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SEARCHA summary of the Salons of the Year winners.
IN AN EFFORT TO ELEVATE THE WORLD OF BEAUTY AND SOLIDIFY CLIENT LOYALTY, THIS YEAR’S SALONS OF THE YEAR HONOREES DESIGN THE CLIENT EXPERIENCE RIGHT INTO THE DECOR.
A PLAYFUL IN-SALON PHOTO STUDIO that beckons clients to capture their new looks. Built-in experience centers that encourage retail interaction. Lather lounges that transform the shampoo into a relaxing encounter. Chairside appointment booking and checkout services reminiscent of an Apple Store. Color bars that invite clients into color chemistry, thereby boosting color productivity and profitability.
In a revealing new trend, this year’s SALONS OF THE YEAR not only constructed gorgeous, well-planned and productivity enhancing spaces, they designed salons and spas that wove the client experience right into the decor, thereby elevating customer service and infusing their businesses with a heightened degree of professionalism.
The Judging Process
The judging for SALONS OF THE YEAR takes place in three phases. First, the SALON TODAY team reviews and quali¬ties each of the entries, by examining application forms and photography. Next, a panel of editors and art directors evaluate each entry in further detail, selecting a group of finalists. Finally, the panel of expert judges scrutinize essays and evaluate seven to 10 images from each finalist, scoring them in seven different décor categories. Judge’s scores were combined and used to determine the grand-prize winner, the runners up and the Salons of Distinction.
AT FIRST GLANCE, the interior of Ginger Bay Salon and Spa in Town and Country, Missouri, simply reads gorgeous.
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WHEN SHIN AN MOVED to Chicago from her hometown in Wisconsin in 1993, she met architect and designer Suhail and was immediately inspired by his passion and creative vision.
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WHEN LISA WILLIAMS named her salon, she was inspired by the English tradition of “bespoke” tailoring, a term coined after a group of London tailors who created custom designs for each client.
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RHONDA AND ROD CAVNER admit they take a little secret pleasure in observing new clients as they come into Roca Salon and Spa.
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Salons of Distinction
In Kati Whitledge's latest blog, she shares how salons have moved away from dress codes and embraced appearance standards. But by removing strict dress codes, some businesses may have unintentionally lowered their appearance standards. Whitledge helps you explain to your team why an appearance standard is important and how to smoothly implement a new appearance policy.
The Small Business Health Care Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit for for-profit businesses that provides a financial incentive for eligible employers who offer health insurance coverage to their employees. Leticia Skrabut, Esq., walks you through how to claim that credit.
Developing strong work habits early in one's career supports long-term success in the salon industry. Jesse Linares offers new stylists his top five tips.
Most salon owners have no idea what these numbers are. You can hit record sales and still have a profit problem. The difference comes down to four numbers almost nobody was taught to track.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™
A five-area audit every owner-dependent salon needs to run. You built something that looks successful. Now find out if it can survive without you.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™
Every month you put off fixing the problem, it gets bigger, more expensive, and harder to solve.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™
At Janet St. Paul Studio for Hair and Beauty, Director of Operations Natasha McMillen helps bring her wife Janet St. Paul's vision to life, elevating every system from education to operations.
Expand your color service menu with the Pinstripe technique. Brooks and Brooks' Marlon Hawkins walks you through the technique.
The strongest salons, spas, and med spas know which numbers tell the real story of their business. In this practical guide, Phorest breaks down the five essential KPIs every business should track to improve retention, boost revenue, and make smarter decisions with confidence.
Sponsored by Phorest
At Bella Style Salon in Slidell, Louisiana, Director of Operations Angela Meyer tackles inventory, team management, and guest relations. Read all about her in our latest Meet the Manager.
Starting at Impressions front desk in 2006 when he was 19 years old, General Manager Paul Petrowsky is a seasoned professional who owner Sarah Taylor says is responsible for much of her own success.
Planning is in full swing for the most anticipated events and promotions for the 2026 holidays. As owners share their favorite ways to celebrate, they prove that a carefully planned event can also build culture, increase client loyalty, boost sales, and set a business up for a successful 2027.
When things run amok at Mane Attraction Salon, Owners Chris and Jenny Knudsen say General Manager Sami Hernandez is their go-to resource and ultimate sounding board. Meet Sami in this installment of Meet the Manager.
Pagoda, a new AI-native operating system for scheduling, payments, patient records, marketing, and client communications, launches at Skinovatio Medical Spa in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
At a panel discussion hosted by L’Oréal Professionnel in Paris in early July, French Philosopher Sophie Galabru explored the cultural shift where women are increasingly choosing natural, personalized color results over traditional grey coverage. In an exclusive interview with SALON TODAY, Galabru and L’Oréal Professionnel Colorist Pierrick Beringer discuss this shift and how salons and colorists respond.
At Salon Blonde, Director of Operations treats the staff as the salon's most important guests, while her wonderful 'nerdy' side, loves data, systems, and numbers. Find out how she makes Salon Blonde tick.
In an exclusive interview with SALON TODAY, Salon Owner Salvatore Minardi reflects on his past 18 months as Intercoiffure America Canada's World Talent Exchange Ambassador and how his experiences will help encourage cultural and artistic exchange and support greater engagement between ICA and the global organization Intercoiffure Mondial.
