How to Create a Salon Refill Product Program
Now more than ever, consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental impact of the goods they are buying. Today’s savvy clients are leaning towards businesses who are making valid efforts in cutting their environmental impact. And as holistic hair stylists, we are in the best position to turn their awareness into action.
Research shows that compared with other recyclable materials, plastic takes the longest to decompose. Thus, experts are predicting that in 2050, plastic packaging will outnumber marine life if we don’t make changes to our plastic consumption soon.
Our solution: A Salon Refill Product Program. Implementing this Program will not only benefit your business sales-wise but, more importantly, it also allows you to become a more sustainable, eco-friendly salon.
Grab our ultra useful Salon Refill Product Program Tips!
Create an eye-catching product refill station.
Your display area is often the first and last thing your clients see when they enter and exit your salon, so it is important to create an eye-catching display area for your Refill Station. This helps generate enough curiosity and interest to get your clients to check out how it works and jump on your newest initiative.
You can either make your own shelves or purchase from thrift stores and craft stores, then neatly arrange the products.
Limited on space? Not a problem! You can use your back bar area as your Refill Station area by simply stocking up on your best-selling products that come in professional sizes, like Hair Baths and Conditioners.
Create an attention grabbing Refill Station Sign.
A Refill Station Sign or shelf talkers are integral to the success of your Refill Station, so make sure they stand out. Place a “Refill Station” sign above the products so clients immediately know what the shelf is for. You can also add business cards and product labels that your clients can read while waiting to be serviced, but be sure to keep the message short and simple. Many salons use Green as font color for their shelf talkers as it’s often associated with being Eco-Friendly.
Make it interactive.
Allow your clients to experience refilling their own salon containers, or watch their stylist do so. This makes them an active participant in solving environmental problems, thus keeping them involved and invested in your initiative.
The Program is also a great opportunity to introduce other Oway and O&M products and their benefits to your clients. Let them smell and test the products and you’ll be surprised how this practice can boost your salon retail sales.
Explain your eco-initiative.
Highlighting the benefits of the Refill Station to your clients and how they’re helping the environment by participating is a sure-fire way to get them on board. Below are some of the Program’s benefits to your clients and the environment:
Benefits For Your Clients
- Decrease Product Cost by 15%
- Feel Good About Being More Eco-Friendly
- Have Fun Interacting with Refill Station Display
Benefits For the Environment
- Decrease Carbon Emissions
- Decrease Consumption of Finite Resources
- Increase Natural Purity of Animal Habitats
The production, transportation, and consumption of a single plastic container produces an estimated carbon footprint equal to 82.8 grams (about 3 ounces) of carbon dioxide. Multiply that to the billions of tons of plastic waste in our landfills and we got astronomically high quantities of greenhouse gases crowding the Earth’s atmosphere, resulting in global warming.
Encouraging clients to participate in your Refill Program allows them to cut their plastic consumption and reduce their carbon footprint in the process.
Reward your clients.
Offering rewards is a proven way to entice clients into participating in your Refill Program. Put up signs like: “Bring me back to be refilled and receive 15% OFF” and you won’t even have to convince them.
Start your own Refill Station with these kits!
Ready to create your own Salon Product Refill Program?
Grab our FREE Salon Product Refill Program Guide below!
Get helpful tips on how to jumpstart your own Refill Product Station for your eco-friendly salon!
Dandruff? 6 Reasons That Make the Scalp Itchy & Flaky
Winter dandruff is here! And while it’s a normal occurrence during this time of year, it doesn’t mean you can’t prevent it.
The first step to eliminating dandruff is knowing how it all begins.
Understanding Dandruff
A lot of people think dandruff is a product of poor hygiene. Hence, many of us feel quite embarrassed getting the “flakes” as we discreetly dust them off our shoulders. But this is a false analogy.
Like any scalp condition, dandruff is brought about by various factors.
Typically, dandruff occurs when the scalp’s biological balance is disturbed, and as a result sends the production of naturally occurring scalp fungus, Malassezia globosa, into overdrive. It burrows deep into the hair follicle, irritating the scalp and causing it to shed dead skin cells faster than normal. In some cases, it triggers seborrheic dermatitis, particularly when the scalp is oily.
Factors That Cause Dandruff
Hormone Imbalance
Hormones play a key role in our body’s oil production. Women, for instance, experience an upsurge in oil production when their estrogen level drops and progesterone levels increase.
While oil is essential to keep the scalp’s moisture balance normal, excess oil triggers growth of the yeast-like fungus Malassezia globosa, resulting to dandruff. To address oily scalps, natural treatments like Oway Purifying Hair Bath for Oily Scalps help rebalance the skin’s moisture levels while eradicating Malassezia globosa.
Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol is a well-known diuretic, which means it promotes increased production of urine. Therefore, excess alcohol consumption will trigger frequent trips to the bathroom, dehydrating the body and ultimately – the skin.
Harsh Hair Products
Hair care products, especially those containing harsh, synthetic chemicals and toxic ingredients, can rob the scalp of its natural pH and destroy the barrier that locks in moisture. This leaves the scalp vulnerable to sensitivity, irritation, and bacteria, which leads to dandruff.
Weather Extremes
Extreme weather conditions can either strip the scalp of its natural oils, or cause an overproduction of sebum. For example, winter is known for sucking the moisture out of the scalp, leaving it cracked and irritated. To repair it, treatments containing Thyme, Rosemary, and Rice Wax (like Oway Purifying Scalp Treatment Kit) are highly effective in restoring the scalp’s moisture balance, which prevents dandruff from further developing.
