Category Archives: Hair and Beauty

Hair and Beauty

Wedding belles: Adding bridal beauty treatments to your salon menu

Preparing for a wedding day is an exciting experience, and as a salon owner, you have a pivotal role in helping brides and grooms look their best. Pre-wedding beauty treatments can help your clients feel confident and radiant on their special day. In this guide, we’ll explore the best pre-wedding beauty treatments and share some top tips on how to achieve the perfect wedding day look. Let’s dive in.

1.      Lip micropigmentation

Brides want to feel confident and beautiful on their wedding day. From savouring delectable petit fours to showering guests with heartfelt embraces, the last thing a bride wants to worry about is lipstick touch-ups throughout the day. However, unlike lipstick which needs constant reapplication, offering lip micropigmentation as a service in your salon may be the best option for brides who are seeking smudge-free lips all day.

Lip micropigmentation, which deposits pigment into the lips, creates a semi-permanent colour that can subtly improve the appearance of lips — making them look fuller, more defined, and adding a natural flush of colour. This service, also known as ‘lip blushing’, provides a kiss-proof solution for flawless photos and worry-free celebrations.

Prior to the wedding, it’s important for the bride to have a thorough consultation with a qualified micropigmentation technician to discuss expectations, colour options, and suitability for the procedure. Holistic broker, Salon Gold, reiterates that “since it involves making fine incisions into a customer’s skin, it has the potential to cause a variety of problems including allergic reactions or infection.” For this reason, before adding this bridal beauty treatment to your salon menu, it’s best to invest in insurance to ensure your business is protected at all costs.

2.   Hair trials

Before having their hair done professionally on their wedding day, brides-to-be may seek a hair trial to experiment with hairstyles, accessories and headpieces, or even practise an elaborate look they have been dreaming about.

Hair trials are a win-win for both the bride and the salon. By offering trials, you alleviate any pre-wedding jitters for the bride while building trust and rapport. This allows them to discuss their vision, test hairstyles, and get to know you better. Hair trials are an effective way of testing out and helping refine a person’s hair and makeup aesthetic, so that there aren’t any snags on the big day.

A successful trial not only increases your chances of securing future bookings for bridesmaids or guests (potentially leading to additional revenue), but it also creates an opportunity for hairstylists to recommend and sell hair care products to ensure the bride’s hair is healthy and manageable for the wedding.

 

3.   Massage

Planning a wedding can be a whirlwind for many couples. From finalising the venue and guest list to staying within budget, the seemingly endless decisions can quickly lead to stress and anxiety. To help alleviate this stress, offering massage services at your salon can be the perfect solution for brides and grooms looking to unwind, relieve tension, and approach their upcoming wedding with renewed excitement.

Wedding planning can take a toll on both the mind and the body, leaving couples feeling emotionally and physically drained. Massages, however, can address a variety of issues commonly associated with wedding planning stress, including muscle tension, headaches, and general aches and pains. Through gentle strokes and applied pressure, massages offer multiple benefits such as increased blood circulation, rejuvenated and nourished skin, and improved overall mental well-being — making them a valuable addition to your salon’s bridal service menu.

Hair and Beauty

What to Consider When Buying a Hair and Beauty Salon

If you’re looking to buy a new business, a hair and beauty salon might be a good fit. Here’s what to consider before going ahead.  

If you’re looking to buy a business, the first thing you’ll probably consider is how viable the industry is in the long term. With the UK hair and beauty industry generating £4.6 billion in the year 2020-2021 (and that’s despite a global pandemic), it doesn’t look to be disappearing any time soon.

If buying a hair and beauty salon might be on your agenda, here are a few things to consider first.

1. Is the location right?

When buying a hair or beauty salon, choosing somewhere with the right location is a bit of a Goldilocks situation. If there are no other salons in the area, that might point to a lack of demand, which could hurt your business. If there are too many other salons, the market could be saturated and you might struggle to compete.

