News

Irish hair and beauty industry to remain closed until at least April

The Government has published its revised Living with Covid-19 plan, with the country to remain on full Level 5 restrictions until at least 5 April, when the situation will be reviewed.

Each step in the new Government plan will be followed by a break to assess the impact of resuming activities. As the number of Covid-19 cases decreases, and the vaccine rollout gets underway, non-essential retail such as hair and beauty salons will be among the first sectors to be allowed to reopen.

The Hair and Beauty Industry Confederation (Habic) has assured its members that it will continue to lobby for a reopening of the industry. “Personal grooming services have not been a significant contributor to the Covid-19 community transmission figures,” said Margaret O'Rourke Doherty, CEO, Habic.

“With the rise in black market activity, we believe that these services should only be delivered in a controlled and professional environment. Therefore, noting the low levels of transmission, and in line with other countries, we believe salons should be reopened no later than April.”

The Irish Spa Association (ISA) said that the news of continued restrictions is disappointing. “We met with Government representatives in early February and called for a number of measures,” said ISA co-founder Anita Murray. “Our points are now more urgent, and an immediate review is required to safeguard businesses and the livelihoods they support.”

Consumers to invest in stress-reducing beauty routines

Beauty routines that combat stress and consumers shopping locally are trends set to impact the global beauty and personal care industry, according to analyst Mintel’s Global Beauty and Personal Care Trends for 2021 report.

Mintel’s trend predictions for 2021 are: 

1. Beautiful mind: Brands that highlight the use of beauty routines as a way to combat stress and anxiety will drive long-term value for consumers, stated Mintel’s report. Beauty professionals will need to educate consumers on self-care that touches on the mind-body-spirit connection. 

2. Beauty re(valued): `Flexitarian’ behaviour will become more extreme as shoppers trade up and down across categories. Product functionality and purpose will drive usage, with value measured in quality, convenience and impact, rather than currency. 

3. Channel changers: Brands will need to develop strategies to drive commerce to own-brand sites that advocate authenticity. The professional sector will be elevated further with “an enhanced beauty experience through the use of trusted professionals creating a true omnichannel strategy,” said Mintel. 

4. Beauty eco-lution: As consumers continue to re-evaluate their priorities, eco-ethical considerations will drive spend, with more shopping locally and less of a focus on price.

Passion Beauty to open Dublin store

Passion Beauty is launching a new store in Dublin, with the Ballymount outlet set to open when the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

The Irish-owned company supplies professional beauty products across a range of sectors such as nails, waxing, tanning, skincare, brows and lashes. Its brands include Hive of Beauty, Halo, Kaeso, Refectocil, Vani-T, Salon System, Thammy Lash and Cuccio.

Founded in 2014 by James Parletti, Passion Beauty started out as a mail order and online store, and the new 1,500 sq ft premises is part of a planned expansion of the business.

“The business has been growing every year and we now supply salons across all of Ireland, as well as several beauty colleges,” he said.“We needed to move to a bigger premises, and decided to open a store also to give customers the option to shop there, as well as getting goods delivered. The new outlet will be open for business Monday to Friday as soon as restrictions for retail have lifted.”

Passion Beauty currently employs two staff, and plans to add to this over the next year.

Additional Covid-19 business aid scheme unveiled by Government

The Irish Government has announced a new €60m Covid-19 Business Aid Scheme (CBAS), which is aimed at businesses ineligible for its other existing schemes, and designed to help them with fixed costs.

According to Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, the Cabinet agreed to do more to help businesses respond to the economic challenges arising from the pandemic, with a particular focus on those that do not qualify for the weekly Covid-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) grant from the Revenue Commissioners, or existing sectoral schemes.

“We have sought to help as many businesses as possible through wage subsidies, and the many different grant and loan schemes we have put in place,” he said. “The new CBAS will help some businesses that aren’t eligible for existing grants. We estimate that this will help approximately 7,500 businesses. While the grant is modest, it will be of substantial assistance to smaller businesses with some of their fixed costs, such as rent and utilities.”