Nutrient Deficiency
Dandruff can be our body’s way of telling us that something is not right. Research has shown that individuals who rarely consume foods rich in vitamin B12, vitamin E, zinc, and essential fatty acids are more prone to dandruff than those who eat a balanced diet.
Vitamin B12, vitamin E, zinc, and fatty acids are essential nutrients that stimulate blood flow to the scalp and fights off free radicals that cause various scalp issues.
Stress
Many experts believe that there is a link between stress and dandruff. Because when we are stressed, we trigger production of certain hormones, which, as previously mentioned, causes overproduction of sebum on the scalp. This creates an ideal condition for the Malassezia globosa to thrive.
How to Treat Dandruff
Aside from scalp conditions that can only be treated by a dermatologist, scalp issues can be easily prevented.
- Avoid stress as much as possible. Exercising regularly helps reduce stress hormones and stimulates our body to produce endorphins, a.k.a. the happy hormone.
- Eat foods rich in Vitamin B12, vitamin E, zinc, and essential fatty acids.
- Regulate your alcohol intake.
- Avoid hair products that contain harsh chemicals. They rob the hair and scalp of their natural oils, which often leads to dandruff.
- Go natural. Incorporate essential oils and herbal treatments with antioxidant and anti-fungal properties into your hair care routine to eradicate the fungus that’s causing dandruff.
Check out these organic dandruff treatments!
2018 Preview: What’s Coming Up
2017 has been an incredible year for us here at Simply Organic Beauty and for our Holistic Hair Tribe. Our community has grown so much. Little by little, we are making strides towards changing the salon industry for the better.
In 2018, we’re focusing on developing YOU, your skills, and your business. Check out the exciting things to look forward to next year!
Head.Spa
As the “Quiet Chair” Trend becomes increasingly popular in North America, 2018 is the best year to introduce Oway’s new salon concept Head.Spa. It involves not only treating the client’s hair but also tapping into multiple senses to create a holistic salon experience.
Head.Spa begins with a comprehensive consultation to identify the proper treatment needed, followed by a soothing aromatherapy experience, a welcome massage to relax the mind and body, and series of holistic treatments that we will be discussed in detail in next year’s Oway Head.Spa Training.
Oway Level 1 Color Class & CØR.Class Schedule
New year, new education! Our first O&M Level 1 CØR.Class and Oway Level 1 Certification Class for Spring 2018 kicks off on January 21 and 22, respectively, here at Simply Organic HQ in Palm Harbor, FL!
This will be an exciting day for stylists and salon owners new to Oway and O&M as we cover the foundational principles, green chemistry, and product lines that power our brands. Not to mention, you also get to formulate and apply them on real hair models. Can’t get any better than that! 😉
Our New 2-Day Education Pass (Select Cities Only)
Why sign up for only one class when you can attend both for the price of one? In 2018, we will be introducing our new 2-Day Education Pass in select cities. This pass allows you to attend both Oway and O&M Certification Classes and learn about these revolutionary color lines without spending extra! Visit our Simply Organic Shop or call your dedicated account manager at 1-888-213-4744 to book your seat.
Level 2 Advanced Color Classes
You asked for it, you got it! This 2018, we will be holding Leverl 2 Advanced Color Classes for Oway Level 1 Certified holistic hair stylists. The first class will take place on February 25-26 in Palm Harbor, FL and the second class will be on April 29-30 in Baltimore, MD. Tickets are selling out fast, so be sure to reserve your spot as soon possible.
OWN Way Fragrance
Did you know Oway used to make fragrance back in the day? Next year, Oway is paying homage to the brand’s roots with the launch of OWN Way Fragrance – a limited edition fragrance made entirely of plant-based ingredients.
While most of the perfumes in the market are filled with synthetic ingredients and toxic chemicals, OWN Way Fragrance utilizes the therapeautic and curative properties of botanicals which are exclusively grown on Ortofficina, our biodynamic family farm in Bologna, Italy.
This precious fragrance is also packaged in sophisticated matte Onyx and Lava flask, making it a perfect gift for fragrance enthusiasts, or better yet – for yourself!
O&M CØR.Rebond
You’ve spoken, and we listened. Finally, O&M CØR.Rebond is coming to American salons! CØR.Rebond is a 2-step rebonding treatment done DURING the coloring/bleaching process and a POST-COLOR treatment to link damaged keratin bonds in the hair.
O&M CØR.Rebond uses a blend of amino acids to repair and plump the keratin protein in the hair, which is often compromised during color and bleaching services.
O&M Q.Color (Men’s Color)
In 2018, you will finally get your hands on O&M Q.Color, our gel-based hair color specially made for men. It comes in 4 natural shades, allowing you to create at least 8 various looks depending on your timing.
And here’s the best part: It only takes 5-10 minutes to process! The Taurine included in the formula and it’s gel-like consistency allows for the color to quickly adhere to the hair and mimic the natural color of the strands, giving it a well-blended result and a beautiful fade.
Oway Men’s Line
Just when you think Oway can’t get any better. We can’t reveal anything just yet, but we can tell you right now – this is something you don’t want to miss.😉
Which are you most excited for in 2018?