When you’re scooping out the salon, it’s a good idea to visit the surrounding area, so you can get a feel for how much footfall you’ll experience. The best location is one near other businesses (but not too many competitors) so that you’ll benefit from organic footfall. It’s also worth considering how convenient the business will be for you to get to.

If you’re unsure of the viability of the business, you can always ask the current owner(s) why they’re selling. If they say footfall is an issue, you might determine that the location isn’t suitable.

2. Terms and conditions

When you’re buying an existing salon, you need to know exactly what you’re getting for your money. Consider, for example, whether any of the existing equipment is included as part of the sale. If so, you could save some serious cash upfront.

It’s equally important to find out whether existing members of staff will be staying with the business or whether you’ll be expected to hire your own team. If the latter, consider the costs of hiring a new team from scratch, as well as the availability of stylists in the surrounding area.

3. Existing accounts

One of the most important things to do in any business purchase is to check the business’s existing accounts. If you’re looking for a challenge and you’re happy to revamp a failing business, fine.

But if you’re in the market for a fully functioning business that’s turning over a profit, you’ll need to have a good look at the business’s accounts to check its financial health and avoid nasty surprises. Look out for existing debts and liabilities, too. If you’d be expected to take these on when you purchase the business, you’ll need to factor those into your ongoing costs.

4. Lease agreements

If you’re buying a rental, you’ll need to know whether the lease is transferrable upon purchase. If that’s the case, find out the terms of the lease and whether they’ll stay the same upon renewal.

Finding out everything there is to know about the lease before negotiating terms is a must. You don’t want to be stuck with payments that you can’t afford. Remember, if you’re not happy with the terms of the lease, try and see if you can negotiate a new one with the landlord, which ties in with the purchase agreement.

5. Management and staff

Some salons are sold without employees, but others come with staff members that are currently working there. If it’s the latter, find out whether the current employees are a help or a hindrance to the success of the salon.

If the stylists come with a loyal customer base of their own, for example, you might decide that’s a benefit to your business. That way, you won’t have to focus as intently on building up your own customer base from scratch.

Buying a hair and beauty salon – your next business move?

One of the perks of buying a hair and beauty salon is that it’s an evergreen business idea. After all, you’re never going to run out of hair to cut!

If you decide to go ahead with this investment, you’ll need to find beauty salons for sale in your area. Keep our considerations in mind, and you’ll discover the right business for your needs.

Beauty, Business, Cardiff, Cardiff News, Education, Employee Motivation, Hair and Beauty, Job Opportunities, Jobs

Cardiff teen lands her dream job through Jobs Growth Wales+

A 17-year-old apprentice from Cardiff is flying to Budapest after support from the Welsh Government’s Jobs Growth Wales+ programme to land her dream role as a Hairdresser.

Darla Wathen recently completed her Level 1 NVQ qualification in Hairdressing and is currently working at Henderson & Co. as a Junior Stylist.

When discussing her route to employment, Darla said: “I wasn’t very academic at school, but I’ve always been a creative person. I decided to meet with Working Wales to scope out my options and Jobs Growth Wales+ appealed to me because of the work placements and hands-on training that were incorporated into your learning.

“Back then I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my future, so I attended a few taster days to explore different career pathways. The courses on offer varied from childcare to beauty to construction and animal care, but it was hairdressing that I discovered I had a passion for.”

Having found her feet, Darla excelled on the programme and quickly proved to her tutors that she was a talented and dedicated learner.

Darla said: “My tutor, Charlotte, played a huge role in how comfortable and at ease I felt on Jobs Growth Wales+. I was nervous when I first started the programme, but she spent a lot of time helping me build on my essential skills before looking for employment.

“As well as working with me to improve my CV, Charlotte would act out interview scenarios with me to get me used to a real-life environment. This massively helped with my confidence and was a huge turning point for me.

“My Jobs Growth Wales+ tutors saw my potential. Everyone treated me like an adult, and I could tell the programme wanted me to succeed.”

With the support she received, Darla soon secured her job at Henderson & Co. in Cardiff and is currently thriving as a Junior Stylist.

