It's Thanksgiving Day !

Thursday 22 November is Thanksgiving Day in the United States, so 'Happy Holiday' to any American bloggers out there ! Any non-Americans' might want to click on the link above to find out what all the fuss is about.

In way of a small celebration, why not have a look at some of the books we have in stock by the American publishers, Milady?

How about Spa and Salon Alchemy: the definitive resource for the spa and salon industry (on the shelf at 646.72068) or Spa Manicuring for the Salon and Spa (on the shelf at 646.727 MCC) or Hair Structure and Chemistry Simplified (on the shelf at 646.724 HAL)

Botox in a Jar
A new cosmetic that claims to be an alternative to Botox has just gone on sale in this country. At a cost of just £50.00 for a jar that will last three months, is the Athena 7 Minute Lift likely to revolutionise the beauty industry and make beauty therapists redundant? Read this article in today's Daily Mail and make your own mind up.

Clothes Show Live
An event that you will not want to miss is Clothes Show Live which is taking place at the NEC Birmingham 7-12 December 2007.
On December 9, the finalists of The Young Hairdresser of the Year, in association with HJi, will be live on stage to re-create the looks that they have submitted in the photographs stage of the competition. If you would like to read more about the competition and see the finalists photos, click on this link to the
HJi ( Hairdressers Journal interactive) blog.

Hairdressers of the World Against HIV/AIDS

The L'Oreal Professional Products Division is asking hairdressers nationwide to get involved in World AIDS Day on 1 December, as part the Hairdressers of the World Against HIV/AIDS initiative. Hairdressers are being encouraged to log on to http://www.worldaidsday.org/ and request a Red Ribbon box to display on their salon reception desk. For more information click on the link.

Starting a Business
If you are are thinking about setting up your own business in the future, here are a couple of websites that can provide you with plenty of useful information. The first one is StartIn Business. A few of the things that you can find information on are: business plans, a guide to setting up a business, and finding or choosing business premises. There is also a useful links option, where you might want to click on the HM Revenue & Customs link to see guidance on being self-employed and how National Insurance and tax might affect your business.
Another good site that's well designed and really easy to use to access information is Business Link. Try clicking on the 'your type of business' link where you can enter the location of a business to receive relevant information for that area. These include regulations, licences and trade bodies for your type of business.

Saks Live-2008 Collection Preview

Andrew Barton, British Hairdresser of the Year, and the Saks Art Team will be launching their 2008 collection on 18 November 2007 at The Mermaid, London. Details of this preview of the 2008 Saks collection can be found on the Saks website.

Massage Therapy Website
You can access free online articles on massage and skin care if you visit the Massagetherapy.com website. This site is also worth looking at if you need to find information on different types of massage and bodywork therapy as it has an A-Z Bodywork Glossary that provides definitions. So if you don't know your Ayurveda from your Zen Shiatsu try clicking on the link above.

Hygiene in Beauty Therapy

If you need to find information about hygiene in the beauty salon, try looking on the Habia site. Habia have produced a booklet covering essential hygiene that also includes information on health and safety law. To access the information go to the Habia homepage (look at the 'useful web links' on this blog), select the 'Health and Safety' option on the menu, then click on Downloads and Hygiene Booklet

Celebrity Scissorhands


As part of the Children in Need fundraising campaign, Sunday (October 28th) sees the start of Celebrity Scissorhands, where celebrity hairdressing and beauty trainees are given three weeks to become hairdressers and beauty experts. So if you are looking for some techniques to copy, or maybe avoid, and want to see how celebrities such as Lil'Chris (who you may remember from Rock School, another reality show) shape up to the challenge, watch BBC Three at 9.00pm on Sunday.

The Yoga Show
The Yoga Show takes place at Olympia in London, on 23, 24, & 25 November 2007. There are over 200 exhibitors and you can sample a wide range of yoga and pilates by joining in the free open classes that are on offer. Click on the link to see the webpage, where you will find more details including how to buy tickets and the programme of workshops available.
The Yoga Show

British Hairdressing Awards

The British Hairdressing Awards 2007 takes place on Monday 26th November at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. If you click on this link it will take you to the British Hairdressing Awards website where you can see the 2007 nominees listed and also see photos and information about the 2006 awards.

