Editor's letter

As we approach the final months of 2020, there is no doubt that this has been a hugely challenging year for the Irish hair, beauty and spa industry. What began in January as a year like any other, soon turned into an extraordinary one. But while the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been unprecedented, the sector has remained resilient, and has every reason to be positive going into the New Year.

With Budget 2021 just announced by the Government, a range of financial supports are being extended and introduced, which will ease some of the burden businesses might be facing in the next few months. The measures, such as a VAT cut and continuation of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, should tackle some of the concerns raised in pre-Budget submissions from industry bodies.

Those industry bodies have worked tirelessly this year to lobby the Government, support their members, and keep them in the public eye and heart of the nation, and we’d like to thank them all for taking the time to chat to us in this issue about their hopes and expectations for 2021.

Other highlights in our last magazine of the year include a look at hair colour trends, along with the lash treatments market. Our columnists have plenty of advice to help you maximise your festive season profits, use the many lessons learned this year to propel you into a better 2021, and navigate the various risks associated with an Irish winter.

We’d also like to thank all of you for the continued support you’ve shown us since we launched our first issue of Professional Beauty and Hairdressers Journal Ireland in March. We’ve loved every part of putting our publication together, and we so excited to keep navigating the ‘new normal’ with you all in 2021.

We wish every one of you a safe, happy and healthy Christmas and New Year, and we look forward to catching up with you all in January.

Karina Corbett Editor

@Pro_Beauty01

@Pro_Beauty

/ProfessionalBeautyUK

/1ProBeauty

ON THE COVER: 

HAIR: JOSEPH KONIAK FOR REVAMP PROFESSIONAL 

MAKE-UP: SOLANGE KONIAK AND JULES ROMAN 

STYLING: BERNARD CONNOLLY 

PHOTOGRAPHY: ASHLEY MARTIN