ON WITH THE SHOW

Professional Beauty & Hair 2023 returned to Dublin's RDS on 28-29 May, with thousands of visitors experiencing big brand launches, education, inspiration and networking opportunities over the two days

Professional Beauty & Hair 2023, in partnership with Irish Beauty and headline sponsor Treatwell, made a triumphant return to the RDS on 28-29 May. The event welcomed thousands of beauty and hair professionals, including salon and spa owners, therapists, barbers, nail techs, lash artists, make-up artists, students and more.

Visitors took the opportunity to meet with brands, network with other industry professionals, and take part in education sessions and competitions over the two days. Exhibitors and visitors had a hugely positive experience engaging with one another, and with the many elements the show had to offer.

“Everyone who is interested in expanding their business and learning new things comes to shows like Professional Beauty & Hair, so it's a great place to engage with salon owners, as they can see what you’re offering,” said Olivia Silver, Treatwell’s UK & Ireland community lead.

“As a salon owner, it's important to attend in order to keep up with trends and avail of opportunities, and as a brand, it's important to be here as it puts you in front of your potential customers, giving you the chance to demonstrate your products and tell them what's good and new about your business.”

“It was our first time in Dublin, and it was brilliant,” said Nikki Madani from Hypo21. “We always get amazing support from Professional Beauty and this was no different for the show in Ireland. It was wonderful to see our clients here and have face-to-face meetings.”

Latest launches

From Irish-owned start-ups, to global names, many brands used the show as a launchpad for their new products and innovations. Totalcare introduced Elits Group's SlimpAct to the Irish market. Capable of combining up to four technologies, this device helps to fight skin laxity and excessive adiposity.

NSI launched its new Cococera waxing brand at the show. Made in Italy, and the first wax in Ireland to be dermatologicallytested, Cococera is exclusive to salons, and the NSI team was on hand to do demonstrations.

Opatra was at the show with a range of its offerings, including the Dome facial skin analyser, which clinically measures the surface and subsurface of the skin using digital imagery, while Eden Beauty introduced the Cutis Lift, which is a fractional radiofrequency micro-needling system designed to stimulate and remodel collagen.

Co Kerry-based Sean Taaffe Hair & Beauty launched its first in-house developed, own-brand retail range. Sean Taaffe Professional has been created by hairdressing professionals for hairdressers and their clients, and the ST Moisture Spray Leave-In Conditioner is the first product in the new collection.

Hair extensions brand Beauty Works showcased its Clip-ins and Ponytail lines, along with tools, such as the Speed Styler Hot Brush, the Jumbo Waver and the Flat Iron Wave Bar.

Indigo Nails Ireland launched some seasonal collections at the event, along with showcasing its Protein Base and Mineral Base 3-in-1, while Organic Italian Hairdressing introduced its Conlemany products and method, which are chemical-free, and only use oils, butters, plants and clay.

Natulique was at the show to share its sustainable salon solution – exclusively professional, the brand is passionate about the role non-diverted and environmentally-responsible products play in developing the businesses and careers of its salon clients.

Qiqi introduced its flagship product Vega at the show, highlighting the inclusivity that is at the heart of the permanent hair straightening treatment. Each Vega range is tailored for different hair types, and there are three salon services to meet specific hair needs.

Eleven Australia was at the show to introduce its recently launched Eleven Australia Colour, a high-performing demi-permanent liquid that comes in intermixable shades to give colourists optimal choices for clients, while Kevin. Murphy showcased some latest additions to its lines, including new products in its Killer.Curl collection.

There was no shortage of new companies exhibiting at the show, with Kimberly Brophy launching her Naked Glow brand, which combines self-tan with self-care. Nyrah Beauty introduced its multi-purpose, multi-beneficial, formulas, which are also ethically-produced and locally-made in Ireland, while the Magic Hair Brush presented its line of detangling brushes.

Education station

The two days also featured three live stages, with some well-known industry names giving talks and doing skills demonstrations on a variety of topics. Presented by Hairdressers Journal International and Modern Barber, the Hair & Barbering Stage hosted experts including Aidan Fitzgerald, Sean Taaffe, Aaron Nation, Ashleigh Kelly, Richard Correia and Marie Nieuwoudt.

The Trends & Techniques Stage welcomed a range of names, such as waxing therapist Gillian Redmond, talent specialist Louise Guilfoyle, salon owner Lisa Moroney, sustainability consultant Dr Ciarán O'Carroll and nail tech Kirsty Meakin.

Meanwhile, the Skin & Advanced Techniques Stage saw experts such as Sinead Murphy, Louise O'Loughlin, Annalouise Kenny share their insights.

Professional Beauty & Hair also featured the Nails Competitions, which were held in collaboration with the Federation of Nail Professionals (FNP) and sponsored by Glitterbels, and the Make-up Competitions, the latter hosted by Irish Beauty. You can read all about the winners on page 40 and 41.

After two days of exploring, learning and connecting with industry experts, we are delighted to announce that next year's Professional Beauty & Hair will take place on 21-22 April 2024. To register your interest, visit professionalbeauty.ie/show.