Using E-Books



Just a mention that you can access e-books through Blackboard, and then clicking on the Athens link from which you can view the list of resources. One of the e-books that you might be interested in is The Bodywork and Massage Sourcebook. If you click on the link it will take you to the catalogue information and which Athens database you can find it on. E-books are useful as you can access them from any computer with Internet access. If you need any information about using e-books call and see me at Richmond House

Ford Models

A look at the heading of this post might lead you to believe that it's something to do with cars, but it's actually models of the human variety that it's concerned with, the website gives access to video tutorials on hair, make-up, fitness and fashion. Viewing this site might not turn you into a supermodel, but one of the videos shows how to create the Amy Winehouse hairstyle that seems to be gaining in popularity. The hairstyle that's shown is perhaps a little less extreme than Amy Winehouse's has become and as it's shown on a blonde model doesn't look quite the same, but why not have a look and see if you can pick up any tips (plus have a look at the other videos, of course). Just click on this link Ford Models

Blog Action Day
Yesterday was Blog Action Day, and we were asked to post issues relating to the environment. Unfortunately, I was out of college yesterday so I'm going to cheat a little and refer you to a post that I added on 26 April of this year entitled Going Green. If you do a search for Going Green using the search box at the top of the blog page and click on Search Blog, you can see the post . Don't forget that all blog posts are archived, so you can look at previous posts added.

Spa Show 2007

If you want to keep up-to-date with the latest spa treatments and have some spare time between 2-4 November you might want to visit the Spa Show at the Business Design Centre in London.

You can attend free seminars on skincare, fitness and well-being or try free treatments. There will be over 100 exhibitors, including spa treatment and product providers, spa resorts, spa hotels and urban spas. The show will be co-locating with The Body Beautiful show so there will be plenty to see and do if you decide to pay a visit to the event. For more information, including how to buy tickets, click on the show links above.

Alternative Hair Show

The Alternative Hair Show will take place this Sunday, 14th October, at the Royal Albert Hall in London. For more details see the website

Positive Health Magazine

If you need information about complementary therapies, try looking at the Positive Health Magazine website. This site features events listings, research up-dates, and articles. You have the option to search previous issues and can also do a general search by topic. You no longer need to log in to access any of the features of this site and it is well worth a visit.

Hairdressing Training Resource

We have a good range of online databases available for you to use via the Athens link on Blackboard. Select the Library tab from the Blackboard page and then click on the Athens link to see what's available.
If you are studying up to NVQ Level 2 Hairdressing you will find lots of useful resources on the Hairdressing Training database. This includes information on Health and Safety acts, step-by-step haircutting guides and much, much, more. If you would like any more information or help with accessing the Athens databases, call and see me at Richmond House Library.

Chemicals in Beauty Products

Next week a television programme investigating the potential harm of chemicals in cosmetics can be seen on Channel 4 at 8.00pm Thursday 11 October. Look out for Beauty Addicts: How Toxic are You? For more info about the programme click here for the Channel 4 Listings page.
If you want to read more about cosmetic ingredients, here are two books that we have in the Library (copies at Richmond House and Summer Row) .

A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients- shelved at 668.5503 WIN

Milady's Skin Care and Cosmetic Ingredients - shelved at 646.726 MIC

If you are really interested in reading about ingredients you might want to have a look at the European Commission - Enterprise and Industry Directorate General - Consumer goods - Cosmetics 17/01/2007 website and check out the list of ingredients for the chemical names.

The Olive Awards Scheme for Wellness Workers in the UK

A new awards scheme, The Olive Awards, has been created in the UK to recognise exceptional employees working in the wellness and integrated health industries. Employees of spas, beauty and nail salons, suppliers, health clubs and leisure centres, and retailers of beauty products will all be able to enter the awards.

Companies of all sizes are eligible and any employers wanting to enter this year can register on the website. Employees will then have until November this year to complete online questionnaires and the awards ceremony will be held in central London in February 2008. For further details see

The Olive Awards website

Why do you need music in your business? (and a reminder that you need to pay for using it )



BBC Radio 1 is celebrating it's 40th anniversary this year. It was certainly a 'must have' radio station to have playing in hair salons in the 1960s, and a vast improvement on the previous BBC stations (for those of you too young to remember them, you'll have to take my word for it!)

