Louise May

Salon Lane & French Beauty Academy Launch Scholarship for Emerging Beauty Entrepreneurs

Australia’s $7 billion hair and beauty industry is undergoing a structural shift, with more than 60% of professionals now operating as independent or sole operator businesses. As social media, personal branding and flexible work models lower barriers to entry, graduates are launching businesses earlier than ever, creating new opportunities, but also new challenges. While technical standards across beauty education remain high, industry data shows that business capability, not technical skill is the strongest predictor of long-term success. More than half of independent beauty businesses close within their first three years, most often due to gaps in pricing strategy, cashflow management and client retention. Fewer than one-third of graduates report feeling confident managing business fundamentals in their first year. Recognising this industry reality, Salon Lane has partnered with the French Beauty Academy to establish the Future Entrepreneur Scholarship, a program designed to support graduates not just into work, but into sustainable

March 12, 2026

Inspire Brands Welcomes New Victorian Sales Manager.

Heath Morley brings a wealth of experience and passion to his new role as the Victorian Sales Manager. With his roots as an award-winning dual certificate hairdresser and barber, Heath’s journey in the haircare industry has been both diverse and impressive. He began his career in regional Victoria before moving to Melbourne, where he made significant strides in sales and sales management. Heath has also successfully owned and operated several salon businesses, and working with renowned companies such as DeLorenzo, Sustainable Salons, and Heineger. His dedication to the industry remains as strong as ever, driven by his admiration for the creativity and positivity of hairdressers and barbers. Heath’s enthusiasm and expertise are sure to energize the team and drive success in the Victorian market. Inspire Brands are excited to welcome Heath and look forward to seeing the innovative approaches he will bring to the sales strategies. www.inspirebrands.com.au

March 12, 2026

Growth, Community and Conscious Business

Inside the O&M Growth & Glow Retreat on the Gold Coast By Linda Woodhead. ARRIVE AS YOU ARE. GLOW AS YOU BECOME. Those powerful words set the tone for the O&M Growth & Glow Retreat, held on the Gold Coast recently in March, where salon owners, educators and industry leaders gathered for two days of inspiration, connection and practical business insight. As an invited guest, CEO of Mocha Group, Linda Woodhead, was there to report on the event. Built around the pillars of Clean, Kind and Original, the retreat reflected the ethos that has helped Original & Mineral (O&M) grow into a global professional brand while staying deeply connected to its salon community. A Global Vision with Heart Opening the retreat, O&M Founder and CEO Jose Bryce Smith shared an update on the brand’s remarkable growth. Now present in over 20 countries, O&M continues to champion its commitment to clean,

March 12, 2026

Ragan Skin Transitions to Skinformé

Ragan Skin has officially transitioned into Skinformé, marking a defining new chapter for the Australian-born, performance-driven skincare brand. Founded by industry powerhouse, Isabella Loneragan, Skinformé retains the high-performance formulations Ragan Skin is renowned for, now elevated within the growing global Skinformé brand ecosystem. With more than two decades of experience as an internationally trained and multi-award-winning product formulator, facialist, and clinical educator, Isabella Loneragan launched The Skinformé Academy in August 2025. The world-class facial and facial massage training institute reflects her commitment to professional education and hands-on skin therapy. “The Skinformé skincare collection seamlessly falls under the broader Skinformé brand because it embodies the same philosophy that guides the Academy: results-driven performance, the intelligent synergy of formulation and skilled touch, and a holistic approach to long-term skin health,” explains Isabella. “Renaming the collection Skinformé made sense because it reflects the bigger picture of what we are building and that is,

March 11, 2026

MySkinIQ™ Debuts With The Missing Link Between Analysis And Action

MySkinIQ™ made its market debut at Melbourne’s Inside Industry Showcase, introducing a consultation-first approach to skin and scalp analysis for salons and clinics. Most analysis devices show you what’s happening in the skin. MySkinIQ™ is built around what happens next – generating treatment plans and homecare recommendations trained to each clinic’s protocols, menu, and product range. Not a “type” of treatment, but the specific treatments your team delivers and the products your shelves stock. The therapist stays at the centre of every conversation with MySkinIQ™, supporting their clinical thinking with data-backed structure. Amanda Debrincat, Founder of MySkinIQ,™ describes the technology as a clinic’s most consistent team member. “Most clinics aren’t short on talent. They’re short on consistency, especially as teams grow. MySkinIQ™ gives every therapist the same clinical framework, so the client experience never dips, regardless of who’s on the roster that day. That’s what we’re most excited to

March 11, 2026

Introducing Phyto Nature E² by Dermalogica.