Darla continued: “Working at Henderson & Co. has been amazing. I really appreciate the advice the other stylists give me, and I’ve already learnt so much in such a short space of time. When I’m not with clients, I’m either on reception, tidying or doing stock take – I love going to work because no day is the same!”

“I’m really keen to specialise in colour and I’ve been lucky enough to practice different techniques – from block colour, balayage, foils and highlights. I even dyed a customer’s hair red the other day.”

This year, Darla will be flying to Budapest with Henderson & Co. to attend a fashion show workshop.

“I feel incredibly lucky to be going with the team to a Kevin Murphy fashion show. It’s another new adventure and an opportunity for me to be taught by the very best influencers and experts in the industry.”

Darla has also got her sights set on gaining more work experience in Australia before returning to Wales to set up her own salon.

Darla said: “I’m hoping to progress with Henderson & Co, and maybe in a few years even live and work in Australia to learn new techniques again. At the moment I’m taking every day as it comes but it would be amazing to set up my own salon eventually.

“My one piece of advice for people who don’t know what they want to do when they’re at school is to talk to others about your options. I felt incredibly listened to and was lucky enough to find a career because of the training and funding provided through Jobs Growth Wales+.”

To learn more about Jobs Growth Wales+ visit workingwales.gov.wales/jobs-growth-wales-plus or call Working Wales on 0800 028 4844.

Apprenticeships, Beauty, Hair and Beauty, News from Wales

How Welsh Salons Can Overcome Recruitment Challenges With Apprenticeships

The Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis are two big factors that salon owners believe are affecting their ability to recruit new staff.

The pandemic meant that salons had to close their doors for months to comply with the laws around social distancing. Now the cost-of-living crisis means some salons are unable to afford to train new staff, and existing employees may be looking for higher-paying jobs outside of the hair and beauty sector.

Donna Bowen-Anderson, Customer Account Manager at ISA, says: “The perception of low-income apprentices is something that is truly a challenge for salon recruitment. It is critical to ensure that learners understand the massive benefit learning a skill in hair, beauty and barbering can have, often leading down the path to becoming higher earners in the future.”

We explore these challenges and explain how apprenticeships can help salons grow their business.

1.    Apprenticeships are an affordable option for learners

 

Removing barriers to apprenticeships can be one of the first steps in widening the appeal to potential learners. Studying at university can be expensive. Many students struggle to find a balance between work and study to support themselves, often finding it difficult to find a suitable job after graduating.

ISA Training (part of Educ8 Training Group) offers a variety of apprenticeships that are fully funded by Welsh Government. As Wales’s leading hair, beauty, and barbering apprenticeship specialist, these courses provide practical lifelong skills, that can act as a foundation to build a truly successful career.

Apprenticeships offer an opportunity for learners to enter employment and earn while they learn. Apprentices can develop new skills without the level of debt typically associated with a university degree, with the opportunity to progress to higher paid job roles.

2.    Apprenticeships support salons with training and recruitment

 

Support outside of the salon is a fantastic way to ensure that apprentices receive a well-rounded education, combining their practical experience with theoretical knowledge.

Qualifications delivered by ISA Training are run by trainer coaches who have a wealth of experience, who are active within the industry and are up to date with hair and beauty trends and techniques. They are dedicated to supporting learners across all aspects of their study, while helping relieve some of the pressures that salon owners face.

Finding candidates with the right technical, creative and customer service skills can be a challenge. With its knowledge of the sector, ISA can support with recruiting apprentices by helping advertise apprenticeship vacancies. They also help employers access funding through Welsh Government’s Employer Incentive Scheme, supporting learners with a disability into employment.

In addition to the support ISA can give salons, Donna Bowen-Anderson advised, “Salon owners need to be proactive in looking for apprentices, think about how and where they engage with their future staff and become a passionate champion for their business and the industry.

And it’s really important to shout about not just the technical skills but the valuable life skills such as teamwork, communication and problem-solving that apprenticeships also offer.”

