IHB GLOBAL SEMINAR

The Institute of Hairdressers and Beauticians (IHB) brought in global stalwarts Joakim Roos, Dominique Roberts and others for an educational extravaganza. Priyanka Parshurami brings a first-hand account.

The Institute of Hairdressers and Beauticians, popularly known as the IHB Global Forum, hosted a comprehensive two-day masterclass featuring renowned international hair and make-up artists such as Joakim Roos, Dominique Roberts, Olivia Jonsson, Paul Mac, Barbara Újvári and others. The forum aimed to bridge the divide between international and local education, catering not only to students but also to industry professionals, trainers and salon owners, and providing them with an opportunity to enhance their skills.

Nayana Karunaratne, Founder and Chairperson, IHB Education, explains the choice of India as the seminar’s location: “We operate in five countries -India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. While Bangladesh and Nepal are still relatively small for us, India is the largest, both in terms of size and potential. Holding the seminar in India allows a larger group of professionals to access and update themselves with the latest international techniques in hair and beauty.”

Unnati Singh, International Beauty Trainer and a key figure in IHB’s operations in India, said, “The main objective of this global forum is to bridge the gap between international and national education. Our industry is brimming with skilled individuals, but education has been lacking. We focus on education to ensure that skills meet the required standards, thereby enhancing results. Connecting education with skill is crucial, especially as modern clients are well-informed. Therefore, proper education is essential for make-up artists and hairdressers to enable them to deliver their best.”

Nayana Karunaratne, Founder and Chairperson, IHB Education, explains the choice of India as the seminar’s location: “We operate in five countries -India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. While Bangladesh and Nepal are still relatively small for us, India is the largest, both in terms of size and potential. Holding the seminar in India allows a larger group of professionals to access and update themselves with the latest international techniques in hair and beauty.”

Unnati Singh, International Beauty Trainer and a key figure in IHB’s operations in India, said, “The main objective of this global forum is to bridge the gap between international and national education. Our industry is brimming with skilled individuals, but education has been lacking. We focus on education to ensure that skills meet the required standards, thereby enhancing results. Connecting education with skill is crucial, especially as modern clients are well-informed. Therefore, proper education is essential for make-up artists and hairdressers to enable them to deliver their best.”

Excerpts from an interview with Joakim Roos, Global Educator and Governing Member, IHB Global…

“The changes and evolution in hair education has been tremendous. First of all, sincerity. Before you were forced to be in the class because it was a necessity, now it’s a luxury and a need and a want. Because society has changed, they have higher demands, which means you also need to provide those demands. So, going to a class, learning is also valuable, because I’m not going to earn money from it. There is a different mindset about education that I’ve seen grow tremendously over the years.

Secondly, continual training is very important for growth. If a trainer learns and updates oneself, only then can they pass the knowledge to the ones below them, to their clients and in turn educate the country.”

Meeting international standards

“Two simple words that mean a lot - continuity and consistency. There are incredible entrepreneurs but to maintain the business one needs to upgrade through education.

It’s important to balance and maintain the ratio of theory and practical knowledge, as it is only then we can make the education interesting and relevant.

Communication is the key to our profession, as we are the craftsmen. Asking the right questions like, how do you want your hair today? What lifestyle do you have? What functions do you do? Do you do sports? Do you do this? Finding out, because that gives you a clue on the personality of the client which helps the artist a lot.”

Message for hairdressers

“Enjoy the journey. Because when you lose the actual enjoyment of the profession, your creativity stops. The real passion of the industry, whether it’s make-up, hair or skin, is the journey of creating the piece. Once it’s done, you can just enjoy the finish.”

Dominique Roberts, International Make-up Trainer

“I have worked with the IHB Global Forum five years ago. We educated the professionals in Sri Lanka and India a few times. I love the Indian culture and people here. So many positive experiences! I can’t wait to come back and get more experience. Indian beauty artists have to take lessons from international trainers and practice more, because if they take time out from the business to learn, it’s coming back to them with profit.”

PBHJ