How To Save Money Without Sacrificing Salon Quality

With the unpredictable circumstances 2025 may bring, running a successful salon can be tough work, and providing top-tier service while keeping costs under control can be a serious challenge. Fortunately, we’ve discussed some smart strategies that can allow your salon to cut expenses without compromising the quality of your client's salon experience. We’ve explored some actionable tips and tricks on how your salon can save money while maintaining (and maybe even elevating!) the standard your clients expect. Let’s jump in…

The Importance Of Entering Competitions

In the world of hair and beauty, competitions are more than just winning; they are a vital platform for creativity, up-skilling and professional growth. At Quif, we are excited about our upcoming competition designed to showcase the extraordinary talents of hairdressers using our extensive colour range. But why should hairdressers consider entering such competitions? Let’s explore why you should be entering industry competitions to set yourself apart within the hairdressing world.

Celebrating Pride within the Professional Hair & Beauty Industry

June is the celebration of Pride Month, a celebration and a chance to reflect and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. The hair & beauty industry has always been a space for self-expression, creative freedom, and community. But how can we make salons and spaces even more inclusive, safe, and supportive for LGBTQIA+ clients and professionals?

Alan Howard Rewards

Discover the Alan Howard Rewards program, designed to empower your professional journey. Earn rewards on premier brands, including Alfa Italia, Shed, Quif, Joico, Matrix, Nanokeratin, and Sexy Hair. Redeem points for education, marketing materials, branded salon items, salon tools, backbar products, Scorpion Furniture, and more.

Why Sophia Hilton ditched the blob test in her salon

London salon owner and hairdressing social star, Sophia Hilton, is one name that is synonymous with creative colouring. But fun stuff aside, how does Sophia tackle the subject of skin testing? Colourstart caught up with Sophia to do a deep dive into her skin testing journey.

The toxic cocktail of black henna tattoos and hair colour

The topic of black henna tattoos might not be top of your list when thinking about potential holiday dangers, but anyone having their hair dyed following a black henna tattoo could pose a higher risk to having an allergic reaction.

Trade Only

Discover the exclusive trade-only services at Alan Howard, where authenticity meets professionalism. We ensure a stringent verification process and prioritise your business's integrity in the industry. Partner with us for a trustworthy and empowering professional journey.

Mental Health Awareness Month: A Guide For Salon Owners

Within the hair and beauty industry, we understand that running a salon comes with its challenges. From managing staff and maintaining a clientele, to keeping up with industry changes to ensure your clients remain satisfied with your service, the demands on salon owners are extremely high. Along with the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to overlook one crucial aspect: your own mental health. We’ll explore why mental health awareness is essential within the industry, and provide you with coping mechanisms to help take care of your mental well-being.

10 Valentine's Day Nails You're Going to Love

The season of love is here, and we know this calls for a trip to the nail salon. If your clients need some inspo for a Valentine's date or want a fresh set to impress their gal pals, we have you covered! From romantic glam to dainty details, we've rounded up our favourite Valentine's nail looks worth falling for. Keep scrolling for the best Valentine's Day nail designs that are sure to melt your heart.

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.

Allergy Awareness Week: Patch Testing

Today marks the start of Allergy Awareness Week, and we are teaming up with Colourstart to raise awareness around the topic of patch testing, and why this is crucial step when taking on new clients. Let's take a deep dive into the importance of patch testing alongside the allergy experts at Colourstart, and why it is so important to raise awareness of patch testing throughout the industry.

It’s time to take allergy seriously!

It’s Allergy Awareness Week and we have a special gift for you. Today marks the start of Allergy Awareness Week, and whilst we are all in the business of making our clients feel fabulous, there’s also a huge responsibility that comes with hair colouring, and that’s managing risks of serious allergy.

Maximising the Lifespan of Your Wahl Clippers and Trimmers

Investing in quality clippers and trimmers is a smart decision that pays off in the long run. Not only do these tools enhance your routine, but the benefits of looking after them extend beyond immediate performance. In this blog post, we'll delve into the why and the benefits of caring for your clippers and trimmers, followed by practical tips on maintaining their longevity through proper hygiene, regular oiling, and the use of Blade Ice.

