Archive for the ‘Wahanda News’ Category

Wahanda Are Winners

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

Now we don’t mean to blow our own trumpets, but…oh okay, maybe a little…. we won!

The Wahanda team are pleased as punch to announce that we’ve been placed in the ‘Top 100 Start-Ups of 2010’, and we’re in the top fifty no less. At no. 38, we’re in good company. The list includes such fabulous and diverse start-up companies as Three Sixty Entertainment, Naked Wines and Levi Roots’ Reggae Reggae.

Described as ‘the ultimate hitlist of the UK’s best new businesses’, the table describes its methodology as ‘unashamedly unscientific…..This is our list of who we think are the best, most exciting, promising, disruptive new businesses and entrepreneurs shaping the start-up market right now.’

And whilst we’re on the subject, this isn’t the first time that Wahanda has been recognised for a prestigious award. Before Christmas, ELLE Magazine voted us one of their ‘Best Online Beauty Websites 2009’, saying, ‘If you’re looking for spa treatments, Wahanda is the website for you. Rather than having to trawl individual spas and salons, it’s collated all the info in one place’.

As if that wasn’t enough to make us blush, in September last year those lovely people at FabSugar wrote us a glowing review, naming us the Best UK Beauty Website of 2009, with a special nod to our brilliant vouchers and 2 for 1 deals.

But enough about our achievements so far. We’d better get back to work- lots of people still to impress and so little time…

Ultimate Anti-Ageing Machine Launched

Friday, July 30th, 2010

Do you want to treat your customers to the ultimate anti-ageing machine? The Carlton Group is launching a new wonder machine, otherwise known as DermaVisage as part of their Carlton Professional range. The new equipment includes both Diamond and Crystal Microdermabrasion as well as Colour Therapy all in one clever compact machine for simple and effective beauty treatments. This innovative new salon staple features cutting edge technology for a results driven treatment that your customers will love.

Designed to offer the best of both worlds, DermaVisage allows therapists to choose their preferred ‘type’ of Microdermabrasion. Both Diamond and Crystal Microdermabrasion offer effective anti-ageing treatments, taking the natural process of skin renewal, which slows down as we age, and hastening it.

The Diamond Microdermabrasion uses the hardest natural substance, diamonds, to effectively abrade the skin, smoothing and regenerating it. As there are no crystals, and therefore no vacuum is required to remove them, the treatment is fast and virtually silent. The two, treatment specific, variable speeds and choice of two diamond tipped heads, which are supplied with the machine, allow the treatment to be tailored for any skin type, from sensitive to oily. Furthermore, there are no consumables, making it a hugely cost effective treatment for salon and spa owners.

The Crystal Microdermabrasion uses a controlled flow of ultra clean Aluminium Oxide crystals, which are set in motion using vacuum. The Aluminium Oxide crystals are incredibly hard, the only substance harder, as previously mentioned, is diamonds, which means that it is possible to produce an extremely fine crystal. This crystal is highly effective at abrading the outer layer of dead skin cells. DermaVisage works using a ‘closed system’. This means that the crystals only flow when the hand piece is placed on the skin. This ensures absolute safety when using the machine, especially when treating areas close to the eyes. In combination with the DermaVisage product range, the machine may be used to regenerate the skin for fabulous anti-ageing results. Crystal Microdermabrasion may also be used to treat stretch marks and acne scarring.

Used in combination with either of the Microdermabrasion treatments or separately, the Colour Therapy treatment stimulates the skin’s cells to facilitate change. The inclusion of four colours (red, green, blue and yellow) using LED lights and set at varying wavelengths offers a wide range of benefits. For example, green cools and reduces redness, blue reduces swelling and offers antibacterial effects for the treatment of acne, red rejuvenates and stimulates the lymphatic system, whilst yellow tones and smoothes the skin, as well as promoting the production of collagen. Four pulsed modes are also included which allow the wavelengths to penetrate the skin at different levels providing stimulation for the epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous tissue and deep into the circulatory system.

The number of treatments required is dependant on the skin condition. A one off treatment may be offered to give a fabulous bloom to the skin, whilst some conditions may require between 6-10 sessions and thereafter a maintenance session every 5-6 weeks.

Available in both white and silver to suit the aesthetics of any college, salon or spa, DermaVisage is included in the Carlton Professional range of equipment which offers quality, value for money and durability, all from a brand which places trust and caring for its customers at its heart. For further information call The Carlton Group on 01903 761 100 or visit the website.

Win a Red Carnation Spa Break for Two worth £840

Friday, July 30th, 2010

Are you in desperate need of a refreshing, relaxing break? Who isn’t! Wahanda loves to treat you to fantastic prizes that offer a world of indulgence away from everyday stresses – and August’s competition is sure to be a hit. This month we’re giving you the chance to win a weekend spa break for two people worth £840 courtesy of Red Carnation Hotels. This exclusive collection of award-winning five and four-star family run boutique hotels boasts breathtaking locations whilst treating guests to an experience that’s splendidly luxurious. Sound good? We thought so too.

