Hairdressing Careers
Building a career in hair — and building the next generation of talent — is a constant industry challenge. This hub covers apprenticeships, qualifications and training routes in the UK, plus the realities of pay, progression and going independent. We follow the colleges, educators and mentorship schemes shaping new talent, and the debates around attracting and retaining apprentices. Whether you are starting out, training others or trying to solve a skills gap in your salon, here is the careers and education conversation for British hairdressing.
69 articles

Four-Time Winner Shares British Hairdressing Awards Impact
Four-time winner Akin Konizi details how the British Hairdressing Awards transformed his career and HOB Salons, boosting confidence and driving team ambition.

British Hairdressing Award Wins Boost Careers and Business
British Hairdressing Award winners report career boosts, team motivation, and increased business after achieving industry recognition.
Denman Names Collinge & Co Student College Star 2026
Libby Bowden from Collinge & Co Training wins the Denman College Star 2026 competition, showcasing her blow-drying skills and earning £1,000.

Nail Education: Quality Over Convenience Key for New Techs
Quality over convenience is key for new nail technicians, says award-winning educator Melanie Lewendon, emphasizing educator support and course accreditation.
Salon International 2026: Elite Educators Host Masterclasses
Salon International 2026 will host masterclasses with top educators like Kevin Luchmun and James Earnshaw at Excel London.
Hair Movement Adds BHBD Extensions, Names Key Educator
The Hair Movement salon announces a partnership with BHBD hair extensions and names Georgina Greenslade as Key Educator.

Nail Pros Compete for Scratch Stars in Practical Judging
Nail professionals from UK and Ireland demonstrated their technical and artistic skills at the Scratch Stars Awards practical judging day on 11 May.

Government Plans Elevate Apprenticeships to Degree Level
Government reforms aim to elevate apprenticeships to the same level as university degrees, boosting vocational training and addressing industry skills gaps.

Hair Movement Partners with BHBD, Taps Georgina Greenslade for Educator Role
The Hair Movement partners with BHBD hair extensions, naming Georgina Greenslade as a Key Educator for the Swedish brand.

HJ's Business Boardroom Returns with Industry Mentorship for 2026
HJ's Business Boardroom returns for 2026, offering industry veterans mentorship to 8 business owners on financial strategy and growth.
Osmo Ikon Launches Glossing Training Course
Osmo Ikon launches 'The Gloss Edit', a training course focusing on its Glossy Gloss Demi Colour System, for colourists of all levels.

British Hairdressing Awards Offer Business and Career Boosts
Winning a British Hairdressing Award can lead to new clients, brand opportunities, and international recognition, as past winners attest.

New Masterclass Aims to Boost Early Career Stylist Finances
Anna Manukyan launches "Licensed to Thrive," a masterclass for new stylists focusing on financial literacy and career strategy.

Fellowship Opens F.A.M.E. Team 2027 Applications
Fellowship for British Hairdressing seeks emerging stylists for its 2027 F.A.M.E. Team. Applications close June 29, 2026.

Austin Hosts Beauty Pros for One-Day Business & Career Boot Camp
MODERN SALON's one-day Boot Camp in Austin, Texas, offers hairstylists and beauty professionals practical business and career development strategies.

Sensory-Friendly Barbering: A Niche That Finds Its Own Clients
Dallas barber Henry 'Tribes' Amoloja built a fulfilling career in sensory-friendly grooming, attracting millions of followers online.

Award-winning nail educator launches podcast
Melanie Lewendon launches The Nail Tech Society podcast to demystify nail sector topics and answer common industry questions.

Hairdressing Industry Faces Costs and Skills Crisis
The British Hair Consortium is campaigning against rising costs and a 70% drop in apprenticeships impacting the UK hairdressing sector.

Revlon Professional Visionaries 2026: Mentorship Programme Unveiled
Revlon Professional reveals the four finalists for its Visionaries Remastered Team 2026, offering a year of mentorship and industry experience.

Heffy Wheeler: Passion Over Pressure in Hairdressing
HX Hair founder Heffy Wheeler built her business by overcoming self-doubt and early career discouragement, ultimately finding success with vivid colour techniques.

Salon Owner: Apprenticeships Build Skill and Fresh Ideas
Urban Hair & Beauty owner Marlene Lamont details how apprenticeships bring fresh skills, support senior staff, and foster innovation in salons.