4 Harmful Endocrine Disruptors to Avoid in Beauty Products
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals or EDCs, can be one of the most difficult chemicals to avoid in beauty products. They cleverly elude most ingredient lists by hiding within a product’s packaging or an ingredient itself. So, how can we avoid these harmful chemicals if we can’t find them?
Don’t worry. By the end of this article, you’ll learn how to identify and avoid endocrine-disrupting ingredients and why it’s important to limit our exposure to these harmful hormone-mimicking chemicals.
What are Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)?
According to the UK’s BreastCancer.Org, an endocrine disruptor is any chemical that can interfere with normal hormone functions in humans or animals. While there are naturally occurring types found in plants, such as soy (known as phytoestrogens), most endocrine-disrupting compounds come from synthetic chemicals and can be avoided.
Why Should We Avoid Endocrine Disruptors?
There’s seemingly no end to the adverse health impacts of endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Also known as EDCs, these tricky chemicals can imitate hormones and destroy others while creating internal signaling issues which causes premature cell death. Endocrine disruptors have also been proven to accumulate in hormone-producing organs, resulting in organ malfunctions and irreversible damage.
So, how does this hormone disruption manifest itself in humans, exactly?
Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Linked to Increased Breast Cancer Risks
Once thought to only effect hormone-regulating organs, research now clearly demonstrates that the mechanisms of EDCs are much broader than originally recognized. Of prominence is the growing relationship identified between EDCs and cancers, including in the breast, and common diseases like cardiovascular, pulmonary or neurodegenerative disorders to name a few. [1]
Breast and uterine cancer are the most frequent female-related cancers whose growth is mostly estrogen dependent. Therefore, any EDC exhibiting estrogenic effects may increase the risk of these two malignancies. [2]
Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Linked to Depression, Autism and Neural Degeneration
Because certain EDCs are able to alter neural transmission and the formation of neural networks, the term neural-disrupting chemicals has been introduced, thus implicating EDCs in the cause of neurological disorders.
Recently, public concern has been focused on the effects of EDCs on brain function with an increase in neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder as well as learning disabilities and aggressiveness. Several lines of evidence suggest that exposure to EDCs is associated with depression and could result in neural degeneration.
How to Avoid Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Cosmetics
As you can see, the detrimental effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals are becoming widely recognized in both the health, wellness and medical communities, now it’s time to transfer that knowledge to the beauty industry.
Here’s where you’ll find potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals lurking in your beauty products and most importantly, how to avoid them.
Parabens
By far one of the most controversial endocrine-disrupting chemicals is parabens. Commonly used as inexpensive preservatives, these synthetic chemicals are proven to mimic estrogen in the human body and have been found built up in essential hormone regulating organs.
Parabens are chemicals with estrogen-like properties, and estrogen abnormalities are involved in the development of breast cancer. In fact, a 2012 medical study confirmed our suspicions that endocrine-disrupting chemicals can increase risks of breast cancer.
The study found 99% of malignant breast cancer tumors contained 1-5 different types of parabens.[4]
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has even linked methylparabens, in particular, to metabolic, developmental, hormonal, and neurological disorders, as well as various cancers.
Unlike many endocrine-disrupting chemicals, parabens can be found in the product’s ingredient list. Here’s what to look for.
List of Paraben Types to Avoid:
- Methylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
- Benzylparaben
Plastic Packaging
When it comes to EDC exposure, our most widespread threat may be plastics. They’re everywhere, wreaking havoc in our oceans, food containers and no doubt sitting on the shelf of your shower.
The problem with plastic packaging is its ability to leach harmful chemicals into the material it contains. Currently, the most widespread concern is the manmade chemical, Bisphenol-A or BPA – a widely recognized endocrine-disrupting chemical and xenoestrogen.
What Are Xenoestrogens?
A xenoestrogen is a hormone-mimicking chemical in humans and animals, specifically the hormone, estrogen.
Not only has BPA been linked to endocrine disruption, but environmental scientists have noted its detrimental effects on our oceans and wildlife. Recall, xenoestrogens and EDCs don’t just affect humans, but the delicate plants and animals comprising our vital ecosystems.
So, just avoid BPA, and you’ll be fine, right? Not necessarily.
This study from Environmental Health Perspectives, uncovered a very telling discovery.
“The testing showed that more than 70 percent of the products released chemicals that acted like estrogen. And that was before they exposed the stuff to real-world conditions: simulated sunlight, dishwashing and microwaving.”
It’s very difficult to avoid all plastics in everyday life, but as conscious beauty professionals, we can start behind the chair by replacing plastic products with amber glass salon products.
Phthalates
Pronounced thal-ates, phthalates are one of those elusive endocrine-disrupting chemicals you won’t see directly spelled out on a cosmetic’s ingredients list. Unlike our other aforementioned compounds, phthalates do not have hormone-mimicking effects on the body. Instead, studies have shown adverse effects on the male reproductive system, including decreased sperm count, testicular cell destruction and thyroid irregularities.
How to Avoid Phthalates:
- Look for beauty products without synthetic fragrance
- “Fragrance” or “pafum” could be the most vaguely listed ingredients in existence. Because fragrance is considered “proprietary,” companies are not required to disclose its components. This is where sneaky ingredients, like phthalates, can make unknowingly make their way into your products.
- Avoid plastic packaging, especially PVC with recycle code #3.
Pesticides
Pesticides in beauty products? You might be thinking, that can’t possibly be a listed ingredient and you’d be correct. While we can all appreciate the rise of more natural beauty products, we should be cognizant of the type of plants used in our cosmetics and how they’re harvested.