Among the provisional criteria for CBAS is that it’s available to companies, self-employed, sole traders or partnerships; they must have a minimum turnover of €50,000; and not be eligible for CRSS or the Fáilte Ireland Business Continuity Scheme.

‘While the grant is modest, it will be of substantial assistance to smaller businesses with some of their fixed costs, such as rent and utilities’

Applicants must be in receipt of a rates bill from their local authority for a business that operates from a building, or similar fixed physical structure on which business rates are payable; and the business must have a current eTax Clearance Certificate from the Revenue Commissioners. Applicants must also intend to resume trading in full once the Government’s Covid-19 restrictions are eased.

IHF seeks Star Team 2021 applications

The Irish Hairdressers Federation (IHF) is now seeking applications for its Star Team 2021.

Open to all trainee stylists who are currently undergoing training, and who will still be undergoing training by November 2021, the Star Team competition looks for up-and-coming creatives in hairdressing every year to form an outstanding apprentice team.

“Star Team is not just about ability, it is about the person and their potential,” said Danielle Kennedy, president, IHF. “We are looking for the next generation of superstars; dynamic, highly motivated individuals who will make an impact on the future of the industry in Ireland. And it all starts with a simple application form.”

The form is available on the IHF website and entry is free. Anyone interested in being part of the Star Team 2021 is invited to describe their hairdressing journey so far, along with plans for the future, and submit their application by 31 March.

The IHF Star Team was launched in 2013 as a project to guide talented young hairdressers in the pursuit of excellence. Industry experts are on hand to mentor them as they take part in a 12-month programme that includes education, advice and the opportunity to work alongside established names.

Iguazu Beauty to distribute Rêpechage in Ireland

Iguazu Beauty has announced that it is to distribute Rêpechage in Ireland, from its headquarters in north Co Dublin.

Iguazu Beauty is owned by Louise O’Loughlin, who runs her own salon and began working with Rêpechage almost 20 years ago when she became the skincare brand’s educator in Ireland and internationally. Founded in 1980 in the US, Rêpechage’s seaweed-based professional products are now available in over 40 countries worldwide.

O’Loughlin is also the Irish educator for Oncology Training International, and gives guidance to hair and beauty professionals on how to treat clients affected by cancer.

“I am passionate about Rêpechage and have seen its results first-hand,” she said. “I can’t imagine my salon would have seen the success it has had without working with this brand over many years. With Brexit, along with the launch of Rêpechage’s new Hydra Pure range for compromised skin, the move to distribution just felt like a natural one.

“Rêpechage has taken oncology aesthetics very seriously, and worked hard to make this new product available for those who need it. I did not decide to move to distribution and then look for a brand; I am doing it because I think so much of this brand.

“Education is a huge part of the ethos of the company, and therapists and salon owners can look forward to plenty of educational workshops and seminars in the future. Training has already been made available online so that salons can access all the classes whilst restrictions are in place.”

New commercial rates support for Irish salons

Minister of State for Planning and Local Government Peter Burke announced another commercial rates package for local authorities, totalling €160m for the first quarter of 2021. Following the Government's announcement of the revised Living with Covid plan, the waiver of commercial rates was extended to 30 June.

The new package is being provided to assist local authorities during the current Covid-19 restrictions, and aims to ensure impacted businesses are not facing commercial rates bills.

The new waiver is more focused than the previous nine-month one. According to Minister Burke, support is targeted at the businesses most severely affected by the Level 5 restrictions, such as the hair and beauty industry.

“I am committed to supporting businesses, while also making sure our local authorities continue their own vital services to the public,” he said. “Local authorities have always worked with rate payers of all types, and will continue to do so in these uncertain times. This measure will assist local authorities to balance their obligations to levy rates with the vital need to support employment and economic activity.

“Local authorities will play a vital role in regenerating the post-Covid local economies, and will engage with rate payers to offer enterprise support, relevant to their circumstances.”

Peter Mark Stephen's Green salon team to relocate to other branch

Peter Mark is closing its Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre branch, which had been operating in the Dublin city centre location for 35 years. The lease on the unit is set to expire, and the company has decided not to reopen the outlet after lockdown ends.

