10 mins
CHRISTMAS TILLS ARE RINGING…
While not everyone is comfortable using the ‘C’ word so early, for salon owners, it’s the sooner the better. Preparation is vital, as is steering your salon and team in the right direction in the run-up to allow you to truly maximise the retail and service opportunities inevitably coming your way.
Edgar Torabyan and Kateryna Maidannikova for Unsplash
SHINY AND NEW
For Ashley Gamble, owner of Ashley Gamble Hair Salon in Broadway, glossing services work well at this time of year. “Many clients want to go darker for winter and glossing gives that perfect shine,” he says. “We do a lot of full semi-permanent colours and glossing services during this period. It's quick, effective and clients love them!”
He also ramps up conditioning-based treatments to soothe weather-beaten strands, while incorporating more seasonal styling. “During the festive season we're fully booked with blow-dries and styling appointments,” he says. For Ashley, a great revenue booster is to dress the hair post blow-dry. "This allows us to charge for a blow-dry and hairstyle, upscaling our services and improving our bottom line.”
To ramp up revenue, Sheree Tomic, ASP ambassador and owner of Siren Hair Art in Studley, believes in implementing creative strategies and says seasonal blow-dry menus are always a hit. “I offer an ‘Express Bouncy Blowout’, with take-home products included in the price, while ‘Gloss & Glaze' is a colour and shine-boosting service that includes a blow-dry and the product to take home. The impact is always an increase in bookings and sales.”
Terri Nadin, ASP ambassador and owner of Indigo & Co Collective in Cardiff, agrees. “Clients are more receptive to adding extras at Christmas. However, we always try to book our regular colour clients first as party hair gets booked quickly."
Express Ombre from Rush
Edgar Torabyan and Annie Spratt for Unsplash
TIME FOR GIVING
As a busy colourist, Dan Spiller, art director of Marc Antoni's Fleet salon and ambassador for JOICO, knows time is of the essence during the Christmas countdown and efficient services are paramount. “We offer a 10-minute colour solution that gives clients 100 per cent grey coverage and healthy, shiny locks," he says. This service, says Dan, has revolutionised efficiency and profits. "It's enabled us to service more clients and work better during such a busy period.”
Offering a quick colour fix is something Rush Artistic Team’s Seung ki Baek agrees with. “During the festive period, clients appreciate our express services to help them prepare.” These include 'Express Ombre' where bespoke colour is applied freehand in upward brush strokes throughout the hair. Rush also offers 'Fast Lights' and 'Flash Colour' services for colour solutions all in minimum time.
HOW TO GET THEM SPENDING
GAVIN HOARE AT RICHARD WARD HAIR & METROSPA, LONDON FOR L’ORÉAL PROFESSIONNEL PARIS, GIVES HIS ADVICE ON THE BEST WAY TO GET LOYAL CLIENTS TO PART WITH THEIR HARD-EARNED MONEY IN THE RUN-UP TO CHRISTMAS
• Gift card promotions are a great way of increasing turnover, such as 'Buy a £100 gift card and get an additional 20 per cent'. Not only do your regulars feel you're thanking them for their loyalty, but you lock that loyalty in.
• Offer double points on loyalty programmes during the holiday season to encourage clients to book additional services or purchase products pre-holiday.
• Encourage clients to refer friends and family by offering Christmas rewards, such as free treatments.
• Offer loyal clients the chance to book Christmas appointments first, promoting a sense of exclusivity and urgency.
• Offer a small discount or complimentary add-on service (like a scalp massage or deep conditioning treatment) for clients who book appointments in advance.
• Create a holiday countdown on social media and promote offers through social media, such as a 12-day Christmas countdown, featuring daily products, services, or promotions.
• Send personalised emails to loyal clients, offering exclusive holiday discounts, reminding them to book appointments, and showcasing festive promotions.
• Partner with a local charity for a holiday campaign where a portion of client spend goes to a good cause, encouraging clients to spend more while feeling they're contributing to something meaningful.
Healthy, wealthy and wise…
While it’s a great time of year to boost revenue, health is wealth, and never more so than during the festive period. We ask savvy salon owners how they keep their teams healthy and happy
Savvy salon owners aren't purely laser-focused on increasing client spending in the run-up to Christmas, but ensuring teams are festively fuelled and feeling mentally strong so they can achieve peak performance.