A Guide for Hairdressers: Cancellation Fees

Within the busy world of hairdressing, managing client appointments efficiently is they key to success. However, handling last-minute cancellations and no-shows can disrupt schedules and frustratingly, revenue. After one too many cancellations and no-shows, you might consider charging cancellation fees, but you might be unsure about the legalities, how to approach your clients, and how you can reduce no-shows from happening. We've formatted this guide to help you navigate these questions and provide examples of cancellation policies to consider.

magi:gloss get the look: Champagne Lustre

Have your blonde and balayage clients returned from their summer holidays in need of a hair refresh? With the colour-correcting power of magi:gloss, you can magic away any unwanted orange or yellow tones, creating a range of beautiful blonde hues.

A Guide to the Ultimate Salon Spring Clean

Revitalise your salon for spring! It's that wonderful time of year to welcome the freshness of spring into your salon! Spring is the perfect time for your salon to use a touch-up after the long winter months. A thorough spring cleaning not only enhances your salon's environment but also revitalises your business, leaving clients feeling the want to return. After all, having your clients relax in your salon is key to top customer service. Here's our guide for salon owners on how to spruce up their space for the spring season.

Apraise

Apraise are a leading salon professional eyebrow & eyelash tinting brand. A salon favourite in over 50 countries worldwide, the quality of our products is at the heart of everything we do.

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.

Trending Summer Nail Looks with Halo

Turn heads this summer with the latest must-have from Halo, The West Coast Collection. Inspired by sun-drenched beaches, palm-lined boulevards, and that effortless California vibe, this dreamy edit of neon pastels is everything your summer manicure needs. Bright yet breezy, these playful shades are perfect for summer days and warm nights, the ultimate way to wear colour with confidence!

Eyelash Emporium

Eyelash Emporium offers a full range of eyelash products for both consumers and professional lash techs, including eyelash extensions, adhesives, false lashes, lash lift & brow lamination products, aftercare and tools.

Supporting Our Industry

Discover how Alan Howard passionately supports the hair and beauty industry through our headline sponsorship of the Fellowship for British Hairdressing and annual fundraising events for a prominent hair and beauty charity. Learn about our commitment to nurturing talent, fostering creativity, and creating a brighter future for professionals. Join us in our mission to elevate the industry through unity and compassion.

Wella

With over 140 years of innovation and commitment to excellence, Wella Professionals has become a trusted name among hairdressers and salons worldwide.

Nioxin

Nioxin is a leading brand specialising in hair care solutions designed to combat thinning hair and promote a healthier scalp.

Hair Tools

Hair Tools, along with trusted brands like Parlux, Head Jog, and Haito, is known for delivering high-quality, innovative, and reliable products.

Andis

Andis is a leading brand in professional grooming tools, renowned for delivering high-performance clippers, trimmers, and grooming accessories.

Nanokeratin System

Nanokeratin System is a leading brand in the professional hair care industry, known for its innovative and high-performance hair treatments.

Procare Foil

Procare Foil is a trusted name in the professional hairdressing industry, known for delivering high-quality foils and dispensing systems that streamline the colouring process.

The Ultimate Sunless Tanning Guide For Salons

Within the professional beauty industry, salons have seen a huge shift in the way clients want to achieve their golden glow. With the growing awareness of UV damage and the long-term effects of sunbeds, sunless tanning has become the safest, fastest and most in-demand option for clients who want to achieve that flawless, radiant complexion. For salons, this isn’t just about offering your clients a healthier, safer option; it’s about giving clients a premium, professional result they can’t achieve at home. By stocking the right products, you can ensure to provide a transformation in the salon that mimics a natural sun tan, while also guiding your clients on how to maintain their glow between appointments.

A Deep Dive into Quif Trend:01 – The Frenchy

You might have noticed a lot more clients arriving at your salon wanting a drastic change or a ‘big chop’. With that, does anything beat the crisp, clean finish of a French bob? We don’t think so!

Glossify

Nail products and services that are made for technicians by technicians. Glossify is a professional nail brand founded in 2019 by women with over twenty years of experience in the nail and beauty industry.