When it comes to selecting the 20 finalists in the Salons of the Year salon design competition, it’s not just the gorgeous salons that come out on top. High marks also go to salon and spa designs that are clever, engaging, efficient, nostalgic, focused and embrace originality.

As a result, the top 20 spaces are remarkably different from one another in appearance, but they share a distinct commonality. Each one has a firm understanding of its target market, has honed in on its customers’ unique demands and has developed innovative approaches for delivering what their clients want through its design.

Although judges can appreciate a sleek front desk of Carrera marble, a striking art installation or an elegant styling chair covered in sumptuous leather as much as any interior designer, we also know that to be successful, today’s salons also have to create customized and personalized experiences for each guest, showcase and compete on their own style and expertise, and engage and connect with clients in a meaningful way. A salon’s design is the all-important backdrop that either supports or sabotages its best efforts.

The new flagship Gene Juarez Salon and Spa in Bellevue, Washington, captures the Grand Prize in this year's competition, including bragging rights as the 2018 Salon of the Year, as well as the cover of our May/June issue. Two barbershops tied for First Runner-Up the Year--Parker Barber in New Orleans and Royal Rhino Club Barbershop & Lounge in Columbus, Ohio. Coming in as Third Runner-Up is the unique and charming Broome Street Society in New York. Sixteen additional salons are recognized for their outstanding designs with the merit of Salon of Distinction. 

In the next few weeks, we will begin posting each Salons of the Year profile separately. I encourage you to take the virtual tour of each through their slideshows, starting with our Grand Prize Winner Gene Juarez Salon and Spa in Bellevue, Washington.

Grand Prize Winner:
GENE JUAREZ SALONS AND SPAS
Bellevue, Washington
Evergreen Pacific Partners, LLC

First Runner-Up:
PARKER BARBER
New Orleans, Louisiana
Neill Corporation

First Runner-Up:
ROYAL RHINO CLUB BARBERSHOP & LOUNGE
Columbus, Ohio
Charles and Debra Penzone

Third Runner-Up:
BROOME STREET SOCIETY
New York, New York
Andrea Hans and Josie Sanchez

2018 SALONS OF DISTINCTION

20 VOLUME SALON
Mesa, Arizona
Eddie and Stacey Coronado

AALAM THE SALON
Frisco, Texas
Mnasour and Naser Aalam

ARIAHOUSE SPA @ RAZMATAZZ
Georgetown, Texas
Rachel Smith

ATTITUDES PARIS/DAVID COIFFURE
Houston, Texas
Owner: David Edery

CITRUS SALON
Martinez, California
Candice Gliatto

FASHION FOCUS ACADEMY
Sarasota, Florida
Aaron and Richard Weintraub

FIVE SENSES SPA, SALON AND BARBERSHOP
Peoria, Illinois
Paola Hinton

FRANK’S BARBERSHOP
Knoxville, Tennesse
Frank and Belinda Gambuzza

HANNAH LONDON
London, United Kingdom
Kaywaan and Shireen Khan

LAVISH SALON
Friendswood, Texas
Kristi Brehm

MATII NEW YORK
New York, New York
Bernhards Ziverts

NOVA SALON
Louisville, Kentucky
Bennie Pollard & Lindsay Reeves

POSH SALON AND SPA
Kokomo, Indiana
Lindsay Daughtery-Pyle

SOLAIA LUXURY SALON AND SPA
Naperville, Illinois
Amanda Toppel

STUDIO 285
Evans, Georgia
Brittany Harrington & Amber Harrington Carraway

VOSS SALON
Dallas, Texas
Rachel & Mitchell Voss