NEWS

Ireland’s Eden One wins at World Spa & Wellness Awards

The spa at Eden One was the only spa in Ireland to win at the World Spa & Wellness Awards 2022, which took place on the Silver Sturgeon yacht in London on 3 April.

As one of 13 winners announced at the black-tie event on the night, Eden Elements took the honours for Day Spa of the Year: Western Europe & Scandinavia, sponsored by VTCT.

Opened at the beginning of 2020, Eden One is a health club and spa, located in Ballsbridge in Dublin. Spread over two levels, the Eden Elements spa includes the Fire & Water floor, which features an infinity edge swimming pool, a vitality pool, and a thermal salt relaxation room.

The World Spa & Wellness Awards recognise the best spas from around the world, as well as outstanding groups and individuals operating within the spa market.

Since 2012, the global event has worked to raise standards across the industry, recognising excellence in client care, service and treatment delivery.

The awards ceremony saw professionals from across the globe join together in London to celebrate the achievements of spa operators.

“Every finalist has demonstrated an incredibly high standard of treatment delivery, client care and leadership,” said Professional Beauty's head of editorial Eve Oxberry.

“The World Spa & Wellness Awards are judged by the industry, for the industry, meaning the finalists and winners are also at the top of their game when it comes to professionalism and business innovation.”

Irish stylist wins place on new Sebastian Professional Cult Team 2022/23

A group of six hairdressers has been announced as the new Sebastian Professional Cult Team 2022/23, with an Irish stylist making the line-up.

Emily Nelson from House of Colour in Dublin is the only hairdresser from Ireland to win a place on the team, which was chosen through a process that included an initial online entry, followed by a live audition.

The new Cult Team will be mentored by Dom Capel and Angelo Vallillo throughout an 18-month programme, which will also see the six members get opportunities to represent Sebastian live on stage, as well as take part in presentation guidance workshops, creative design process sessions, cutting and styling seminars, and a number of editorial styling events.

The other winning Cult Team members are Leah Udall, Volt Salon, Sheffield; Nathaniel Oakey, YAEKO, Leeds; Jenni Stewart, Wonderland, Livingston, Scotland; Darren Smith, Review, Petersfield, Hampshire; and Alexandra Wood, Paul Falltrick Hairdressing, Romford, Essex.

“We are so excited to welcome the new Cult Team,” said Sebastian Professional international team artist Angelo Vallillo. “I’m confident we have an outstanding combination of skills and raw talent, who will work together perfectly.”

Treatwell launches new SaaS to support salons in Irish market

Hair and beauty bookings website Treatwell has launched Treatwell Pro in Ireland, a new SaaS that is designed to support the needs of salon professionals.

Features include free SMS reminders to avoid no-shows, and the integration of Reserve With Google, Facebook, Instagram and Apple Maps.

‘We want to give salons maximum visibility on every channel to win over new customers’

It also offers data insights to give salons an understanding of salon performance, comparing revenue from that day with previous periods; warehouse monitoring to check stock, products and prices; and payments assistance.

“To date, Treatwell has brought thousands of salons online, helping them to be bookable anywhere and at any time, but we realised that this was no longer enough,” said Giampiero Marinò, CEO at Treatwell.

“The growing competition in the hair and beauty market, and the scenarios that have opened up following the events of the last year, have forced us to work even harder on the development of software that could respond to the needs of our partners. We want to give salons maximum visibility on every channel to win over new customers.”

Meanwhile, Treatwell has also been announced as the sponsor of the Digital Salon of the Year category at the inaugural PB/HJ Ireland Beauty, Hair & Spa Awards, which are taking place in Citywest in Dublin on 6 November, as part of the PB/ HJ annual show weekend.

Plant-based hair salon Organic Italian opens in Dún Laoghaire

Organic Italian has opened in Dún Laoghaire in Dublin, with the new salon located on Upper George’s Street.

