13 mins
Nail NATION
business
BRITISH BEAUTY COUNCIL ADDS TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS & ADVISORY BOARD
The British Beauty Council has welcomed industry professionals to its Board of Directors and Advisory Board, to support its objectives for the UK beauty industry.
Sue Fox, former president of Estée Lauder UK&I, and Sarah Boyd, managing director of Sephora UK, have joined the Council’s Board of Directors.
Joining the Council’s Advisory Board are:
• Harriet Westmoreland, celebrity nail artist.
• Margaret Dabbs OBE, CEO & founder of Margaret Dabbs London.
• Tendai Moyo, co-founder & CEO of Ruka Hair.
• Laurence Newman, CEO & founder of The Beauty Tech Group.
• Krishna Montgomery, founder of Monty PR.
• Rhea Cartwright, beauty brand consultant & columnist, Who What Wear.
• Amir Afshar and Insiya Jafferjee, co-founders of Shellworks. The British Beauty Council’s Board of Directors plays a vital role in offering guidance and support to the Council. The Advisory Board offers insights to the organisation in order to propel cross-industry campaigns, policy change and awareness.
The appointments will help drive the Council’s strategic roadmap, which focuses on four pillars: Policy & Influence, Trade & Export, Innovation & Technology and Talent & Careers.
Margaret Dabbs OBE comments: “It’s a privilege to join the British Beauty Council Advisory Board at such an exciting time for the industry. I’m passionate about championing innovation, standards and the role of wellbeing in beauty, and I look forward to working with the Council to help shape the future of the sector.”
Margaret Dabbs OBE
Millie Kendall OBE
Millie Kendall OBE, CEO of the British Beauty Council, adds: “It is vital that we tap into the ever-evolving world of leading beauty professionals to ensure we develop our work in line with the needs of the sector. I am delighted to welcome new members to the Board of Directors and Advisory Board, who will undoubtedly be vital to our continued success in taking beauty to the next level.”
www.britishbeautycouncil.com
Sweet Squared acquires nail art brand, :YOURS Cosmetics
Leeds-based nail, beauty and hair product distributor, Sweet Squared, has acquired :YOURS Cosmetics, a brand known for its trend-driven stamping plates and nail art tools.
Samantha Sweet
Dee Timmer
The move aligns with Sweet Squared’s commitment to providing professionals with high-quality products that help them express their creativity, and supports :YOURS Cosmetics in its goal to reach more nail techs in the UK, Ireland and beyond.
Samantha Sweet, co-founder of Sweet Squared, comments: “We have always admired the passion and love that :YOURS co-founders, Dee Timmer and Peter van den Bosch, pour into the brand. Their stamping plates are second to none, and their commitment to nail techs aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver love and respect to the professional. We’re thrilled to bring their artistry to more customers.”
Dee Timmer adds: “Sweet Squared has always felt like family to us. This partnership means more nail pros will have access to the tools they need to create stunning, original designs – and we can keep pushing the boundaries of nail art with the support of a like-minded, passionate team.”
www.sweetsquared.com
BABTAC expands Beauty Collective in mission to improve industry standards
The British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology (BABTAC) has welcomed 12 new members to its Beauty Collective. The group of over 30 experts across the beauty, business and education sectors is focused on championing professionalism, supporting new and established pros and improving consumer care, while enhancing the beauty industry’s reputation and trust among consumers.
It advocates for safer, smarter practices, increasing knowledge among professionals and consumers, and is spearheaded by BABTAC CEO, Lesley Blair MBE.
BABTAC has introduced the following members to its Beauty Collective:
• Victoria Brownlie MBE, chief of policy & sustainability for the British Beauty Council.
• Jenny Storey, founder of Urban Retreat & The Academy.
• Kate Berry, director of Urban Retreat & The Academy.
• Helena Grzesk MBE, founder of BeWell Consultancy.
• Sara Shoemark, founder of Glow Beauty & BABTAC board member.
• Rebecca Doyle, team dynamics & growth specialist, spa-wellness consultant & sector writer.
• Alexandra Forbes, managing director of Skin Rocks.
• Krestyna Batty, director of Janssen Cosmetics UK.
• Tara Moore, head of spa operations at Galgorm Collection.
• Andy Millward, facialist & nutritionist.
• Emily Hodson, founder of Skin Sentials.
• Teresa Tarmey, facialist.
www.babtac.com
TGB Academy launches online learning platform
The GelBottle Inc’s TGB Academy has unveiled an online learning platform for nail professionals seeking education that is ‘flexible, accessible and comprehensive’. The education hub enables pros at all stages of their careers to learn and refine their skills on their own schedules and terms. It offers a wide range of content, including:
• Free videos – such as how-to guides.
• Educational blogs.
• Business resources and templates.
• Accredited conversion courses. Head of education & spa at The GelBottle Inc, Giorgia Cappella, comments: “This is a monumental step forward for TGB Academy. The online learning platform means that high-quality education is now more accessible.
