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NHBF campaign urges Government to recognise hair & beauty sector

Caroline Larissey

The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) has launched a campaign asking the UK Government to formally recognise the crucial contributions of the hair and beauty sector to the nation’s economy, communities and wellbeing.

Respect Our Sector is a bold call-to-action focused on recognition, investment and inclusion. It urges policymakers to identify the hair and beauty industry as more than consumer-facing.

The NHBF reports that the UK’s hair and beauty sector contributes £5.8 billion to the economy annually, supporting over 220,000 jobs. It has an 86% female majority, making it ‘one of the most accessible and empowering career pathways for women and entrepreneurs’. The NHBF shares that around 50,000 salons, barbershops and clinics on UK high streets are ‘community hubs where relationships flourish, isolation is reduced and local identity is strengthened’.

The organisation is advocating for ‘a fairer VAT model – including the potential for reduced rates or a smoothing mechanism – to allow businesses to scale sustainably, create more jobs and drive economic recovery’.

“Respect Our Sector is more than a message; it’s a movement,” says Caroline Larissey, NHBF chief executive. “We’re asking the Government to recognise our true value.

Stronger hair and beauty businesses mean stronger communities. The sector is resilient, creative and essential, but to continue thriving, it must be included in the policy decisions that shape our country’s future.”

For information on how to join the NHBF, visit www.nhbf.co.uk and follow @nhbfsocial on Instagram.

Ellisons partners with Katie Barnes Tool Range to broaden product availability

UK beauty wholesaler, Ellisons, has partnered with Katie Barnes Tool Range to make the brand’s portable E-file and bits, cuticle tools, nail files and accessories available for purchase via Ellisons online and click and collect.

Founded by multi award-winning nail pro & educator, Katie Clark (née Barnes), the Katie Barnes Tool Range was developed to meet the needs of nail technicians and educators, with every product engineered to solve common salon challenges and improve service efficiency.

Nadine Meakins, head of trading & digital marketing at Ellisons, comments: “We are delighted to launch the Katie Barnes Tool Range exclusively at Ellisons. With a combination of expert design, precision focus and ergonomic features, Katie Barnes’ tools are suited to seasoned professionals and beginners seeking to elevate their nail services.”

Katie Barnes Tool Range products that are available at Ellisons include various E-file Bits, Curved Cuticle Scissors, 2-Way Nail Files, the Portable E-file and Desk Lamp.

For more information or to shop Katie Barnes Tool Range, visit www.ellisons.co.uk & www.katiebarnesacademy.com

NAIL BRAND, B’ZILLION, ENTERS THE UK MARKET

Cornwall-based entrepreneurs, Christopher Hallett, Ashley Hayward and Victoria Hayward, have unveiled B’Zillion, a fashion-led nail brand that boasts HEMA-free gel nail products, accessories, over 30 gel polish shades and four neutral builder gels.

The brand aims to make ‘high-performance, salon-quality nail products accessible, without compromising style or safety’. “B’Zillion is about doing things differently,” says co-founder, Ashley Hayward. “Every product has been carefully sourced, tested and designed to perform brilliantly in the nail space.”

Staying true to its Cornish roots, B’Zillion’s marketing, branding and fulfilment is handled locally, and the founders are excited to see the impact the brand will have on the UK nail scene. B’Zillion is hoping to create a community of nail lovers who encourage each other, as the tagline states, ‘Dare to be / Different’.

The full range is available to shop via www.bzillion.co.uk

Industry veteran launches online programme to elevate knowledge

Rebecca Orme

Award-winning nail tech, educator & competition judge, Rebecca Orme, has launched a 12-month membership programme ‘for qualified nail techs with a thirst to know everything’. The nail pro, who has 24 years’ experience in the sector, designed the programme ‘to empower nail techs with science-backed information’. Rebecca utilises her industry experience and degree in biological sciences to support learning.

