Tried and True Hair Trends

Blog Posts

It’s important to keep up with the ever-evolving industry trends and be prepared to offer your clients new experiences. Whether you’re new to the business or well established, consciously staying updated on the latest trends will drive growth and draw in clients looking for targeted treatments. However, while following the latest trends is important to stay relevant, don’t discredit those services that are tried and true. These treatments offering flexibility to a service menu and offer unique alternatives to the standard licensing requirements. Here we mention treatments that can be incorporated into your menu and why they stand the test of time.

Balayage

Balayage is a technique for highlighting hair in which the dye is painted on in such a way as to create a graduated, natural-looking effect. Balayage is not just a trend anymore—it’s a standard service, especially during the pandemic. According to L’Oreal Professional, there has been a 170% increase in online searches for this technique.¹

Contact your current color vendor for resources and classes.

Brazilian Blowout

Often referred to as Brazilian Blowout, this is a keratin-based hair straightening treatment. Brazilian Blowout is the only smoothing treatment asked for by brand name. Straightening treatments are more popular every year, and countless women have transformed their look. Men who have thick, unruly hair and want to cut down on their styling time are also finding benefit in straightening treatments. As the beauty industry shifts toward “clean beauty,” keratin straightening treatments (such as the Rio Keratin) are removing toxic ingredients while still providing benefits.

In a survey performed by L’Oreal, 50% of women said that having smooth, frizz-free hair is important ,and 30% said frizzy hair is a top beauty complaint, over acne and chapped lips.²

Hair Extensions

Training in hair extensions is often included in basic cosmetology programs, but hair stylists may want to pursue further training or certification in extension techniques. Advanced training allows the student to work with various types of extensions, including individual strands and sheets, as well as learn different attachment techniques like sewing and clamping. Most manufactures provide specialized training to those who are licensed. This provides an opportunity to contract with those manufacturers and bring in specialized training for your alumni. If contracting with manufacturers in not an option, consider sending your instructors for additional training or contracting with local salons.

Hair extensions are becoming more popular than ever. In 2017, total revenue for the hair extension industry in the US was $346 million and has had a steady incline of 9% each year.³

Eyelash Extensions

Modern-day eyelash extensions became popular in the early 2000s. The low maintenance and natural appearance have had women of all ages hooked ever since. It is not unusual for women to equate getting their lashes done with getting their hair done, and everyone has their go-to lash artist. This is such a popular, specialized service and the statistics don’t lie:⁴

37% of eyelash artists focus on the classic application of extensions and have opportunities to increase their income by offering new services. (Glad Lash)
74% of the eyelash artists operating in the United States right now are either a licensed cosmetologist or esthetician. (Glad Lash)
The total sales volume for eyelash extensions in the United States in 2019 hit $270 million, which means the industry has more than doubled in just four years. (Statista)
75% of eyelash artists in the United States earn up to $50,000 per year for the work that they do in this thriving industry. (ABC News)

Lash Lifting

Lash lifting, unlike lash extensions, enhance the lashes a person already has. They are essentially a perm for your lashes. Lash lifting is nothing like the old lash perms that previously existed and was even banned in some states. This treatment has been updated and uses different formulas and different tools.⁵ This treatment can easily be taught in day, added to the salon menu, and has very low overhead costs.

By AHP Staff

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