For Goldsworthy’s Hairdressing, this takes the form of balance – in all areas. "We focus on open communication, balanced schedules, and a supportive environment,” says manager Sophie-Rose Goldsworthy. “We regularly check in to manage workloads and prevent burnout.”
Brian Leo McCallum, owner of ROAR Hair & Beauty in Glasgow, agrees balance is key. “We accommodate our team. Some choose to work more in December, to relax in January, while others prefer a relaxed December, spacing out appointments (and commission) into the New Year.”
Tim Scott-Wright, owner of The Hair Surgery in Stourbridge, schedules longer hours in the run-up to Christmas, closing between Christmas and New Year. "This really gives our team a chance to rest and reset. It's important for their wellbeing.”
Edgar Torabyan and Erin McKenna for Unsplash
MORALE HIGH GROUND
Alongside balancing schedules, incentives can help to boost morale and keep your salon stars shining.
Elena Lavagni, co-owner at L’Oréal Professionnel Paris stockist Neville’s Hair and Beauty, London, has implemented a reward system to acknowledge team dedication. “This could include bonuses, extra time off, or small tokens of appreciation. We also recognise small wins; this can significantly boost morale.”
At Goldwsworthy’s Hairdressing, festive initiatives encourage drive. “Raffle tickets for every product sold in December offer opportunities to win daily prizes in our advent calendar,” says Sophie-Rose. Prizes range from designer items and tech gadgets to the occasional holiday. “This rewards and fosters a fun, competitive atmosphere.”
STRESS LESS
Managing your team’s festive stress is also a key consideration, and for Neville's, an open-door policy has been essential. “I encourage team members to feel comfortable sharing concerns and our team has access to a free life coach if needed," says Elena.
Open communication is also prioritised at ROAR. “We maintain a safe space year-round where anyone struggling can talk openly. This is especially important during the holidays, which can be a challenging time for many,” explains Brian.
Encouraging clear lines of communication is something Kirsty Montgomery, The Room at Berryfields, Aylesbury, aligns with. “Create an environment where team members feel comfortable discussing concerns,” she says.
At En Route Hair & Beauty in Wakefield, wellbeing is high on the Christmas list. "We are even more considerate of our team's burnout and overwhelm at this time of year,” says owner, Melenie Tudor. “We ensure everyone has adequate breaks and that bookings are efficient.”
Creations Hair Salon in Chichester embraces wellness to nurture its 28-strong team. “We invest in their health and happiness," says owner Carolyn Sweeney. From nutrition workshops to stress management techniques, the team is armed with techniques to enhance emotional resilience.
SLEIGH ALL DAY
SALON OWNER TURNED HOLISTIC LIFE AND BUSINESS COACH, SONIA MAGNIER, OFFERS TOP TIPS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS LOOKING TO MINIMISE SEASONAL STRESS
• Allow for flexible work hours if possible; this helps team members manage personal responsibilities while meeting work demands.
• Ensure team members take regular breaks, especially during long shifts or intense periods of work.
• Clearly communicate goals, priorities, roles and responsibilities. Keep communication channels open with regular wellbeing check-ins to identify issues.
• Distribute tasks evenly and avoid overloading anyone. Delegate where appropriate.
• Recognise and reward, whether through verbal praise, thank you notes, or small rewards. Celebrate small wins and milestones to boost morale.
Santa baby, put some retail under the tree, for me…
We’ve rounded up the best Christmas retail offerings for your clients, so your salon can sleigh this season
YOU’VE PULLED!
There’s a choice of two crackers to give before, and on, the big day, thanks to R+Co. Will it be the I Want Perfect Hair Cracker (stuffed with Television shampoo and conditioner) or the I Want Big Party Hair Cracker, with Death Valley Dry Shampoo and Balloon Dry Volume Spray?
RRP Perfect Hair £22.90; Big Party Hair £9.90
xpertprofessional.co.uk
SUPER HEROES
Pump up the volume on fine, flyaway hair this season with these mini marvels from O&M. Their festive line-up of five heroes packed in a pretty pink pouch promise to supercharge locks, with 50ml versions of Fine Intellect Shampoo and Conditioner, Power Base Miracle, Detox Shampoo and Atonic. Just the festive tonic.