Efi Davies: Mentorship is Crucial for Hairdressing's Future
Efi Davies, British Hairdresser of the Year, argues that established professionals must mentor emerging talent, instilling core skills and values to elevate the hairdressing craft.

Tom Connell: From Football Boots to Global Hair Director
Tom Connell shares his journey from a childhood salon job to global director, emphasizing unique creative processes and career advice.

Stylist's Paris Fashion Week Success Offers Career Blueprint
Michelle Bowden's 2025 Paris Fashion Week involvement offers a strategic model for stylists seeking career advancement through education and networking.

Beginner Nail Techs: Five Crucial Lessons for Sustainable Growth
New nail techs should prioritise boundaries, essential kit building, prep mastery, accurate pricing, and ideal client selection for sustainable careers.

K18 Unveils Global Pro Artist Program for Hair Educators
K18 launched its global Pro Artist Program on April 8th, 2026, to support and elevate hair educators and stylists in the industry.

Concept Hair Learner Awards Announce Top Talent
Concept Hair Learner of the Year Final sees Freya Hadfield of West Suffolk College win top honours.

NHBF Survey: UK Salons Swamped by Costs, Profitability Suffers
A new NHBF survey shows 423 UK hair and beauty businesses are busy but profitless due to soaring employment and operating costs.

Glasgow Summit Panel Tackles Team Loyalty Challenges
A Glasgow summit panel on April 27 will share practical strategies for building loyal salon teams, addressing recruitment and retention challenges.

£900m Youth Plan Could Boost Salon Staffing
A £900 million government plan aims to boost youth employment and apprenticeships, with potential benefits for UK hair and beauty businesses.

Government unveils £1bn drive to boost youth jobs
The government launches a £1bn employment drive to create 200,000 jobs for 16-24 year olds amid an 11-year high in youth unemployment.
Kleek Launches Ambassador Scheme for Hair and Beauty Apprentices
Kleek Apprenticeships has launched a 6-month ambassador programme for up to 12 apprentices, supported by L’Oréal Professional Products.

Government pledges 200,000 jobs and apprenticeships for youth
Government launches £1bn drive to create 200,000 jobs and apprenticeships for young people, with sector-specific support.

Sheryl Findlay to address Glasgow growth summit
Sheryl Findlay will speak at the Glasgow Regional Growth Summit 2026 on April 27, focusing on business and career acceleration.

Four Stylists Selected for 2026 Fellowship F.A.M.E. Team
Four up-and-coming hairdressers, Troy Boyd, Olivia-Rose Brady, Samantha Bryne, and Chesley Stone, have been selected for the 2026 Fellowship F.A.M.E. Team.

Labour Costs Squeeze Profits for UK Hair and Beauty Salons
Rising labour costs are squeezing profits for UK hair and beauty salons, with many operating on razor-thin margins, according to an NHBF survey.

Four UK Hairdressers Selected for Prestigious F.A.M.E. Team 2026
Four up-and-coming UK hairdressers have been selected for the Fellowship's prestigious F.A.M.E. Team for 2026, recognised for their talent and career potential.

Headmasters Honours Founder Christine Sanders on IWD
Headmasters celebrated International Women's Day by honouring co-founder Christine Sanders, who built the salon group from a single 1982 location.

Industry Leaders Share Career Wisdom for Women in Hair
Female hairdressers share career lessons and advice for the next generation, focusing on skill, empathy, and mutual support.

Industry Leaders on Balancing Motherhood and Hairdressing Careers
Industry leaders share personal experiences on balancing demanding careers with motherhood, highlighting challenges and strategies for success.

Client Loyalty: Stylists Share 10-13 Year Relationships
Two UK stylists reveal how 10-13 year client relationships built on trust and friendship drive their careers.

L'Oréal Professional Joins HJ for Salon Owner Business Mentorship
L'Oréal Professional and HJ launch a free, year-long business mentorship programme for UK salon owners focused on growth and profitability.

Youth Unemployment Rise Stifles Hair & Beauty Apprenticeships
Youth unemployment reaches 16.1%, the highest since 2015, preventing the hair and beauty sector from training new apprentices.

Lisa Farrall Launches Creative Mentorship Programme
Lisa Farrall launches 'Mentored by Lisa Farrall', a programme offering creatives ten intensive mentoring days, portfolio development, and industry access.

Employment Costs Block Hair, Beauty Apprenticeships, NHBF Warns
Youth unemployment hits 16.1%, with NHBF stating rising costs prevent hair and beauty businesses from hiring apprentices.

