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Hairdressers to campaign to stay open if restrictions reintroduced

The Irish Hairdressers Federation (IHF) plans to campaign for hairdressers to remain open if restrictions are reintroduced again in January. According to IHF president Danielle Kennedy, the organisation will lobby to have its members excluded from any New Year’s lockdown.

“I think hair salons have shown what a safe industry we are, as 90% of us have been wearing masks since before it was required of us,” she told The Irish Times. “We have proven what a safe environment we operate in. We’re appointment-based, so we’re really good at controlling numbers.

“If we go into Level 4 we would be pushing for salons to remain open. We will be campaigning for that over the next while and lobbying for it. We’re trying to future-proof the industry for the start of 2021. At the IHF we feel we should be allowed to open at the higher level of restrictions.”

Kennedy also said that following the reopening of salons on 1 December, the majority of them were booked out for the month, with appointments made in advance of the Government go-ahead to move out of Level 5 restrictions.

Voya announces partnership with The Peninsula Hong Kong 

“December is always our busiest month of the year anyway. I think we were much more prepared going into it this time. We’ve been down this road before; we’re very familiar with the health and safety protocol, and know how to operate in that very safe manner, very comfortably.”

Co Sligo-based Voya has announced a new partnership with The Peninsula Spa at The Peninsula Hong Kong. The Irish family-owned skin and body care brand was founded in 2006 by Mark and Kira Walton.

Voya products are formulated from wild seaweed extract, which is sustainably harvested from the waters off the west coast of Ireland, where seaweed bathing has been a health-giving tradition for three centuries. It is also Ireland’s only indigenous therapy.

The Waltons initially launched a retail seaweed bath, before going on to develop a skin and body care line, which now includes over 50 products. The new treatment range at The Peninsula Spa will feature a diverse collection of experiences for all skin types and specific needs.

“It gives us great pleasure to partner with The Peninsula Hong Kong, which has a similar vision to our business, in preserving local heritage and sustainable luxury,” said Kira Walton. “From the outset of starting our business, we have been extremely conscious of preserving the tradition that is sustainable seaweed harvesting; strongly respecting the environment and the precious flora and fauna that flourish around it.”

“Luxury at The Peninsula Spa begins with reigniting the connection to self and nature,” said Joseph WY Chong, regional vice-president, Asia, and managing director, The Peninsula Hong Kong. “We are delighted that The Peninsula Hong Kong will join hands with Voya to launch its certified organic range of products and treatments at The Peninsula Spa.”

Image Business of Beauty Awards winners revealed

The Image Business of Beauty Awards took place virtually in 2020, with awards being presented across 26 categories to the winning hair, beauty and spa industry professionals.

Darren Kennedy and Paul Ryder joined Image contributing editor Melanie Morris to announce the winners online on 29 November. The event was originally scheduled to take place in Dublin in March, and had been postponed until August due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With the ongoing restrictions, it then moved online.

Among the winners were Renailssance by Tropical Popical and National Gallery of Ireland (Most Innovative Collaboration); Skingredients (Most Innovative Skincare Brand); and Elaine McParland, Up To My Eyes (Best Brow Artist). Taking gold in the hair categories were Kopper Hair Salon, Cork (Best Hair Salon); Gemma Murphy, Dylan Bradshaw (Best Bloody Brilliant Blowdry); Cathy Sweeney, Reeb, Cork (Best Hair Colourist); and Rachel Doyle, Hair & Beauty by Deirdre Lawless (Best Hair Stylist). 

Irish hair and beauty industry reopens after second lockdown

Irish hair and beauty salons, and spas, reopened on 1 December, following the country’s exit from a second lockdown.

As part of the Plan for Living with Covid-19, Ireland had been under Level 5 restrictions from 21 October, for six weeks. Non-essential services, which included the hair and beauty sector, were closed during this period.

There had been some confusion as to whether the lockdown would lift on 1 or 2 December, with industry bodies seeking clarifi cation due to pre-booked appointments. Habic had written to the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar, along with every member of the Dail, to outline its concerns in regard to reopening and trading on 1 December. 