RRP £26.50
originalmineral.co.uk
CHRISTMAS MIRACLE
Add some repair to your clients' tired hair this season with the Ultimate Repair kit from Wella Professionals. Perfectly packaged in a red box to match Santa’s outfit, the set contains full sizes of the Shampoo, Deep Conditioner and Miracle Hair Rescue from the skincare-inspired range, helping rebuild bonds with the ultimate care for clients’ hair.
RRP £50
uk.wella.professionalstore.com
FREEZE FRAME
Acclaimed fashion illustrator, Anja Karboul, has partnered with Schwarzkopf Professional for a visual festive treat this year. There are three gift sets within three lines – Bonacure, BlondeMe and the newly relaunched Fibre Clinix – ensuring all haircare needs can be met this winter.
RRP from £33.45
shop.schwarzkopf-professional.co.uk
BOX CLEVER
Offer clients a luxe touch with the seasonal gifting options from L'Oréal Professionnel Paris. Available in Duo or Trio Glacial Utopia gift-wrapped boxes, sets contain two or three full-size products from five different Série Expert ranges. With lines including Metal Detox and Absolut Repair Molecular, every hair concern is covered, making Christmas a wrap!
RRP from £28
lorealpartnershop.com/uk
ALL IS BRIGHT
Give your clients the gift of bright and beautiful hair this season with JOICO’s seasonal offerings. With 10 gift sets to choose from, including Blonde Life (to bump up the brilliance) and Hydrasplash (to quench even the most delicate strands), you’ll have all your clients’ Christmas haircare concerns covered.
RRP from £35
joico.eu
COOL YULE
It'll be hard for your clients not to ‘cracker’ smile when they see these beauties from Sam McKnight. His Hair By Sam McKnight Cool Girl Cracker contains a Cool Girl Barely-There Texturising Mist in a travel-friendly 50ml size, while Party Girl Cracker features the Modern Hairspray Multitask Styling Mist in a 50ml size, too.
RRP £12 each
howhighbrands.co.uk
TINGLE BELLS
Ensure your clients have a cool yule this year, with a selection of gift sets that allow them to give while giving back. Paul Mitchell has eight offerings tailored to all hair types, including Strong Strands (containing BondRX Shampoo and Conditioner), Moisture (with Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner) and Tingle Gift Sets (comprising Tea Tree Oil Shampoo and Conditioner), with the brand donating to the World Wildlife Fund on behalf of clients to help protect the planet's beauty.
RRP from £27.85
salon-services.com
FLOWER POWER
ALFAPARF Milano Professional has launched eight blooming beautiful gift sets this season with an idyllic Italian twist. Each tells an individual story of Milan and its flowers, as seen through the eyes of fashion illustrator, Holly Sharpe. Sets include Diamond (for normal hair), Moisture and Reconstruction (for damaged locks) and Blonde (for blonde and silver strands). Looks like even Santa’s locks are covered with these.
RRP from £36.90
xpertprofessional.co.uk
NICE ICE BABY
Get your clients on the ‘ice’ list this Christmas with the cool offerings from ghd. Its limited edition Iced Luxe collection comprises five pearlescent ice-coloured sets, including the chronos styler, duet style and helios professional hairdryer, complete with a complimentary vanity case or wash bag. Meanwhile, the core collection of black gift sets offers a selection of seven stylers and heated tools, along with a complimentary soft heat-proof bag and paddle brush or comb.
RRP from £169
ghdhair.com
BOX CLEVER
If you want to offer your clients a touch of luxe then ALTERNA's Holiday Duos could be just the festive ticket. The two sets feature the brand's Caviar Anti-Aging Shampoos and Conditioners in a Replenishing Moisture Duo (that’s ideal for dry, damaged hair), or its Multiplying Volume Duo (for fine, limp locks). Each set is perfectly packaged and ready to gift for Christmas.
RRP £63.85 each
salonpromotions.co.uk
FEELING LIT
Get set for a flaming good festive season in the salon with the Christmas offerings from Evo. Their limited-edition 'untamed flame' gift packs are available in hydrate or repair options and include shampoo, conditioner and a luxurious limited-edition soy wax candle. With notes of sandalwood and lotus, all will be calm this season.
RRP £53 each
evohair.com