From Experimentation to Execution: Is the Beauty Industry Ready for AI-led Commerce?
Partnering with Pattern, the leading global ecommerce accelerator, the British Beauty Council hosted an intimate breakfast event examining how AI is transforming commerce in the beauty sector globally, and how brands can leverage it without losing their unique identity.
The Great British Beauty Clean Up 2026 is live and makes an industry call to recycle, reduce and refill
On Monday 2 March, the British Beauty Council and its Sustainable Beauty Coalition (SBC) officially launched the 2nd annual Great British Beauty Clean Up (GBBCU) at the historic Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park, London.
The Future of Beauty Employment: Have Your Say on Employment Rights
Following the passage of the landmark Employment Rights Act (ERA) 2025, the most significant modernisation of workers’ rights in a generation, the Government has officially opened five key consultations.
From salon owners to retailers and brand headquarters to therapists, these changes to employment rights will touch every sector of the beauty industry. More than just a legislative update, it is your opportunity to ensure the unique needs of businesses operating in our sector are heard, before these rules are formalised.
British Beauty Council welcomes landmark report calling for urgent SME reform
The House of Commons Business and Trade Committee, a cross-party group of MPs tasked with scrutinising the policy, spending, and administration of the Department for Business and Trade in Westminster, has today published a comprehensive roadmap for the future of UK small businesses. It echoes many of the urgent calls for reform championed by the British Beauty Council, says Victoria Brownlie MBE, the Council’s Chief Policy and Sustainability Officer.
British Beauty Council stands up for beauty businesses on the high street
Hair, beauty and nail businesses are a cornerstone of the British high street, consistently accounting for the top three retail categories on our high streets (according to the Local Data Company) and generating essential footfall for other businesses. “As a sector of 266,000 workers, the majority of whom are women and small business owners, hair and beauty salons provide equal social value to hospitality and must be granted the same level of protection as the pubs,” says Millie Kendall, CEO of the British Beauty Council, who wrote to Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer. “On behalf of the industry, I raised concerns about the significant impact of the recent changes to business rates for hair and beauty salons up and down the country, following our contribution to the consultation. I urged an immediate extension of the protection being shown to the hospitality sector. This is vital to protect the thousands of hair and beauty SMEs that keep our high streets vibrant.”
Income Tax Goes Digital – Are you Ready?
This will apply to small business owners, salon owners, hairdressers, beauty professionals, and freelancers, whose gross income from self-employment (and/or property) exceeds £50,000, shaping how they run their business and finances.
Reigniting The Body Shop’s Founding Principles: ‘Beauty should never make people feel “robbed”’
The Body Shop has been bobbing on beauty’s radar over recent years thanks to highstreet re-vamps, team changes and an acquisition. As the brand joins the British Beauty Council as a Patron, we’ve gotten to the bottom of how the brand’s staying fresh. Seemingly, the answer is staying true to your principles…
2026 beauty trends: bright blues, red light-stretching, plumping and football fever
Trends change as quickly as you can say ‘beauty’ these days, with brands having to be increasingly reactive to viral TikToks and equally as conscious of the slow cultural shifts.
Autumn Budget 2025: What it Means for Beauty
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, delivered the Government’s Autumn Budget this afternoon, setting out the fiscal and economic roadmap for the years ahead.
Space NK launches first shopping app
British Beauty Council Patron, Space NK, have unveiled their first shopping app.