3.    Apprenticeships can help close skills gaps

 

Hiring an apprentice allows salon owners to not only nurture and develop new talent, but also to address skills gaps that they may have identified within their salon.

ISA apprentices are encouraged to study both hairdressing and barbering to widen opportunities and appeal to a broader clientele. This can allow salons to stand out among their competitors and enhance their reputation, while providing learners more opportunities to develop their skills and train in other areas.

Oli Tracey, Level 3 Hairdressing Apprentice and ISA Ambassador from Slunks salon in Cardiff, said: “My apprenticeship has given me the knowledge and confidence to go out into the hair world and absolutely smash it! The support from not just my ISA trainer coach but the whole ISA community and organisation has been amazing. The opportunities I’ve had throughout my apprenticeship are ones I’ll never forget.”

To learn more about the qualifications offered by ISA Training and what support they can provide your salon, visit www.isatraining.co.uk.

Care, Hair and Beauty, Health & Care, News, Sustainability, Swansea

Welsh innovation leads sustainable revolution in healthcare: Waterless launches world’s first biodegradable shampoo cap

Reducing plastic waste and cutting costs in healthcare, Swansea-based Waterless unveils a revolutionary, eco-friendly shampoo cap.

Waterless, a pioneer in sustainable healthcare solutions, has launched the world’s first 100% biodegradable shampoo cap. Developed in Swansea, this innovative product is poised to transform hygiene practices in the healthcare sector by providing an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional non-recyclable shampoo caps.

Shampoo caps, commonly used in healthcare settings for bed-bound or mobility-impaired people, offer a convenient, rinse-free solution for hair washing. However, the widespread use of conventional plastic-based caps poses a significant environmental challenge, contributing substantially to single-use plastic waste.

In response, Waterless has developed the Nilaqua Shampoo Wrap, a product entirely crafted from biodegradable materials. This sustainable alternative retains the convenience and effectiveness of traditional shampoo caps while addressing environmental concerns.

With the NHS estimated to use 300,000 traditional shampoo caps every year, the Nilaqua Shampoo Wrap could substantially reduce the millions of tonnes of single-use plastic waste generated annually.

 

The application of the Nilaqua Shampoo Wrap is simple and efficient. Users or caregivers wrap around the hair, massage it to activate the shampoo, and then towel off the solution to remove any residue, leaving the hair soft and clean. This process eliminates the need for additional water or rinsing, offering a practical solution in patient care. Unlike traditional plastic-based caps, which add to landfill waste, the Nilaqua Shampoo Wrap presents a pioneering eco-friendly option for a competitive retail price of £1.89 per wrap.

 

Established in 2009 as a family business, Waterless has rapidly evolved into a leader in alternative eco-wash solutions for health and personal care. Operating from a purpose-built facility in Swansea, the company’s skilled team devise and manufactures innovative products like the new Nilaqua Shampoo Wrap, ‘towel off’ cleansing foams, alcohol-free sanitisers, and even a pet range for cleaning fox mess.

Waterless is committed to UK manufacturing and serves a diverse clientele, including the NHS, care industry, commercial businesses, and the pharmaceutical and retail sectors.

 

Jess Efford, CEO of Waterless, shared her enthusiasm for the new product:

“In the UK alone, an estimated 700,000 shampoo caps go in the bin annually. When you consider the usage across Europe and the rest of the world, it’s clear to see what a blight these products are on our environment.

“Our biodegradable alternative, the Nilaqua Shampoo Wrap, presents an opportunity for healthcare providers to prevent millions of tonnes of single-use plastic waste from polluting our planet. This launch is more than a milestone for Waterless; it’s a step towards realising our vision of a sustainable future in healthcare.

“We are committed to leading this change, providing quality products that are eco-friendly and cost-effective. The overwhelming interest from customers reinforces our belief that the market is ready to embrace more sustainable practices.”

 

Developed after a year of dedicated research, the Nilaqua Shampoo Wrap is made from specially woven biodegradable bamboo viscose. It features a biodegradable heat-compatible formula encased in 100% recyclable packaging.

