News

Irish hair and beauty industry joins new SaveJobs campaign

The Hair and Beauty Industry Confederation (Habic) and the Irish Hairdressers Federation (IHF) are supporting the new SaveJobs campaign in Ireland.

Isme (Irish Small and Medium Enterprise Association) and a number of other trade organisations have launched the nationwide initiative to address rising labour costs. The groups are also calling for greater representation for small businesses on the Labour Employer Economic Forum and the Low Pay Commission.

As part of the campaign, the organisations said they want a permanent 9% VAT rate for a number of sectors, including the hairdressing sector. They are calling for wider support on reform of the national minimum wage, tax reform and industrial relations reform.

When it comes to the minimum wage, Isme said small businesses cannot afford to be benchmarked against higher wages in large firms and the public sector.

As part of the new campaign, the website SaveJobs.ie is now live and includes an option to ‘sign the pledge’, with both Habic and the IHF urging its members to do so, and to contact their local TD, senator or councillor to let them know the issues that are affecting their business.

Expressions of interest open for National Hairdressing Apprenticeship 2024

The National Hairdressing Apprenticeship has announced that expressions of interest are now open for the 2024 intake, and employers can submit their applications by visiting its website and completing the relevant form.

Validated by QQI in September 2020, the National Hairdressing Apprenticeship in Ireland is 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 programme 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.

Employers must submit separate expression of interest forms for each applicant, but this does not obligate an employer to participate in the programme, or guarantee an applicant a place on it.

Clarins Ireland announces threeyear partnership with Connacht Rugby

Clarins Ireland has announced a three-year deal with Connacht Rugby to become the sports club’s official skincare partner.

Clarins was founded in 1954 by Jacques Courtin-Clarins. Operating in nearly 150 countries worldwide, this year it is celebrating its 70th anniversary globally, while marking 40 years in Ireland.

As part of the partnership, Clarins and Connacht will work together to educate and promote the importance of a consistent skincare routine and healthy skincare practices.

“We are delighted to announce this partnership with Connacht Rugby for the next three years,” said Eoghan O’Sullivan, general manager, Clarins Ireland. “Connacht has always been an important region for us, with many Clarins experts and business partners across the province.”

IN BRIEF

■ Capital Hair & Beauty has become the exclusive distributor in Ireland of Henkel’s professional haircare brands, namely Schwarzkopf Professional, Indola and Authentic Beauty Concept. “By incorporating the Henkel team into our operations, we gain access to a wealth of experience that further strengthens our ability to serve the professional haircare community in Ireland with unparalleled product offerings,” said David Harrison, sales director, Capital Hair & Beauty. “Our well-established wholesale infrastructure uniquely positions us to provide fast and efficient service. This distribution agreement is a testament to our longstanding relationship with Henkel, and reinforces Capital’s position as a trusted partner for leading hair and beauty brands.”

■ A new Guinot franchise salon has been opened in East Belfast by Debbie Adams. The official launch was attended by managing director of Guinot UK & Ireland Myriam Welsh; Guinot franchise manager Ellie Tidy; Guinot franchise development manager Angela Miller; and Guinot franchise marketing coordinator Harjit Tak. Previously known as Salon on the Square, the new salon features two treatment rooms, and offers a range of Guinot face and body treatments. It also carries the full Guinot product range, and offers hair removal, massages, manicures and pedicures. Guinot has 14 franchise salons and over 800 approved stockist salons across Ireland and the UK.

■ Irish start-up The Smooth Company is partnering with Peter Mark to stock its products in 14 salons, as well as online. The Smooth Company was founded in 2022 by Aine Kennedy, who spent eight years working in the beauty industry and getting a degree in entrepreneurship, before investing her money into her company. Having identified a gap in the market for a solution to smooth flyaway hair, The Smooth Company's first invention was the Smooth Stick. As well as stocking this, Peter Mark is also offering other products from The Smooth Company, including The Mane Master smoothing hair brush, and the 4 in 1 Smooth Styler Professional Styling Comb.