It said that if the personal grooming service industry did not reopen and trade on this date, a total of €4,736,842m in revenue would be lost in one day. This fi gure did not include the losses in regard to any form of retail sold in salons. 

Digital Salon supports local salons with online initiative

The Government announcement that the reopening date was 1 December was welcomed by the entire industry. “It’s a great relief to all our members, customers and staff,” said the Irish Hairdressers Federation. “The hair industry is not just a major contributor to local economies around Ireland, it helps keep countless main streets alive and is a huge part of local communities.”

Digital Salon has launched Support Your Local Salon, which is an initiative designed to help Irish salons with online shops to be found by existing and potential customers in their area.

This is done through a bespoke website – supportyourlocalsalon.ie – which has been developed and launched free of charge by the salon software and website provider. Consumers can search for a local hair or beauty salon based in their region or county, and will be shown all the salons in their area with online shops that they can click directly onto.

“Our goal here is to drive customers to their local salons’ online stores to boost their retail sales,” said John Donnelly, managing director of Digital Salon.

“Obviously, an added advantage is that it will keep salon customers from going to default online offshore options. We want to make it is as easy as possible to buy online, but still buy local. There’s a defi nite pandemic-related purchase patriotism movement out there, and we need to facilitate that.”

Dublin stylist among Wella Professionals GenNOW team

According to Donnelly, Covid-19 has made it imperative for salons to have an online shop and website, with lockdown closures giving owners the time needed to get their online operation fi t-forpurpose.

Wella Professionals has announced its GenNOW team 2021/22, with Dublin stylist Aisling Kenny among the fi nal line-up. Kenny works for House of Colour, which has fi ve salons and a training academy in Dublin. She will now embark on an 18-month programme that will be directed by the award-winning lead mentor, and former GenNOW team member, Luke Benson.

The GenNOW team is made up of fi ve up-and-coming hairdressers. Kenny is joined by Tarin Scott from Hazel and Haydn; Sophie Kinlock from McIntyres; Danielle Boler from NJUK; and Emily Worboys, who is freelance.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2020, GenNOW was launched to discover rising stars hungry to make their mark in the world of hairdressing. According to Wella Professionals, being part of GenNOW will open doors to a wide range of educational opportunities, which could include on-stage platform work at some of the industry’s biggest events.

The new programme will commence with an intensive Zoom boot camp, where the team will be mentored by hairdressing icons and receive media training, product knowledge, and presentation skills training.

“I think we have discovered some incredible new hairdressing talent in the making, and I am really looking forward to this creative journey with them,” said Benson. “We’re going to work hard, but it’s going to be great fun.”

As the programme develops, the team will have opportunities to develop their skills and, depending on how the hairdressing calendar looks post-Covid, it is hoped they will represent Wella at industry shows and events.

Wayne Lloyd elected new Hairdressing Council president

Wayne Lloyd is the new president of the Hairdressing Council of Ireland. He offi cially took up his post on 1 January.

Prior to this, Lloyd was vice-president of the council. He takes over from Sean Taaffe, with Shaun Hickey Moriarty now taking up the role of vicepresident for 2021.

Multi-award-winning Lloyd is the owner of Wayne Lloyd Hair, which has three salons in Cork city, Bandon and Ballydehob. With over 30 years’ experience in the hair industry, he works full time in the salons, while also teaching, competing and directing regular photographic shoots for his Wayne Lloyd Creative Collections.

Most recently he won gold at the OMC Stylist Awards 2020 in the Ladies Trend Cut category. He is also a member of Habic’s advisory board.

The Spa at Galgorm wins two major awards

“I’m delighted to be the incoming president of the Hairdressing Council,” he said. “I have big shoes to fi ll, taking over from Sean Taaffe, but with my vice-president Shaun Hickey Moriarty and the rest of the committee, I’ve no doubt we have the right team in place.” 

