MENU
SEARCHAccording to the annual Sustainability in the Beauty Industry Report, the attitudes of beauty pros shifted, prioritizing issues they could personally control in the short-term, such as color management, water conservation and waste.
Industry attitudes towards sustainability saw a shift during 2025, with priorities stacked around what professionals could personally control in the short term rather than longer-term principles. Findings in the annual Sustainability in The Beauty Industry research review published at the end of the year revealed longer-term issues like global warming were less of a focus than specific actions stylists can personally impact and benefit from, such as color management, water conservation, and waste.
“More than 90% of beauty professionals prioritized sustainability in the 2025 survey, mirroring prior years,” reported Valorie Tate, research and author of the annual research initiative and founder of Sustain Beauty Co. “Yet there was a shift toward more local and personally relevant actions, clearly focusing on their ability to control outcomes.”
Each year the Sustainability in the Beauty Industry research captures data on the attitudes, practices, and challenges of professionals to provide a unique view of the current state of sustainability in the industry. In this year’s report, the majority of those surveyed were still committed to sustainable initiatives, with 72% planning to recycle, 69% focused on removing toxic cleaners and detergents from their workspace, 69% determined to invest in color management and 66% looking to water-saving appliances. However, only 43% stated they would likely switch to a more sustainable brand, which was down 15% year-on-year compared to the 2024 survey.
One key finding was that as professionals constricted their own intentions and investments, they were looking to brands to pick up the slack. Many comments from those surveyed highlighted areas beyond their control such as plastic used by their suppliers or the limitations on more natural alternatives. But instead of abandoning brands they know and trust, they want more support from suppliers. Top requests voiced in the survey comments were for brands to promote sustainability in their own marketing, to provide them with education on how to talk about sustainability and to feature more regular marketing and social media inspiration.
“Their belief in the need for change is still the dominant opinion. They just want more of the burden for bigger action to shift to the larger industry players that control things like developer bottles made from plastic,” added Tate. “Many of our partners in the industry are already making these moves and researching alternatives, so 2026 may be the year to start talking about it to your partner stylists and the consumers they serve.
“The industry wants us to help them talk the talk and walk the walk. Let’s do that.”
To read the full report, download the Sustainability in The Beauty Industry report. Free to the industry along with other research from Sustain Beauty Co.
Discover how to create a true “WOW experience” for every client by first building a culture where your team feels engaged, empowered, and inspired. Drawing on Calvin Stovall’s Iconic Framework, this blog explores how salon, spa, and clinic leaders can strengthen culture, elevate customer experience, and build a business that stands out for the long term.
Sponsored by Phorest Salon Software
The wellness industry is growing fast, and salons and barbershops already are an important part of it. In her first blog, Tracy Rado shares where the wellness dollars are heading, and how salon's can grow with this movement.
While salon sales are increasing, owners often feel they're working harder for the same or less profit. Leverage Q2 data from The KIM Report, Alain Audet reveals some of the structural changes that are dampening your growth and why your region and your salon size matters.
Weaknesses in your business are amplified during the Holiday Season. Spark Pro Global's Lucy Randall shows you five things to do now to have the strongest holiday season yet.
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.
