MENU
SEARCHIf there’s anything we’ve learned this past year, it’s that in order to survive and thrive we must adapt the way we do business at the chair.
If there’s anything we’ve learned this past year, it’s that in order to survive and thrive we must adapt the way we do business at the chair. With people stretching the time between services, minimizing how long they want to be in the salon, and looking for extreme value for the money they spend, it’s all about express services!
Guests want to get in and out quickly and are looking for affordable ways to look their best, so it’s all about minimal time and maximum results with safety being the new luxury.
Embracing an express service menu can be a great way to recoup lost revenue due to closings and restrictions and a great way to supplement the slower pace at the salon. In reality, express services can provide an excellent bump in revenue any time of year, and can also attract guests that might not otherwise splurge on a full-price service.
Adding new services can be done with no investment at all and be extremely profitable. Leading with the below ideas could help the staff buy into the concept and make it successful.
Adapting online booking software to streamline scheduling so the new services don’t create additional work for the staff.
Selling physical and digital products/services that support “express” can help optimize earning potential. A steady stream of income can be generated with minimal effort online, especially when it’s supporting in-person experiences.
Modernize workflow patterns for staff to increase efficiency… automation can track customer activity, send special offers, confirm appointments, and send follow-ups so staff’s time is freed up to focus on providing the best service possible.
Virtual consultations can save a ton of time, have staff set aside a portion of their day to do virtual consultations so when guests arrive, there’s already a plan in place for the services and less time is spent in the chair.
Express services are about maximizing time while simultaneously filling a need for guests and respecting their need for safe, quick, affordable services.
So, what do express services look like? The beauty is, they can be anything that takes a short amount of time yet delivers immediate gratification.
Express-Service Formula
Time - 30 minutes or less (plus extra time from the service provider)
Price - low to salon and guests don’t think twice about the cost
Awareness - promote with signage at front desk/stations and on social
Name - something fun and catchy, yet descriptive
Examples of Express Services
1. Fringe – I’m focusing on an express service in one of my classes called, “Out with a Bang - In with Fringe with Benefits,” because a fringe with benefits is an express service everyone benefits from. With minimal time and effort, you can literally transform a guest’s look. Keep in mind that it’s not always about taking length off, it can also be about creating shape and face framing layers.
2. The Money Piece – Color around the face is one of the most requested color services, so a highlight at the front hairline to brighten and instantly give the illusion of freshly done hair color is…well, money! All it takes is 2-3 foils and your guest is out quickly with an on-trend statement piece without breaking the bank. Trust me, they’ll be back for more!
3. Camo - In 30 minutes or less, you can camouflage gray hair with a “T” line color application (front hairline and the guest’s preferred part). An express service like this keeps the grays at bay for a bit longer…for half the price. Express root touchups for any color are also quick and lucrative.
4. Fadage – For those who fade fast or lack luster, offer an express gloss. It breathes new life into color, adds incredible shine and is less expensive than a single process. A glossing service is one of the quickest color services to give maximum impact.
5. Styling – Add an express blow dry service to the menu, it’s a money maker! And using products like Redken Pillow Proof Blow Dry Express Primer Spray can actually reduce blow dry time. Not to mention, it’s the perfect opportunity to ask your guest for their phone and record yourself styling their hair for a quick step-by-step they can refer to for salon quality results at home.
Get creative, come up with a couple express services that fit your staff and clientele, and track the results. It just might be the thing that injects new life into your business and allows you to not only survive, but to actually thrive.
I’m sharing weekly FREE education here, so hop online and give me a shoutout in the comments section on how your express services are going.
Never Stop Learning!
Sam
Sam Villa, Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer Sam Villa and Global Artistic Ambassador for Redken
Originally posted on Modern Salon
After moving to Colorado and teaching at a cosmetology school, Allison Stock joined Zandi K as a stylist, eventually becoming part of the Leadership Team, Education Team and Master Bridal Team. Today, as Director of Operation, Stock is Owner Nicki Wenz's right hand, managing human resources and operations, education and career development, and coaching and culture.
The company's Concealed Bead Method is raising the bar for what professional extension education can deliver.
Scott maximized her micro-salon by transitioning from stylist to strategic owner, focusing on recruiting and station-sharing. By prioritizing her ownership role over behind-the-chair work, she grew her team to six stylists within the two-chair, 150-square-foot space before eventually moving to a larger facility.
The former CFO of Perdue Farms and owner of Hardy Seafood, Terry Owens delivers a wealth of wisdom and strategies for entrepreneurs in his new book, "Business is Simple."
After scaling her single-location salon business, SALON TODAY 200 Honoree Amy Pal recently sold her six-location Whip Salon for seven figures. Using the six Ps for maximizing a business's value, she's ready to help her peers do the same.
Buried inside the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are federal solar tax credit changes that deserve your attention now. Two of the credits that matter most to commercial property owners, the Investment Tax Credit and the Production Tax Credit, are still available, but only if you move fast. A third, the Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Deduction, has a hard termination date that is closer than most people realize.
Up to 40% of hair stylists ghost the salon interview stage, leaving owners trapped playing endless phone tag with uncommitted applicants. This data-driven report breaks down why traditional job boards create recruitment friction and reveals the modern messaging strategies high-growth salons use to get pre-qualified talent to actually show up. Learn how to transition from cold calling to high-conversion conversations that protect your time and fill your chairs.
Sponsored by Beautista
Spit fests, hostile threats, and even an overachieving matchmaker--SALON TODAY readers share their craziest client tales and how their team handled these tough situations with professionalism and grace.
Keeping your appointment book full when clients are in vacation mode takes more than a good Instagram post. It takes a plan. The 2026 Summer Marketing Calendar from Meevo gives salon, spa & med spa owners a month-by-month roadmap with sharp themes, key opportunity dates, and campaign ideas specifically designed for the beauty & wellness industry. Here’s to your summer season working as hard as you do!
Sponsored by Millennium Systems International
AI is transforming the beauty and wellness industry, and the future is about empowering people, not replacing them. Discover how Phorest AI helps salons, spas, and med spas across North America respond faster, personalize every visit, and keep human connection at the heart of the client experience.
Sponsored by Phorest
Owner Michaella Blissett-Williams credits her General Manager Gloria Hortua with [salon] 718's year-over-year, double-digit growth and says she's been able to scale the company to eight locations because she can rely on Hortua to manage daily operations.
Shine Time: Aluram’s High Shine Line Delivers Moisture and Shine with Clean Ingredients
Sponsored by Aluram
Elyse Rogers is an uplifting presence at The Headroom who makes the team feel heard even in stressful situations. Owner Danielle Cherewyk sings her praises in this installment of Meet the Manager.
Despite a slight and predictable decline in client traffic for Q1, resilient pricing power is driving year-over-year revenue growth in salons. The KIM Report's Alain Audet reviews the data and what it's telling us about the state of professional beauty.
Same-store revenue grew just 2% for the second straight year—and new guest visits declined across every segment of the industry. The 2026 Benchmark Report reveals where growth is actually happening, which verticals are pulling ahead, and what the data says about where your business stands right now.
Sponsored by Zenoti
Hair restoration is entering a new era driven by regenerative science. This paper explores how Exosome technology is transforming treatment outcomes by targeting hair loss at a cellular level. Discover why EXOGROW is leading this shift.
Sponsored by Dermapenworld
A salon brand is much more than a logo. In this thought-provoking blog, Leon Alexander, Ph.D., walks you through the difference. SALON TODAY suggests sharing this article with your team and leading a discussion at your next huddle, asking the team to define your business's brand.