Specifically, neurotoxic organophosphate compounds were developed during WWII by Nazis as nerve gas to aggressively attack the human nervous system. This same chemical has been adapted for pesticides to target the nervous system in bugs and pests.
How to Avoid Organophosphates:
- Purchase professional organic salon products.
- Specifically, look for the botanical ingredients to be organic (grown without pesticides) or biodynamic-organic (a step above organic).
- Purchase raw organic fruit and vegetables, if using natural beauty treatments.
While it may be impossible to avoid all endocrine-disrupting chemicals in our beauty products, steering clear of questionable ingredients like Parabens, Phthalates, Plastics, and Pesticides is a big step in limiting our harmful toxin exposure. Even though the beauty industry is highly unregulated, together, we can make informed, conscious decisions to ensure the health, wellness and beauty of ourselves and salon clients.
So the next time you’re tempted to purchase a new product, make sure to look out for these 4 major endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Your health, your clients, and the planet will thank you for it. 🙂
How to Successfully Give Your Clients a Totally New Color
After a detailed consultation, our client decides to completely transition their existing hair color. Where do we start first? What do we do? What are our options? First don’t panic. Decolorizing hair and transitioning to a new hair color can be as easy as 1, 2, 3. So, take a deep breath!
Whether highlighting or performing an all over, decolorization/corrective color is a process that some fear. How do we get from such a dark level to much lighter colored locks? You will need to highlight or decolorize with a bleaching system.
Decolorization is a process
An all over decolorization is a process and we must remember not to be too hard on ourselves. Whether fixing someone else’s mistake or just designing a new look for a client, you must realize that this is truly corrective color and may not be a quick fix. This must be discussed with the client ahead of time in the initial consultation so there are no miscommunications. Some corrective color services can take more than one visit to fully achieve the tone and level desired. Highlighting or balayage services, on the other hand, are ways to introduce some lighter pieces throughout the hair without such a lengthy process. Highlighting can blend or add dimension to a monochromatic color.
Natural melanin (eumelanin) in the hair is an equal blend of all three primary colors: blue, red, and yellow. It is responsible for creating brown and black hair. The more eumelanin a person has will determine how brown or black the hair will be. A medium amount of eumelanin the hair will be brown. Someone with a lot of eumelanin will appear black but someone with a minimal amount of eumelanin has blonde hair.
Natural red hair has more pheomelanin (red pigment) and minimal eumelanin (brown or black pigment). Did you ever have that one client who just always seem to appear red no matter what you do or how you formulate? This client has more pheomelanin present in their hair. The less pheomelanin a person has, the less red is visible in their hair color.
When hair is lightened in any way, the warmer tones red and yellow are always exposed.
Blue pigment is the first to leave the hair. To fully understand the lightening process, we must first understand the stages the hair must go through on its journey to becoming the ultimate blonde. When creating the ultimate blonde, we are first removing the primary colors of blue and red, and depending on what level of blonde we are trying to achieve we might also be removing some of the yellow as well.
There are specific tones you will recognize on your journey. Starting at a level 1, our remaining color is blue. Level 2 we see blue/violet; level 3 we see violet; 4 red/violet. Level 5 us red and seems to be where a lot of us have most of our difficulties. Level 6 red/orange; Level 7 is orange like the outside of an orange. Level 8 is yellow orange like the shade of an apricot. Level 9 is yellow like the outside of a banana, and finally level 10 is pale yellow/white like the inside of a banana.
To successfully decolorize the hair, it is always best to go one level lighter than the level you are lifting to in order to achieve the proper foundation for the desired level.
Example: If my desired level is a level 8 and I am starting from a level 6, I know that when I decolorize the hair, I must expose the remaining color to yellow (like the outside of a banana). Creating a visual of fruit or other Items is just a way to help you recognize when you have lifted to the level you desired.
Application is key.
Application is also key to a successful decolorization. Analyze the strand before beginning. Is there color on the ends? Is there a virgin new growth? What is the porosity of the hair? We know that virgin hair will lift quickly but hair with artificial pigment will require much more timing.
When dealing with different situations on the same head we must treat them differently.
- Beginning at the midshaft before applying to the virgin hair will ensure an even decolorization process.
- Don’t be afraid of using different volumes on the same head. When highlighting, use a lower volume in the back and as you work your way to the front try remix with a higher volume so that both areas finish lightening at the same time.
- If you have not achieved an even shade of remaining pigment, it might be necessary to reapply the bleach.
- Always pay attention to the porosity and overall condition of the hair before reapplying bleach. If you have an even bleaching result then your final color will be even. Sometimes additional bleaching is not doable because the hair is compromised. Use your professional judgment but this time realize you may not achieve the desired level in this visit. Corrective hair color is a process so do not be too tough on yourself.
Once hair is decolorized to the proper remaining color, you will have to choose whether you would like to enhance your final color or if you would like to refine the remaining color.
Toning
Choosing a tone opposite on the color wheel will help you refine unwanted warmth. To enhance the tone remaining after lightening, choose a tonal shade on the same side of the color wheel.
After a decolorizing service (highlighting or corrective work), you will want to thoroughly wash out the bleach with Oway Hbalance Shampoo and follow with Oway Hmilk No Stress to equalize the porosity before toning.
Toning with the chosen shade plus Oway Htone can take anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes. Always be cognitive of the porosity in the hair when choosing a toner.
