The Gift of Giving
More Than Just Haircare
The holidays usually bring a rush of retail numbers, but late last year, Schwarzkopf Professional asked a different question: What if a gift could actually change a life?
The answer was "The Gift of Giving," a campaign that turned holiday promotions into a powerful vehicle for social impact. At the heart of this initiative was Shaping Futures, our long-standing social program that teaches disadvantaged young adults the craft of hairdressing, giving them the tools to support themselves and carve out their own futures.
Stories of Resilience
The true power of this campaign lay in the four Shaping Futures alumni whose stories were featured on the limited-edition gift boxes. These were not just faces on packaging; they were proof that opportunity changes everything.
- Hussam Hawa (Lebanon/UAE): Starting with only basic skills in Lebanon, Hussam used the program to master professional coloring and styling. Today, he is a thriving stylist at a top barbershop here in the UAE.
- Annabelle Maringal (Philippines/UAE): Raised in an SOS Children’s Village in Iloilo, Annabelle found her calling through the initiative. She seized every training opportunity to rise as a senior stylist at one of the UAE’s leading salons.
- Adel Ali Mohammad Husam (Jordan): Also growing up in an SOS Children’s Village, Adel used his training to visualize a new life, propelling him to become a leading stylist at the prestigious Franck Provost salon in Jordan.
- Oday Habib (Germany): A Syrian refugee who resettled in Germany, Oday used his new skills to rebuild his life from the ground up. He now owns his own salon in Nürnberg and inspires thousands through his social media platforms.
Artistry Meets Purpose
These stories were woven into the packaging design by renowned Colombian artist Gina Rosas Moncada, who blended the students' cultural identities with elements of nature. The artwork adorned gift boxes across four key ranges: BlondMe, R-TWO, BC Bonacure, and Fibre Clinix, inviting consumers to scan a QR code, explore the journeys, and donate directly to the cause.
The Spirit of Giving: Inside and Out
The campaign’s impact was felt far beyond the shelves. Locally in Dubai, the spirit of the initiative came to life at Salon 971, where client activations brought the "Gift of Giving" message directly to the salon floor, engaging customers with the purpose behind the products.
Internally, the Henkel team embodied this spirit at our Dubai office on the 8th of December. Henkel Colleagues gathered for a "Gift of Giving Tree" event where celebration met purpose. Following a festive breakfast and Christmas tree decorating, the focus turned to the life-changing work of Shaping Futures. Through shared student stories, colleagues connected deeply with the mission and took the opportunity to contribute directly, helping support the cause that is transforming lives across the globe by empowering young talents through the craft of hairdressing.
A Lasting Legacy
Since 2010, Shaping Futures has partnered with SOS Children’s Villages to transform over 3,500 lives across 33 countries. SOS Children’s Villages is the world’s largest NGO focused on ensuring that children and young people without stable parental care receive the support they need to grow up safely. To support this continued growth, Henkel proudly donated €50,000 to the initiative.
Looking back, this campaign was a clear reflection of our values. It proved that being "Pioneers at heart for the good of generations" is more than just words, it is a promise that we as Henkel have kept over decades of history.
Ready to make an impact? Explore opportunities to join Henkel through our careers page and become a pioneer for the good of generations.