 

Victor Efford, Operations Director at Waterless, highlighted the challenges and triumphs in developing the shampoo wrap:

“Developing the Nilaqua Shampoo Wrap was a journey marked by numerous challenges, particularly in creating a fully biodegradable, effective, and affordable product. We faced hurdles in material selection, preserving biodegradability, and ensuring product efficacy. Yet, our determination and commitment to sustainable innovation drove us forward.

“Overcoming these obstacles has been incredibly rewarding, and we’re excited about the potential for widespread adoption in hospitals, care homes, and domiciliary care. The Nilaqua Shampoo Wrap is a testament to what is possible when innovation meets environmental consciousness.”

 

Waterless has been supported by the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP), which provided crucial assistance in business strategy and branding.

 

“The support from the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme has been instrumental in our journey, helping us bring our vision to life,” said Jess Efford.

“As we proudly introduce the Nilaqua Shampoo Wrap to the healthcare market, we’re doing more than just launching a new product; we’re championing a significant shift towards more sustainable healthcare practices.

“Our dedication to eco-friendly innovation is not just a part of our business model; it’s a call to action for the entire industry. We invite healthcare providers, partners, and customers to join us in this journey. Together, we can set a new standard in healthcare – one that prioritises the well-being of our planet and future generations.”

 

—

About Waterless:

Waterless specialises in creating eco-friendly hygiene products for the healthcare and personal care sectors. Based in Swansea, Wales, the company is dedicated to reducing environmental impact through innovative solutions like the Nilaqua Shampoo Wrap, the world’s first 100% biodegradable and recyclable shampoo cap.

Awards, Beauty, Hair and Beauty, News, Skin Care

You Beauty! Revive Active’s Collagen Super Supplement Lands Top UK Skincare Award

Revive Active, Ireland’s No1 Supplement Brand, is delighted to announce that Beauty Complex has been declared Winner of the Best Collagen Supplement in the prestigious Marie Claire UK Skin Awards 2023 – the industry’s original skin-only awards.

The Marie Claire UK team were joined by a panel of expert judges including dermatologists, facialists, doctors, journalists, sustainability champions and beauty experts who trialled and tested all products. The calibre of entries was outstanding this year, with the judging panel wishing Revive Active “Huge congratulations from the Marie Claire UK team”.

Beauty Complex was voted the stand-out category winner in the competitive Best Collagen Supplement category, with no Highly Commended product selected on this occasion, despite significant submissions. The announcement of Winners is highly anticipated, with millions of beauty lovers viewing it as the ultimate list of “must-have” beauty buys.

Revive Active was honoured to attend the virtual ceremony on Wednesday 22nd November to receive the Award. In addition, Beauty Complex is featured on a dedicated winners hub written by the beauty team on marieclaire.co.uk – reaching an 8.6m strong audience.

Nicola Fitzmaurice, Head of UK Marketing at Revive Active, comments, “We’re absolutely over the moon that Beauty Complex has been voted the Marie Claire UK Skin Awards Best Collagen Supplement for 2023. Since launching the product in the UK three years ago, this scientifically formulated super supplement has gained legions of beauty fans. We know that this ever-growing and loyal customer base love the product for its ability to nourish hair, skin and nails – in one handy, daily sachet. The success of the product is down not only to its superb formulation, with quality key ingredients working in synergy to deliver nutrients most effectively, but also its outstanding value for money. A truly premium product at a very affordable price point’

“Winning this Award is a team effort – from the expertise of our formulation team, and our supportive UK retailers and distributors, to our Brand Ambassadors, and of course, our customers. As the Marie Claire UK Collagen Supplement of the Year, we’re confident that Beauty Complex will go from strength to strength.” 

Beauty Complex is so much more than a collagen supplement, it is a super supplement that contains 7,000mg of Type 1 Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen Peptides, 100mg of Hyaluronic Acid, 10mg of Phytoceramides, three Vitamins (C, E, Biotin) and two minerals (Selenium, Copper) for all round nourishment and support of skin, hair and nails.

