Beauty Pros, Are You Making These Money Mistakes?

Most of us beauty professionals joined the industry because of our creative drive; the beauty industry is one propelled by artistry and innovating, making it a thrilling field for people who want to create.

But just because we’re creatives doesn’t mean we can afford not to think like entrepreneurs. Whether you’re running a salon or spa, working as a self-employed beauty professional, or launching a hair care or skin care business — creativity can only get you so far.

Taking the time to get business savvy can help you level up your career and reach higher levels of financial freedom.

So no matter where you work in the beauty industry, here are the money mistakes you might be making (and how to fix them).

Mistake #1: Making Big Business Purchases Too Early

It’s understandable to want nothing but the best for your beauty business,but spending too much on fancy equipment and offerings (especially in the early stages of the business) but you could be doing more harm than good.

If you’re itching to throw money at big purchases like top-of-the-line facial equipment or high-tech shampoo bowls, pause to think on these purchases very carefully — even if they feel like investments.

Consider your ROI on these purchases. Are they going to help you generate more revenue in the near future?

While exemplary customer service and an excellent client experience is crucial, think of ways you can stretch your dollars to do this while keeping your spending lean. Grow your business first, so you can use disposable cash for “nice-to-haves” in the future, rather than digging yourself in a hole at the early stages.

Mistake #2: Not Having Separate Business and Personal Accounts

Whether you own your own salon or are just renting a chair, you are a business owner. Separate your finances before you begin earning money from paying customers (and if you haven’t yet, switch now!)

Having a separate bank account and credit card for your business income and expenses will help you keep track of necessary info for filing quarterly tax estimates, as well as helping you keep an eye on your overall financial health.

Mistake #3: Not selling retail

You may be thinking: I’m an artist, not a salesperson. While we understand that a love of sales is probably not why you got into this business, you’re leaving cold-hard cash on the table by ignoring retail sales as a significant revenue stream.

Whether you’re earning a commission on products or earning profit directly, retail sales can become a significant (and scaleable) portion of your income. While you’re performing your service, explain why you’re excited about the products you’re using on your client: What the product does, how the client can use it at home to receive similar results. It won’t feel like a hard sell, and you’ll be surprised how much your clients will appreciate the advice.

Salon or spa owners should make sure retail offerings are attractively displayed in an area where clients congregate — in the waiting area by a coffee or drink bar, for example.

Mistake #4: Relying on brands to sell themselves

Carrying a household name skin care brand in your salon can be great, but be careful not to dig yourself into a hole. Major skin care brands will require high upfront investments — we’re talking thousands and thousands of dollars — to stock your space. That’s a whole lot of money to recoup, and just because a brand is well known doesn’t mean the products will fly off the shelves. Instead of relying on a specific brand, carry products you know are well-suited to your target demographic, that you’ll be excited to tell your clients about.

And if you’d rather not deal with the high upfront investments and low profit margins from these major beauty brands, you should consider launching your own skin care line. Not only are minimum orders low (with the opportunity to mark up your products by 300%) but you can create a sense of exclusivity and luxury by carrying a branded line of products only offered by your salon or spa.

Mistake #5: Becoming a bargain salon

Many salons and spas put out offers on “bargain” websites such as Groupon in order to reach new clientele and bring new faces in the salon. This can be a mistake.

While putting out a Groupon for your services could bring dozens or even hundreds of new clients into your business, you’ll earn very little money on the offer: Groupon and sites like it take a huge cut from your already-discounted services.

What’s more, you aren’t attracting your ideal customer through these bargain websites. You want customers who appreciate the work you do and are willing to spend money on your worthwhile treatments — not customers who are constantly searching for the cheapest offer.

According to a Business Insider study, only a handful of groupon users become repeat customers, most likely because they were never willing to pay full price for salon services in the first place.

Mistake #6: Skipping market research

Speaking of target markets, you’ll be doing yourself a disservice if you try to appeal to too broad an audience. You may think to yourself, who doesn’t need a hair salon, or who doesn’t want to come relax at a spa? But this way of thinking will prevent you from truly speaking to people who are interested in paying for your services.

That’s why market research is crucial. Consider, for example, your business’ neighborhood. Are you in an affluent area where customers might expect extra-luxurious offerings? Maybe you’re near a high volume of offices, with workers hoping to destress at lunch or after work? Maybe you’re in a very suburban area where your customers care more about cost-to-value ratios.

Taking the time to consider ways you can fill niches or solve specific needs in your market will help you stand out from the competition.

6 Things You’ll Only Understand if You Work in a Spa

To work in the beauty industry is to work with people when they’re stressed, self-conscious, vulnerable, picky, overly friendly — the list goes on and on. That means a day in the life of a beautician is always interesting and rarely simple.