One lucky entrant will win this pampering prize package:

  • Two night weekend stay in a luxury room
  • Champagne on arrival
  • Full English breakfast for two
  • Facial and massage for two

The lucky winners will enjoy a two night weekend break at their choice of the Red Carnation’s Milestone Hotel in Kensington, Summer Lodge in Dorset or The Old Government House in Guernsey. The Dorset and Guernsey properties both have gorgeous heated pools, a gym, and a spa with expert therapists to help relax and rejuvenate you. In London there’s a resistance pool and gym for you to work off some steam, while therapies are provided in the intimate spa treatment room or in the privacy of your room.

How to Enter

If you fancy the chance of winning this prize, all you need to do is enter your email address and postcode on the competition page. Plus, by entering the competition you will automatically be signed up to the Wahanda newsletter, which if you’re shiny and new will earn you a £5 discount code to use on Wahanda! Don’t say we never give you anything…

The 2010 British Hairdressing Awards Finalists Announced

Friday, July 30th, 2010

The wait is now over. Hairdressers Journal International has announced the finalists for the nine regional and six specialist categories in the British Hairdressing Awards 2010.  The awards, which were launched in 1984 by Hairdressers Journal International, have been sponsored for the past 26 years by Schwarzkopf Professional and celebrate and reward the best of British hairdressing creativity. To find out who the finalists for the ‘Oscars’ of the hairdressing world are, keep reading.

Regional Finalists

Eastern Hairdresser of the Year

London Hairdresser of the Year

Midlands Hairdresser of the Year

North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year

  • Adele Bourne and Rebecca Dickenson, The Vanilla Rooms, Bawtry
  • Joseph Ferraro, Halo, Harrogate
  • Hannah Gordon, Paul Gordon, Scunthorpe
  • Sarah Sumner, Hooker & Young, Jesmond
  • Alexander Turnbull, Alexander Hair and Beauty, Hull
  • Jill Watkins-Wright, Watkins Wright Hairdressing, Thirsk

North Western Hairdresser of the Year

Northern Ireland Hairdresser of the Year

  • Julian Dalrymple, The Sitting Room, Ballymena
  • Kevin Kahan, Kevin Kahan, Bangor
  • Keith Kane, Keith Kane Hair International, Belfast
  • Sharon Malcolm, Sharon Malcolm Hairdressing, Newtownards
  • Andrew Mulvenna, Andrew Mulvenna Hairspa, Belfast
  • Joanne O’Neill, Joanne O’Neill Hairdressing, Dunloy

Scottish Hairdresser of the Year*

Southern Hairdresser of the Year

Wales and South West Hairdresser of the Year

  • Craig Chapman, Craig Chapman Salon, Launceston
  • Melanie Giles, Melanie Giles, Bath
  • Daniel Neaves, DKN Hair, Salterton
  • Ken Picton, Ken Picton, Cardiff Bay
  • Louise Smith, Toni & Guy, Salisbury
  • Scott Smurthwaite and Will Eagles, Cream, Gloucester

Specialist Awards

Afro Hairdresser of the Year

Artistic Team of the Year

Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year

Men’s Hairdresser of the Year*

Newcomer of the Year

  • Kelly Craven-Salvatelli, TONI&GUY, Salisbury
  • Ashley Gamble, Royston Blythe, Wolverhampton
  • Costa Phouli, Rush, Epsom
  • Jasmine Redstone, Rush, Croydon
  • Dan Spiller, Marc Antoni, Fleet
  • Matt Stopps, Rush, Walton-on-Thames

Schwarzkopf Professional British Colour Technician of the Year

Are You A Cut Above The Rest?

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

Always fancied yourself as a bit of a styling demon? Have you got the skills to craft and create amazing cuts and colours that’d rival the country’s top hairdressers? If you answered yes, then E4 needs you!

Celebrity hairstylist James Brown has teamed up with the channel to begin a search for the nation’s newest hairdressing talent. Auditions begin in Manchester on Sunday 8th August and move on to London on Sunday 15th August, in an effort to find a final ten contestants who have what it takes to rise to the top of the profession. Those who make it through will live and work together in a plush London salon, undertaking challenging, and high-profile hair tasks set and supervised by James himself.

“There is a lot of skill and technique required with hair cutting and this is something I will be looking out for especially,” explains Brown. “Here in the UK we have a great history of producing talented fashion designers, photographers and stylists, and I am looking forward to creating that same focus and success with our hairdressing talent.”