The Spa at Galgorm was named Resort Spa of the Year: Western Europe & Scandinavia at the World Spa & Wellness Awards 2020, which took place as a live-streamed virtual event in November. The ceremony was held online for the fi rst time ever, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

A total of 15 spa operators were crowned winners at the awards, which saw spa professionals from across the world tune in to celebrate excellence within the industry.

Prior to this, Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort was named Best Spa Experience in UK and Ireland at Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2021. 

"We are absolutely delighted to have won not one, but two prestigious awards, not least amidst such a devastating global pandemic,” said Colin Johnston, managing director, Galgorm Collection.

Phorest rolls out Video Consultations feature

“Over the past 10 years, Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort has invested more than £60m into its facilities, and has plans for further expansion of over £15m over the next fi ve years. The investment has helped lead to a string of accolades for the resort, building on our reputation within industry, and within the minds of our consumers, for superb facilities and outstanding service.”

Phorest Salon Software has launched its Video Consultations feature, which it says is the fi nal addition to its suite of product launches that it created in response to the global pandemic. According to the salon software company, the new feature brings the possibility of conducting full appointments, pre-appointments and retail consultations in an online setting.

Salons using Phorest’s integrated Video Consultations will be able to book face-to-face appointments online while they’re closed; sell retail by professional consultation; market and book consultations through their Phorest system; see clients on any device with mobilefriendly technology; and prepare for appointments while staying socially distant.

“Video Consultations offers an opportunity for salons to stay connected to their clients, keeping loyalty strong and increasing retention,” said Shauna O'Halloran, head of brand and global content at Phorest.

“With everything integrated into the Phorest system, clients can book their Video Consultation online and will receive a reminder with a unique link to their service provider by an automated SMS.

“It is ideal for closed salons, salons that want to create an additional service that is completely lockdown-proof, and open salons who want to connect with clients who cannot come in for services.”

‘Video Consultations offers an opportunity for salons to stay connected to their clients, keeping loyalty strong and increasing retention’

L’Oréal updates Salon Support Guides

The L’Oréal Professional Products Division has updated its Salon Support Guides to offer guidance to salon owners in both the Republic of Ireland and the UK during ongoing Covid-19 uncertainty.

The guides have been created to support all salons and hairdressers as they deal with temporary closures, and cover aspects such as communications advice and social media tips, Government assistance, upcoming education events, and helpful links.

‘We want to affirm our total solidarity and are here to help you to navigate this challenging moment’

“We are thinking of all of our hairdressing partners and your loved ones at this time,” said Béatrice Dautzenberg, managing director of L’Oréal Professional Products Division UK & Ireland.

“We want to affi rm our total solidarity, and are here to help you to navigate this challenging moment. Together with industry trade bodies, we are working to provide you with useful information – with care for you, your teams, and your clients as the number one priority.

“We know that salons and hairdressers are the beating heart of the community; we share our love and wish everyone well.”

Johnstown Estate invests €3.5m in new spa experience

The Johnstown Estate in Co Meath has invested €3.5m in creating a new spa experience, which is nearly twice the size of the existing spa and introduces a variety of new features.

Measuring 1,300 square metres, the Elemis and Gharieni fl agship spa includes indoor and outdoor thermal suites, 15 treatment rooms and a rooftop experience. New technology has been installed, such as Gharieni Psammotherapy, plasma and light treatment technologies, and sound wave therapies. There is also a 48-seater in-spa restaurant.

The Spa at The Johnstown Estate was conceived by Millimetre Design, which also designed the interior House Brasserie, The Atrium, and many of the other spaces at The Johnstown Estate. 

“Our investment in The Spa at The Johnstown Estate is a clear commitment to Irish tourism and our belief that Covid-19 will pass in time,” said Anthony Smiddy, general manager, The Johnstown Estate.

Wella Professionals teams up with Green Salon Collective

“We remain stringently observant of all safety and hygiene measures under Failte Ireland’s Covid-19 charter, but would like clients to feel they can leave their stresses at the door and safely enjoy a few hours of uninterrupted blissful relaxation at The Spa at The Johnstown Estate.”