Luckily, there’s a huge community of spa workers, hair stylists, masseurs, estheticians and other beauty workers who understand both your passion and your struggle.

To help ease the tension — and hopefully give you a laugh — here’s a roundup of experiences unique to your field:

Too many people still believe the “beauty school dropout” stereotype

One of the most annoying parts of working in a spa is fighting the incredibly wrong — and, honestly, offensive — stereotype that beauty school is a backup plan. Learning the ins and outs of a spa or salon is not easy, and you put in just as much work as those who earned a traditional degree.

Don’t let the haters get you down. Just show them how much power you have over the beauty and comfort, instead.

Small talk can quickly turn a little too deep

You’re trained to read body language and determine who wants to chat during their session. The client, however, isn’t usually as perceptive. How many times have you asked where your client is from only to hear their entire life story?

The good news is, you’ve likely become a skilled multi-tasker who can listen to a client talk while giving them their latest hair style.

Friends and family always ask for free services

Part of working in the beauty industry is constantly shielding yourself from friends and family who want free services. Yes, your job is to make people feel relaxed and confident, but you have bills too.

Next time a friend or family member asks for a complimentary package of your high end skin care line, just email them your rates.

There’s no perfect soundtrack

There’s a small percentage of people in this world who can listen to chimes, trickling soundscapes, or Enya for 9 hours everyday. If you’re one of them, congratulations! If you’re not, you’ve probably learned to drown it out.

The back pain is real

Bending over for 40+ hours every week can lead to body aches typical for someone in their late 90s but, for you, it’s the harsh reality of the spa industry.

We hate to say it, but investing in good shoes, regular stretching and the occasional massage for yourself can help keep the aches and pains at bay.

You constantly want to help others — even strangers

Everywhere you look, you see eyebrows with the potential to be in a makeup campaign, a thick head of hair waiting to be styled, or a hardworking mother who definitely deserves a 90-minute deep tissue massage. Because when it comes down to it, your passion is to help people live their best life.

The Top 5 Travel Skin Care Products You Need In Your Suitcase

People nowadays are always on the go. From traveling for work to traveling for pleasure, it’s easy to just hop on a plane and go. But, do you have the right skin care items necessary for your next big adventure? Here are our top five recommendations for skin care items to pack in your suitcase the next time you travel.

Moisturizers

If you will be somewhere with low humidity, you surely will develop dry skin quickly. Someone who already has dry skin may end up with flaking and tightening beyond the usual amount. On the other hand, someone with oily skin can experience breakouts more often due to the change in climate. For this reason, it is a good idea to have a hydrating moisturizer on hand.

Use a hydrating cream that contains hyaluronic acid that gives skin an instant moisture boost and quenches dehydrated skin for up to 72 hours, like the Regenerative Moisturizer from Onoxa. It can be used either in the daytime or nighttime. As a plus, it helps you combat that dryness and other damaging skin effects that occur after a flight.

START YOUR OWN SKIN CARE BRAND TODAY

Sheet Masks

Sheet masks are incredibly easy for you to take along with you wherever you go. The masks are lightweight and they are extremely easy for you to apply to your skin. You can put one on while you are on a flight and when you get to your destination, you are sure to feel and look refreshed. They are an ideal way to pamper yourself on your vacation. The best part of all is that you can find a variety of sheet masks.

Eye Serum

If you want to reduce those pesky under eye circles, you should try an under-eye serum. Another benefit of using this serum is that it is great when it comes to reducing puffiness beneath eyes that may form from jet lag or just a long day of travel. Also, it helps you to get rid of crow’s feet, wrinkles, and fine lines while it restores elasticity to skin.

LAUNCHING YOUR OWN SKIN CARE BRAND IS SIMPLE

Solid Cleanser

When you want to keep your skin refreshed and as clean as possible as you travel, it is crucial to have a cleanser product with you. Your skin will be glowing in almost no time and you will be pleased with other effects it has on your skin tone. Use this during a long lay over to feel refreshed when bathing isn’t an option.

Alcohol-free Toner

Another must-have item for your skin care regimen is alcohol-free toner. You can carry on a travel-sized container that will help you to even out your skin tone, regardless of where you are traveling and how much of the elements you plan to encounter. Put your best face forward when you make use of a toner that will not dry out your skin.

All of these products will make you look and feel more radiant on your trip. No matter where you go and what you do, you will feel ready to conquer the day and impress at night when you hit the town or give a speech. Now you and your customers can enjoy traveling with private labeled skin care products on the go!

7 Expert Sales Tips for Selling Products in Your Salon

Selling retail in your salon gives you the potential to boost profits and keep clients coming back. A client is 30% more likely to return after buying a product. Retail also provides high profit margins, which makes it easier for your salon to grow and succeed.