This seems like an opportune moment to remind you that these days you need to have a Performing Rights Society Licence to play music in the salon. For all the information that you need about obtaining a licence, have a look at the MCPS-PRC website. You will find the information by clicking on the Why Do You Need to Pay to Use Music? link under the Hot Topics section. You can also read research about the beneficial effects of music in the workplace on the site.

Salon International

Salon International 2007 will be held at ExCel, London, on 13th, 14th, and 15th October 2007.

A visit to the event provides a chance to see the latest hairstyles and techniques demonstated live on stage. You will also be able to view the latest products and services. For more details have a look at the event website http://www.salonexhibitions.co.uk/

British Hairdressing Business Awards

If you are interested in reading about the British Hairdressing Business Awards 2007, which took place on Monday 10 September at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, try logging on to the Hairdressers Journal International blog.

Just click on http://www.hji.co.uk/blogs/main/events/british_hairdressing_business/

You can also view photos or a video clip of the awards, and photos of the after show party.

London Fashion Week

Tomorrow sees the start of London Fashion Week, which takes place from 15-20 September 2007.

Why not have a look at the website and read about all the events taking place? Just click on the link above.

Looking for a job?

If you are looking for a job or would like guidance on putting together a CV and covering letter, try looking on the Hairdressers Journal International website.

You can browse by category, keyword, location or salary and featured employers include Sanrizz, Trevor Sorbie, Rush, seanhanna and colourhouse. To access the jobs information on the site just click on the Jobs link on the top of the page.

National Spa Week

Did you know that September 23-30 is National Spa Week?

The Spa Business Association has created this event to highlight the health benefits of visting a spa or spa town. For more details click on either link above.

Welcome to the Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy Blog

Just wanted to say a big welcome to any new or returning students. My name is Dianne Hudson and I am subject librarian for Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy. I will be posting details of events and other hair or beauty information via this blog.

Returning students will notice that during the Summer vacation we have changed the location of the Yellow zone at Richmond House Library. You will now find that the Yellow zone starts next to the journals area and continues in the area where the Sports and Leisure books used to be shelved. For the benefit of any new students who are wondering what the Yellow Zone is, I will give you a brief explanation. At Richmond House Library we shelve our books in subject zones, which makes it easier for you to find the books for your subject area. The Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy books are in the Yellow zone and there are yellow stickers on the side of each book.
We also have had new flat-screen computers installed during the vacation, which should make typing up your assignments that little bit easier! If you have any problems with computers in Richmond House Library, we have a technician who will be able to help you. Returning students will notice that we also have a change of technician at Richmond House, so if you need any help Gary will answer any queries for you. He will be based in the same ITSU room by the main computer area.
One last change that I need to mention, is that if you need any study support help at Richmond House you will find one of the Learning and Skills Development team in the office opposite the main Library counter. The desk where they used to be based is where you can find me, so if you need any help this is where I am.

Why Hairdressers Are So Fulfilled By Their Jobs

If you have just joined us at the College to begin your hairdressing course, or if you are a returning student, here is some news that you might find reassuring. Hairdressers come second only to chief executives of multinational corporations where job satisfaction is concerned. The majority of the other jobs in the top ten are managerial- so if you are planning to run your own salon at the end of your studies then you should have even more of a fulfilling career ahead of you! To read more about the research behind these findings and to see how other professions fared in the job satisfaction chart click here to take you to the Daily Mail article

Image Gallery of Hairstyles

If you are looking for colour photographs of hairstyles try looking at the Image Gallery on the Hairdressers Journal International Interactive website. From the homepage click on the Image Gallery, where you can search by, style length, colour and decade ( 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000 to current date). Be aware that you will first need to agree to the terms and conditions (such as using for educational purposes only) before viewing the photographs.

Changes to Online Library Catalogue

If you use the Online Library Catalogue, you will notice that there have been some improvements to the Home page. You can now find useful Library information, such as opening hours, resources and services and an online journal catalogue by clicking on the relevant link. This is in addition to the online reading lists and other features that were already available. Why not have a look and let me know if you like the changes? The Subject Areas feature is still a work in progress, so please remember this if you click on this tab.

Complementary Therapy Website

Looking for a website that gives information on complementary therapies ? Try logging on to Central Plexus where amongst other things, you will find an A-Z list (well, Acupressure to Yoga anyway!) of therapies. The site was founded and is run by therapists 'to unite and promote the world of complementary therapy'.