Phyto Nature E2 with next-gen exosomes gives 6 years back* Regenerative daily exosome and enzyme leave-on, resurfaces and accelerates cellular renewal – visibly smoothing, firming, and brightening skin over time. As we age, our skin’s ability to renew itself naturally slows — not just at the surface, but in the deeper layers where the first visible signs of aging begin to form. This gradual decline leads to changes in tone and texture, including dullness, fine lines, and wrinkles. Dermalogica’s new Phyto Nature E2 introduces a next-generation fusion of regeneration and exfoliation designed to target visible signs of skin aging – and help support skin’s natural ability to renew and regenerate. By pairing regenerative exosome technology with exfoliating Pumpkin Enzyme and ingredients like Phyto Glycogen and Prickly Pear, this formula helps deliver visibly brighter, smoother skin every day while reawakening skin’s natural surface renewal processes. Phyto Nature E2 is a silky, leave-on

March 11, 2026

Elleebana at the Beauty Squad House

Backing the next generation of beauty leaders. Supporting beauty professionals is embedded in Elleebana’s ethos. The brand has consistently positioned Education, mentorship and community contribution as central pillars of its identity. Each year, Mocha Group brings together the rising stars of the Australian beauty industry through the Beauty Squad competition. This signature initiative supports four emerging beauty therapists, dermal clinicians and salon owners with mentorship, professional development and powerful industry connection. Finalists receive prizes and an immersive stay at the Beauty Squad House, where they learn directly from respected leaders and mentors in an up close setting. For several years, Elleebana has proudly supported the Beauty Squad House as a sponsor. They believe that when you invest in the next generation, you strengthen the entire industry. Sharing knowledge and supporting growth This year, Otto joined the 2026 house guests for dedicated sessions centred around goal setting, mapping next steps in

March 10, 2026

Hairdressing & Barbering Qualifications Review Consultation Update

Service and Creative Skills Australia (SaCSA), has opened addtional consultation for the Hairdressing and Barbering qualifications. Consultation is now open until 31 March. Based on stakeholder feedback, the Certificate III qualification will be designed as two standalone qualifications with shared units of competency: Certificate III in Hairdressing Certificate III in Barbering This approach aims to better reflect industry practice while maintaining shared foundational skills across both occupations. SaCSA is inviting Hairdressing, Barbering and Beauty stakeholders to join an upcoming workshop to discuss the proposed qualification structure. Workshops: Review of Hairdressing Qualifications and Diploma of Salon Management Mon, 16 Mar | 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm AEDT Review of Barbering Qualifications Tue, 17 Mar | 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm AEDT Click Here for Workshop Registration

March 10, 2026

EXPO4BARBERS Road Tour

From Cairns to Melbourne: Across Australia In an industry built on creativity, craftsmanship and community, education has always been one of the strongest drivers of progress. Over the past year, however, the Australian barbering landscape witnessed something unprecedented: a nationwide education movement that quite literally took barbering knowledge on the road. The EXPO4BARBERS Road Tour, travelling from Cairns to Melbourne, has etched itself into industry history as the largest barbering education road tour the country has ever seen. Over 17 days, a team of educators, creatives and media partners travelled thousands of kilometres across Australia, delivering live education events that reached both major metropolitan hubs and regional communities. More than just a tour, EXPO4BARBERS became a rolling celebration of barbering culture, collaboration, and growth. A Collaboration Built on Industry Support A project of this scale does not happen in isolation. The Expo4Barbers Road Tour was made possible through the combined

March 10, 2026

My More Inside: Davines Empowers Effortless Styling at Home

An invitation to reacquaint yourself with Davines’ easy-to-use line of styling products and experiment with six fresh looks. Wearable, effortlessly stylish looks are at your fingertips. More Inside is Davines’ long-standing line of styling products that makes it possible to create accessible, everyday looks that anyone can recreate at home. To show the power of More Inside and the numerous styling possibilities for all hair types, lengths and needs, Davines teamed up with three talented stylists from the Davines hairstylist community to create six looks. These showcase their creativity and the adaptability of More Inside products when it comes to everyday styling that’s simple yet individualised. The brand is sharing two looks from each stylist, including styling tips and the products they used, so clients can recreate their own renditions. Discover the looks imagined and accomplished for curly and coily hair, longer fine hair types and anyone with short hair.

March 10, 2026

Salon Lane & French Beauty Academy Launch Scholarship for Emerging Beauty Entrepreneurs

Inspire Brands Welcomes New Victorian Sales Manager.

Growth, Community and Conscious Business

Ragan Skin Transitions to Skinformé

MySkinIQ™ Debuts With The Missing Link Between Analysis And Action

Introducing Phyto Nature E² by Dermalogica.

Elleebana at the Beauty Squad House

Hairdressing & Barbering Qualifications Review Consultation Update

EXPO4BARBERS Road Tour

My More Inside: Davines Empowers Effortless Styling at Home

Categories

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Pages

Awards

Magazines

Follow Us