Hmilk can also be used to equalize your porosity before toning. When toning at the shampoo bowl, you will want to remember to thoroughly towel dry the hair before applying the toner. Excess water can dilute your toner and can cause an uneven result.
So see, it is as easy as 1,2,3 and always remember the education department is here to offer additional support.
5 Hair Care Products Your Salon Should Have This Fall
Seasonal changes can wreak havoc on our hair and scalp. The humidity and air temperatures can be particularly drying, causing hair cuticles to rise and lose moisture. But fear not, because we have all the perfect treatments for your clients’ Fall hair woes right here!
We rounded up the five Oway treatments you need to have in your salon to help curb hair and scalp damage and dehydration.
5 Must-Have Fall Hair Care Products
Oway Smoothing Treatment
While cooler temperatures have less adverse effects on the hair than warmer climates, humidity spikes and rain can cause a lot of frizz. When this happens, the cuticles are raised, allowing moisture to escape. Oway Smoothing Treatment uses the nourishing blend of Organic Damask Rose and extracts from Buriti, Ginger Root, Bergamot, and Caraway.
This formula combines all their antioxidant properties to protect the hair from the harsh fall/winter elements that further dehydrate the hair. The natural emollients leave a protective film which helps close the cuticle, adding intense shine and softness to the strands.
Oway Moisturizing Treatment
During cooler climates, our hair and scalp are at risk of dry hair and itchy scalp. Oway Moisturizing Treatment contains a harmonious blend of botanical ingredients known to effectively replenish moisture in dehydrated hair.
Ingredients such as Fair Trade MuruMuru Butter, Organic Honey, and Macadamia Oil replace the natural oils lost during cleansing, keeping the moisture and pH levels of the hair and scalp balanced.
Oway Rebuilding Treatment
Exposure to the sun, salt, and chlorine during the summer can lead to damage. Doing a repair treatment is highly recommended to rebuild and refortify stressed hair before the temperatures change. Failing to do so may subject the hair to further damage, which can lead to breakage.
The Oway Rebuilding Treatment uses 18 biomimetic acids and proteins that deeply penetrate the hair’s cortex to reproduce the hair’s keratin structure. These acids and proteins act as “intracellular cement” which strengthens the chains within the hair fiber.
Oway Hair Loss Treatment
In a 2011 study published in the Journal of the Dermatology, it has been found that women are more prone to hair loss during autumn. Many females enter the telogen phase in July and start to experience fall outs in October. This phenomenon, along with the gloomy and cooler weather that come with fall and winter, has an effect on women, triggering more clumps of hair to fall out.
Hair care treatments that contain hair stimulating properties like Buddleja Davidii help revitalize hair follicle cells, encouraging hair growth. The Oway Hair Loss Treatment uses this magical ingredient and combines it with Denisplant and Hair Spa Complex™ to restore the scalp’s delicate environment and prolong the hair’s anagen phase.
Oway Silk ‘n Glow Treatment
Tangled hair can be very frustrating to some, especially if your client is prone to frizz. The unpredictable fall weather can exacerbate frizz, you’ll need an ultra-hydrating treatment that performs a detangling action and seals unruly strands.
Oway Silk ‘n Glow Treatment is nourishing oils and butters from Organic Cupuaçu, Biodynamic Oat, and Fair Trade Brazil Nut Oil to tame and soften the cuticles. As the cuticles are closed, the hair becomes more manageable.
Is your salon ready for fall and winter?
6 Tried-and-Tested Strategies to Master Your Salon’s Online Reputation
Marketing your salon business today is not as simple as it once was. These days, getting your salon’s name out there will require some cutting-edge online salon marketing strategies and a plan. When done right, this can instantly give your hair salon an advantage over your competitors. But one erroneous move (or lack thereof) can ruin everything you’ve worked hard for.
While we cannot please every client, as salon owners, it is important that we address any issues immediately. Bad news can spread like wildfire, but learning how to manage your salon’s online reputation can help you grow and protect your business at the same time.
Below are some steps you can take to keep your salon’s Internet reputation glowing and intact.
Strategies to Manage Your Salon's Online Reputation
Salon Businesses Should Focus on Local SEO
As a small business owner, being visible to your target market is crucial to success. Salons are a local business type that requires ample foot traffic, so focusing your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) efforts on solidifying your placement on local search engine pages can put you ahead of the competition.
Fun Fact: Local Searches Lead 50% Of Mobile Visitors To Visit Businesses Within One Day
As you can see, potential clients are looking for local businesses daily. Staying on top of Google and other search engines will lead to a steady flow of clients to your chair.
Ninety-four percent of searchers don’t go beyond the first page of Google, therefore being in that highly coveted #1 spot will instantly translate to sales and new clients. There are various factors that affect Local SEO ranking, but being listed in Local Business Directories and mentioned in Local Citations are the most important ones.
- Local Business Directories
Local Business Directories play a key role in getting instant ranking, but these three search engines are the major players.
These search engines have the most users (with Google getting 63.4% audience share) – listing your salon in these search engines will help put it at the top of the list. Recently, Google has added salon and spa bookings as part of Reserve with Google, another free service of the search engine juggernaut that allows customers to discover and book appointments (so be sure to sign up for Google My Business!).
Aside from that, potential clients tend to trust businesses more if their Business Name, Address, and Phone Number are available online. This makes your business look legitimate and allows them to get in touch with you easily.