Founded in 1961 by brothers Peter and Mark Keaveney, the Irish hairdressing chain has 69 stores in Ireland. The company trains and recruits its own staff in training schools based in Dublin and Belfast.

“Now that the lease has expired on our Stephen’s Green salon, the team will be relocated to one of our other branches, and we’re currently in discussions with them around this,” said a Peter Mark spokesperson.

“When we get closer to a postlockdown reopening date for hairdressing across the country again, we will be in touch with all our clients to let them know which salon their stylist has relocated to. While salons are closed, clients can still get expert haircare advice via our social channels, where our team are posting regular hair tutorials and product advice.”

UK expansion plans for Xpert Professional

Irish-owned company Xpert Professional has announced its expansion into the UK market. The distributor of professional hair and skincare brands employs a tea of over 120 from its operations in Co Kildare.

With more than 40 years’ experience in the hairdressing industry, the company has partnered with Alfaparf Milano since 1997. Together, Xpert Professional and Alafaparf Milano offer a range of products, salon support and salon education courses in Ireland.

Xpert Professional is taking over Alfaparf Milano’s operation in the south-east of England, which will be managed by Shaun Kilpatrick, general manager, Xpert Professional UK.

“We’re enthusiastic and confident about bringing over to the UK the levels of commitment and technical expertise that Alfaparf Milano and Xpert Professional co-developed in Ireland,” said David Donnellan, managing director of Xpert Professional.

“Obviously, it’s a much larger market, but we’re committed, and modestly confident, that the partnership approach we perfected here will appeal to salons in the UK. We think there is significant potential for Alfaparf Milano; the key to that will be reaffirming our joint concept of a state-of-the-art range of products, allied to superb technical ability, taught and perfected in the best professional courses of their type available anywhere. Both of us are absolutely committed to the idea of superb science and innovation, allied to unparalleled professional technique.”

Thérapie Clinic offers vaccine assistance to Irish Government

Thérapie Clinic has reached out to the Irish Government with an offer to assist with the ongoing Covid-19 vaccine rollout for free. The company’s CEO Phillip McGlade wrote to the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to volunteer 20 of its medical clinics, along with 100 doctors, to help administer the vaccine.

With over 20 clinics in a number of counties in Ireland, including Dublin, Cork, Galway and Kerry, the clinic group said it is ready and willing to support with administering vaccinations.

Founded more than two decades ago, Thérapie Clinic is a family-owned Irish company. While the doors of its clinics remain closed, the owners want to take the opportunity to help in Ireland’s fight against Covid-19.

According to McGlade, the group already has vast experience in administering injectable treatments at high volume. “We carry out over 400,000 treatments every year and can support the Government in ramping up the vaccination programme in a speedy and professional manner,” he said.

During the first lockdown in April 2020, Thérapie Clinic donated all of its hand sanitiser, gloves and paper rolls to hospitals and care homes across Ireland. It also redistributed the company’s entire supplies of personal protective equipment, worth €50,000.

PUP and EWSS rates to remain in place until 30 June

The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) are both to remain in place at their current rates until 30 June.

PUP rates had been due to be reduced on 1 February, but as Ireland entered a stricter Covid-19 lockdown in the New Year, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys confirmed they would stay the same. Both PUP and EWSS were then extended when the Government announced its revised Living with Covid plan.

Minister Humphreys said that the extension would help prevent unnecessary anxiety and worry, both for those workers already in receipt of PUP, and for those accessing it as a result of the updated restrictions.

“When PUP was introduced last March, it was intended to be in place for just a 12-week period,” she said. “As we all know, the virus has had a much longer lasting impact, both in Ireland and globally, than any of us initially anticipated.”

According to Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, the continuation of the EWSS has played a major role in sustaining businesses and helping people to manage financially.

“It is important that employers have the option of retaining their staff so that they may respond and recover quickly when these temporary restrictions are lifted,” he said.

Wella launches dedicated education website

Wella has launched a dedicated online learning platform that is free for students and lecturers using Wella products.

