Nail NATION

BUSINESS

British Beauty Council announces board appointments

The British Beauty Council (BBCo) has welcomed Diana Verde Nieto and Nnenna Onuba to its executive board. They are working alongside existing directors to propel the growth of the BBCo and ensure that the non-profit organisation meets its aims.

Diana Verde Nieto

Nnenna Onuba

A prominent business leader & sustainability expert, Diana Verde Nieto is co-founder of Positive Luxury. The company aids the global luxury industry, including beauty businesses, in adopting sustainable practices with its Butterfly Mark certification. She comments: “I look forward to sharing my expertise, which I’ve gained from my work at the intersection of sustainability, innovation and impact, towards serving the beauty industry and supporting the organisation’s leadership team.” Following tenures at PwC and Rothschild & Co, Nnenna Onuba has an extensive background in beauty entrepreneurship, mergers and acquisitions and angel investing. She founded CIC 100 Allies, which identifies and promotes underrepresented talent to support the diversification of beauty boardrooms, and is founder of skincare and wellness brand, LBB Skincare. “I’m Nnenna Onuba committed to contributing to the Council’s pillars of growth, talent and policy,” she says. “Together, we will champion the beauty industry’s vibrant potential and its recognition as a key player in the UK economy, society and beyond.” The British Beauty Council has also appointed 10 industry professionals to its 70-strong advisory board, who will raise awareness of the organisation’s work and provide insights into beauty challenges and opportunities. The appointments are: Isamaya Ffrench, Lucy Bridge, Sylvie Macmillan, Teresa Tarmey, Dr Alex Granite, Kate Phelan, Claire Aggarwal, Azzi Glasser, Shavata Singh and Neil Moodie. www.britishbeautycouncil.com

Ecovia Intelligence unveils sustainable cosmetics predictions

London-based research, consulting and training company, Ecovia Intelligence, has offered eight predictions for sustainable cosmetics in 2024. It shares:

1. Green attributes. The range of cosmetics products with sustainability attributes will continue to expand, with shampoo bars, solid moisturising and sheet masks making headway, alongside microbiome-friendly products and refillables.

2. Ethical labels. The number of ethical labels in the cosmetics industry will continue to grow. Natural and organic are the most established labels; followed in popularity by Nordic Swan, Fairtrade, Non-GMO and Climate Neutral.

3. Plant-based cosmetics. More brands are expected to market their products as vegan.

4. New technologies. More cosmetic ingredients will continue to be made using precision fermentation, plant cells and new technologies.

5. Captured carbon molecules. Expect to see more companies using carbon captured molecules to make cosmetic ingredients, packaging and finished products.

6. Deforestation-free ingredients. Growing consumer concerns about deforestation are encouraging organisations to develop green ingredients, such as alternatives to palm oil.

7. Green packaging. The move away from single-use plastics is encouraging cosmetic brands to experiment with new packaging materials, such as bamboo, beeswax, wood chips and agricultural fibres.

8. Marketing claims & greenwashing. There will be greater scrutiny of green marketing claims this year as regulators bring in new legislation. www.ecoviaint.com

Sweet Squared acquires distribution of Louella Belle’s hand & footcare brands

Award-winning distribution and training company, Sweet Squared (S2), has taken over UK distribution, support and education for Artistic Nail Design, Footlogix, Belava, Famous Names and Footsie from Louella Belle. The acquisition of these hand and footcare brands on 5 February offers greater choice for the professional S2 customer, and the ease of buying from one distributor.

Louella Belle co-owners, Jamie and Darren Crook, comment: “It has been a pleasure to partner with Footlogix, Artistic, Famous Names, Belava and Footsie over the years. We are immensely proud of growing these brands and feel that now is the perfect time for our friends at Sweet Squared to take them to the next level, while we focus on new and exciting opportunities.

Jamie & Darren Crook

“We’ve known Samuel and Samantha Sweet for over 20 years, and the reputation they’ve built within our industry is second to none. We are very confident that our customers will benefit from the outstanding service, product ranges and education, for which Sweet Squared is so well-known.

“Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to our late mother and founder of Louella Belle, Lisa Crook. We know that she will be looking down, excited to watch the brands continue to grow at their new home.”

Samantha & Samuel Sweet

Samantha and Samuel Sweet, founders of Sweet Squared, add: “We are a company founded for and dedicated to the professional and are beyond excited to start serving our patented love and respect to the professionals devoted to these brands. “We are grateful to Jamie, Darren and the entire Louella Belle family for everything they’ve done to nurture these brands in the UK and Ireland over the past few years. They are handing them over to us in great shape and we send everyone at Louella Belle the greatest of Love & Respect.” The brands join Sweet Squared’s existing distribution portfolio, which includes CND™, Lecenté, :YOURS and LashUs, amongst hair and skincare brands. www.sweetsquared.com

Hair & beauty T Level cancelled in favour of beauty-specific alternative

The Department for Education (DfE) has cancelled the Hairdressing, Barbering & Beauty Therapy (HBBT) T Level, following feedback from industry trade bodies. The combined T Level was due to launch in September 2024, but has been disbanded in favour of a beauty-focused T Level and existing level 2 or 3 apprenticeships. T Levels are two-year courses that are carried out after GCSEs. They offer students practical and knowledge-based learning at a school or college, as well as on-the-job experience through an industry placement of at least 315 hours.

Robert Halfon, minister of state for skills, apprenticeships & higher education, said in a written statement: “The beauty sector has fed back that a good quality level 3 classroom-based progression route is desirable. Therefore, this government will explore a T Level that focuses on the beauty sector, with the expectation that this could be introduced after 2025. “This differs from feedback we have had from representatives in the hair sector, which has led us to conclude that the best route is for learners to progress into their industry through completion of an existing level 2 or level 3 apprenticeship or a level 2 classroom-based qualification.” Caroline Larissey, chief executive at the National Hair & Beauty Federation, notes: “It is envisioned that the beauty T Level will provide academic kudos with stakeholders for progression into advanced therapies and aesthetics, because of its greater technical and academic bias, compared to the traditional vocational pathway.

Caroline Larissey

“Employers from hair salons and barbershops will always prefer that a prospective employee should enter the sector via a ‘job-ready’ route or qualification, such as an apprenticeship or through an equivalent college-based level 2 qualification.” www.gov.uk ´

CIBTAC LAUNCHES LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATE IN NAIL TECHNOLOGY TO HEIGHTEN SECTOR EXPERTISE

The Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (CIBTAC) has launched a level 3 certificate in Nail Technology, written to provide learners with ‘an opportunity to master new and established nail enhancement systems.’

This course offering aims to give aspiring nail experts the opportunity to secure a comprehensive, Ofqual regulated qualification, and has been written in response to developments in the vibrant nail sector. Lesley Blair MBE, CEO & chair of BABTAC & CIBTAC, comments: “Anyone who undergoes this comprehensive Ofqual regulated course can be assured that they will develop the best knowledge and skill base possible for all nail technology, and will secure a qualification that will be fit for purpose for any future licencing requirements.”

Lesley Blair MBE

The qualification is delivered via blended learning: online and face-to-face practical delivery and assessment, and mapped to the National Occupational Standard (NOS) for nail treatments. It includes the following units: ^

• Monitor and maintain health & safety.

• Manicure and pedicure services.

• Apply and maintain liquid & powder, gel and wrap nail (or structured nail) enhancement systems.

• Gel polish services.

• Prepare and enhance nails using electric files. CIBTAC examiner & Scratch columnist, Kim Ford, comments: “CIBTAC therapists are sought after worldwide and viewed as prestigious, excellent professionals with outstanding skills and knowledge. A CIBTAC qualification will help you excel in your dream career.” www.cibtac.com/qualifications

Kim Ford

Small businesses offered the chance to benefit from Deborah Meaden’s business advice

NESCAFÉ® B2B by Nestlé Professional is giving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) the chance to win business insight from entrepreneur, business guru & Dragon’s Den investor, Deborah Meaden.

