Cater to all types of hair
Often, salons tend to specialise in one or two specific hair types, so it can be difficult for clients with curly or kinky hair to find a salon that delivers the same quality of service provided for others. Curly hair shouldn’t be cut or dyed the same way as straight hair and often requires additional training in colleges and salons, which can cost more than a ‘standard’ hairdressing course. In order to create an environment where anyone can walk into your salon with confidence that their hair can be styled without rejection, it’s crucial to train your staff to fully understand all types of hair texture. Take stock of the skills shared by your team and pinpoint any stylists that may need up-skilling to work with 4C hair as well as they work with 2A hair. You may not have to train every single member of your team but do ensure that there are enough stylists on hand to cater to any curly hair needs – without compromise. You can appeal to an even wider range of people by making sure you’re stocking the right products, too, so spend some time researching shampoos, conditioners and treatments that show off your curly clients in the best light.
Price your cuts by length, not gender
Scientifically, there are no inherent differences between male and female hair, though a lot of salons still tend to price by gender. A short hair cut on a female client takes the same time and effort as a short cut on a male but often costs 2-3 times more. Why? To be as inclusive as possible, appointments should be priced by time, skills required and products used – not gender identity. Additionally, it’s worth considering introducing pronouns within your salon so non-binary and transgender clients can feel affirmed, respected and included. You can do this by adding pronoun tags to your team’s uniform to invite conversation or asking clients to fill out a pronoun box when booking online. To prevent misgendering, avoid sectioning your treatment menu into ‘ladies’ and ‘gents’ categories or greeting your clients with ‘Sir’ or ‘Ma’am’. You may want to attend a course or book a workshop for your team with a business like Hair Has No Gender to learn more about how to create the most welcoming experience for all people.
Tailor your services
One of the best – and easiest – ways to foster inclusivity within your salon is by being flexible. When you employ a one-size-fits-all approach, treating every head of hair the same way, you limit the amount of people that can come to you with their respective needs. Clients with sensory conditions or disabilities, for example, may not be able to have their hair cut in a noisy environment with harsh lighting, so you could have some seats dedicated to low sensory treatments or introduce ‘quiet days’ where clients can fully relax. Not Another Salon in London has introduced ‘Silent Cuts’, enabling their clients to opt out of small-talk during their appointments for mental health purposes – another way of tailoring services to the client’s individual needs.
Reflect your audience accurately
Social media plays a huge role in the decision-making process of prospective clients. If your Instagram grid only shows one type of hair, over and over again, you may be alienating others from approaching you for an appointment. Grow your client base by posting a diverse range of representative images – inclusive of different ages, races, hair types, genders and styles. That way you will send the right message to a wider audience, inviting anyone to book in for a welcoming experience at your salon. Putting inclusivity at the forefront of your salon’s values should be more than an attempt to ‘keep up with the times’ – it is a crucial set of procedures and attitudes to enable as many people as possible to have a positive experience when it comes to their hair. At Procare, we are firm believers in giving every stylist and colourist the freedom to create, while fostering spaces of inclusivity in every salon.