The 2025 Taipei International Beauty and Skincare Expo and Nail Art & Eyelash Extension Exhibition will be held from March 27 to March 30, 2025, at Taipei 101 World Trade Center Hall 1. Numerous brands will showcase their latest products and technologies, creating a vibrant atmosphere that attracts many young professionals in the beauty industry.
The image is captured by AHMA founder Linda Yip.
The Beauty and Hairdressing Industry Training Committee under the Vocational Training Council (VTC) conducted an industry-wide manpower survey from March to June 2024, with the reference date for statistical data set as March 1, 2024. This report presents the latest findings on workforce trends in the beauty and hairdressing sector. After analyzing manpower requirements, training needs, and industry prospects, it provides recommendations for various stakeholders including employers, employees, and training institutions.
Challenges and Opportunities in the Beauty and Hairdressing Industry
Despite several years of pandemic-related challenges, employment levels in the beauty and hairdressing industry have remained relatively stable. However, the sector continues to face both challenges and opportunities.
On the challenge front, mainland China’s implementation of policies facilitating Hong Kong residents’ consumption in the north has significantly altered consumer spending patterns. As the industry strives for rapid post-pandemic recovery, the surging demand for beauty professionals has intensified competition for skilled labor.
The emergence of “shared studios” has transformed traditional business models while simultaneously creating new opportunities by attracting more professionals to join as freelancers or part-time workers. This flexible working concept particularly resonates with younger generations’ career preferences.
Furthermore, growing consumer emphasis on product ingredients, formulations, and eco-friendly sustainable products has emerged as a notable trend in recent years. Industry players need to adapt their strategies accordingly to meet evolving market demands.
View full report: https://manpower-survey.vtc.edu.hk/tc/industry/beauty-care-and-hairdressing
A year’s plan starts in spring. At the beginning of the new year, AHMA founder Ms. Linda Yip met with core committee members to exchange New Year greetings on February 7 and 10, while also engaging in discussions with the Hong Kong salon industry. Based on the insights shared by friends in the salon industry, in-depth discussions were held regarding the current challenges faced by the industry, and the 2025 AHMA work plan was discussed.
The main issues discussed in this meeting included:
The meeting received positive responses from all AHMA committee members, who expressed their views and provided constructive suggestions for the future development of AHMA. It is believed that AHMA will share more information and suggestions with the industry in the future, and we also call on friends who are enthusiastic about the development of the hairdressing industry to join us in unity and interaction.
Recently, AHMA Hair Council member and Honorary Fellow of VTC, Ms. Linda Yip, was exclusively interviewed by the “Hong Kong Commercial Daily.” She discussed her development journey in the hairdressing industry and shared her profound insights on industry heritage and the future.
In the interview, Ms. Yip expressed her original intention: “The development of the hair industry must progress with innovation while preserving our roots. The industry needs the younger generation to inherit our skills and passion to face future challenges.”
From Glory to Challenges: New Issues in the Industry
The hairdressing industry experienced a golden era in the 1980s, becoming a high-income and high-status career choice. However, in recent years, young people’s interest in the industry has waned, leading to a talent shortage and promotion bottlenecks that hinder industry development. In response, Ms. Yip urged, “We must improve the training system and create more promotion opportunities to instill hope in the younger generation.”
Education Reform: Cultivating New Talent
As an active proponent of hairdressing education reform, Ms. Yip collaborates with the Vocational Training Council (VTC) to provide systematic hairdressing training and career planning for young people, encouraging them to continuously refine their skills and enhance industry competitiveness.
Collaborative Progress in the Greater Bay Area
This year, under Ms. Yip’s leadership, the “Greater Bay Area Cup (Hong Kong) Hair and Image Design Competition 2024” was organized, providing a platform for young hairdressing talents to showcase and exchange ideas. She hopes that through this competition, the vision of “one family in the Greater Bay Area beauty industry” can be realized, injecting new vitality into beauty culture.
Global Perspective: Pushing onto the International Stage
As a specially invited vice president of the China Hairdressing and Beauty Association, Ms. Yip continues to promote the industry’s integration with international standards. Through multinational exchanges, standardization efforts, and the promotion of eco-friendly technologies, she is committed to bringing the Chinese hairdressing industry to the global stage, making “Chinese beauty” a recognized benchmark worldwide.
“The future of the hairdressing industry lies in innovation, but even more so in heritage.” — Linda Yip