The series is set to run for ten weeks beginning early next year, and each week one underperforming hopeful will be eliminated until one is crowned ‘Great British Hairdresser’. The winner will be given the opportunity to style an A-list celebrity for the cover shot of a chic monthly glossy magazine as well the chance to work alongside Brown in a permanent position.

If you think you’ve got what it takes to wow the hairdressing world, apply for an audition slot by emailing hairdresser@splashmediatv.co.uk

We’ve been told to watch out for celebrity guests and plenty of drama on and off camera, so hopefuls should probably start sharpening their scissors and their tongues to prepare for the competitive cutting showdown! We can’t wait…

British Hairdressing Business Awards

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

The long awaited results for the finalists of the British Hairdressing Business Awards have been announced. The awards, which are now in their twelfth year, aim to recognise and reward excellence in all aspects of business practice.

The task of narrowing down the nominees has not been an easy one, and Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Hairdressers Journal International Jayne Lewis-Orr has said “The standard and quality of entries produced this year was exceptional. The passion and professionalism of the businesses who entered the British Hairdressing Business Awards is a credit to the hairdressing industry and everyone who has achieved finalist status can be justifiably proud.” We couldn’t have put it better ourselves. Without further ado, Wahanda would like to congratulate the fantastic finalists:

Customer Care Award sponsored by Kérastase
Michael Van Clarke
Migele Experience, Fife
RUSH London, Croydon, Surrey
Tommy’s Hair Company, Ruthin, Denbighshire
Trevor Sorbie, London
Trevor Sorbie, Manchester

Junior of the Year sponsored by Fudge
Ashleigh Brown, Imagine Hairdressing, Middlesbrough
Steven Butt, Cox McMillan Hair and Beauty, London
Ben Hanlon, Michael Van Clarke, London
Georgina Mucklin, Hooker & Young, Wynyard, Teeside
Rebecca Pender, Rainbow Room International, Stirling
Jack Spencer, hug 8, Uxbridge, Middlesex

Manager of the Year sponsored by L’Oréal Professionnel

Darren Fowler, Clipso London
Natalie Love, Gina Conway Aveda Salon and Spa, London
Kerry Mather, KJM Salons, Fleet, Hampshire
Mayo Molnar, Michael Van Clarke, London
Lindsey Scott, Hooker & Young, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Lee Spencer, Imagine Hairdressing, Middlesbrough

Salon Design Award sponsored by Aston & Fincher

CRC Cutting Room Creative, Leeds
Creme Hair & Beauty, Rutland, Leicestershire
Gielly Green, London
No 74 Hair & Beauty, London
Russell Eaton, Leeds
seanhanna Putney, London

Salon Team of the Year sponsored by Kerastraight
Barrie Stephen Hair, Leicester
Eden Hair & Beauty, Haslemere, Surrey
Michael Van Clarke, London
Q Hair & Beauty, Chichester, West Sussex
Review, Petersfield, Hampshire
Trevor Sorbie, Brighton, Sussex

Independent Salon – Business Newcomer sponsored by Great Length
s
Clay, Oxshott, Surrey
Code Hair Consultants, Lowestoft, Suffolk
Imagine Hairdressing, Middlesbrough
Luci Foreman, Taunton, Somerset
Ravery’s, Oxted, Surrey
Spirit Hair Company, Wallington, Oxfordshire

Training Award sponsored by Wella Professionals
Electric Hairdressing, Brighton, Sussex
Hair Ott, Cosham, Portsmouth
HOB Salons, Camden Town, London
Marc Antoni, Henley-on-Thames, Berkshire
Michael Van Clarke, London
RUSH London, Croydon, Surrey
Zappas, Wokinghamshire, Berkshire

Salon of the Year 1 sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional
Ken Picton, Cardiff
Michael Van Clarke, London
Rainbow Room International, Uddingston, Glasgow
Stuart Holmes Hair & Beauty Spa, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
The Joseph’s Experience, Flitwick, Bedfordshire
Trevor Sorbie, London

Salon of the Year 2 sponsored by Clynol Salon Exclusive
Clipso London
Goldsworthy’s, Swindon, Wiltshire
Hooka, Liverpool
Jazzy D’s, Thetford, Norfolk
Michelle Griffin Academy, Birmingham
Tommy’s Hair Company, Ruthin, Denbighshire

Retail Salon of the Year sponsored by TIGI
Hair@Jibe, Carlisle, Cumbria
Hatstand Nelly, Aberdeen
Michael Van Clarke, London
Migele Experience, Fife
Saks Hair and Beauty Kingshill, West Malling, Kent
Yazz Number One Hair Studio, Rawdon, Leeds

Marketing Award sponsored by Hairdreams
Electric Hairdressing, Brighton, Sussex
Independent mindbodysoul, London
Love the Salon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Michael Van Clarke, London
Migele Experience, Fife
Tommy’s Hair Company, Ruthin, Denbighshire