Open to SMEs across all industries, the Let’s Partner up for Good programme will see six businesses win a seat at the table to discuss challenges, such as their sustainability journey, workplace wellbeing and business growth. Meaden will be joined by NESCAFÉ® B2B business experts and the competition will culminate in a live discussion, due to take place later this year.

Nadia Roberts, brand manager at NESCAFÉ B2B, comments: “Whether it’s understanding what sustainability means for individual SMEs, improving employee wellbeing or boosting growth in the current climate, our aim with this partnership is to provide bespoke insight for the six selected businesses and create a platform with longevity for learning and sharing for the small business community.”

Deborah Meaden adds: “I’m passionate about running ‘good’ businesses, and ‘good’ will mean different things to different people. One size does not fit all. Running a business is a constant stream of challenges to navigate and it can be difficult to know where to turn for support and advice. I’m delighted to work with NESCAFÉ® B2B to share my knowledge and experiences with SMEs across the UK.” Owners of SMEs have the chance to win a place in the audience to listen as the conversations unfold, and pose their questions in a live Q&A session with Deborah.

Enter the competition by 31 March via https://bit.ly/DiscussionswithDeborah.

PLEASURE

2 in 3 women turn to beauty appointments to support mental wellbeing

Research from salon booking platform, Fresha, has revealed that two in three women are supporting their mental wellbeing via beauty experiences in 2024. This aligns with TikTok trend, ‘girl therapy’; a phrase used when girls and women prioritise self-care via activities, from dancing to their favourite songs to carrying out beauty routines. In Fresha’s The Future of Beauty & Wellness Report 2024, created in collaboration with trend forecasting authority, WGSN, 59% of beauty consumers surveyed shared that they see wellness as being about how they feel both mentally and emotionally. Less than a third (32%) noted that it is just about how they feel physically.

Findings show that two-thirds of women (65%) are turning to beauty experiences that prioritise their mental and emotional health, over physical health. And over half of men surveyed (52%) agreed that they are doing the same.

The report details that emotional wellbeing has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, cost of living crisis and climate emergency. It cites the 2022 Gallup Global Emotions Report, which found that a mixture of negative emotions including anger, stress, anxiety, fear and sadness has led to a new record level of unhappiness, compared with its first edition in 2006. www.fresha.com

CELEBRITY NAIL ARTIST LAUNCHES 8-DAY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME IN BALI

Julie Kandalec, founder of Julie K Nail Academy, has announced her first Business Mastermind in Bali, Indonesia, 11-18 June 2024. The eight-day programme is tailored to nail artists, hair stylists, make-up artists and aestheticians seeking to enhance their branding and entrepreneurial skills.

Julie Kandalec

Business Mastermind offers students the opportunity to expand their professional network beyond digital connections in an intimate setting, and learn on a one-to-one basis from Julie. The celebrity manicurist boasts a client roster including P!nk, Emily Blunt and Camila Cabello, and her work has been featured in multiple beauty titles and campaigns. Julie is also the founding creative director of Paintbox, a nail art studio in New York City. The programme is capped at 12 students, and will feature three live entrepreneurial masterclasses, a branding photo shoot and activities such as sunset dinners, trips to stunning spas for treatments and a give-back visit to an orphanage to offer manicures.

Business Mastermind breakdown:

Masterclass #1: Social media & content creation for beauty pros.

Masterclass #2: Behind the scenes as a freelance & celebrity beauty pro.

Masterclass #3: Media mastery: elevate your presence and establish credibility.

Business Mastermind also includes a four-star stay at private accommodation, spiritual cleansing ceremony, private Ubud tour and yoga session.

For more information, visit www.julieknailacademy.com/mastermind

Nails.INC & McDonald’s collaborate to serve up treats for hands & feet

British nail brand,Nails.INC, has joined forces with iconic fast-food chain, McDonald’s, to create a range of quirky nail products. Inspired by popular menu choices, indulge in ‘I Speak French’ press-on nails in brown paper bag-style packaging, gold heart ‘I’m Lovin It’ lacquer, and ‘Gotta Ketchup’ nail polish with a side of nail art stickers, in a fries-themed box.