- Local Citations
The average consumer reads about 11 reviews before making a purchase decision. These reviews come from the following:
- Review Sites like Yelp, Angie’s List, Facebook, among others
- Blogs
- Local Newspapers
Being mentioned in Local Citations help search engines like Google verify your business. When multiple credible sources have the same accurate information about your business, it signals to search engines that your business is legitimate. So, be sure your Business Name, Address, and Phone Numbers are correct and consistent.
Salon’s & Hair Stylist Should Market on Social Media
To this day, many entrepreneurs still regard social media as a marketing fad with no real returns. But statistics say otherwise. Sixty-eight percent of all U.S. adults use Facebook, 28% use Instagram, and 21% use Twitter.1 That’s millions and millions of potential clients online.
Being on social media allows clients to easily find your salon and vice versa. Aside from marketing and customer service, having accounts on those three platforms helps boost your salon website’s Google reputation. Google crawls social pages as it would any other website. Meaning, social media can greatly influence your website’s page rank and Google search results, enhancing your salon’s online presence.
Track Your Business Mentions Online
Once you’ve finished submitting your business name to local directories and creating your social media accounts, start tracking your business mentions online. Waiting for a wave of bad reviews to come in before taking an action can be detrimental to your business. One negative review can send potential clients to another salon.
Be proactive by monitoring your social media channels and responding to both compliments and complaints with carefully though-out responses. This sends a message that you care about them and are willing to improve the way you do business. Below are some of the ways businesses track their online mentions:
- Google Alerts. This free tracking tool from Google notifies you via email whenever your salon is mentioned on the Internet.
- Social Media. When you regularly check your salon hashtag and tags on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, you get instant feedback and insights from clients.
- While Hootsuite is mainly used for scheduling posts across social media channels, one major perk of this tool is you get to monitor what people are saying about your business.
Turn Your Salon Team into Brand Ambassadors
You have talented stylists in your team – they make the perfect brand ambassadors because they have first-hand experience and genuine understanding of what your salon is all about. Furthermore, they use the products and have personal connections with clients. Leverage that relationship by having them create their own professional social media pages where they can promote their work and their favorite products.
Their social media activity will not only help position your salon as an active member of the beauty industry, but also help dispel any negative opinions about your business.
Encourage them to put your salon’s website on their social media bios as well to drive more leads to your site.
Expand Your Network
Your salon’s online reputation is as important as your offline reputation. Many potential clients out there either don’t have social media or are not in your network. Sponsoring local events like meetups can help you tap into a wide network of like-minded individuals. Sites like meetup.com are always looking for people who can sponsor food, gifts, and venues.
Bonus Perk: When you sponsor, your salon website will be linked in the event page, bringing more traffic to your site.
Gather and Respond to Reviews
Businesses nowadays live or die by their online reputation, especially salons. Over 90% of consumers look up online reviews before booking a service or buying a product, so be sure to get as many reviews as you can. Encourage clients to leave a review on your Facebook or Yelp page and embed them on your website so prospective clients can see them.
Review Management Tips
- Cultivate real and authentic reviews. Hand out biz cards before your clients leave to remind them to leave a review on your website.
- Respond to good and bad reviews. Acknowledging BOTH positive and negative reviews shows that you appreciate their feedback and opinion. Call them if you must – this way the client will feel how much you value them as a customer.
- Maintain and uphold professionalism. Respond in an honest, professional manner. Whatever happens on the Internet stays on the Internet, so make sure to always put your business in the best possible light.
Source:
1 Pew Research Center. (2016). Social Media Update 2016. Available: http://www.pewinternet.org/2016/11/11/social-media-update-2016/
5 Money-Making Features Your Salon Website Must Have
With many businesses and consumers relying on digital technology, having a well-oiled website is a necessity. But the cost of maintaining a website can be too much for some, not to mention navigating the waters of marketing a salon business online can be very intimidating especially for DIYers.
At Simply Organic Beauty, we strive to help our clients grow their business, so we’re letting you in on our trade secrets! Below are the top 5 money-making strategies you can use to bring in more clients to your salon with minimal marketing effort and expenses.
Must-Have Money-Making Website Features
Newsletter Opt-In
Some people cringe at the thought of creating an email newsletter for their business, but the truth is, it remains as one of the most cost-effective and powerful profit-making machines. In fact, in a 2017 study by B2B Content Marketing Benchmarks, Budgets and Trends, email marketing is still the most successful marketing strategy ahead of social media.1
And it doesn’t come as a surprise. Newsletters help you grow your client list at a fraction of a cost and time. Clients and prospective clients sign up for this service voluntarily. This means they are truly interested in what your salon has to offer, helping you to easily identify who your target clients are and update them on sales and events in a single swoop.
PRO TIP: Our favorite email marketing services for your salon website are MailChimp and Constant Contact. They’re free to start and simple to use. They also offer nice templates if you’re worried about designing your own.
Online Booking
Gone are the days when clients have to personally visit and wait for businesses to open before they can book an appointment. Now clients can do that from the comfort of their own home at any time. By having an Online Booking system in place, you can receive reservations 24/7.
User-friendly Online Booking apps like Vagaro, Square, and Schedulicity allow you to embed their widget on your salon website so clients can view your calendar and book an appointment without having to go to another website. They’re convenient, take the workload off your shoulders, and make for great customer service.
