
Got a Gorgeous New Business? SALONS OF THE YEAR Application Now Open!
The landmark, photo-based interior design competition has opened its application process. We'd love you to hit us with your best shots!
Take a visual tour of the 2013 SALONS OF THE YEAR honoree Bijin Salon and Spa of Prairie Village, Kansas.












Bijin Salon and Spa
Prairie Village, Kansas
Bijinsalon.com
Connie Suss and Mary Jane Van de Castle
SALON STYLE: Sophisticated
SQUARE FOOTAGE: 9930
STYLING STATIONS: 33
TREATMENT ROOMS: 8
EQUIPMENT: Takara Belmont
FURNITURE: Collins, Bootlace Design, C&S Woodshop and B&N Industries
TOTAL DESIGN INVESTMENT: $575,000
RETAIL LINE:Kerastase, Bumbleandbumble, ShuUemura
COLOR LINE:Wella
DESIGN: Judi Bauer, architect
ARCHITECT: Judi Bauer, WG Construction, Greg Suss
PHOTOGRAPHY: EG Schempf
“Our remodeled color processing area is a warm refuge that allows clients to pass the time with ease. Clients sit around a beautiful, custom-designed wooden table and are able to access computers, relax with a book or glass of wine or view one of the many video attractions playing in surrounding areas.”
JUDGES’ COMMENTS:
“The wall covering in the shampoo room gives an element of surprise creating a very edgy and trendy look.”—McGwire
“Loved the use of giant lampshades, the industrial ceiling and how it was diffused, and the floating suspended mirrors.”—Labos
“This salon was particularly focused on profitability when making their design choices. The traffic flow, the individual ‘points’ of service such as circular concierge, flexible retail displays and open color bar, provide optimum productivity while maintaining the highest standards in customer service.”—Soukhopalova

The landmark, photo-based interior design competition has opened its application process. We'd love you to hit us with your best shots!

The landmark, photo-based interior design competition has opened its application process. We'd love you to hit us with your best shots!

At night, Dominic Michael Salon keeps the interior lights on, as the illuminated, eye-catching contemporary design serves as a billboard that consistently attracts new guests.

Built from the ground up, Mane 18’s design strikes a balance between an elevated experience for guests and the functionality and flow necessary for team members to perform at their best.

Andreas Hogue Salon’s recent renovation surprises visitors with the interior’s expansion of space, elevated retail area, and changing views of the restored Chicago prairie.

It's Day 10 of our SALON TODAY 200 reveals, and we've reached the end! Today, we toast the honorees in the second half of growth--the salons, spas, and barbershops that constantly strive to build stronger bottom lines, including Brandy Smith Stephens in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

On Day 9 of our 2026 SALON TODAY 200 reveals, a big 'Huzzah' to our first look at the salons, spas and barbershops that fueled their growth by mastering a number of best practices, including the fun team from Lavish Hair Lounge in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (P.S. The second half of Growth comes tomorrow.)

A big "Bravo!" to the salons and spas that develop strong cultures that fuel growth while retaining team members, such as Soleil Salon & Spa team in Windham, New Hampshire, who catch up reading last year's 200 issue.

We tip our hats to the salons and spas that genuinely connect with guests and strive to elevate their service, including Chenica Racine and Ricka O'Bannon, owners of C&R Beauty Bar in Louisville, Kentucky.

Hats off to the 2026 SALON TODAY 200 honorees who make education a priority for employees at every level, including Eric Fisher Salon, which hosted Educator Oscar Bond for a cutting class in Wichita, Kansas.

Today, we have two 2026 SALON TODAY 200 categories as we hail the salons that find creative ways to build client loyalty and the ones that constantly explore and embrace new technology to further their businesses, including the social-savvy team from Verde Salon Group in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

For today's SALON TODAY 200 announcements, we toast the honorees who prioritize the environment in their business decisions and those who take retail to the next level, including the excited team from Pure Salon Spa in Louisville, Kentucky.

Cheers to the SALON TODAY 200 honorees who give their time, talent and fundraising efforts to their communities, including Eli Mancha and the team from Bang! Salon, whose cut-a-thon has collected more than 1,200 coats that have been donated to Chicago's unhoused.

It's Day 1 of our 2026 SALON TODAY 200 announcements, and today, we raise our glasses for the honorees in the Business Builders category. These salons, including Elan Hair Studio in Spring Lake, New Jersey, took strategic risks that paid off in revenue-generating success.

It's time to celebrate the 2026 SALON TODAY 200 honorees who design rewarding career paths and seek out enriching benefits to keep their team members healthy, happy and growing, including the team from Pinup Studio in Raleigh, North Carolina, who always enjoy a good pajama party.

With a training salon, treatment rooms, education and collaboration spaces, a podcast studio and a yoga studio, BASE ONE is the foundation for the future growth of PENZONE Salons+Spas, as well as the company's gift to their community and the industry. Peruse the image gallery or take the personalized video tour led by Debra Penzone to see this exceptional space.

As our judges read those last essays and create their list of honorees in each category, we're planning to start announce the 2026 SALON TODAY 200 starting February 25.