Dmitrii Bacgukin
Senior Analyst, Beauty and Wellbeing
Dmitrii Bachukin, Senior Analyst in Kline’s Beauty and Wellbeing vertical, recently attended Salon International London, one of the most important events for the professional beauty industry. From inclusivity to wellbeing and next-gen technology, the show revealed how innovation continues to reshape the salon experience. Here are the top insights he captured:
Growing Importance of Curly and Textured Hair Care
Curly and textured hair commanded major attention at this year’s show, reflecting a clear shift toward greater inclusivity and specialization within professional hair services. A dedicated Textured Hair Stage and a strong presence of expert exhibitors highlighted the rising need for advanced skills and tailored services in this category.
Brands focused exclusively on curly and textured hair—such as Only Curls, Bouclème, and Curly Ellie—generated significant interest, confirming both the rising consumer demand and the increasing commercial importance of this fast-growing segment in professional hair care.
Head Spa Concept Blends Wellness With Scalp Health
The head spa concept emerged as a standout trend, reflecting the growing consumer desire for services that combine visible hair results with deeper relaxation and wellbeing benefits. Equipment providers—including Comfortel, Takara Belmont, and BÜCE—showcased solutions designed to create dedicated head spa zones within salons, featuring ergonomic design, customizable water flow, and immersive sensory elements.
While adoption is currently more prevalent among premium-tier salons due to the higher equipment investment, increasing awareness and demand indicate strong potential for broader expansion as wellness continues to shape the professional beauty experience.
As scalp health continues to gain prominence, consumers are increasingly willing to invest in services that support both scalp and hair health. According to our latest Kline PRO data in the United States, scalp-treatment services, while still niche at roughly one-tenth of a percent of the total salon service revenues, grew 5% in 1H 2025. Conditioning treatments also saw an uplift and account for about half a percent of service revenues.
Moreover, findings from Kline’s Professional Scalp Care Products: Global Market Snapshot study, which covers 11 markets, show that products addressing hair loss prevention and itch/dandruff prevention continued to represent the largest share within the scalp care category in the United Kingdom. These offerings are gaining traction among consumers impacted by lifestyle factors such as hormonal changes, rising stress levels, and nutritional deficiencies.
Hair Extensions Continue to Drive Demand
At this year’s show, hair extensions remained a high-interest category for professionals. Both local and international exhibitors, including a growing presence of Asian manufacturers, introduced solutions designed to improve quality, offer customization, and provide a more natural look and feel.
AI and Tech Innovations Elevate Personalization and Efficiency
Technological innovation was another major highlight at the show, with brands unveiling solutions designed to boost efficiency, enhance personalization, and deliver more result-driven services:
- In hair color, YUV Beauty stood out with its YUV Color System, an AI-powered solution that enhances precision and streamlines workflows. Stylists can select the perfect shade, across demi-permanent and permanent color, while the device automatically dispenses the exact formula needed. Client profiles are saved to the cloud for seamless repeat services, and color waste is reduced by up to 35%, supporting both profitability and sustainability goals.
- In nail care, UMIA Beauty introduced its automated manicure system, which uses AI-powered nail scanning to apply base coat, color, and topcoat in just 15–20 minutes, transforming a traditionally manual service into a fully automated experience.
- In professional skin care, brands such as Quad, Zemits, and Celluma presented devices focused on diagnostic precision and result-driven treatments. From skin analysis to rejuvenation and LED therapy, the growing use of scanning and data-powered tools highlights the shift toward more personalized, science-backed aesthetics services.
New Entrants to Watch
Newcomers such as Bond Hair Professionals and Tyrrel Professional attended the event to introduce their portfolios, build visibility, and initiate partnerships with distributors and salons. Their presence reinforces the growing attractiveness of the professional market for emerging players seeking credibility and channel access.
Education and Skills Development Remain a Core Industry Anchor
Oba, TONI&GUY, and Sassoon Professional, among other brands, led masterclasses focused on technical excellence, creative expression, and continuous learning to help stylists stay ahead of evolving client expectations.
On the color front, Kevin Murphy, Megix10, and Revlon Professional showcased new techniques and formulas through live demonstrations that emphasized precision, sustainability, and trend-led creativity, reinforcing the need for ongoing training to master evolving color technologies.
Men’s grooming also took the spotlight, with BaByliss PRO and Nish Man presenting advanced cutting and styling techniques tailored to today’s male consumer.
Nailympia London further highlighted the industry’s focus on skill elevation, bringing together 214 competitors from 39 countries to showcase excellence across categories such as Gel Polish, Flat Art, Fantasy Complete Look, and AI Nail Vision, blending craftsmanship with emerging technology.
Salon International London 2025 reflected an industry fueled by innovation, education, and service diversification. As the professional beauty landscape evolves, Kline is expanding its in-depth beauty and wellbeing coverage to include fast-growing segments such as hair extensions and emerging trends such as head spas, providing brands with deeper insight into where opportunities are accelerating.
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