Don't let your salon standards slip!

The beauty of working in a salon is that you build a bond with each and every client. Clients become friends and every session with them is like a regular catch up over coffee. You pride yourself on the fact that your salon is a safe space for people to relax and feel at home, however it can be easy to let professional standards slip. These are a few things you might want to keep in mind to ensure you keep standards high and your business at its best.

Uniform

It all comes down to personal choice when salon attire is concerned. Some people prefer to supply a uniform for staff, others have a clothing colour code, whereas some have no preference at all. As we all know, salon work can be a messy business – clothes get covered in hair colour, bleach stains, wax or nail polish. Whichever beauty industry you’re in, it’s unavoidable.

Of course, it isn’t always feasible to buy new clothes every time something gets ruined so we try to make them last as long as possible, but if every stylist or beautician is doing the same thing a salon can quickly look slap dash and shabby. Investing in a uniform can solve a multitude of problems. Uniforms are often bleach resistant and are long lasting, but they can also create a professional aesthetic for your business.

However, the initial cost of uniforms can be expensive, so another option is to supply staff with aprons. Aprons are a great alternative and can act as a ‘half’ uniform, so staff can be comfortable in their own clothes, whilst protecting them at the same time.

Language

When deep in conversation it can be easy to get carried away and let the odd bad word slip through the net. But you still must be considerate of everyone else in the salon. Some people may find it offensive or bad practise to swear, and this could sully your reputation. Word of mouth can go a long way in business, and bad reviews tend to get more attention that good ones.

Something else that you may want to curb is gossip. If you begin to get a reputation for gossiping, then this could reflect badly on you and the business. If people get wind of the fact that you’re gossiping about someone, then what’s to stop you gossiping about them? It’s important to remember the professional standards you’re trying to uphold and be mindful of your surroundings. The walls have ears!

Organisation

There’s nothing worse than walking into a salon and seeing it’s been turned upside down with dirty towels everywhere and products strewn on every surface. Even though you may know where everything is in your head, salons run a lot smoother with an organised system in place. Product stands and shelves allow clients to see styling products that you use which could encourage retail spending and you can avoid tearing the salon apart searching for the hairspray. Trollies keep everything stored away out of sight and keep the salon looking minimal, creating a stress-free environment.  

Keep tools clean

Not cleaning your equipment regularly can put clients off quicker than you can ask ‘You going on any holidays this year?’ Making sure your workspace is clear and your tools are clean should be at the top of your priority list. Having brushes caked in hair and scissors coated with product can cross-contaminate and generally looks bad. Clients want to feel relaxed and pampered in your salon, not get the ‘ick’ from your grubby equipment. Investing in disinfectants like Barbicide can give you peace of mind that your tools are fresh and clean for every client.

Working in the beauty industry can often seem like a juggling act – you take your eye off the ball for a second and things start to fall apart. Sometimes we just need a gentle reminder to stop slouching and set your standards straight again.