From Mobile Barbershops to virtual imaging, innovations in the beauty industry
Technology has transformed everything about how we live, how we conduct business, even the way we worship... In the salon business, Technology has changed the interactions with clients, such as reaching out to them, enabling them to book from anywhere, rewarding their loyalty.
Through social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and mobile apps, the technology has revolutionized the hair services jobs in the recent past. Unlike before,, where one had to have a physical space to conduct hair and beauty business, the internet has made things easier for the clients and the hairdressers.
The recent technological advances 5G, cloud computing, sophisticated smartphone software provides a world of possibilities for hair business. There are several technologies that enhance competitiveness in the salon business. But not all innovations are tech enabled.
The Suites (and the rise of "independent" beauticians)
One of the main innovation of these past 10 years in the salon industry is all but technological !
The concept of beauty suites or salon suites, also known as individual salon studios, has gained popularity over the past decade as a new business
model within the beauty industry. The idea behind these suites is to provide individual salon professionals with their own private, fully equipped space within a larger shared facility. This trend emerged to address various needs and preferences of both salon owners and clients. The rise of beauty suites can be traced back to around the mid-2010s and has continued to grow in popularity since then.
The Mobile Beauty services
The second innovation is barely technological : mobile services. Since the mid-2010, several companies have made their mission to bring the salon service to your home. To learn more about it, check this page explaining why and how to have your hair cut at home,
Social Media Marketing
The rise of social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest significantly impacted the beauty industry. Salons increasingly used these platforms for showcasing their work, connecting with clients, and staying updated on the latest trends. Social Media are now, and by far, the most popular marketing tool used by stylists and barber posting on instagram or Facebook, trying to develop their clientele or the sales of beauty products.
Social media is a helpful marketing tool. It's the biggest driver in the cosmetology world, because it's a revolving door and clients can also show off their beauty upgrades and tag their friends as well as direct them to the local stylists.
Barbershop and Salon Management through technology integration
New technologies have quickly found a way into salon and barbershop. Many softwares, whether desktop or web-based are customized for hair salons. They assist in the management of salon business such as accounting, inventory control, financial reporting as well as scheduling and customer relationship.
Later, the apps on our phones has allowed us to locate and book beauty professionals around us, creating mobile barbershops and on demand beauty salons.
And more recently, Beauty salons started integrating technology into their services, such as virtual reality (VR) hair consultations, augmented reality (AR) makeup applications, and online appointment booking systems.
Physical and Chemical Technologies to groom people
Physical and chemical technology is vital for hair and beauty clients. Appliances use active ion technology to reduce static and frizz. The technology is applied in hair straighteners with the ceramic plates, seamless bristles in blow driers and brushes. It also includes hair products and treatments that involves nano technology and heat adaptation that helps in color processing and conditioning without a hair drier. It helps even distribution of heat to prevent the over drying of the hair and being bristle.
There's also the molecular biology which helps get into the molecular structure of the hair, nails and skin to determine the effect of the chemicals in the beauty products before applying them on the body.
Right now, social media are the biggest driver in the cosmetology world, because it's a revolving door and clients can also show off their beauty upgrades and tag their friends as well as direct them to the local stylists.
Virtual Imaging in beauty industry
If you want to see how a style will look on you when done, this technology has got you. With just a camera, in a few minutes, the client can tell how they'll look like in different colors and styles. The programs have database of makeup tools, hairstyles and options to add to your ideas.