Giorgia Cappella
“It signifies our commitment to supporting every nail professional’s journey, from those starting out to seasoned experts looking to expand their businesses and branding knowledge. We’ve created a space where learning truly happens on your terms, breaking down traditional barriers and fostering a community of continuous growth and innovation.”
www.thegelbottle-academy.com
Vasilis Douzenis
UK BEAUTY INDUSTRY GREW FOUR TIMES FASTER THAN OVERALL ECONOMY IN 2024
The British Beauty Council has published its Value of Beauty report 2025. The annual report, compiled by Oxford Economics and commissioned by the Council, found that the UK personal care industry’s GDP contribution reached £30.4 billion in 2024. This is a 9% increase year on year, or 5% when adjusting for inflation: a growth four times faster than the economy’s growth rate.
2024 saw an 8% increase year on year in consumer spending across the personal care industry, reaching £32.4 billion. Professional services make up £10.1bn of this, and personal care goods account for £22.3bn. This is a 15% increase year on year for services, or 10% when adjusting for inflation, and a 5% increase for personal care goods, or 3% in line with inflation.
In 2025, it is predicted that the UK personal care industry will support a total GDP contribution of £31.5 billion: up 3%, due to an expected slowdown in the growth of household spending on personal care products and services.
The UK beauty industry accounted for 697,000 jobs in 2024, directly employing 496,000 workers: up 11% year on year and higher than pre-pandemic. It is estimated that the majority of this increase took place in the personal care services sub-sector, which employed 266,000 workers. However, the Value of Beauty report predicts a decrease in overall industry jobs by 2% to 681,000 this year.
Vasilis Douzenis, associate director of Oxford Economics’ Economic Impact department, comments: “The UK beauty and personal care sector saw stable growth in 2024. Beauty now directly contributes a larger share of GDP than the sports, amusement and recreation sectors. It also employs more jobs than the publishing and broadcasting industries.” The Value of Beauty report found that UK beauty and personal care manufacturers totalled £4.3 billion and accounted for 1.3% of UK goods exports in 2024: a significant decline since export highs in the 2010s. The EU continues to have strong control over beauty’s trade: while 47% of non-beauty goods are exported from the UK to the EU single market, 70% of beauty and personal care exports are to the EU.
Millie Kendall OBE, CEO of the British Beauty Council, notes: “Beauty’s drop in exports, and top exporting locations, doesn’t come as a surprise given the repercussions of not only Brexit, but the fluctuation in trade red tape globally. With 70% of beauty’s exports going to the EU, it is markedly important that policymakers mitigate trading challenges to the rest of the world to aid our global growth.”
www.britishbeautycouncil.com
pleasure
McLaren Formula 1 nail art offered in The GelBottle Inc collaboration
Professional nail brand, The GelBottle Inc (TGB), teamed up with Mastercard in July to offer McLaren Formula 1 fans themed nail art. A five-day pop-up nail bar was set up at London’s Style Of Our Own (SOOO) store, a retail concept on Regent Street dedicated to women in sport. TGB pros were on hand to create McLaren Racing-themed nail looks for attendees. The initiative served to champion female athletes through nail design, as part of TGB’s mission to support talented female leaders. Daisy Kalnina, CEO & founder of The GelBottle Inc, comments: “We are incredibly proud to support women in sport and to partner with a powerhouse like McLaren and its inspiring female-led marketing team. Nails are a powerful form of self-expression, and we love helping fans show their support for strong, talented female leaders both on and off the track.”
Daisy Kalnina
Charlie Carrington, senior vice president, marketing and communications for UK & Ireland at Mastercard, adds: “Our collaboration with The GelBottle Inc gave fans a playful way to support the McLaren Formula 1 team. Style met sport – allowing people to show their passion for motorsport right to their fingertips.” Later this year, The GelBottle Inc is set to collaborate with top female British rugby players for another initiative.
www.thegelbottle.com
HOME OF NAIL ART ATTENDS SMALL BUSINESS CELEBRATION AT DOWNING STREET
Wales-based professional nail brand, Home Of Nail Art (HONA), was invited to a small business celebration hosted by the UK chancellor, Rachel Reeves, in July. Held at 11 Downing Street, the event brought together over 40 winners and finalists of The Small Awards 2025 by Small Business Britain, where HONA won the Small Business of the Year and Supply Chain Champion accolades.
Michael Henson, co-founder of HONA, attended the Downing Street event, which served to recognise the contribution of the UK’s small businesses to the country’s economy, society and communities. He says: “Being invited to Downing Street was a surreal and unforgettable moment, not just for me, but for my wife and co-founder, Charlotte, and the entire HONA team.
“It was a proud reminder that small businesses like ours have a voice and role to play in shaping the future. To be recognised on a national stage means everything.
