By offering this as a service, you can position yourself as a specialised destination…
Being a salon owner for over 20 years and heading into her second year in the role as The Fellowship for British Hairdressing’s Project Extend Leader, Marlene Lamont is a strong advocate for hair extensions being a key service offered in salons. By offering this as a service, you can position yourself as a specialised destination and can attract clients with issues such as post-partum shedding, fine or thinning hair and damage, who will travel far and wide for a salon they trust.
Offering this service drives long-term client engagement due to them requiring mandatory, recurring maintenance cycles every 4 to 8 weeks rather than one single, one-time appointment. This forces clients back into the salon much faster than a standard haircut due to them needing taped, sewn or adjusted. Each appointment allows the stylist to create a relationship with their client, building a deeper personal connection. It also is the perfect opportunity to offer add on treatments – root touch ups, glosses or specialised retail products can be added on top of their appointment to help boost salon sales and clients are more likely to purchase if it is coming from a stylist they trust.
By offering this service, it transforms your salon into a destination with niche expertise. It signals to clients that your team possesses advanced training, standing out from competition. A client walking around with flawless, natural-looking length attracts questions from others, leading to organic referrals and word of mouth testimonials. It can also help attract a wider range of clients. Hair extensions are popular among people with all hair types and textures, including those with fine or thinning hair. This service can cater to a more diverse client base and create a reputation for the salon being inclusive.
With hair extensions being a more complex service, it gives your team the chance to learn advanced technical, creative and consultive skills that go far beyond standard cuts and colour. Team members master precise sectioning, weight distribution and safe placement to protect the natural hair from damage, all skills which can be applied to other parts of their salon day. With the hair now being longer and fuller, team members can discover new ways to style voluminous or extra-long hair for everyday looks and special occasions. They also gain confidence in explaining care routines and recommending products, all key skills which can help with career growth.