.

Government’s new Simpler Recycling reforms now in effect

Salons, spas and beauty businesses in England with 10 or more full-time employees must comply with new Simpler Recycling regulations, effective from March 31, 2025.

Businesses that fail to meet the requirements risk fines, compliance notices, or prosecution from the Environment Agency.

The regulations mandate that businesses separate waste into three categories: food waste, cardboard and paper (which can be combined), and dry recycling (plastic, metal and glass), which must no longer be disposed of with general waste.

These rules apply even if employees are spread across multiple locations. For example, a salon chain with two sites, each employing five full-time workers, must still comply with the new rules.

Mark Hall, waste management expert at businesswaste.co.uk, warned that many beauty businesses remain unaware of the changes due to poor government communication.

“Many business owners are still in the dark about how the rules work and what penalties they might face. While these regulations have clear environmental benefits, many salons and spas are concerned about the extra costs of compliance,” he said.

To ensure compliance and avoid penalties, beauty businesses should:

• Review their waste management processes and set up the required recycling bins.

• Confirm arrangements with waste collection providers to guarantee correct disposal.

• Train staff on proper waste separation procedures.

• Discuss waste responsibilities with landlords or property managers who handle waste on behalf of the business.

CND’s Jan Arnold steps down as CEO

After 46 years at nail brand CND, chief executive Jan Arnold has stepped down from her role.

In an Instagram announcement, Arnold said, “I feel immensely blessed to have had an extraordinary career, filled with entrepreneurial adventures, growing a business from the garage up, realising my father’s vision, building the nail enhancement category from the ground up, protecting the health of the natural nail and expanding the product portfolio through revolutionary science and best-in-class education.

“We continue to cast a spotlight on the best-of-the-best nail professionals, who go on to find fame and fortune. What a glorious programme to be a part of, as we demonstrate to the world why choosing to become a nail professional is a first-choice career,” she added.

The brand, which is best known for gel nail product Shellac, was co-founded by Arnold and dentist Stuart Nordstrom, her late father, in 1978.

Doll lashes and molten nails among Fashion Week AW25 beauty trends

High-impact lashes and nail art that embraced lace and molten effects were among the beauty trends to hit the catwalks as Fashion Week season ran in London, New York, Paris and Milan in February and March.

More is more

The Harris Reed show saw huge statement eyelashes as the focus of its beauty looks, aligned with the brand’s playful, avant-garde fashion.

The extensions were long, thick and sparse, creating a doll-like appearance, with the lower lashes extending to the cheekbone.

The rest of the models’ makeup was very pared back, with barelythere brows and nude lips, making the lashes an even bigger statement.

Makeup artist Sofia Tilbury, global artistry director at Charlotte Tilbury, used a combination of extensions and lashings of mascara to achieve the looks.

Other statement lashes were also seen at shows like Hushain Zhang, Thom Browne and LaQuan Smith.

Feeling the fantasy

Nails took centre stage across many of the shows, complementing the fashion with 3D embellishments including pearls, lace and more.

Among these, Di Petsa unveiled a collection inspired by sexuality and the subversion of female desire archetypes.

Nails from this show included dripping pearls, metallic extensions, and lace trimmings, echoing the fantasy aesthetic of the designs.

This show also saw some stand-out beauty looks. Makeup artist Crystabel Riley included ethereal statements to match the fantasy feel of the show. Some models had salt-crystalised eyelashes and highlight, to represent fallen tears.

Several other shows also used nails to make a statement, with the Poster Girl, Helen Anthony and KNWLS shows all using inventive looks with nail extensions and other 3D embellishments.

Bare-faced

Dewy, no-makeup complexions were a huge trend across shows, highlighting natural beauty.

Indian creative academy Pearl Academy, showcased collections from upcoming designers, Shivika Agarwal, Payal Dawar, Hermnn Singh, Shivangi Sharma, Khushi Agrawal and Satyam Saini.

Natural skin shone through, with the models wearing what appeared to be very minimal base makeup, with rosy cheeks.

Erdem, Brandon Maxwell and Emilia Wickstead also used satin skin looks to highlight their designs.

Relounge and Gharieni Group partner on technology to soothe back pain

Wellness equipment manufacturer and distributor Gharieni has partnered with Relounge, a company offering touchless solutions for back pain relief.

As part of the partnership, Gharieni will distribute treatment bed Relounge Zero G through its global network.

The bed uses e-stimulation, heat, TENS and massage to help relieve neck, back and shoulder pain.

This collaboration will combine the strengths of both brands, with Relounge providing the pain relief technology of Zero G and Gharieni contributing its engineering to develop an electrically adjustable lounger to deliver the tech.

The Relounge Zero G will be the 10th product in Gharieni’s Metawell portfolio, a range focused on mind and body wellness technology.

Gharieni chief executive Sammy Gharieni said, “By combining our strengths, we created a product that delivers measurable results and unmatched comfort.”

IIAA’s David Alpert named British Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025

David Alpert, co-founder and managing director of International Institute for Active Ageing (IIAA), has been awarded British Underwater Photographer of the Year.

The annual competition, based in the UK, celebrates photography beneath the surface of the ocean, lakes, rivers and even swimming pools, and attracts entries from all around the world.

In 2025, there were 6,750 underwater pictures submitted, with awarded photographers coming from 28 different countries.

Alpert’s image “The Curious Seal” aims to challenge misconceptions that British waters are murky and lifeless.

“My photo is from Lundy Island, a marine protected area since 1973,” explained Alpert. “British seals are delightfully curious, more interactive than any other species I have dived with around the world.”

It was Alpert’s love of photography and diving that inspired his focus on sustainability at IIAA, having seen the damage waste can do to ocean life.

Tribe 517 partners with The Pig hotel group

The treatment rooms at The Pig hotels, named The Potting Sheds, have launched a bespoke treatment menu in partnership with Tribe 517.

The new partnership includes experiences developed to meet the need of all guests, including those with health challenges.

The menu includes brightening and sculpting facials, upper body, hot stone and bespoke massages, alongside a massage specifically designed for pregnant clients.

Harpreet Ghatora, group director of wellbeing at The Pig, said, “Tribe517 really aligns with our values and ethos at The Pig… both looking after the land by sourcing responsibly and growing and using our own through traditional, hand-made methods.”