Wella Professionals UK & Ireland has offi cially partnered with Green Salon Collective, which is a salon sustainability initiative. According to Wella, this is a step towards its commitment to a more sustainable future.

“As part of this, all of our Wella Studios have already implemented the Green Salon Collective’s recycling system, ensuring that waste is either reused or recycled,” it said. “We’ll also be offering training and support for salons in Ireland and the UK so that they too can start introducing sustainability measures for their business.”

Green Salon Collective was founded by environmental experts, hairdressers and eco campaigners. The start-up is aiming to facilitate salon sustainability by recycling the unrecyclable. Its goal is to be able to collect as close to 100% of all salon waste as physically possible, and to then fi nd new uses for it that reward the salon, the environment and the community.

Launched last summer, within three months, 17 salons in Ireland and 140 in the UK had signed up to the initiative.

Covid app launched for hair and beauty

Co Kerry-based TB Smart Solutions has launched a new mobile app to help businesses comply with Covid-19 HSA and GDPR regulations. Aimed at a range of industries, including the hair and beauty sector, Count Me promises to make it easy to manage sanitisation, contact tracing, staff accountability, reporting, data storage and management, to meet Government and company requirements, and ensuring a safe environment for everyone.

“Count Me is a simple and effective mobile compliance application that fulfi ls every business’s Government regulation obligations,” said Peter Dunlea, managing director, TB Smart Solutions.

“The app enables you to track movement of people and sanitisation practices within your business, while maintaining your GDPR obligations. Small businesses do not realise how vulnerable they are if they are found to be noncompliant by the HSA, or if they don’t manage the data effectively. This app safeguards customers and staff with effi cient and reliable tracing measures, while protecting the business from negligence claims, and the possibility of temporary or permanent closure or loss of earnings.”

Government makes changes to Covid support schemes

Count Me was initially beta-tested within some businesses in Kerry, including Sean Taaffe Hair & Beauty, which has three salons in the county. There has been over 100,000 user interactions with the application to date, and TB Smart Solutions is now rolling it out to businesses across Ireland.

The Irish Government made changes to the pandemic support schemes when Ireland entered Level 5 restrictions in October for six weeks. Level 5 is the highest on Ireland’s National Framework for Living with Covid-19, and hair, beauty and spa businesses must close under it.

Among the changes were revisions to PUP (Pandemic Unemployment Payment) and the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), to better support people and businesses dealing with Covid-19 Level 5 restrictions. Changes were also made to the new Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) – the qualifying turnover criteria for application to the scheme is now 25% of the turnover for the corresponding period in 2019.

TrendVision Award UK & Ireland 2020 winners announced

CRSS will operate to 31 March 2021, and there is provision for the Minister for Finance to vary aspects of it. The scheme only applies when Level 3 restrictions or higher are in place, and it can be operated alongside other State supports, such as the EWSS.

The TrendVision Award UK & Ireland 2020 winners were announced online by Wella Professionals, with the live events taking place digitally for the fi rst time ever due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A total of 27 winners across six categories received a trophy and a tailored Wella Education development programme.

Among the Irish winners were Ashley Falconer, Occasions Hairdressing; Carmen Elizabeth, DKY Hair Company; and Caroline McNeill from Caroline McNeill Hair (Gold, Sliver and Bronze in the Colour Artist category). Also in the wining line-up were Roisin Hynes, Sarah Mason Professional; Roma from Blend Beauty Artisans; and Laura Masterson, Bellissimo (Gold, Sliver and Bronze in the Colour Specialist category).   

Rachel Flanagan from Peter Mark in Kilkenny took Gold in the Craft Artist category, followed by Aisling Kenny and Zara McIntyre from House of Colour, who won Silver and Bronze. 

A total of 27 winners across six categories received a trophy and a tailored Wella Education development programme

This article appears in the January/February 2021 Issue of Professional Beauty & HJ Ireland

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  COPIED
This article appears in the January/February 2021 Issue of Professional Beauty & HJ Ireland