The company teamed up with MW Education to create Hairdressing Education Resources Online (Hero), which has been designed specifically with lecturers and students in mind, so they can share knowledge, as well as print and download a range of resources.

Regular virtual demonstrations are scheduled, and the site will house all the latest industry news and information for students and lecturers, as well as competitions and career advice on all aspects of hairdressing.

‘We are committed to continually developing the site, so just like the rest of the Wella brand, it moves forward with the growing demands of the industry’

Resources available include consultation forms, fact sheets and marketing material, while eduction topics cover a range of areas such as long-hair tutorials, and techniques for colouring, barbering and client consultations.

“We are incredibly proud of everything Hero has to offer,” said Ruth Salt, Wella’s national key account technician. “It is exactly what the next generation of hairdressing needs, and will be a great support tool for lecturers too.

“I am confident the platform will be well utilised. We are committed to continually developing the site, so just like the rest of the Wella brand, it moves forwards with the growing demands of the industry.”

Hair Café in Dublin adds barbers to its business

Hair Café in Dublin has added a barbers to its business, with the new premises situated in Blackhall Street in Smithfield, across from its Thundercut Alley outlet.

Hair Café is owned by Anita Donoghue and Steve Kucsera, who opened the business in 2016. Within two years, they had outgrown their original premises, and in 2018 they moved to the 1,550 sq ft site in Thundercut Alley,

The pair used the six-week lockdown last October to fit out the new barbers. Additional hairdressing space is also now available for Hair Café clients at the original salon, as the barbers frees up more styling stations. The new menu features cutting, fades, beard trims, male Botox, lip fillers and styling in massage chairs, with a choice of barista coffee or herbal teas.

Also new from Hair Café is scalp pigmentation to camouflage hair loss, which is being offered in partnership with Patricia Machowska, who uses a fine needle to deposit small ‘dots’ of pigment into the dermal layer of the skin, creating the cosmetic effect of additional hair.

“Micropigmentation is very effective, obviously in conjunction with a short buzz cut,” she said. “It hides the appearance of thinning hair and is great for pattern baldness around the front hairline or the top of the scalp.”

Hairdressing Apprenticeship open for expressions of interest

The National Hairdressing Apprenticeship is now open for expressions of interest. Any employer considering taking on an apprentice can register now, and places are allocated on a first-come basis.

The apprenticeship will be a minimum of three years in duration, and intends to provide the industry with some stimulus in recruiting new apprentices to a career in hairdressing, with a nationally-recognised qualification.

The apprenticeship, which was validated by QQI in September 2020, is aimed at school leavers who have completed their Leaving Certificate, early school leavers who have at least two years’ full-time experience in a salon, or mature applicants who wish to pursue a career in hairdressing or change their profession.

The training will take place on a day-release basis for students, placing them in the salon environment for a further four days under the guidance of a mentor.

An employer who wishes to register an apprentice must first be approved by Solas, the Further Education and Training Authority. They begin this process by registering an expression of interest on the National Hairdressing Apprenticeship website. From there they will be contacted by the local ETB provider, to take them through the registration process.

Apprentices must secure employment with a Solas-approved employer and meet the programme entry requirements. The employer can then start the apprentice registration process with Solas. There is also an Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme for employers of apprentices.

iTEC/VTCT Annual Impact Report released

iTEC /VTCT has released its annual impact report, which highlights the work undergone by training providers, employers and learners during the 2019-2020 academic year. During that time, iTEC /VTCT had a global reach of 51 countries in 1,654 centres, with a total of 93,593 learners.

According to the organisation, while the Covid-19 pandemic hit the educational industry hard and presented it with new challenges not previously faced, through hard work, perseverance, and determination, many learners have successfully completed their qualifications.

“As for many, this last academic year was a supremely challenging year,” said chief executive Alan Woods OBE.

“During the lockdown, we worked tirelessly with our centre colleagues to support learners worldwide. Our ability to provide first-class services was only possible due to our talented, motivated and dedicated workforce. This impact report illustrates the resilience of training providers and employers. It focuses on their stories and the work they do that allows a learner to achieve their goals.”