Unlike phone and in-person reservations, Online Booking systems also allow clients to check out what other customers have to say about your salon’s services and products. Which brings us to our next money-making feature.
Testimonials
Here’s a fact: 92% percent of consumers read online reviews and 84% of this number trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.
Yankelovich, a market research firm, found that 75% of people have negative perceptions about advertising2, meaning they are savvy enough to know when a brand is being dishonest. Hence, they turn to online testimonials to validate claims.
By adding a Testimonials page to your salon website, you are “humanizing” your business and providing prospective customers a glimpse into your salon, which helps convince them to book your services. You can either activate Testimonials on your website or embed reviews from sites like Yelp, Google+, and even Facebook. This way, you get to keep clients on your site and increase your conversions.
Portfolio
Portfolios aren’t just for writers, photographers, and graphic artists anymore. In the age of social media, you’re more likely to encounter a potential client asking about a hair color they saw online. Take advantage of this by including a gallery of your work on your website.
There are hundreds of website plug-ins that allow you to embed pictures (even your Instagram page) on your website. This way you can show your skills and increase your online visibility at the same time.
Gift Cards
Gift Cards are powerful sales and relationship-building strategy every business should adopt. Unlike discount coupons, pre-paid gift cards have greater perceived value. They provide instant revenue and motivate clients to purchase your products and services immediately. In fact, 2 out of 3 consumers tend to spend more than 40% of the card’s value, and would almost always do repeat business.
Electronic Gift Card tools like Giftly and Yiftee allow your clients to buy gift cards through your site and send it to people they love. It’s one the most underestimated salon website design features!
Learn more here:
Sources
1 Content Marketing Institutes. 2017. B2B Content Marketing Benchmarks, Budgets and Trends. Available: http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/2017_B2B_Research_FINAL.pdf
2 Elliott, S. THE MEDIA BUSINESS: ADVERTISING; A survey of consumer attitudes reveals the depth of the challenge that the agencies face. Availanle: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/14/business/media-business-advertising-survey-consumer-attitudes-reveals-depth-challenge.html
Salon Website 101: Elements of a Successful Salon Website
In the age of Google and social media, having a website is crucial for your business. It enables potential customers to find and learn about your salon. But it doesn’t just end in having a website. To take advantage of the incredible benefits of having an online presence, your website should have all the necessary features that will make them feel confident about doing business with you.
Think of a website as an extension of your salon. It should have all the important information about you, your team, and your company. This allows potential customers to know you and trust you with their hair.
We rounded up 4 essential elements of a salon website to help you develop and gain new customers.
Elements of a Successful Salon Website
CONTACT
First and foremost, the main goal of having a website is to provide a convenient way for potential clients to get in touch with you. But if your website does not highlight your contact information, you will most likely lose their business.
- Putting your Contact Information on BOTH your Home and Contact Page is essential. There are clients who don’t like navigating menus, so having your information in a prominent place on the home page allows them to easily find it and reach you.
- Contact Forms do not cut it anymore. Clients today prefer immediate information. Whether it is a phone call, text message, social media, or email, your website should display multiple points of contact. This also includes your complete mailing address.
- Use a Call to Action (CTA). CTAs entice a visitor take an action that’s beneficial to your business. Phrases as simple as “Call Us” or “Book an Appointment” can help convert a regular web browser into a paying client.
- The Internet is here to stay, so whether you like it or not – we must move with the times. Having an Online Booking System allows your salon to receive reservations 24/7 and immediately notify your clients of your availability in seconds. It minimizes your workload and, at the same time, keeps your clients happy. It’s a WIN-WIN!
CULTURE
Your salon culture is critical to your success. It shapes and influences your clients’ attitudes and behaviors toward your business. Many clients go to salons to relax and feel comfortable and welcome. If your website showcases that, earning their business is going to be easy.
Having the following on your website will help:
- Your Salon Logo & Colors. Believe it or not – keeping your website’s colors and logos consistent with your brand plays a major role in decision-making.
Neuroscientiest Bevil Conway believes that humans are hardwired for certain hues.1
Greens, for example, can have a balancing and harmonizing effect, which is perfect for a Holistic Salon website.
- Unique and Professional Salon Photos. As much as you can, avoid using generic stock photos. Clients have unique needs, and by using stock photos, your salon will look pretty much the same as the next salon. Investing in professional pictures will help set your business apart from all the others on your street.
- Your Salon’s Story, Team, and Values. This will help determine if you’re a good fit for them. As Holistic Hair Stylists, we cater to clients who are trying to maintain a sustainable, healthy lifestyle. Highlighting that on your website by sharing your team’s story and values will help attract more clients who are looking to do the same.
COSTS
Admit it – walking into a salon and asking for the cost of a service can be very intimidating, especially for new clients. Disclosing your services and pricing helps alleviate their worry, and thus are more likely to set up an appointment now that they know they can afford your services.
However, be sure to include proper disclosure regarding your salon policies and procedures to avoid any misunderstanding.
For instance, include in the fine print that prices posted on your website are base prices, and total cost of service will vary depending on the treatments needed as well as the length of hair. We don’t want to lose their business over a simple mix-up.
CONTENT
Never underestimate the power of an up-to-date website. This can be in the form of a Blog, Testimonials, Portfolio, and Service/Product pages.
- Even though you offer outstanding services, prospective clients want to hear an unbiased opinion. They want reviews from real people to validate your claim, and this is where Testimonials/Reviews page come in. Like personal recommendations, people nowadays turn to online reviews before making a purchase. 2 Testimonials provide a human element to your business, bridging the gap between you and your potential clients.