What makes it different to other products is not just its effective powdered delivery system and convenient sachets, it’s the powerful combination of eight scientifically selected active ingredients that work in synergy for optimum benefits. To match the ingredients in one sachet of Beauty Complex, you would need to take 19 regular size capsules.

Beauty Complex’s formulation was developed to compensate for declining Collagen, Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid in the body and for those who want to support their skin, hair, and nails.

RRP:  £49.95 for 30 daily sachets available at www.reviveactive.com

Also available at selected Holland & Barrett stores, Well Pharmacies, Revital, Wholefoods plus many independent health stores and pharmacies.

Hair and Beauty

The changing face of beauty: 3 market gaps for salon owners

In today’s dynamic and ever-evolving world, the concept of beauty has taken on new dimensions, driven by cultural shifts, technological advancements, and changing consumer preferences. The market is severely overcrowded, however, leading to problems like poor customer retention, uncertain profits, and the risk of going out of business. Still, budding entrepreneurs can find success in the beauty industry by meeting underserved consumer needs. If you don’t have a niche for your salon yet, now is the time to create one, which is exactly what this article will help you to do.

Before we dive in though, it’s important to note that selling treatments that you’re not familiar with can increase the risk of things going wrong — and as a result, you could face legal claims against your business. So, it’s important for you and your staff to get proper training and insurance before you start. As experts from Salon Gold explain: “all it takes is one mishap during a procedure for it to all go bottoms up. What if you accidentally burn a client’s skin with an IPL or laser? How do you handle a client seeking compensation?”Having insurance can protect your business against financial losses that could arise from legal proceedings.

With the serious stuff out of the way, let’s discuss three of the best gaps in the market for salon owners.

1.    Sustainable beauty

To respond to increasing consumer demand and tackle escalating environmental issues, the health and beauty industry is embracing sustainability. Consequently, eco-friendly salons are emerging globally to take advantage of this profitable yet ethical business opportunity.

One notable sustainable salon is Blue Tit — the first hair salon group in Europe to become B Corp certified. In the last year, Blue Tit has offset more emissions than it produced, shared an environmental impact report, and stopped over 10,000 plastic bottles from polluting land and oceans.

By choosing to make your salon eco-friendly, you can establish your business as an industry leader for environmental stewardship. You will also reach an audience who care about using products that are good for the Earth, helping you to attract a new customer base who prioritise green practices.

2.    Male beauty

Once upon a time, a man’s bathroom cabinet held just three staple products: hair gel, shaving cream and a 7-in-1 bottle of shampoo. Today, a complete spectrum of cosmetic products has found its way into the modern man’s grooming arsenal, from moisturisers and cleansers to sheet masks and foundation.

The male personal care market is expected to be worth a whopping $81.2 billion by 2024, yet, when it comes to salons and barbershops, the industry of male beauty remains largely underserved. This is largely because of the persisting stigma associated with men visiting salons, notes Scratch Magazine.

To attract men to your salon, you may wish to update your website and social media with clear service descriptions, explaining the benefits of salon treatments for guys. Also, share testimonials from satisfied male clients to encourage their interest and help to alleviate some of the anxieties your prospective male clients could have about booking an appointment.

3.    Inclusive haircuts

If your salon wants to stay relevant in 2023 and beyond, it’s imperative to ensure inclusivity. Offering services that cater to everyone is not just a passing fad, but an essential requirement for all salons.

Gender-based pricing — the practice of charging a different price for the same consumer goods or services on the basis of gender — can cause stress and unease for many people. In fact, Pantene reports that an enormous 93% of individuals who identify as transgender or non-binary have been misgendered at a salon.

Fundamentally, there is a need for inclusiveness within hair salons, and now is the prime opportunity to implement this transformation. To promote inclusivity, the NHBF advises against considering gender or protected attributes in your services and pricing. Instead, focus on factors like hair type, length, requested service, products, time allocation, and skill level.

Hair and Beauty, Menopause, News

Apprentice winner Dr Leah Totton unveils new 30-minute menopause skin treatment

APPRENTICE winner Dr Leah Totton has unveiled a revolutionary treatment designed to reverse skin ageing caused by the menopause.