“The membership is pre-loaded with 12 lessons for techs to learn and digest over the first month. Two lessons will then be uploaded each week,” Rebecca explains. “The lessons are in video form, with information conveyed in a digestible manner.” The membership covers both theory and practical elements, ‘from the natural nail to polymerisation, ingredients, safe application and removal, with an emphasis on the how and why’. Downloadable PDFs and bonus lessons on trend-led designs are also available.

“This is a comprehensive programme, offering factual and science-based information to dispel myths and help techs be better armed to advise clients,” Rebecca adds. “It is not a qualification, but a way to enhance existing qualifications with additional knowledge.”

Visit www.academy.rebeccaorme.co.uk to find out more and book your place.

Report reveals key trends shaping salons

Luke Doolin

Salon software company, Phorest, gathered 716 responses from salon clients in the UK and Ireland, to find out what they want from their salon experiences. Key discoveries of the Consumer Insights Report 2025 include:

• 50% of clients want salons to personalise their experiences via rewards and offers, while 41% appreciate businesses remembering their in-salon preferences.

• 41% of clients would like at-home care products recommended to them by salons.

• Cleanliness and hygiene standards were ranked as the primary reasons why people would pay more for a premium experience, while 36% noted that a relaxing or upscaled ambience would motivate them to pay higher prices.

• 45% of clients prefer digitally scheduling appointments, noting convenience and the ability to see available slots.

• When looking for a new salon, 61% of consumers rely on word of mouth, while price and location remain chief deciding factors. New client retention sits at 29%, ‘indicating a clear need for salons to focus on second visit incentives and follow-up strategies’.

• More than half of clients are open to using AI for basic booking tasks. However, there remains a strong preference for human interaction during services.

Luke Doolin, Phorest UK & Ireland country manager, comments: “This report is more than a snapshot of client preferences; it’s a roadmap for sustainable growth. These findings prove that small, consistent changes, backed by the right tools, can deliver a big impact for clients and businesses.”

www.phorest.com

MII COSMETICS SUPPORTS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS THROUGH PINK PRODUCT SALES

Throughout October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month), Mii Cosmetics is donating £5 to the Future Dreams charity from every 13ml pink Mii Statement Gel sold.

There are 38 shades to choose from, with finishes including crème, metallic, sheer and shimmer. Additionally, the nail brand is donating 20% from sales of pink Colour Confidence nail polish shades purchased via its consumer website.

Future Dreams supports thousands of people affected by breast cancer every year, and Gerrard International, distributor of Mii Cosmetics, has donated over £15,000 to the charity to date.

Gerrard International chairman, Susan Gerrard, comments: “Future Dreams is a charity close to my heart. It’s about dreaming for the future and offering hope for a healthier life, life, so it can be lived fully.”

Mii Cosmetics will also share inspiring nail art on its Instagram page this month.

To take part, follow and tag @miicosmeticspro and @futuredreamscharity in Instagram posts.

www.miicosmetics.com

US beauty industry value grows to $50.6 billion

Larissa Jensen

Instagram.com/wearecircana

American market research and technology company, Circana, has reported growth in various areas of the beauty sector, with the value of the prestige beauty market up 2% to $16 billion and sales at mass merchants increasing 4% to $34.6 billion in the first half of 2025. In Q1, nail polish was a top-performing segment within prestige beauty.

“The beauty industry’s latest results are indicative of a consumer who is focused on efficacy and elevated value,” comments Larissa Jensen, global beauty industry advisor at Circana. “As the industry faces tariff uncertainties and shifting consumer sentiment, adaptability and strategic agility are essential for success in 2025.”

pleasure

THE MANICURE COMPANY ADDS SIGNATURE SPA PRODUCTS TO PORTFOLIO

Formulated to elevate manicure and pedicure experiences, The Manicure Company’s Signature Spa range is vegan, cruelty-free and infused with the brand’s signature scent. Designed to hydrate, calm and replenish, the four products are intended to be used together as part of a considered care routine. They are:

Nourishing Soak – a gentle cleanser with vitamin E that softens and revitalises the skin.

