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SEARCHEach year, our SALONS OF THE YEAR competition gives us the opportunity to assess the health of the industry by looking at who's investing in the future and how.
While a picture tells a thousand words, numbers can convey an even deeper meaning, especially to the business mind. At SALON TODAY, we can’t resist collecting the data on our 20 SALONS OF THE YEAR and then looking at the collective statistical picture.
What’s a Facelift Run These Days? Of the 20 SOTY honorees this year, five were salon renovations, and 15 were new build-out concepts. Collectively, this year’s honorees spent $13.6 million on their dream salons, with an average total investment of $656,000. That worked out to be an average of $221 per square foot versus last year’s average of $120 per square foot.
Here’s how the design costs broke down: The 20 honorees on average spent $30,300 on flooring; $28,000 on lighting; $11,300 on their front desk; $ 83,000 on salon equipment; $20,000 on spa equipment; $20,000 on professional design services; and $365,000 on construction expenses.
Before (below) and after the renovation at HC Studio in Brookline, Massachusetts.
Time and Money: From blueprint to construction, three salons took 18 months—J. Roland Salon in San Francisco; Misbehaven Spa and Salon in Walla Walla, Washington; and SOTO-Salon on the Ohio in Cincinnati, Ohio—while two salons—J. Michaels Salon in Des Moines, Iowa and Poppy Salon in Waite Park, Minnesota—opened their doors within two months. The average time from start to finish was 8 months. Eleven of the salons reported delays, finishing their design after schedule, while seven begrudgingly admitted they went over budget.
Allocating the Space: When it comes to salon and spa layout, the SOTY honorees an average of 3,087 square feet. At 7,800 square feet, Misbehaven was our largest SOTY honoree, while at 1,100 square feet, Airbar in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, was the smallest. On average, the SOTY salons allocated 1,149 square feet to the cutting and coloring areas and 270 square feet to retail space. Of the 20 honorees, 10 offered spa services and they reported designating an average of 637 square feet for their spa areas.
Setup Stats: Our 2014 finalists maintained an average of 16 styling stations in their spaces, and of those with spa areas, an average of three treatment rooms. Ten of the salons reported offering nail services and of those, they averaged five mani-pedi stations in their spaces.
Price Check: Our SOTY honorees report charging an average $57 for a shampoo, cut and style service; $71 for a single-process color and $83 for a 60-minute facial.
A reimagined Press Conference and Official Show Launch will feature the artistry and creative direction of the Chrystofer Benson Artist Team, an exclusive first look at America’s Beauty Show 2027, and an invitation to EXPERIENCE the PULSE - The Heartbeat of the Professional Beauty Industry.
Maya Smith, CEO, Founder and Creative Director of haircare brand The Doux, sits down with Nicole to chat about the brand's new Roblox game, My Salon Empire, inspired by salon entrepreneurship and celebrating all hair textures.
This global competition celebrates the artistry, energy, and creative PULSE of the professional beauty community.
Sofia Vergara, Lucy Hale, Alison Brie, John Salley, Brian Austin Green and more honored the best achievements in Science Behind Beauty, Health & Wellness at this glittering event.
Stress was the factor respondents blamed most often when their skin worsened, cited by 54%, followed by diet at 37% and hormones at 35%.
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.