- Having a Blog can help you drive more traffic to your website, increasing your website’s SEO performance. This puts you at the top of the search results on Google as well as positions your salon as the expert in your field. A monthly or quarterly blog post is recommended.
- As Holistic Hair Stylists, our work is our business card. Before-and-Afters are an excellent way to showcase your skills and your ability to improve your client’s hair.
- For customers, nothing can be more annoying than finding out that their favorite product is sold out. Or when a service had a price increase. This can lead to negative reviews and can cost you to lose their business, so be sure to keep your Product and Service pages updated.
Sources:
1 Jaffe, E. (2014). The Fascination Neuroscience of Colors. Available: https://www.fastcodesign.com/3027740/evidence/the-fascinating-neuroscience-of-color
2 Anderson, M. (2013). 2013 Study: 79% Of Consumers Trust Online Reviews As Much As Personal Recommendations. Available: http://searchengineland.com/2013-study-79-of-consumers-trust-online-reviews-as-much-as-personal-recommendations-164565
Decoding the Label: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Beauty Labels
In recent years, the role of packaging in branding and marketing has become more important than ever. In fact, the packaging is now considered an integral part of the “marketing mix.” This comes as no surprise as consumers are becoming more and more visual.
However, many beauty companies tend to focus more on the front label, stamping it with attention-grabbing designs and a laundry list of adjectives to catch the consumer’s attention. But behind the clever packaging are often overlooked details that deserve more attention. The back label is where you can find all the important information you need. These are the smaller texts and symbols that may seem insignificant at first glance but are in fact all you need to determine the quality of the product.
Below are the key elements to take note of when you go shopping for beauty products.
Ingredients List
According to the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), ingredients must be declared in descending order of predominance.1 This means that the ingredient with the largest amount in the product comes first. So if an ingredient is listed near the end, there’s only a very small percentage of that ingredient present in the product.
It is important to note, however, that some ingredients only need low percentages in order to work, so you might find those at the end of the list.
Shelf Life
Remember that little open jar icon often found at the corner or bottom of the label? It is the PAO symbol, which means Period After Opening. The number and M in it indicate the number of months the product is safe to use after it is unsealed.
If you cannot locate the PAO symbol, the product may be using the Best Before End Date symbol or BBE, which looks like either an hourglass or egg timer. The European Union requires all cosmetics to use either of these symbols. In contrast, the FDA does not require any expiration dates printed on the label, because according to the agency, it is the manufacturers’ responsibility to make sure their products are safe.2
Certifications
The cosmetics industry in the US is highly unregulated.
While the US Department of Agriculture offers the USDA Organic seal for products claiming to have organic ingredients, the FDA does not have the legal authority to approve cosmetics before they go on the market (except when they contain additives).3
So who checks these beauty products for harmful chemicals? The answer is no one. As a result, countless products containing toxic ingredients can enter the market without restriction.
But thanks to private and non-government organizations such as Ecocert, PETA, and Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (Leaping Bunny), you can rest easy knowing that you’re getting the right products for your needs.
- USDA Organic – The USDA Organic or Certified Organic seal signifies that at least 95% of the ingredients are certified organic and free of synthetic additives like pesticides, preservatives, dyes, among others.
- Ecocert Organic/Natural – Similar to USDA Organic, an Ecocert Organic symbol on the label means at least 95% of the plant-based ingredients, and at least 10% of them by weight are organic. On the other hand, Ecocert Natural signifies that least 50% of the product’s plant-based ingredients and at least 5% by weight are organic.
- PETA – Products bearing PETA’s cruelty-free logo indicates that the company provided a signed assurance or statement verifying that they do not conduct or commit any animal tests on their ingredients.
- Leaping Bunny – This certification means that the company has voluntarily pledged that their products are 100% clear of animal testing from all stages of product development.
Recycling and Disposal
We’ve all seen that triangle made of arrows, also known as the Mobius Loop, but not many of us know what it truly stands for. Yes, it does mean it’s recyclable, but the amount that can be recycled will depend on the numerical code indicated inside the loop. Furthermore, the code will help you determine which packaging is safe and does not leach into the product. Plastic packaging labeled with codes 1, 3, 6, and 7 are said to be more likely to contain phthalates and BPA.
Because Organic Way’s packaging is made of glass, you won’t be able to find a number in the loop. This means that the packaging is 100% safe and infinitely recyclable. However, if you decide not to recycle, the trash bin icon (usually placed near the loop) is a reminder to throw it in the appropriate recycling bin.
Instructions
Sometimes the packaging is unable to fit all the required information on the label, like usage instructions and product warnings. In their place, you’ll find a Refer to Insert symbol which looks like a hand pointing at an open book. This symbol means that you’ll find all important information in a leaflet or card.
Below is a comprehensive guide on how to understand Oway labels:
Sources:
1 US Food & Drug Administration. Cosmetic Ingredient Labeling. Available: https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/labeling/regulations/ucm126444.htm#clga
2 US Food & Drug Administration. Shelf Life/Expiration Dating. Available: https://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/Labeling/ExpirationDating/ucm2005204.htm
3 US Food & Drug Administration. FDA Authority Over Cosmetics: How Cosmetics Are Not FDA-Approved, but Are FDA-Regulated. Available: https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/guidanceregulation/lawsregulations/ucm074162.htm