Innovative initiatives supporting the haircare industry

The hair industry has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with an 10 estimated percent of salons in the UK alone already closed since the first lockdown, according to the British Beauty Council.

Yet, in the midst of this extraordinarily difficult period, a number of outlets have banded together to offer assistance and encouragement to those in the industry who need it most.

The British Beauty Council is one such figurehead, as the upcoming launch of its #OhHelloBeauty campaign attests to. 

Since last year, the Council has been tirelessly lobbying for government support with the beauty sector. These efforts include a campaign asking the government to cut VAT for hair salons from 20 percent to 5 percent, as they had done for the hospitality industry, and an open letter Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak petitioning for urgent financial support within the industry.

Their latest campaign, #OhHelloBeauty is a collaboration between the Council and M&C Saatchi Group aimed at getting people back in the salons after the months of lockdown closures. Through a series of bold images running across a variety of digital and print platforms, the campaign is both a celebration of salons reopening and a reminder of the support the industry needs at this time. 

Another British beauty powerhouse, Hershesons, has launched its own campaign in response to Covid-19. With NHS Hair for Heroes, stylists from the acclaimed salon donate an hour per week of their working time to give an NHS nurse a free cut and blow-dry. The campaign launched this month and is slated to continue until September 2021.

The brand's founder, Daniel Hersheson, hopes his salon is the first of many to undertake this initiative. 'Hair For Heroes is a way of thanking our NHS nurses and celebrating everything the British hair industry has to offer,' says Hersheson. 'We‘re asking all salons to get on board and spread this campaign as far and wide as possible.' 

Meanwhile, stateside, Harry's is doing its own bit to support the industry. Astor Place Barbers is a New York City icon, precipitating some of the city's most memorable hair trends, from the messily extravagant cuts of the 1970s punk scene to the intricately pattered fades of the 1980s and 90s.

When Harry's heard the East Village salon was in danger of closing, they decided to help cut down on expenses by donating enough product to be used by the 40 stylists working at Astor Place. Thanks in large part to Harry's help and other donations for loyal patrons, Astor Place Barbers is currently safe from closure.

While the hard times aren't quite over yet, these campaigns prove that, no matter the difficulties, the beauty industry will continue to be a bastion of innovation and collaboration.