Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about Alan Howard professional hair and beauty supplies. From ordering and delivery to product details and trade accounts, our FAQ page has everything you need to know. Get expert support today!

How To Maximise Salon Profits With These Speedy Salon Services

Let’s face it, we’re already prepping for the festive season, and with it comes jam-packed schedules and appointment bookings, last-minute walk-ins and clients being extremely eager to look their best for the party season. But with strict timings and an overflowing column, being efficient is everything. That’s where fast salon services come in. From express colour to speedy treatments, these quick turnaround options allow you to fit in more clients, maximise profits, and keep your guests looking and, of course, feeling incredible! Let’s dive into how to make every minute count this season with time-saving salon heroes your clients will love…

Celebrating International Women’s Day in the Professional Hair & Beauty Industry

The professional hair & beauty industry has long been a space where women are are empowered to thrive, lead, and excel in their profession. From female salon owners and hairstylists to educators and wholesale workers, women continue to shape the industry. At Alan Howard, as a leading professional hair & beauty wholesaler, we believe it’s important to celebrate the women who contribute to this wonderful community.

3 Bob Haircuts For Clients with Fine Hair

The one thing fine-haired clients are always looking for is volume, and sometimes it isn’t always as simple as adding in some layers. Don’t get us wrong, the right haircut can completely transform how the hair sits, and that’s why suggesting something a little shorter might do the trick. If your clients are considering a bob haircut for their next hair appointment, or are open to the idea of going shorter to increase their hair’s volume, we have 3 bob-inspired cuts that are perfect for fine-haired clients, along with how to style them for maximum volume.

Known Nutrition

Known is more than just a nutrition brand, they're a movement that believes in the power of nutrition to transform lives.

Unlock The Secrets To A Healthy Scalp

As a professional in the world of hair care, it is essential to understand the scalp when providing your clients with the best service. A healthy scalp is the base of the hair follicles to achieve ultimate strength and optimum hair health. Therefore, providing your clients' scalp with the proper treatment and care will ensure them with the healthy and vibrant locks they are longing for. Here, we'll share everything you need to know about scalp health, along with our favourite professional scalp-care products to stock up on, so you're equipped for every clients scalp issue.

Social Media 101 For Hairdressers

Staying relevant and engaging with your audience is the key to salon success, and social media is a powerful tool that can help you connect with clients, showcase your skills, and grow your business. But with so much competition, how do you stand out? This guide, featuring insights from Ben Lifton, the hairdressing industry's top content creator and founder of marketing agency ‘Content Kweens’, will walk you through everything you need to know when elevating your social media presence—from content creation ideas to the best apps and equipment for hairdressers. Let’s dive in.

How To Maximise Salon Profits For Christmas in 2025

It’s officially November, which means the countdown to Christmas has officially begun! With the Christmas rush comes the busiest yet most exciting times of the year for salons, from festive hair transformations to lots of gifting opportunities for your clients. With the busy season, there is no better time to boost profits, show gratitude to your clients, and end the year on a high. And while busy doesn’t necessarily mean productive, we’re here to show you how to make the most of the season and turn those Christmas appointments into extra income (and of course give your clients a touch of Christmas magic to last into the new year!).

How To Achieve The Ultimate Bouncy Blowdry

Big bouncy blow-dries are continuing to be all the hype in 2026, and honestly? We’re so glad they’ve stuck around. Going back to the supermodels in the ‘90s, to now being the modern-day it-girl look, the bouncy blowdry is officially ‘the’ salon hairstyle that clients are requesting every appointment.

Trending Valentine’s Day Nails

The season of love is well and truly approaching, and whether your clients will share the day with a partner, their friends, or simply be embracing the self-love vibe, your client's nails have got to look the part! In collaboration with Halo, we’ve rounded up the top trending Valentine's Day nails your clients are going to love! Stock up on these high-quality Halo gel polishes that deliver long-lasting, vibrant colours and flawless finishes. Let’s explore all the inspiration you need for the ultimate set of Valentine's Day nails with Halo Gel Polish…

The Hair Colour Trends of 2026

In the world of hair, stepping into 2026 has introduced a softer, richer and more wearable approach to colour, and it’s becoming more wearable year on year. Clients are craving impact, but wanting it low maintenance, and of course, ensuring their hair remains healthy with an effortless grow out. It might seem like a lot of boxes to tick for your clients, but luckily, we have the ultimate line-up of trending hair colours that can do exactly that.