The new 30-minute procedure targets the neck, arms and hands, the three key areas most often affected.

The award-winning cosmetic doctor, who won Apprentice Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment in 2013, said the ‘Lanluma V‘ treatment is a more natural, safe alternative than going under the knife.

‘Lanluma V’  is an innovative treatment that is being hailed by some in the industry as a game-changing collagen injection due to its unique ability to generate high levels of collagen in three key areas of the body most commonly affected by menopause: the neck, arms and hands. The key ingredient is Poly-L-lactic acid, which has been successfully used in medicine for over 30 years. Its collagen boosting powers reveal more youthful-looking skin in a matter of weeks, with no need for filler or surgery.

Speaking on her return to work after welcoming her first child, Irish-born Dr Leah, 34, who recently celebrated her business being crowned ‘Most Trusted UK Clinic’, commented on the medical aesthetics industry’s new collagen boost treatment for menopause skin care to treat previously neglected areas which ‘give away age’

She said: “Lanluma V has enabled Dr Leah Clinics to be able to deliver targeted menopause skin treatments. Lanluma V is a collagen stimulating solution which when injected under the skin gradually stimulates your own natural collagen and elastin formation in the treated area. This works to improve skin quality in that area, smoothing crêpey skin and wrinkles and thus treats the signs of ageing in areas of the body that we have previously not been unable to, including necks, arms, hands and the stomach.

“We know a woman’s skin loses about 30 percent of its collagen during the first five years of menopause and this often has a visible effect on the appearance of skin on the body.  The neck, chest, arms and hands can display obvious signs of ageing, particularly in oestrogen- deficient skin, and these areas are often neglected when it comes to skincare and aesthetic treatments. Women typically notice these changes in their late 40’s to early 50’s but it can affect younger women who have premature menopause.

“Up until now, there were comparatively less effective treatments available for these areas versus the face. It is not uncommon therefore for the neck, arms or hands to appear more aged than the face and therefore a ‘give away’ of age, and we know from research that hands alone can be used as an accurate predictor of age.”

Mother-of-one Leah is now one of the most successful ever winners of the BBC show.

Her London based cosmetic clinics have been recently crowned “Most Trusted UK Clinics” and her company accounts filed in March reported a 50% rise in turnover for 2022, reaching £2.7m with Pre-tax profits of £900,000.

As well as her growing business success, Leah has been basking in the glow of motherhood, after recently giving birth to a baby daughter.

Dr Leah opened her first non-surgical cosmetic clinic in central London in 2014, but she now has three clinics, with a fourth due to open in 2024 .

Dr Leah Clinics have won multiple accolades, most recently recognised as the UK’s “Most Trusted Cosmetic Clinic”.

The company has also launched their own skincare products, a foaming cleanser and moisturiser as part of the Dr Leah Skincare range.

In an interview last year, Leah revealed that Lord Sugar has requested a Botox treatment once the company earns £1m in profit — a milestone which is getting closer.

Leah and Lord Sugar are the company’s sole directors.

For more on Lanluma V, visit https://www.drleah.co.uk/treatments/body-treatments/lanluma-v

 

Hair and Beauty, News

S’Young International launches the first-ever Global Brand Festival to give European brands a chance to enter the lucrative Chinese Beauty Market

S’Young International recently hosted their first-ever inaugural brand festival for Global brands

S’Young International, initiators of the CP (China Partner) cooperation model, which offers international brands omni-channel market support to the lucrative Chinese beauty market, recently launched their first ever Global Brand Festival event, allowing international brands to connect and explore the opportunities to market.

Held in Changsha, a rapidly emerging and vibrant cosmopolitan city, the event gives international brands the opportunity to work with a reputable partner like S’Young International to capture a slice of China’s beauty and personal care market, which is estimated to be worth US$5.9.06bn in 2023, expecting an annual growth of 5.41% (CAGR 2023-2027).