Hydrating Scrub – a delicate exfoliant enriched with jojoba seed oil and aloe leaf juice that polishes dull, dry skin to a radiant finish.

Moisturising Cream – an indulgent cocktail of shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil and vitamin E that locks in moisture, softening skin with fast absorption and a velvety smooth texture. Signature Cuticle Oil (available in a pen or dropper bottle) – featuring sweet almond oil, avocado seed oil and sunflower seed oil, this nutrient-rich blend deeply hydrates the cuticles and nails to aid strength.

Shop the Signature Spa range at www.themanicurecompany.com

KISS Products unveils nail & lash collection inspired by Wicked: For Good

KISS Products, Inc. is casting a glamorously wicked spell over beauty lovers with a Wicked-inspired collection. Featuring fantastical press-on nails and false eyelashes, the 16-piece limited edition collection is available across the KISS Nails, FALSCARA and imPRESS ranges. Inspired by the release of Wicked: For Good, in cinemas from 21 November, the collection encourages users to channel their inner Elphaba and ‘close your eyes and leap’ into the magical products. These include eight thrillifying glue-on nail designs; six no-glue press-on nail looks; mini lash extension kits with four spellbinding styles, and four dazzling no-glue lash looks that apply easily underneath natural lashes.

“We didn’t just create a collection – we conjured up the magic, mystery and energy of Wicked and transformed it into beauty products you can wear every day,” says Kristin Giarrusso, global marketing director for KISS Products, Inc.

www.kisseurope.uk

Celebrity manicurist receives achievement award

Michele Elyzabeth

Instagram.com/micheleelyzabeth

The Daytime Beauty Awards (DBAs) presented Tom Bachik (@tombachik) with the Outstanding Achievement in Nail Artistry award at a glitzy ceremony on 21 September. The nail awards category returned to the event for the first time since its launch in 2018, when celebrity nail artist, Yoko Sakakura, was honoured. It pays tribute to the artistry, science and innovation of nail styling.

Bachik boasts three decades’ experience tending to the nails of celebrities and models, partnering with brands and sharing his nail expertise on an international scale as an educator & speaker. He has also launched his own products, including chrome powders and nail colour pens.

The globally renowned Los Angeles-based pro is known for creating standout looks for stars including Jennifer Lopez, Selena Gomez and Hailee Steinfeld. His work has been featured on the covers of Vogue, Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone, and in campaigns for brands such as Gucci, Chanel, L’Oréal and Tweezerman.

Michele Elyzabeth, founder of the Daytime Beauty Awards, comments: “Nail artistry represents both chemistry and creativity, and Tom Bachik has elevated it to a level that influences fashion, beauty and culture on a global scale.”

www.daytimebeautyawards.com

NAIL & BEAUTY BITES

The GelBottle Inc has partnered with Bristol Bears Women as the rugby team’s official nail provider for the 2025/26 season. The collaboration is a nod to the nail brand’s commitment to supporting women’s sports and empowering female athletes to express themselves on and off the field. www.thegelbottle.com

Buttercups Uniforms has unveiled the Fern Ribbon Detail Tunic, a sophisticated style that ‘merges function and finesse’. Available in Black, Grey and Blush, the tunic is made from bi-stretch fabric and features corset-style synched sides, elevating the everyday look. www.buttercupsuniforms.com

Luxury disposable salon towel company, Enki Towels, has received OK Compost Industrial (OKI) certification, verifying that its products meet the requirements for industrial compostability. Enki Towels are 100% biodegradable, helping salons save time, money, energy and water while maintaining high standards of hygiene and comfort. www.enkitowels.com

