
Wella Announces the Finalists of Wella Trend Vision Awards
This year’s awards centered around the Monochromatic trend, which is rooted in minimalism and intentional by design.
Salon industry veteran Eric Bakken has joined Hair Cuttery Family of Brands (HCFB) as CEO. Bakken joins the parent company of Hair Cuttery, Bubbles salons and cibu after overseeing finance, legal, operations, and real estate for Regis Corp.

Photo: HCFB
Hair Cuttery Family of Brands (HCFB)relaunched in 2020 under new ownership and amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The company has announced Eric Bakken has joined as CEO.
Bakken joins HCFB after about 30 years in senior leadership positions at Regis Corp. Most recently, he ran all aspects of its largest salon division as executive vice president. He also had spent time as the company’s chief financial officer, chief operating officer, chief administrative officer, head of business development, general counsel, and interim CEO. Bakken’s move to CEO consolidates leadership roles most recently held by Seth Gittlitz and Azhar Quader, who helped lead HCFB’s turnaround during the pandemic.
“Eric has the right vision, experience and skills to elevate HCFB to be the undisputed leader in the salon industry,” said Lee Solomon, a member of HCFB’s board of directors. “The next phase of HCFB’s expansion requires leadership that can harness the power of technology, business intelligence and marketing analytics to pull the salon industry forward into the digital age. Eric is the rare business leader who is as comfortable in a salon as he is in the board room. Eric understands our greatest assets will always be our salon professionals."
“I am thrilled to have joined HCFB’s team,” said Bakken. “I am so impressed with what this team has accomplished, and I want nothing more than to keep us growing sustainably. I believe HCFB has a great business model and talented management team that positions it well to capitalize on the changing salon industry. As the industry evolves out of COVID, we have to be laser focused on staffing, technology solutions and revitalizing our existing salons. Through these initiatives, I believe HCFB will be in a position to continue to offer its guests an affordable indulgence that will make us the preferred salon choice among consumers.”
Bakken earned a B.A. from St. Mary University of Minnesota and a J.D. from Mitchell Hamline School of Law. He chairs the philanthropic board of the University of Minnesota’s Masonic Cancer Center.

This year’s awards centered around the Monochromatic trend, which is rooted in minimalism and intentional by design.
Haircare brand The Doux has launched “My Salon Empire,” a free-to-play salon management game on Roblox, helping the next generation celebrate the diversity of textured hair and explore salon entrepreneurship.

The show reported 30% attendance growth. It felt that way. This event for the southwest professional beauty community had heart, spice, and something for everyone.

Wella artists presented the Monochromatic trend movement, introduced new Pure Perfection color and Sebastian styling innovations, while the Wella team created interactive fun throughout Wella Studio in Los Angeles.

Dominique LyVar, an influential educator and artist, is remembered by those who loved him for his significant impact on the industry and contributions to the community.

Known for his buttery blondes and a technique for highlighting hair with more precision that he called chunking, Brad Johns died on August 27. His friend and fellow colorist, David Stanko, shares thoughts on his talented colleague and close friend.

As technology evolves at an accelerated rate, you want to make sure you have the best in your business toolkit to help you grow sales, motivate your team, communicate with your current and future clientele, and streamline your managerial tasks. The 2026 SALON TODAY Technology Solutions Guide is designed to help you navigate today's growing landscape of salon and spa technology. In this guide, you'll find a curated look at more than 50 of the latest software platforms, digital solutions, and innovative features to help you compare options and identify the best fit for your business.

The Davines Edit reflects the brand’s passion for people and planet.

RÜTE Wash introduces a shower cap designed specifically for crown washing, helping clients with hair extensions cleanse the scalp while protecting the lengths from water.

Premiere San Antonio Presented by SalonCentric returns for its fourth edition August 30-31 at the Henry B. González Convention Center, delivering its biggest and boldest event to date.

One-Day Personal and Professional Development Education Event for Beauty Professionals Set for October 25, 2026, at the Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue.

According to the report, people are moving away from copy-paste trends and toward community, using real experiences to develop a sense of taste and beauty that reflects who they are.

Hairstylists and barbers can showcase their creative and technical vision in two global categories with cash prizes and a chance to represent in Portugal.

The BBR Beauty Show featured a prominent speaker lineup including Lacy Redway, Karrueche Tran, Danessa Myricks, Chelley B., Sabrina Elba, Jessica Harris-Dupart, and more.

The Professional Beauty Association and Pivot Point team up to develop an ongoing study that measures the confidence of salon owners, stylists, school owners, and students.

This shared recognition celebrates the strength of industry collaboration in advancing professional mobility.

In Dubai, a salon visit isn’t an appointment. It’s a weekly routine, and clients can spend $800 to $1,400 a month on it, according to Gaurav Tripathi of MADI International. On October 6-8, 2026, the market behind those numbers opens its doors as Beautyworld Dubai marks its 30th edition at the Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together distributors, brands, stylists and salon owners from all over the world.
Sponsored by BeautyWorld Dubai