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Irish hair and beauty industry on course to reopen in May
The Irish Government has confirmed that personal services, including hairdressers, will reopen in May. A further lifting of Covid-19 restrictions is scheduled to begin on 4 May, with the first changes to be made around outdoor gatherings and activities.
A plan is now in place for a continued emergence from lockdown in June, with hotels on course to reopen then. The ongoing lifting of restrictions will depend on four things – vaccines, variants, case numbers and the state of the country's hospitals.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said the Government promise to have offered a vaccine to 80% of adults before the end of June is “as a solid as it can be”, and he is confident this target will be met.
Meanwhile, The Hairdressing Council of Ireland has launched its Save Our Salons campaign, which is part of its efforts to lobby the Government for additional Covid-19 support. It has a number of industry requests, including one to reopen discussions with lending institutions on the extension of loans for an additional period in 2021.
Highlighting its concerns about the rise in black market activity within the hairdressing sector, the council also wants the Government to create a shadow economy task force post-Covid.
iTEC/VTCT to sponsor PBHJ Awards category
iTEC/VTCT has been announced as the sponsor of the Therapist of the Year category at the inaugural PBHJ Beauty, Hair and Spa Awards, which are taking place on 7 November 2021 at Citywest Dublin.
The category is a fitting one for the organisation as iTEC has been the leading examination board in Ireland for beauty therapy qualifications for over 45 years.
Entries are now open for all categories in the awards, and with 16 categories in total, they cover individuals and teams across the hair and beauty sectors. The Therapist of the Year category, sponsored by iTEC/VTCT, is open to any beauty therapist who has been working in a salon, spa, clinic or as a mobile therapist since at least the end of 2019. Therapists who work from their own homes are also eligible to enter.
Originally founded in 1973 in the UK, iTEC is a government-regulated awarding organisation, responsible for qualifications in 2,000 centres in Ireland, the UK and 40 countries around the world. In 2016, iTEC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of VTCT.
“iTEC/VTCT recognises the hardship and challenges that Covid-19 has brought,” said Ruth McGrath, global quality lead and worldwide chief examiner, iTEC. “As the leading awarding body for hair and beauty, we would like to recognise the abilities, the consistencies and the standards that therapists have maintained throughout this pandemic. We are delighted to sponsor the Therapist of the Year category.”
IN BRIEF
■ Dylan Bradshaw in Dublin raised €1,310 in March for Irish charities GK Cancer Support and Make-A-Wish Ireland. With the industry remaining closed due to the Covid-19 lockdown, Bradshaw said the hair salon team decided to “use the time to do something good”. All 20 members committed to walking, running, cycling or swimming a total of 2,000km between them. Using the My Virtual Mission app to each cover 100km along the Camino, the entire team reached its target.
■ Unilever, which owns professional brands Dermalogica and Murad, is to stop using the word ‘normal’ to describe skin or hair, eliminating the word from all packaging and advertising as part of its new Positive Beauty campaign. Unilever also committed to not digitally alter body shape, size, proportion or skin colour in brand advertising.
■ International Institute for Anti-Ageing (IIAA) has appointed Dr Gaby Prinsloo as medical director. Dr Prinsloo is a medical doctor, who also holds a PhD in exercise science and stress management. She spent 12 years working in sports medicine in South Africa, where she also ran an executive wellness and performance consulting company. Now based in London, she plans to bring her medical knowledge and experience to the IIAA’s approach to skin health through innovation and education.
■ Venus Concept has announced that tennis player Venus Williams has signed on as celebrity brand ambassador/ endorser for Venus Bliss. “We are beyond excited to share the exciting news of our new global ambassador,” said Sarah Hickey, regional director of Venus Concept Ireland. “Venus Williams’s excellent reputation as an athlete and person is consistent with our company goals and vision.”
ISA seeks Government support amid reports of black market activity
The Irish Spa Association (ISA) has said that during lockdown it is being contacted weekly with reports of spa and beauty treatments being carried out in private homes, with appointments being made via word-of-mouth and WhatsApp.
It noted that between lockdowns last year, such treatments were done in sanitised and carefully managed beauty salons and spas, and there is no evidence to suggest these settings led to outbreaks of Covid-19.