Introducing Quif Professional X Little Princess Trust: The Importance of Raising Awareness within the Professional Hair Industry

In collaboration with Alan Howard, we sat down with the amazing team from the Little Princess Trust, Phil & Wendy, to talk about their journey, the impact of their work, and their exciting new collaboration with Quif Professional. Through this collaboration, Quif have redesigned their foils, gowns and aprons to create a limited edition bundle of salon essentials, so professionals and clients can embody the cause in their salon every day.

How Your Salon Can Become More Profitable in 2026

Becoming more profitable doesn’t always mean squeezing more hours into the day. Instead, it’s about working smarter and making small changes to your service menu. This will only create more opportunities with the clients you already have, as well as bring in some new ones, too! We go through how you can implement quicker colour services as well as upping your retail game to boost your salon's profits without burning yourself out.

Essentials You Need In Your College Kit Bag

​Beginning your journey as a hair professional is an exciting time, with so much to learn in an ever-evolving industry. Whether you're passionate about creative colour techniques, styling, or simply transforming your clients’ looks, starting hair college is your first step towards mastering your passion. To help you hit the ground running, we’ve put together a list of student essentials that will not only make your college experience smoother but also set you up for success in your future career!

Salon Marketing Tips For Christmas

​With the festive season approaching, it’s a prime time for salons to boost business, connect with their clients, and of course, maximise profits. And with that, a big part of your salon’s success this Christmas is your salon's marketing strategy. To ensure you get the most out of this busy, yet wonderful season, we’ve taken a deep dive into our top salon marketing tips to help salon owners and hairdressers create a memorable, yet profitable Christmas. Here's how to use this festive season to your salon's advantage…

How to Master Social Media in Your Salon

In today’s competitive professional hair & beauty industry, filling up your salon space with new clients is becoming more challenging than ever. Fortunately, there is one important skill that can ultimately solve this problem: your social media presence. If the thought of content creation and social media leaves you overwhelmed, don’t fear!

Introducing Qiqi: The Art and Science of Hair Control

Qiqi has launched at Alan Howard, and we’re bringing your salon a transformative and inclusive salon-grade hair care product that gives your clients total control to transform the hair without compromise. With no harmful ingredients, no outdated processes and no ineffective formulas, there are no limits to what your hair can do with Qiqi. Developed with groundbreaking science, premium ingredients, and proprietary manufacturing processes, Qiqi delivers exceptional, lasting performance that will ultimately change the texture of the hair. Whether your clients dream of super sleek, straight hair or hydrated curls, Qiqi offers customisable solutions without sacrificing your clients' hair health.

Waterfall Waves: The Trending Hairstyle of 2026

Move over Hollywood waves, there’s a new soft glam hairstyle that’s taking over socials. This trending hairstyle ticks every box, creating an effortless finish that looks styled without trying too hard. Introducing Waterfall Waves, the wave that sits perfectly between a glamorous curl and natural texture, and in 2026, it’s becoming one of the most requested hairstyles. Waterfall Waves are romantic, soft, voluminous, and luxurious, but somehow they still feel wearable enough for everyday hair.

What Is A Root Tap And How Can I Achieve One?

If your blonde clients are asking for a softer, more lived-in colour that grows out seamlessly, then it’s time to get to know the root tap. Over the last few years, we’ve seen clients move away from the bright, solid blondes and towards a more natural-looking colour that requires less maintenance between appointments. And that’s exactly where a root tap comes in. Using Quif Magi:gloss, and the knowledge of our Quif Educator, Sara Simspon, we discuss how creating a seamless root tap has never been easier. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about creating the ultimate root tap with your clients.

Quif

Our mission is to develop our line of professional hairdressing products that champions creativity, breaks from the norm and defies stuffy corporate logic.

