Skin-care expert Caroline Hirons has teamed up with industry experts, The British Beauty Council, and the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC) to launch the Beauty Backed campaign. Beauty Backed was set up to aid and protect the beauty industry, which has been let down by the British government following last week’s U-turn on reopening “close contact services”, which the government deemed to be too unsafe to start up again — despite the fact that male beard trims are still being permitted throughout the country.
The campaign includes a Go Fund Me fundraiser and Change.org petition to provide both financial aid and support in pressuring the government to reconsider the postponement of these services. It was announced on 31 July that “close contact services” would not go ahead as planned on 1 Aug. With less than a day’s notice, treatments on the face — including (but not limited to) facials of any kind (such as chemical peels, dermaplaning, microneedling, hydrafacials, LED therapy, laser therapy, microcurrent); eyelash extensions, tints, waxing, or lifts; eyebrow waxing, tints, or reshaping; threading or waxing anywhere on the face; acupuncture on the face; and makeup application — aren’t permitted.
“The Beauty industry contributes over £28 billion to the economy annually,” the campaign states. “The continued restrictions impacting those who carry out treatments show that the government does not comprehend or appreciate the value of the beauty industry. Aestheticians, makeup artists, therapists, and clinicians have not been able to earn an income for over five months.”
The campaign also outlined the already extremely high hygiene standards held by the industry as a whole. “Outside of medical environments, if any community can maintain the level of standards required for safety during the COVID-19 crisis, it’s the beauty industry. The health and safety of our clients always has been taken very seriously.”
To help, you can sign the Beauty Backed campaign and donate what you can on the Beauty Backed Go Fund Me page. One hundred percent of donations will be distributed through the Hair and Beauty Charity to individuals and businesses who apply. The support will help the beauty sector stay afloat whilst the restrictions are still in place. If you are a business looking for support, you can apply here.
In just 24 hours, the campaign has raised over £60,000 of its £100,000 target.