Brands including Pier Augé, a French skincare range designed for sensitive skin, Evidens de Beauté, a French-Japanese anti-ageing luxury cosmetics brand, Lumene, offering Finnish natural beauty skincare and LORD & BERRY, an Italian make-up atelier, were some of the brands introduced to the captive Chinese market, which consisted of customers, partners, influencers and channel distributors from online e-commerce, high end stores, luxury hotels and beauty retail collection stores.

A first of its kind, the CP Global event allowed audiences to learn the brand histories, understand the brand personalities and its uniqueness, telling their brand stories through scenarios, fashion shows, speeches, dances, VCRs and introducing products to partners and Chinese consumers.

Having an opportunity like the CP Global Brand Festival gives international brands a chance to learn about the Chinese market, establish partnerships, gain insights into the local retail and e-tail opportunities and speak with collaborators to give their range the tools to succeed in the local market. S’Young International showed examples of how brands can work with their omni-channel, all dimension and full-lifecycle approach, demonstrating their cooperation model.

Says Co-founder and CEO of S’Young International, Marshall Chen:

“We are delighted that our partner brands have come to S’Young City, as this festival is for them. We hope to encourage more partners and consumers to understand the brands we work with, and we will continue to help them fully develop in China, as smoothly as possible.”

Alongside the ceremonies, S’Young International invited its partners to enjoy everything S’Young City can offer, including city tours, tree planting for brands, and other brand festival activities. Founders and senior executives of partner brands met with the S’Young International team, visited the international building, and had in-depth conversations with the research and development, marketing, and customer service teams.

With the beauty industry riding high in China and with global brands including Fenty Beauty,  Lancome and ESTĒE LAUDER  increasing their presence, could China be the market where brands are  seeing a growth, helping them to make up for the losses they occurred during the pandemic? With the emergence of an omni-channel and immersive retail approach, this could certainly be the beginning of the new 24hr on demand retail shopping experience.

Hair and Beauty

How to increase the profitability of your beauty salon

Ensuring good profitability for your salon will help you as an owner reach financial stability and provide you the opportunity to reinvest in your business. Without profit, you may struggle to pay the rent of your premises, pay your staff or replenish your stock.

If you’re worried about your salon’s profitability, here are five ways to ensure your business plan is more financially stable.

Offer upsells and add-ons

Upselling is an excellent way of increasing profitability. Small and frequent additional purchases can make all the difference. Charging a small fee on top of a treatment or service to enhance the client’s experience is an ideal incentive for that extra purchase.

For example, if you have a tanning salon, you could sell add-ons such as tan accelerators to ultimately upgrade the treatment for the client. This helps you to showcase your products and encourages your clients to repurchase if they have seen great results.

Implement loyalty programmes

Loyalty programmes can create satisfied customers and encourage customer retention. Customers who return and make repeat purchases generate the most profit, compared to new customers who are visiting as a one-off.

Consider offering your customers a loyalty card where they receive stamps every time they book a treatment. When they reach a certain number of visits, reward them with a free treatment or service of their choice.

Optimise pricing

It could be worth taking a deep dive into your pricing strategy, ensuring you’re being competitive without underselling your services. Identify the treatments which currently take the fewest bookings, reviewing why this is and whether you’re charging too much for the service.

You should also reconsider the treatments with the lowest profit margin and decide whether you should continue offering these. Focus more on the popular treatments and double down on what your clients are specifically requesting.

Invest in marketing

Ensuring you get customers through the door of your salon is crucial to making profit. By investing in marketing, both online and offline, you’ll be spreading awareness of your salon and informing your audience of the services you have to offer.

It’s not always as simple as relying on word of mouth. Advertising your services online can help you reach a wider audience. Plus, ensuring all the relevant details about your salon are easily accessible can help potential customers decide whether they want to book with you or not.

Manage inventory efficiency

Having the relevant inventory control is crucial for the everyday operations of your salon. Ensuring you have enough products required for the treatment you’re offering can help you avoid any last-minute cancellations and losing potential revenue in a situation that could have been avoided.