How to Start Preparing Your Salon for the Christmas Rush
While most of your clients probably won’t want to talk about Christmas yet, they’ll certainly want to book in their festive appointments and treatments, and it’s up to you to ensure that you are well prepared for the Christmas rush.
If you want to get ahead of the game, you’ll need to start preparing and ordering in October to make sure you have the Christmas stock you need. Whether you want to be sure that you have all the right equipment for client appointments or you need to restock the products you sell to your clients for home use, we can help you with your planning and purchasing so that you can provide the quality customer service your clients expect from you.
Let’s take a look at the most popular festive hair and beauty treatments and find out how you can prepare and order essential stock to keep up with demand, and we’ll share our top tips on making the most of your bookings and appointments in the Christmas period.
Most Popular Festive Hair and Beauty Treatments
Christmas is the busiest time of year for many salons and self-employed hair and beauty stylists, because every client wants to look fantastic for their Christmas parties and special events. Finding yourself in high demand can feel overwhelming, and it’s a good idea to start booking in the festive appointments early on to avoid a last-minute panic.
Some hair and beauty treatments are particularly popular at Christmas, and these include:
• Facials. The winter can be a tricky season for skin, with common problems such as dry skin and redness to deal with. Finding the solutions that work for your clients can be challenging, but when you’ve got a formula that works, they will rely on you when they want to look their best. Gentle, restorative facials that use nourishing, deeply moisturising products are usually the most popular at this time of year, and are considered essential by many clients as they prepare for the late nights and partying that the festive season brings.
• Lash treatments. Lash treatments are often in high demand as the party season approaches, saving time and money on false lashes and giving a fabulous look that will last well into the new year. If you offer lash lift and tint services, you’ll probably find that you are getting booked up for the winter already, as this is usually a regular service that your clients know makes them look and feel great.
• Highlights. Clients who routinely have hair colouring appointments, whether highlights or styles such as balayage, will usually want an appointment in the run-up to Christmas to ensure that they look their best throughout the month of December. A client who usually has a full head of colour might decide to opt for a half head or a root touch-up just before Christmas if their appointment is not due for another few weeks, and you can discuss the options to ensure that they are comfortable with the likely regrowth.
• Fillers. Many people are looking for a little extra boost at Christmas time, and fillers are very popular at this time of year. If you are qualified to offer these treatments, you’ll probably find that you are busier in the winter months. If not, you will find plenty of clients hoping to achieve the same results with facials and makeup, and these cost-effective options are also very popular at this time.
• Christmas party packages. Packages that get your clients ready for the party season are always a popular addition to your treatment list at Christmas, and there are many ways to do this. If you offer hair and beauty treatments, perhaps the ideal combination is a wash and blow-dry with make-up and lash treatment, so that your clients feel totally confident in their look when they leave the salon. Alternatively, you might offer a ‘restore’ package that focuses on deep hydration and nourishment for the hair and the skin, with a hair repair treatment and moisturising facial. Having a range of options means that there is something for everyone, and you can also offer pick and mix packages for the ultimate in versatility.
Many salons also stock a good selection of gift sets that are ideal as Christmas gifts, so that your clients can do their Christmas shopping at the same time as getting their treatments in!
Attracting Clients at Christmas
There are many ways to bring clients to your door in the Christmas period, and you can ensure that your appointment diary is full by taking some simple steps. We recommend:
1. Decorating. Embracing the festive magic in your salon will encourage clients to get into the Christmas spirit and book their appointments ahead of time. Think fairy lights, decorative garlands and a little sparkle, and remember that scents can also be evocative. A few drops of cinnamon or orange in an essential oil diffuser can really add to the atmosphere, and will help to ensure that your clients spread the word about your salon.
2. Use your socials. As a salon or self-employed hair and beauty therapist, you’ll probably be aware that your social media can make or break your business. At Christmas, you can get on board with the festive theme and post some themed videos about your Christmas preparation and any special offers you are running, as well as tips and tutorials for the holidays. Some of your clients may also be very happy to feature their new look on your platforms, and this is a great way to display your work.
3. Special offers. At Christmas, many people worry about their budget and offering discounts and special offers can help to put their minds at ease. You might consider incentives such as offering a discount on the next appointment, or special packages that include a free or heavily discounted treatment when multiple treatments are booked. As mentioned above, Christmas party packages and winter restore packages are particularly popular options. Use your mailing list to announce your special offers and remind your clients that you are here to help them prepare for a fun and fabulous festive season.
Whatever you do to make your salon stand out from the rest this Christmas, remember that your clients will keep returning to you again and again if they are impressed with the service you offer. Going above and beyond to ensure a positive experience will leave clients feeling happy and relaxed, and this will keep them coming back throughout the new year and beyond!
Essentials for the Festive Season
Ordering your essentials ahead of time will help you to deliver excellent service throughout the festive season. It’s important to consider all of the staples in your salon, including your disposables, to make sure that you don’t run out of the basics. We have a great stock of foils, cotton wool, disposable gloves and towels which can be ordered in bulk, and this is a great way to stock up for the busiest time of the year.
Colour products can be especially in demand at Christmas, when everyone wants to look great for their special events. We love the Wella Color Fresh range, which offers a great range of colours to work with, and having a good stock in your salon will enable you to find the perfect solution for every client. Many colour products can also be bought in bulk, including the most popular toners and developers, such as L’Oreal Professionnel Blond Studio 9 Oil Developer, which is considered a frequently used product by many salons here in Ireland.
You’ll find a variety of gift sets in our catalogue, including the Lycon Christmas Calm Gift Set, with lavender and chamomile products to soothe and calm the skin. These make great Christmas gifts and can be a lovely addition to your salon range during the festive period. If you’d like to talk about your seasonal ordering, our professional team will help you to prepare your salon for the Christmas period.
Hennessy Hair & Beauty in Ireland
At Hennessy Hair & Beauty, we are here to help you find the best quality products for your salon at the best prices. Whether you are setting up your salon and require chairs and equipment, or you’re ordering supplies to stock your established salon for the Christmas period, we can work with you to ensure that you find the best solutions for your clients and your budget.
Our catalogue includes solutions for hair colouring and styling, beauty treatments, tanning, waxing and nails, and our experienced team will be happy to help you with your order. We have received several industry awards in recognition of our work, and we pride ourselves on our customer service. Contact us today to find out more.
At-Home Maintenance for Clients
Knowing your products inside out can help you to make the recommendations that work for your clients, and it is always helpful to be able to suggest shampoos, conditioners and masks that can be used at home to maintain healthy hair.
Whether you are a fan of luxurious lines like the Alfaparf shampoo and conditioner range, or you are committed to brands such as Wella and K18, it is good to understand how specific products behave on different hair types and in different environments. We are always happy to help you make the right choices for your clients, and exploring the options will help you to provide the expertise your clients need when they are investing in new products.
Hennessy Hair & Beauty: Supplying Salons in Ireland
At Hennessy Hair & Beauty, we have been supplying high-quality hair and beauty products to stylists and salons across Ireland for many years. We are committed to helping you find the best solutions for your clients and staff, and we stock tools and equipment as well as products you can rely on.