Apprentices Learn More Than Just Cutting Hair
Apprenticeships offer essential skills beyond technical cutting, including client care, business operations, and professional development.

Apprentices Seek Fulfilment, Not Just Paychecks
UK hairdressing apprentices prioritize job fulfilment and work-life balance, with a call for better school guidance on vocational careers.

Cos Sakkas: Industry Must Rethink Apprentice Attraction
Cos Sakkas argues the hairdressing industry must adapt its apprentice recruitment strategy, addressing outdated perceptions and uncompetitive offers.

Salon Owners Must Prioritise Apprentice Mental Health
Salon owners must support apprentice mental wellbeing by providing confidential support and training managers in mental health awareness.

Hairdressing Veterans Share Essential Advice for New Talent
Seasoned hairdressers impart vital wisdom for new professionals, focusing on perseverance, continuous learning, and embracing the creative journey.
Salon vs. Academy vs. College for Hair Apprentices: Expert Views
Experts debate whether salons, academies, or colleges offer the best training for hairdressing apprentices, highlighting pros and cons of each.

Salon Leaders Share Tips for Attracting Top Apprentices
Salon leaders offer advice on attracting apprentices, focusing on career paths, pay, perks, college links, and social media presence.

Apprentice Insights Reveal 2026 Hair Trends
Hairdressing apprentices in 2026 favour seamless blondes, precise cuts, and immersive backwash experiences, while tackling consultation and specific techniques.
Salon Owners Recount Apprentice Errors and Key Lessons
UK hairdressers share valuable lessons learned from apprenticeship mistakes, emphasizing patience, resilience, and meticulous attention to detail.
Hairdressing Career: Qualifications, Training and Earning Potential in UK
Aspiring UK hairdressers need specific GCSEs for NVQ Level 2, with salaries starting at £14,000 and rising with experience.

Salon Careers: Beyond Stylist Roles
Hairdressing offers diverse career routes from apprentice to owner, requiring continuous learning and evolving skills beyond styling.

HJ's Apprentice Week 2026: A Full Schedule of Support
HJ's Apprentice Week 2026, from Feb 9-15, provides a detailed schedule of content to support hairdressing apprentices and salon owners.

MOOD Lifestyle Seeks New Art Team Members
MOOD Lifestyle is recruiting for its new Art Team, with applications closing February 9th. Talent will be mentored by Tracey Ann Smith and Marlene Lamont.

Content Career Blueprint Published for Creative Professionals
Daniel Cubillo's new book "The Creative Mastermind Mind" provides a blueprint for building a career in content creation, drawing on his experience with major entertainment brands.

VTCT Launches AI English Test for International Beauty Learners
VTCT launches an AI-powered English language test, VELA, for international beauty learners, assessing skills with industry-specific content.

Darrel Starkey's 17-Year Hairdressing Journey and Industry Advice
Darrel Starkey shares his 17-year career journey in hairdressing, from early struggles to industry awards and education.

Session Stylist Linnéa Nordberg Shares Career Path and Inspirations
Session stylist Linnéa Nordberg details her career trajectory from assisting Ali Pirzadeh and Alex Brownsell to working with celebrity clients.

Sassoon's LIBERTINE Collection and 2026 Training Courses
Sassoon launches its LIBERTINE collection and 2026 training courses, offering stylists advanced cutting and colouring techniques.

Nail Tech Wellbeing: Lighting, Fumes, and Posture Advice
Nail technicians must prioritise wellbeing through better lighting, fume protection, and posture adjustments to maintain career longevity and work quality.

Nail Techs Face Burnout Risk in 2026, Need Mindset Shift
Nail business mentor Hannah Clayton warns that the beauty industry's 'busy is best' mantra is unsustainable for nail techs in 2026.

Nail Techs Urged to Prioritise Time and Self-Care
Nail technician Marie-Louise Coster advises industry professionals to prioritise time and self-care, urging action over delayed ambitions.

Hair Pros Set 2026 Goals: Mentorship and Kit Investment
Hair industry professionals are setting New Year's resolutions focused on mentorship, skill diversification, and kit investment for 2026.

Q Hair and Beauty Hosts Popular Festive Client Event
Q Hair and Beauty's annual Christmas event in Chichester welcomed clients for a festive evening of services, shopping, and team recognition.

Barbering Course Partnership Launched at Glasgow Kelvin College
MTA Education and Glasgow Kelvin College launch an 18-week barbering certificate program in January 2026.