Tobacco Bronde: The Must-Try Hair Colour Trend for Summer 2025

If your clients are looking for a colour trend that’s stealing the spotlight this season, then Tobacco Bronde could be the colour for their next appointment. It’s the new standout shade for summer, with a rich, dimensional blend of warm brown and golden tones to add depth, warmth, and a sunlit glow to the hair. Starting with a mid-brown base and subtle ribbons of honey, caramel and amber, Tobacco Bronde offers a seamless balance between brunette and blonde, meaning your clients can update their look by adding some lightness but with an edgy and retro twist. Inspired by the tone of dried tobacco leaves, this trend brings a subtle vintage edge without the drastic change. And let’s not deny it being the perfect transition into the autumn!

Trending Spring Hair Colour: Chestnut Teddy Bronde

Who says you can’t go a little darker in Spring? Hear us out! While the lighter, sun-kissed shades usually dominate the warmer seasons, 2025 is changing things up with the all-new cool-girl shade Chestnut Teddy Bronde. This rich, dimensional shade is redefining the Spring hair colour game, and whilst adding a nod to the 2024 craze of the Teddy Bear Blonde shade, we’re seeing much more warmth this year. Inspired by trend-setter icons Hailey Bieber and Zendaya, this ‘cool-girl’ shade blends warm chestnut, golden bronde, and a very subtle reddish-brown tone for a glossy, low-maintenance, and effortless look.

5 Summer Hair Myths To Stop Believing

While summer brings lots of sun, heat, and those beautiful beachy waves, it also brings a ton of hair myths that many of your clients still believe. As a professional hairdresser, it’s important you give your clients the right haircare knowledge, especially during the summer season, so they don’t sabotage their hair. Let’s jump into five of the most common summer hair myths and how you can educate your clients on what’s actually best for their hair this season.

The Trending Occasional Hairstyles with Darcey Clarke

Need some inspiration for occasion hair this season? When it comes to creating beautiful occasion styles, there’s no one better to learn from than our Shed Artist and occasion hair specialist, Darcey Clarke. From weddings and proms to parties and special events, Darcey knows exactly how to create looks that make clients feel their absolute best.

How To Achieve The Dream Tan with 2bTanned

2bTanned has landed at Alan Howard, and its time to get that gorgeous, glowing tan that makes you and your clients feel amazing all-year round! Whether they’re lounging by the pool, hitting the beach or grabbing a sunbed, this guide will help them achieve an unreal all-round tan, safely and effectively. So, grab your favourite 2bTanned product and lets dive into the world of tanning!

Hair Colour Trends in 2024

With a new year comes new trends, and we have been dying to see what hair colours will be on the roster for the year ahead. While some familiar shades will remain this year, we'll be taking it back to Y2K as well as taking a look at the 'colour of the year'. Keep scrolling to stay up to date with all the trending hair colours that your clients will be eager to try this year.

Burnt Sienna Copper: The Trending Hair Colour of 2026

We know, we know… summer isn’t over yet. But if there is one thing the professional hair industry loves, it’s getting ahead of the next big hair trend. As we start looking towards autumn, there’s one hair colour that’s already beginning to take over salons and, of course, social media. We’ve seen coppers and reds populate salons over the last few years, but this season, it’s only getting richer and more luxurious. Get to know Burnt Sienna Copper, the copper shade that will be the next big thing for our red-head lovers. Working alongside our Quif Educator Sara Simpson, we’re breaking down why this shade is about to become 2026’s biggest hair colour trend, plus the Quif colour formulas to reach for when recreating this look in the salon.

Hair Trend Predictions for 2025

As we approach 2025, within the professional hair industry colourists are eager for fresh ideas, techniques and most importantly trends, that are going to set the creative scene within salons. We sat down with Education Team members, Sara Simpson and Adam Murphy, our hair colour experts who have an immense amount of knowledge on all things hair colour, to get their predictions and insights into what the hairdressing industry has to bring in 2025.

Jessica

Jessica is the professional nail care brand that offers a full range of nail care products such as gel polish, polish, essentials and treatments.

Student Essentials For Starting Hair College: Everything You Need For Your Kit Bag

Starting hair college this autumn? If you’ve just discovered your passion for the world of professional hair, hair college is where it all begins! You’ll be learning your first cutting techniques and experimenting with colour, plus mastering a few blowdries. There’s a lot to be excited about! And before you head into your first day of hair college, there’s one key thing you need to have sorted… your kitbag! This will include your essential tools such as styling products, brushes and a few extras you might not have thought about. So, we’ve put together our student essentials to help build up your kit so you have everything you need without spending a fortune.