Click on the Therapies tab and you will be able to see: the origins and historical development, what to expect during a treatment and conditions suitable for treatment. The therapies listed include: Reiki, Bach Flower and Light Therapy. You can also search a Spa Directory and Supplier database.

Business and Marketing Blog

If you are looking for information on Marketing or Business, have a look at the Marketing and Business Blog which is now up and running.

Anti-aging face creams- do they really work, after all?

Boots stores were recently inundated with customers who had seen the BBC's Horizon programme endorsing one of their No 7 skin care products, as it appears that it really does get rid of the wrinkles. For more info on this story see here.

Details of the latest trial focusing on wrinkles caused through aging , rather than sun damage, is reported in Archives of Dermatology You can read a detailed abstract of the article via this link, but not the full-text. You might want to have a look at the past issues of this journal for items of interest.

For up-to-date information on cosmetics and skin care, read Cosmetics International available in the Library. This publication includes global information on companies, marketing, packaging, ingredients and people in the industry, so it's well worth reading.

If you want to read more about skin care and cosmetic ingredients, then we have some books in stock that you will find useful. I will give you the shelf location to help you find the books, but if you want any more help don't forget I am based at Richmond House Library where I will answer any queries you might have. For ingredient information try reading: Cosmetic Watch, Charlwood and Robinson, 658.55 CHA, or Skin Care and Cosmetic Ingredients Dictionary, Michalun, 646.726 MIC. For general skin care there is: Skin Care: beyond the basics, Lee, 616.5 LEE and The World of Skin care, Gray, 646.726 GRA.

Codes of Practice

Did you know that you can download codes of practice for waxing and nails services from the Habia (Hair and Beauty Industry Authority) website? If you select the 'for business' link from the menu you can then choose to download the codes of practice for both waxing and nail services. Although compliance with the codes is voluntary, they are intended to encourage good practice throughout the nails and beauty industry and are based on nationally agreed standards. The codes of practice are well worth reading as they cover all aspects of waxing and nail services.

You can also read information on the National Minimum Wage by clicking on the 'for business' link, which will be of interest if you are thinking of setting up your own business. For more information on the National Minimum Wage see the DTI site.

Afro Hair and Beauty Live

Afro Hair and Beauty Live is taking place on Sunday 28 and Monday 29 May ( Bank Holiday Monday) at the Alexandra Palace in London. It is the twenty-fifth anniversary of the show and there will be demonstrations, competitions, fashion and hair shows and free makeovers. If you buy an advance ticket for Sunday you can get £2 off. You can also get a student discount, (for this you will need student ID). For more details about the show and ticket information click here.

Hype Hair magazine

If you are looking for information on afro hair styles or products, try looking at the May/June issue of Hype Hair which has just arrived in the Library. Hype Hair is a US hair magazine dedicated to afro-caribbean hair care. It also includes features on beauty products and makeup for dark skin.

FHBS Inspirations 07

The FHBF (Freelance Hair and Beauty) Inspirations event will take place at the Renaissance Solihull Hotel on Sunday 10 June 2007. One of the highlights of this event is Beverly C. Twice winner of British Hairdresser of the Year in 2003 and 2004, who will be cutting, styling and dressing long hair as well as sharing the secrets of her success . For further details see the FHBS website.

New Facials Book in Stock

If you are studying NVQ level 2 or 3 Beauty Therapy we have a new book on facial massage and skin care in stock that is well worth reading: Facials and Skincare in Essence, written by Helen McGuiness. Included in this book are several case studies, a chapter on anatomy and physiology and a glossary of terms used in skin care.

There are copies available at Richmond House and Summer Row Library.

The L'Oreal Colour Trophy 2007

Having, many years ago in a previous life, entered a regional heat of the L'Oreal Colour Trophy competition I read with interest that the 2007 Grand Final will be held at Earls Court, London on 21 May. The first L'Oreal Colour Trophy was held in 1954 and less than 20 stylists entered, although I can't claim to have entered the first competition as I was much too young back then! It was during the late 1960s that as a young apprentice hairdresser I entered a regional final of the competition, which was held in Birmingham at the building that is now the Carling Birmingham Academy. I didn't win, but was placed about mid-way down the list of entrants and it was great fun.
You can find plenty of information about the 2007 L'Oreal Colour Trophy here. If you are interested in men's hair fashions, have a look at the News Room link on the site to see the information on the men's catwalk show.