Completing the range is a fun burger-shaped set, including two 8ml Nails.INC nail polishes: Big Mac Please and Gotta Ketchup, alongside a mix of 80 burger, fries and signature golden arches nail stickers. www.nailsinc.com

NAIL & BEAUTY BITES

Lucky Envelope by Aprés Nail has been revealed as the red gel polish hue used for Ariana Grande’s nails in her Yes, And? music video. Manicurist, Miki of My Name is Miki Nail, New York, shares her experience working with the singer in an interview with Scratch.

Scan to read

Sweet Squared has unveiled the CND™ Online Certification Programme, to increase the accessibility of comprehensive, professional training. Each 60-minute class focuses on a specific CND™ system, and participants will gain access to exclusive promotions and receive a stylish window sticker on completing the course. www.sweetsquared.com

The European Spa Platinum Resource 2024 has launched: a book that features wellness leaders, spas, trends and brands to watch. It also offers insight and expert advice on key challenges and trending topics, from recruitment and sustainable spa design to cancer touch therapies and business data analysis. Download for free via www.europeanspamagazine.com/platinum-resource

Nail art exhibition opens in NYC

A.I.R Gallery in Brooklyn, New York City, has opened ACRYLICS: Hidden Sculptural Art, an immersive exhibition running until 10 March 2024. Curated by multidisciplinary artist, ICECOLD, the exhibition and corresponding book present the complex world of nail art via sculptural, editorial and sonic storytelling. ACRYLICS is a surreal 360º interpretation of the manicure experience, as hands covered in red nail polish protrude from the walls of the gallery. Featured nail artists are Stephanie Kao, Lesly Arrañaga, Alexis Auer, Jalen Dominique, Parvee Perry, Melissa Samuel, Sky Somalia, Momoka Takahashi, Marbles Valdez and Aja Walton. Each showcase their voice and creative perspectives through nail expressions within the ACRYLICS salon.

ICECOLD’s creative vision is channelled within the pages of a coffee table book, which highlights the dynamic history of nail art, its diverse global origins and intricate evolution through American history. It also details creative foundations defined by Asian immigrants and Black Americans and taps Alex Fox, co-founder of Scratch magazine & global director of Nailympia Competitions, for an insightful foreword on the blossoming of a revolutionary art form. Thirty-five percent of all book sales go to the featured nail artists and production personnel.

Adding further dimension to the project, ICECOLD has produced Red, Please, a sonic experience that captures the essence of each story within the book and takes exhibition viewers on an auditory journey with the displayed nail art. www.airgallery.org

Look Good Feel Better charity to raise funds via netball tournament

Cancer support charity, Look Good Feel Better, has partnered with England Netball to host a tournament to raise money for those undergoing cancer treatment.

Look Good Feel Better offers free virtual and face-to-face beauty workshops to those diagnosed with cancer. led by trained beauty industry volunteers. These professionals provide expert advice on changes to nails, hair, skin, eyebrows and eyelashes during treatment, supporting body confidence.

Held in the University of Warwick’s Sports and Wellness Hub, the fifth instalment of Look Good Feel Better’s Charity Netball Tournament will take place on Sunday 17 March. Competing teams will benefit from coaching and umpiring courtesy of England Netball, with elite netball athletes in attendance to teach tips and tricks. Goody bags worth over £100 will be given to players and a range of prizes are up for grabs on the day.

Charity Netball Tournament events have raised a combined total of over £138,000 since 2017, providing support to over 2,500 people living with cancer accessing Look Good Feel Better’s services.

Ian Daniels, director of fundraising & head of communications at Look Good Feel Better, comments: “As a national charity, deeply rooted in local communities, we want to help more people in more places, delivering an inclusive and impactful service to people needing support. We are looking forward to welcoming all the players and spectators at what promises to be a spectacular sporting event.”

Ian Daniels

For information about registration or spectating, visit www.lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk/charity-netball-tournament