Redken announced its initiative to educate and uplift hairdressing to create a welcoming environment for the LGBTQ+ community in the hairdressing industry — Hairdressers United: Stand Together Against Bullying. According to a statement, Redken believes that the salon can be a safe space for LGBTQ+ people and a haven for hairdressers to find a community and purpose.

 From a 2021 Redken Facebook survey, 100% of its stylists shared that they have faced some form of bullying, and for them it got better when they found a home in the hairdressing industry. Redken’s mission is to activate its community of about one million salon professionals to share this message and create an inclusive space for all within the community.

Hairdressers United

Hairdressers United will launch with a focus on stylists shariit gng their personal stories on social media and inspiring others to share theirs tagging #ItGetsBetter and #RedkenHairdressersUnited. Redken has partnered with the It Gets Better Project, a nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect LGBTQ+ youth around the globe through powerful storytelling campaigns, educational programming, and dynamic community building initiatives. Together, the organizations will embark on a mission to spread the message that everyone can feel safe, authentic and empowered in the hairdressing community, while evolving the hairdressing industry’s LGBTQ+ inclusion practices, and inspire consumer allyship. 

Since its inception in 1960 by founder Paula Kent, Redken has focused its efforts on educating and empowering hairdressers to be equipped with the tools and knowledge to excel in their career.  Through It Gets Better’s unique education modules, Redken will also upskill salon professionals with a training certification soon to be available on Access, Redken’s global education platform. This will allow salons to become a Redken Certified Safe Space Salon, welcoming both clients and stylists to a space that positively influences their career and journey with empathy and understanding.

“At Redken, the hairdressing industry is our passion, and we believe in the power of the salon and the sense of community it can create,” said Shane Wolf, global president, professional products division at L’Oréal. “We knew we had to share this message of hope, not only with our community, but with anyone out there experiencing bullying who might also find a home in this industry. Partnering with the It Gets Better Project to spread that message will help support millions of young people worldwide.”