Innovation of the Year (Including Website of the Year) sponsored by Merchant Cash
Express
Ken Picton, Cardiff
Online Hair Academy, London
Stuart Holmes Hair & Beauty Spa, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Tangle Teezer, London
Tie Towel, Manchester
Websterwhiteman, London

Business Director of the Year sponsored by Hairdressers Journal Internationa
l
Amanda and Toby Dicker, The Chapel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Ken Picton, Ken Picton, Cardiff
Esther Prins and Tommy Van Der Veken, Tommy’s Hair Company, Ruthin, Denbighshire
Peter and Tracey Prosser, Peter Prosser Hairdressing, Hereford
Michael Van Clarke, Michael Van Clarke, London
Mark Woolley, Electric Hairdressing, Brighton, Sussex

The winners of all 13 categories will be announced on Monday 20th September 2010 at the Lancaster London Hotel in London. The star studded event will be filled with glitz and glamour and will be hosted by a media personality.

The judging process will be a tough one – each entrant will be marked individually by an independent panel of experts and some salons may receive mystery client visits and calls. Stay tuned to find out who’s the cream of the crop…

New Guide to Starting a Beauty Business

Friday, July 9th, 2010

Have you always dreamt of opening your own salon, but feared that you lack the right management skills? The UK may be still in the midst of recession recovery, but statistics have shown that the beauty industry is experiencing a boom in the downturn. The industry as a whole is currently worth over £3.7 billion, and with a multitude of treatments now seen as a necessity rather than a luxury amongst consumers, there has never been a better time to launch your own beauty business.

For those who have the passion and knowledge required to break into the beauty arena, but are perhaps less business savvy, a new book could help. Start and Run a Successful Beauty Salon is a guide to cashing in on the nation’s determination to stay pampered and polished as they strive to weather the storm, no matter what the temperamental financial climate throws at them.

The book’s unique step-by-step format walks you through the entire process of establishing a beauty salon, covering specifics such as how to choose a location, qualifications that you and your staff will need, how to select equipment and furniture, business management and the expert authors’ view on the elusive formula for success.

Written by beauty therapist Sally Medcalf (who has 25 years of beauty industry experience under her belt, including 12 years running her own salon and Beauty Therapist and Facialist of the year nominations) and marketing expert Bijan Yousef-Zadeh (a member of Chartered Management Institute and a successful beauty business entrepreneur), Start and Run a Successful Beauty Salon is published by How To Books Ltd and is available at £14.99 in major bookshops and online retailers across the country.

Start making your dreams a reality today, and we hope to see you listed on Wahanda soon!

Get Creative and Promote Your Services with a Fun, Fashionable, Free Wahanda Blog

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

Unless you’ve been meditating on a remote desert island for the last ten years (in which case we salute your commitment to personal growth), you’ve no doubt heard of the phenomenon that is blogging. Just in case you really are a hermit, blogging is basically writing a succession of articles on whatever takes your fancy. It’s like setting up your own ‘channel’ online, where anyone can tune in and hear your news and views.

Not only is this creative and a lot of fun, but it can be great for business. Blogging opens up your company to a wider audience. It allows you to share your services and unique selling points whilst making you ‘search engine operative’. Now don’t black out, if Jennifer Aniston can deal with the ‘science part’ then so can you – SEO means people can find you via lovely sites like Google and Yahoo.

Because we value our professional members and know their expertise is second to none, Wahanda hosts free blogs for you guys to get your message out there and let our thousands of readers know all about you. And it’s really easy to do.

How to blog on Wahanda

1) First, register on the site as a professional.

Fill out a few simple profile details and tell us a little bit about you (be as funny or as serious as you like). The process is really simple for even the most phobic of technophobes. Add a photo of your gorgeous face, tell us what makes you tick and what qualifications you have, where you work and what you offer.

2) Then, email us on community@wahanda.com with your profile name, your first blog entry and what you would like your blog to be called.

3) Leave the rest to us. Just to show you how much we value your input to our community we’ll even take the boring bits out of your hands, uploading your blogs and any pictures you’d like to add and making the whole thing look fabulous.

We’ll let you know as soon as the blog is live – then all you have to do is keep submitting those works of literary genius whenever you can and leave the hassle to our team.

To get a few ideas of just how varied and effective blogging can be, check out some of the pieces already on our site for inspiration. For spa news and reviews check out Spa Secrets who try top resorts and give us the lowdown on their latest finds. The lovely (and very popular) Mary Greenwell‘s blog contains make-up tips and tricks to keep our readers looking their beautiful best, while Michelle Zelli shares her life coaching know-how in Succeed, Love, Fly. There’s everything to gain and it costs nothing to give it a go – and who knows, perhaps you’ll discover a journalistic talent you never knew you had….