Smoking Legislation

You are probably aware that from 1 July 2007 a law will come in to effect banning smoking in enclosed spaces. All spas, hair, beauty and nail salons, except those in prisons, will be legally required to become smokefree. The Habia ( Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority) website provides information regarding this legislation, along with other issues relating to health and safety. Further guidance is available from Smokefree England.

Specific guidance on legislation for employers is also contained in the Habia Employment Pack for Salons that is available in both Summer Row and Richmond House Library (reference only) shelved at 344.4201 HAB.

Going Green

Recycling household rubbish is very much in the news at the moment - read an article from The Times here . People are being encouraged to separate items for refuse collections so that they can be recycled. With this in mind, there is an article in the 20-26 April issue of Hairdressers Journal International, Changing Habits, that looks at four salons that have 'gone green' (page 56). The Hairdressers International website includes the HJI Blog, well worth a visit for keeping up-to date with industry information.
With the huge interest in all things organic such as food and clothing, and concern about the chemicals in cosmetics and shampoo, this month sees the launch of a range of organic beauty products by Stella Mc Cartney: CARE. Make sure you that you read the Green Pound article ( page 62) in the same issue of Hairdressers Journal International for the definition of an organic beauty product and tips on how to 'go green'.

Professional Beauty is Changing

If you currently read the Library copy of Professional Beauty, Professional Nails, or Professional Spa you will notice a change from next month. A new-look magazine will be launching in May under the Professional Beauty name, combining spa, nails and beauty industry news and features. So, if you need to find information on spa, nails or beauty remember to look out for the May issue of Professional Beauty. There will still be back issues available in the Library of the individual titles. The Professional Beauty website is worth a visit if you are looking for the latest industry news or jobs available.

How to Create a Dalek - in 16 easy steps
Considering working in stage, film or television make-up sometime in the future, and/or a Doctor Who fan? The 21-27th April issue of Radio Times available in the Library at both Richmond House and Summer Row has a feature on page 9 on 'How to Make a Mutant' - not as scary as it sounds, as it's an article on using prosthetics to create a Dalek Sec hybrid. You may be interested in looking at this BBC link as it's about working as a make-up artist in television or the information on this Learndirect site.
If you want to read more about using prosthetics or special effects make-up, visit the Library and have a look through Make-up Artist Magazine (a US publication) or Warpaint, published in the UK.

If you are more interested in hairdressing competitions, the same edition of Radio Times has Crowning Glory (page 27) a feature about the 2006 HairWorld Championship held in Moscow. Want to watch the programme for inspiration? You'll find it on BBC2 on 23 April 9.00-10.00pm.

Health and Beauty Training Show
19-20 May Excel, London17-18 November , Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate.

Are you looking forward to your career in the health, beauty or therapy industry and thinking about professional development and achieving your full potential? If so, the Health and Beauty Training Show might be an event you would enjoy attending. You could visit the business clinic and receive advice on starting up and managing a business. Or perhaps you might attend a workshop on massage or make up for Editorial or film work. There are also lectures on salon management and Ayurveda. One of the exhibitor's at the show is the therapy trade journal , Today's Therapist. You can read the March/April 2007 issue of Today's Therapist in the Library.

Olympia Beauty 20-21 MAY 2007

Here's an event you will not want to miss if you are interested in seeing the latest innovations and products available to the professional beauty market. Olympia Beauty is the trade fair for the beauty industry and is based in London's West End.
It includes education and seminar programs hosted by Habia that provide guidance on careers, business development, legislation and much more. Register before 11th May and get free entry for two people.

Spa Accreditation Scheme
The mystery shopper has become an accepted, (if perhaps dreaded, by those being visited!) way of assessing the standards of a business in the hospitality trade. This month sees the launch of the VisitBritain spa accreditation scheme, where an assessor will carry out a mystery shopper visit by booking a treatment as a normal client. The following designators have been developed: Day Spa, Hotel Spa, Salon Spa, Sports and Fitness Spa, Natural Spa, Destination Spa, Resort Spa and Medi- Spa, so that consumers will understand the different types of spa available. A local spa- The De Vere Belfry Spa in Sutton Coldfield- was one that volunteered for the pilot scheme. For full details of the scheme and to download the standards click here