Owned and run by Italian couple Francesco Piccolo and Ivana Margarini, the duo have been joined by Ivana’s daughter Carlotta, and a team of stylists, who are all trained in the Conlemany practice.

From the Italian meaning ‘with the use of hands’, Conlemany at Organic Italian involves the stylist devising individual handcrafted organic treatments to nourish and protect the client’s hair.

“We do a scalp test using a magnifying camera to assess follicles and determine a suitable natural formula,” said Margarini.

“We view haircare as an experience with nature, and use natural high-performing products for beautiful hair and a healthy scalp.”

The salon also sells its own Conlemany organic and plant-based shampoos and conditioners, and Piccolo and Margarini make their own natural, non-toxic hair dyes, face masks and hair treatments fresh on-site, both for use in the salon, or for clients at home.

The couple trained at Italian hair academies, worked for top salons, and curated hair for major fashion shows and styling exhibitions.

They adopted a more sustainable lifestyle over 15 years ago in Italy, before making the move to Ireland.

IN BRIEF

■ Great Lengths UK and Ireland has launched its Voices campaign, with Irish nurse Grainne Gallanagh among the four women featuring in the project, which is a celebration of the unique achievements of a diverse group of women. Gallanagh’s ‘Voice’ is for ‘changing perceptions’. Working as a nurse, she said she wanted to change people’s perceptions of strong, successful women and “the idea that only one thing defines us”. As part of the the initiative, each muse was paired with a Great Lengths Master to create a look designed to bring out her individuality, showcase her spirit and give her a renewed confidence beyond measure. Gallanagh was styled by Great Lengths Irish educator Maria Vaughn from Urban Angels in Limerick.

■ Totalcare has been named Irish Beauty Company of the Year at the Irish Enterprise Awards 2022. The Co Tipperary-based business supplies aesthetic equipment and cosmeceuticals to over 700 salons across Ireland, while its Académie Totalcare provides postgraduate training in electrolysis, IPL, microdermabrasion and thermocoagulation. Totalcare also runs a clinic, providing a range of treatments to clients, including waxing and tinting, aesthetic facials, machine-free facials, and lymphatic drainage. Organised by EU Business News, the Irish Enterprise Awards commend businesses that demonstrate excellence, innovation and diversity in their day-to-day operations. They aim to highlight start-ups and younger businesses, alongside larger corporations, in a range of categories.

■ Green Salon Collective (GSC) has partnered with sustainability consultancy The Liminality to offer an accreditation system for the hair and beauty industry. The process comprises six steps, beginning with an initial preparation stage designed to ensure that applicants understand what is required of their business to qualify. “Our aim is to enable as many businesses as possible to become more eco-conscious,” said Fry Taylor, GSC cofounder.

■ Pure Swiss Aesthetics has announced the appointment of Sherna Malone as a brand ambassador for Byonik. With over 20 years’ industry experience, Malone is a facialist and skin health expert based in Clonakilty in Cork. Originally from Dublin, she is the daughter of beauty training school founder Bronwyn Conroy. Malone managed and taught in the school in Dublin for 16 years, before moving to West Cork in 2014. Byonik is a skin rejuvenation system that is guided by the heartbeat.

■ Liz McKeon has announced the dates of her Business Owners Retreat 2023, which will take place at the five-star Princesa Yaiza Resort in Lanzarote from 14 to 21 January. Established by the salon business expert in 2015, the week-long event will combine workshops, coaching, mentoring, wellness sessions, networking events and excursions. “When you immerse yourself for seven days in nothing but leadingedge entrepreneurial excellence, attending to your own health, wellbeing and mindfulness, you don't just emerge from that with a stronger business, you emerge from that with a new business,” she said.

■ Joseph Byrne of Joesph’s Hair Salon in Cork was the recipient of the Business Cork Civic Award at the recent Cork Business Awards 2022. He was recognised for his exceptional contribution to charitable organisations, such as devoting a special day of appointments to cutting the hair of the homeless, and giving ongoing support to Cork Penny Dinners.