It validates the work we’ve poured into HONA and strengthens our belief that we’re building something that truly matters.” Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, comments: “It’s fantastic to celebrate the success of some of the UK’s brightest and best small businesses who play a vital role in driving growth, supporting jobs and keeping our high streets and communities thriving. We’re backing small businesses by tackling issues like late payments and announcing £6.6bn of new capital for the British Business Bank to help SMEs expand, create new jobs and boost their competitiveness internationally”.
www.homeofnailart.com
NAIL & BEAUTY BITES
Beauty, wellness and fitness software provider, Zenoti, has launched The Check-In, a free growth hub for professionals. The content and resource hub connects industry pros to helpful information, such as leadership tips, growth strategies and insights to help drive their business goals.
www.zenoti.com/thecheckin
UK hair and beauty distributor, Sweet Squared, has added haircare brand, K18, to its portfolio, offering professionals the chance to access its biotech-powered products and education. Sweet Squared is one of two distribution partners for the company in England, Wales and the Channel Islands.
www.sweetsquared.com
The Sustainable Beauty Awards 2025 is open to entries from brands, retailers, distributors, ingredient and packaging suppliers, NGOs and stakeholders championing a greener future for the beauty industry. Five awards categories are open to entries until 19 September, with winners announced in October.
www.sustainablebeautyawards.com
CEO of the British Beauty Council & co-founder of BRANDstand Communications, Millie Kendall OBE, has been appointed an advisor for Canadian beauty brand, 19/99. The expert will help increase UK brand awareness for the make-up company, which serves to challenge homogenous beauty ideals.
www.1999beauty.com
Sustainable packaging developer, Shellworks, has launched the world’s first fully home-compostable pipette dropper. It is produced from Vivomer, a plastic-like material which is made from waste biomass such as plants, and has been in development for two years.
www.shellworks.com
ELEMIS becomes official skincare partner of Aston Martin
Skincare brand, ELEMIS, has announced a multi-year, international partnership with car manufacturer, Aston Martin. The collaboration between the two British luxury brands will see ELEMIS host premium skincare experiences at Aston Martin events and flagship locations, as well as deliver bespoke launches.
The partnership debuted at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, where ELEMIS offered self-care experiences to VIP clients, media and creators in the Aston Martin Hospitality Lounge. This month, the skincare brand will host a pop-up spa in the Aston Martin House at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance show, California.
“At ELEMIS, we’ve always believed in delivering excellence through innovation, craftsmanship and care: values we share with Aston Martin,” comments Sean Harrington, ELEMIS co-founder & CEO. “Together, we’re creating immersive, sensorial experiences that redefine modern luxury for a global audience.”
Stefano Saporetti, director of brand diversification at Aston Martin, adds: “By integrating premium skincare experiences at our events and flagship locations, we’re not just enhancing the holistic luxury lifestyle associated with Aston Martin; we’re also attracting new audiences and reinforcing our shared British luxury pedigree.”
www.elemis.com / www.astonmartin.com
AI NAIL MACHINE STARTUP PRESENTS LUXURY POTENTIAL AT CHINA EVENT
Umia, the Canadian company behind an automated artificial intelligence manicure studio, was invited by luxury group, Kering, to present the possibilities of ‘Luxury x Beauty’ as part of its Innovation Day in China in June. Modi Liu, Umia co-founder, comments: “It was an honour for Umia to participate as a selected startup.
Modi Liu
Engaging with the group to present our AI-powered nail system and explore its potential for the luxury sector was a very encouraging experience. It was equally inspiring to connect with fellow AI startups, who are collectively redefining the future of luxury through cutting-edge innovation.
“A special thanks to Plug and Play China and TRAJECTRY for organising such an exceptional event, blending fashion and technology in the dynamic setting of Shanghai’s M50 Art District.”
www.umia.beauty
Studex Golf Day raises £30k for charity
Piercing training and product provider, Studex, hosted its annual Golf Day in June, raising £30,000 for charity, We Are All Making a Difference. The Birmingham-based charitable trust distributes funds to individuals and organisations who do not have the ability to raise funds themselves, predominately in the West Midlands region.
Studex has been hosting its annual Golf Day for over 20 years, continuously supporting We Are All Making a Difference and attracting around 100 people for each event. This year’s Golf Day took place at Greetham Valley Golf Course, Rutland.
A spokesperson for Studex UK comments: “At Studex we are proud to host the Golf Day to raise money for such an amazing cause. It is an honour to continue to work with such an important and inspirational charity, and we look forward to next year’s event. If you are interested in attending or sponsoring the 2026 Golf Day, please get in touch.”
www.studexuk.com
DATES FOR THE DIARY
8 August
Registration closes for
Nailympia London Online
Eleven Nailympia London competition categories are open for registration until 8 August, with work to be submitted by 17 August. Welcoming global competitors, categories include Reality Nails, Flat Art, Mixed Media, To Stiletto and Beyond and AI Nail Vision Poster, a new category for 2025.
To view the rules and register your entry, visit www.nailympia.com
28 September
Nail Order Sunday Service Event
The Nail Order brand is to host its second Sunday Service Event in Birmingham. The day will welcome guest speakers and educators, including celebrity manicurist, Robbie Tomkins; content creator, Zoya Mac, and nail artist & Scratch Stars Awards finalist 2025, Megan Heppinstall. There will also be an opportunity to shop a range of nail brands, before a party in the evening, where RuPaul’s Drag Race star, Awhora, will perform.
To purchase tickets, visit www.nailorder.co.uk