“Our sector was closed on 24 December 2020,” said Anita Murray, co-founder, ISA. “It appears to be nonsensical that legitimate salons and spas have not been allowed to trade, while a pent-up demand for these essential personal grooming services – particularly coming into the better weather – is thriving within households, and outside of a controlled salon or spa setting.
Black market treatments are a serious concern to us for three reasons: they can be dangerous, they could potentially spread Covid-19, and operators trade without insurance. But while people can’t meet their mortgage repayments and commercial liabilities, they are turning to providing black market beauty treatments.”
The ISA recently called for additional State support to prevent thousands of beauty businesses from closing their doors permanently. In a letter to the Government, it outlined a number of urgent requests, including an upward review of the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS); a reduction in VAT; an extension of the wage subsidy support schemes to the end of 2021; and consideration around commercial rent support.
“Additional supports are required if businesses are to survive, and the sector can reopen and restore the jobs and livelihoods of the 25,000 staff who have been laid off during lockdown,” said Murray.
The ISA also asked for industry access to antigen testing.“Irish salon and spa operators use medical grade PPE and perform temperature checks,” said Peigin Crowley, co-founder, ISA. “They should have access to antigen tests to ensure staff and clients are protected. We do not understand why they don’t, particularly when they are utilised successfully in a widespread fashion in other countries, including the UK, Switzerland, the US and Canada.”
New Google website aims to assist Irish SMEs
Google has launched Google for Small Business, a website specifically dedicated to and designed for Irish SMEs to help them take their business online, and continue to reach customers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the internet giant, the search term ‘buy Irish’ increased by 3,500% in 2020, and by nearly 6,400% during peak shopping seasons. It said it wants to help Irish businesses leverage current consumer sentiment.
The free online platform will guide businesses along their online journey, from setting up their Google Business Profile to creating a website, along with giving tips and advice on how to reach and grow their customer base.
“This online platform has been set up at a crucial time for small businesses, many of whom have faced great challenges over the past year due to Covid-19, and need help adapting and growing online,” said Alice Mansergh, Google’s director of small business.
“Over the last year, we have seen some great success stories from small businesses that have pivoted to sell and engage with their customers online.
“Google for Small Business was designed to help more businesses leverage the supports available, and start taking the small steps to overcome the impacts of the pandemic and experience similar growth and success.”
‘Over the last year, we have seen some great success stories from small businesses that have pivoted to sell and engage with their customers online’
IN BRIEF
■ The Falls Hotel & Spa in Co Clare has been officially certified as a carbon neutral hotel by Green Hospitality Ireland. It is only the second hotel in Ireland to achieve this status, and the first one with a resort spa. Green Hospitality, which runs a sustainability programme for the Irish hospitality industry, awarded the Falls Hotel & Spa its GreenMark Carbon Neutral12 Cert for eliminating its carbon output over a five-year period. The 140-bedroom hotel, which is located in the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Unesco Global Geopark, is home to the River Spa, which offers a range of Elemis and Voya treatments.
■ The Wella Professionals TrendVision Award 2021 has opened for entries, with new categories added this year. The competition this year has been adapted to the Covid-19 climate and has a hybrid format, which will combine a mixture of digital and live events. It is open to anyone living or working in Ireland or the UK, including independent stylists. Applicants don’t need to have a Wella Professionals account, and entry can be on a model or head block, and on a male or female model for all categories. All categories are entered on Instagram and will be judged digitally. A digital semi-final will then take place, with plans for a live final in October 2021.
The deadline for photographic entries is 11 May.
■ Irish company Renaissance Products has been awarded for Continuous Excellence at the annual Image Skincare International Sales Conference, held virtually this year. Out of 70 companies, the Dublin-based business was recognised for the 11th consecutive year as a top Image distributor worldwide.
Image Skincare launched in Ireland in 2008, and the country is now the largest consumer per capita of the brand globally. In 2020, it experienced further year-on-year growth. “It is such an honour to be recognised for Continuous Excellence for Image Skincare in Ireland, and it is down to our incredible team and the support of the beauty industry the length and breadth of the country, especially in the midst of a global pandemic,” said Michael Evans, managing director, Renaissance Products.
This article appears in the May/June 2021 Issue of Professional Beauty & HJ Ireland
If you would like to view other issues of Professional Beauty & HJ Ireland, you can see the full archive
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