News

New venues announced for November Show and Awards

The annual Professional Beauty/Hairdressers Journal Ireland show is moving from Citywest in Dublin to the Simmonscourt Pavilion at the RDS in Dublin.

The two-day event will take place on the same scheduled dates of Sunday, 6 November and Monday, 7 November.

Originally set to take place at Citywest, this venue is now unavailable as the Irish Government asked it to provide it as a home to Ukrainian refugees.

The Professional Beauty/Hairdressers Journal Ireland show was continuously held for nine years at the RDS prior to the pandemic, so it’s exciting to be returning to the Ballsbridge venue. Aesthetic Medicine will take place directly next door, also at Simmonscourt, on Saturday, 5 November.

Meanwhile, the inaugural Beauty, Hair & Spa Awards will take place in Dublin's Shelbourne Hotel on the evening of Sunday, 6 November, as part of the show weekend.

Organised by the team behind the Professional Beauty Awards and the British Hairdressing Awards in the UK, the Beauty, Hair & Spa Awards feature 16 categories in total – eight for beauty and eight for hair, split to recognise business and creative skills.

New Government grant available for those suffering with hair loss

The Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has announced a new grant of up to €500 towards the cost of a hairpiece, wig or hair replacement for people who suffer hair loss due to illness.

Many salons and aesthetic clinics in Ireland offer clients specialised hair loss services, including scalp treatments and wig and hairpiece fittings, along with a regular hairdressing menu.

The new grant is expected to support approximately 2,000 women and men during the first year of its introduction. The grant will fall under the Department of Social Protection’s Treatment Benefit Scheme, and will cover hair loss resulting from cancer and forms of alopecia.

“This new grant is being introduced in recognition of both the physical and psychological impact that sudden hair loss can have on someone’s life,” said Minister Humphreys.

‘I really hope this new grant will help in some small way in improving the quality of life of people who need it’

“This initiative, provided for in Budget 2022, is about supporting people who suffer from forms of alopecia or cancer. The grant of up to €500 will assist in the purchase of a wig or hairpiece, for people who suffer the trauma of hair loss.

“I really hope this new grant will help in some small way in improving the quality of life of people who need it.

It is designed to support women or men who lose something that so many of us, on a daily basis, take for granted.”

Wineport Lodge launches its new Cedarwood Spa

Wineport Lodge in Co Westmeath has opened its new Cedarwood Spa, which is the latest addition to the four-star resort’s offering.

Located on the banks of Lough Ree, the lodge first opened as a restaurant in 1993 and has since evolved into a 34-room establishment with private terraces and balconies.

The new Cedarwood Spa is housed in a brand new building. Situated on the shores of the lake, it includes the 35-degree Infinity Pool, which features shoulder massaging jets and lounging seats. The next level has four outdoor seaweed baths on an open balcony, with spiced mud baths also available.

Meanwhile, on the lake itself, a floating pontoon is home to two hot tubs and a ladder leading into the lake. And a resident yoga teacher holds sunrise classes, brunch sessions and private workshops.

The treatment cabins offer Swedish and hot stone massage, along with Voya and Yon-Ka facials. Headed up by spa manager Christine Mannion, she and the team have curated a menu tailored to suit a range of requirements.

Government announces extension of 9% VAT rate

The Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has announced the extension of the 9% VAT rate for the tourism and hospitality industry for a further six months.

This extension will cover the same goods and services as the original measure, therefore hairdressing services are included. The 9% rate will now remain in place until 28 February 2023.

“The 9% VAT rate was introduced in response to the challenges posed by Covid-19 to support the hospitality sector and the Government has decided to extend the period when the 9% rate will apply for a further six months,” said Minister Donohoe.

“This will provide further support to the tourism and hospitality sectors over the busy November/December period and into the early New Year.”

Originally, the 9% rate for these industries was reintroduced in Budget 2021 from 1 November 2020 to 31 December 2021 at an estimated cost of €401m. This measure was initially extended in Budget 2022 to 31 August 2022 at a further estimated cost of €251m.

The Government said that no further extension to this measure is envisaged, so the 13.5% rate will apply to these sectors from 1 March 2023.

Med Aesthetics opens expanded clinic in Galway

Med Aesthetics has opened its new clinic in Galway, with the plastic surgery, aesthetic medicine and wellness centre now having 10 treatment rooms and more than 20 staff.

Med Aesthetics, which is now located in Mulvoy Business Park on Sean Mulvoy Road, specialises in advanced injectables, laser, body contouring and skin tightening, and skincare.

Founded by consultant plastic surgeon Niall McInerney and medical aesthetic practitioner Alma McGrath, all procedures are directed and performed by internationally trained and accredited plastic surgeons, physicians and aesthetic practitioners.

“The MedAesthetics blueprint or road map is personalised to address concerns and accomplish the client’s skin’s unique aesthetic goals,” explained McGrath.

“Treatment plans will include a step-by-step outline of treatments and medical grade products that are unique to each skin type.”

The clinic has also created a ‘self-care circle’ that offers a subscription-based membership programme that enables clients to access customisable services and discounts.

“We know that the aesthetics industry is ever-changing, so we are fully engaged in education and training to ensure the best for our team and clients,” McGrath added. “Applied knowledge is power, and that power comes from our desire to be the best.”

Schwarzkopf Professional announces new Ignite team

Schwarzkopf Professional has announced its new Ignite team, which is the brand’s very first dedicated mentoring programme for young hairdressers in the Republic of Ireland.

To enter, stylists across the country showcased both their hairdressing and social media skills by creating a short Instagram Reel.

The Ignite team members are Emma Dempsey, House of Colour, Dublin; Laura O'Dowd, Ashleigh Kelly Hairdressing, Dublin; Emily Whelan, Lynda Maher Hair Studio, Carlow; and Eve Markava, BUUHUU Hair, Kildare.

Led by Schwarzkopf Professional ambassador Suzie McGill and previous #SKPCollective member Alix Maher, Ignite has been formed to help emerging hairdressing talents take their career to the next level. The progrmme includes training days, shoots and education.

“We are so excited to be offering this new opportunity to Schwarzkopf Professional salons in the Republic of Ireland, and were delighted to have had so many fantastic entries,” said Kay Brady, Henkel’s national PPS manager for the UK and Ireland.

“Our final team were chosen for their impeccable hairdressing, creativity and social media skills, as well as their own unique strengths and specialities. They have already shown so much talent and potential, and have bonded perfectly as a team. We can’t wait to build on their skills and grow their profile.”