Award-winning nail pro & educator, Katie Barnes, has launched the Katie Barnes Nail Art Brush Collection: a range of eight brushes made from vegan and cruelty-free professional-grade synthetic hair. The tools feature a flat tip handle design that prevents them from rolling off nail desks. www.katiebarnesacademy.com

RevitaLash® Cosmetics has created an in-salon treatment in partnership with UK brow expert, Shavata Singh. The Lash & Brow Facial uses the RevitaLash® Lash & Brow Masque to restore, replenish and elevate natural lashes and brows, infusing them with nutrient-rich ingredients. The facial is available exclusively at The Brow Studio, Knightsbridge. www.revitalash.co.uk

The GelBottle Inc is celebrating 10 years of innovation, artistry and colour with the launch of Decade, a molten metallic gel polish. The silver shade transforms from a high-gloss formula to a brushed silver chrome when cured, delivering a sleek, on-trend and refined nail finish. www.thegelbottle.com

LIGHT ELEGANCE EVOLVES JIMMYGEL COLLECTION

Known for its strength, flexibility and ease of use, the JimmyGel Building Base Gel from Light Elegance is now available in four autumn-friendly shades.

The JimmyColor hues blend the strength of builder gel with standout colour, and are ‘versatile, on-trend and crafted to flatter every client and season’. Sheer Black is a smoky translucent charcoal that adds a touch of drama to looks; Sheer Brown is an espresso-inspired neutral, boasting earthy sophistication; Sheer Amber is a honey-nude, making every nail appear sun-kissed, and Sheer Sparkle is a clear base infused with iridescent glitter that can be worn alone or on top of other hues.

Available via www.lightelegance.co.uk

TGB provides manis backstage at the NTAs

Presenters & podcasters, Ally Mackintosh and G. Forsyth-Read.

TV star, Demi Jones.

Photos courtesy of Nick Andrews www.nickandrewsphoto.com

Daisy Kalnina

Brighton-based professional nail brand, The GelBottle Inc (TGB), was the official nail partner of the 2025 National Television Awards (NTAs). Broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX on 10 September, the star-studded awards ceremony marked its 30th anniversary at The O2, London, and TGB leant a helping hand to create red carpet-ready nail looks for celebrity guests.

In partnership with Secret Spa, eight nail pros provided complimentary manicures in the Star Treatment VIP area using products from The GelBottle Inc and sister nailcare and polish brand, Peacci. ‘

TGB’s autumn/winter 2025 collection, Heist, and popular Builder In A Bottle™ (BIAB™) shades were used to fashion dazzling VIP manicures. The brand also hosted an exclusive private suite for the evening’s celebrations.

“We were absolutely thrilled to be the official nail sponsor for such a milestone year,” commented Daisy Kalnina, founder & CEO of The GelBottle Inc. “The National Television Awards represent the pinnacle of British television excellence, and we were

honoured to bring our signature nail artistry to this celebrated occasion.”

Nail professionals can purchase The GelBottle Inc products via www.thegelbottle.com

Townhouse partners with Pepsi MAX for themed salon experience

Award-winning luxury nail salon group, Townhouse, has partnered with global drinks brand, Pepsi MAX, to launch ‘The Cherry Glow Bar’. From 10 September for six weeks, the nail salon’s flagship space in Covent Garden is host to a cherry-themed collaboration as part of the ‘Better with Pepsi MAX’ campaign. The venue is offering nail enthusiasts three limited-edition Pepsi MAX nail art designs inspired by the company’s cherry-flavoured drink. Guests can choose from Pepsi Cherry Twist – featuring Pepsi MAX colourways with monochrome French tips and micro cherry nail art accents; Pepsi MAX Gloss – a glossy cherry mani with a minimalist feature fruit nail, and Pepsi Pop Art – incorporating ‘fizz, fun and a fashion edge in one look’.

The Covent Garden venue also features a glow-and-go cherry make-up station, a custom drinks bar and cherry-inspired giveaways.

www.townhouse.co.uk