As a beauty expert, it’s your job to inform clients about the wonderful Onoxa products you have and how they can help. This means selling is an important part of a successful salon. There are several simple ways to boost your sales without sounding pushy. Here are 7 tips to use to make selling easier and your salon more profitable.

1. Communicate With The Front Desk

The front desk is an essential component in the communication between you and your customer. Create a clear process so you can inform your client about any promotions prior to their appointment. This gives them the opportunity to check out your product specials as soon as they come in.

Find out which products to pull and make them visible to the customer. Give them the opportunity to buy by revealing your recommendations at the end of their visit. Be sure to list products used during the visit on their receipt so they remember for next time. The front desk should also jot down any special notes for future references.

2. Consult Your Customer

Great client consultation is key. This starts at the shampoo bowl. Ask questions to discover their wants, needs, and lifestyle. Perhaps they are looking to lighten their hair, brighten their face, or moisturize their scalp. Listen closely to your client so you can translate their thoughts and ideas into a look that radiates their beauty.

Dig into their routine, what kind of style they are looking for, and what challenges they face. And listen closely so you can translate their thoughts and ideas into a look that radiates their beauty. This way, you not only gain their trust, but also will know exactly which products to use.

3. Educate Rather Than Sell

The goal behind selling a product is to answer this question: How will it solve your client’s problems? For example, if your client has dry hair, choose a shampoo and conditioner that gives instant shine. Comment on how nice their hair or face looks after using the product. Allow them to touch, smell and use it themselves. Recommend or offer advice, and then your client won’t be pressured into buying something they may not want.

4. Offer Samples

People love trying products, especially before making a purchase. It’s an easy way to make your clients happy and get them to try something new. Product samples often lead to sales, and then some.

If they like a product after trying a sample they are more likely to try other products. Ask the product company if they can offer sample sizes or extra product for you to create in-house samples yourself.

5. Merchandise Decor

Shopping and browsing for products should be an experience. Keep shelves clean, organized and well stocked. Don’t display your products on bookshelves or behind locked doors. Make products readily available and within reach. Proven heights of accessibility are between 22 and 66 inches.

Make your retail space an inviting area by offering tea or coffee as an incentive for them to look at the products. Arrange complimentary salon products next to each other and display testers in front of them.

6. Choose a Product You Stand Behind

It’s a lot easier to educate customers on a product you really believe in. Make sure to stock your shelves and use products on clients that you feel coincide with your values. If you choose products you absolutely love, they will sell themselves.

Educate yourself on the brand before purchasing and ask yourself if the products set your salon apart and if the brand is providing education and support. You’ll know then how to solve your clients problems.

7. Brand Your Own Products in just a Few Clicks

Onoxa makes it easy for you to sell your own private labeled products. We create high-end products with natural ingredients that will set your salon apart. Customers will build trust when you have your name on them.

Start off with a Sample Kit, with your logo on it. You’ll have 24 products to display in your salon, featuring 3 different industry-leading formulas. It’s a great way to see what piques your clients’ interests and understand which products sell. Get started today, and receive your products at your doorstep in a week.

For additional tips on selling your own skincare products at your salon, check out this previous blog post for tips on how to improve your retail sales with your own product.

Four Skincare Ingredients That Should Be In Your Products

Skin care ingredients often determine the efficacy of skin care products. So make sure you include the right ones because it may determine your success in the marketplace. This is easier said than done. It’s challenging to decide which ingredients are best for the skin, but Onoxa has the winning ingredients. The four quality skin care ingredients below are safe to use in all your product lines.

1. Retinol

Retinol is the purest possible form of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is a potent antioxidant clinically proven to stimulate the body’s natural production of collagen and increases the rate of cellular metabolism. These two factors allow your body’s damaged and/or dying skin cells to be efficiently replaced with healthy, vibrant ones. This causes unwanted brown spots to naturally fade away while improving skin’s firmness.

Retinol is one of the most well-studied anti-aging skin care ingredients available, so you can always count on its effectiveness. It is also suitable for all skin types, allowing you to use it without narrowing your potential client base.

2. Hyaluronic Acid

This compound is naturally found in the dermis layer of your skin. It helps skin cells retain moisture that would otherwise be lost from environmental factors. Well-moisturized skin appears more youthful and toned compared to skin that is dried out. Every prospective client will be interested in this powerful moisturizer.

Adequate hydration helps skin appear plumper, which mitigates the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and skin blemishes. It’s suitable for all skin types since water is the primary ingredient. This includes oily skin even though it has the highest risk for developing acne.

3. Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate is a pure form of Vitamin C. It blocks the production of blackheads, brightens dark sun spots, evens skin tone, and reduces scar-related discoloration. It stimulates collagen production to help smooth out wrinkles and acts as a natural sunscreen. Sunscreen protects your skin from harmful UV radiation, which is one of the leading causes of free radical damage to facial tissues.

Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate is less acidic than other forms of Vitamin C, eliminating the stinging, irritation, and redness commonly associated with Vitamin C-infused beauty products. This makes it suitable for all skin types, giving it the broad appeal that any product designer is searching for.

4. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA’s)

This broad category includes fruit, lactic, and glycolic acids. They offer a broad range of benefits when used as skin care ingredients. They mitigate wrinkles, facial discolorations, age spots, and fine lines. The results are achieved through exfoliation.

An AHA formula is available for every skin type, but individual needs vary. It is best to consult an expert to determine the precise mixture that will help you achieve your ideal look.

Beauty product development can be hard, but these four powerful skin care ingredients are an excellent starting point for your personal line!

Partner with Onoxa to create your own skincare line with these 4 highly effective ingredients!

How A Customized Skin Care Routine Can Change Your Life

One size does not fit all, particularly as it relates to genetic disposition to wrinkles, dry versus oily skin, and pore size. Skincare is incredibly personal as the needs and chemistry of each individual is different and they change with age.

What works for one individual may not be right for you. Therefore, a customized skin care routine is essential to optimally taking care of your skin and getting the best results from your products.

Before developing a customized skincare routine, it is important to know your skin type. Normal, oily, dry, and combination are the four basic types. Each requires a different treatment to achieve healthy-looking skin.

Skin Types

Normal Skin

As it relates to appearance, this is the least problematic type. It has a balanced level of moisture, good elasticity, and color tone. It requires minimal care; to maintain a healthy glow, all that is needed is using a gentle cleanser to wash your face at night.

Oily Skin

This type of skin is the most prone to acne and it typically looks shiny or greasy. In addition, oily skin is characterized by blackheads on the nose and enlarged pores. Those with oily skin should keep the consumption of carbohydrates at a minimum and avoid touching your face. Additionally, you should exfoliate regularly and use a cleanser both in the morning and at night.

Dry Skin

The wind, sun, and other elements easily agitate dry skin. In addition, dry skin feels flaky, itchy, and rough. Other than washing your face in the morning and at night, you should use a moisturizer with sunscreen daily. It should be reapplied often when a lot of time is spent outdoors. Individuals with dry skin typically develop wrinkles sooner than their counterparts, frequently applying moisturizer can help to prevent this.

Combination Skin

This is the most common skin type. It is characterized by normal skin on the jaw line and cheeks and patches of oily skin on the forehead and nose. Use a gentle cleanser twice daily, paying specific attention to the zones where oil builds up. Sunscreen is also important.

Factors Affecting Your Skin

Along with these four basic types of skin, there are other skin factors you might have to deal with, based on your genetics, age, and overall health. Below are four skin factors that affect the method and product you should use to care for your skin:

Sensitive Skin

Many individuals have sensitive skin and using certain skin care products cause it to become itchy, dry, and easily irritated. This type of skin requires specialized care with cleansers specifically made to not irritate the skin.

Aging Skin

Aging skin becomes more sensitive, has less elasticity and is prone to wrinkles. As such, using moisturizer religiously is more vital for aging skin. Sunscreen is also necessary when venturing outdoors for extended periods.

Skin Color

Pigmented skin is typically more resilient than others. However, there are skin care products that cause irritation and hyperpigmentation. Therefore, it is important to look for products made specifically for your physiology.

Cyclic Acne

Many individuals get breakouts during only a particular time of the month. During puberty, you are most susceptible to cyclic acne.

Onoxa

Onoxa manufactures custom-branded skin care products. These products can be sold to clients to produce a customized skin care routine. Onoxa offers a wide range of products that can be used by entrepreneurs or even dermatology practices to build their brands. These products are sure to address the many and varied needs of your clients.

The product developers at Onoxa specialize in customizing new or existing beauty and skin care products. This includes topical lotions, skin creams, serums, cleansers, and a number of other products. Get more skin care tips and tricks by following on Onoxa on Facebook and Twitter.

Why Your Salon or Spa Isn’t Selling Retail Well

No matter how large your clientele or superior your service, your salon or spa is leaving cold hard cash on the table if you’re settling for mediocre retail sales. Revving up your retail game and making retail an integral part of your salon business plan can scale your income beyond bringing in new clients or increasing the cost of services, creating a reliable stream of revenue.

If your retail sales numbers leave something to be desired, you may need to take a good look at your sales practices to see if you’re making one of these key salon retail mistakes.

You’re trying to appeal to everyone

Jack of all trades, master of none. If you’re trying to appeal to a wide range of people with your salon products, you’re spreading your retail budget thin while failing to truly speak to your ideal customer.

You know your clientele and you know your niche. Rather than stock multiple lines in an effort to appeal to every customer type, stock what you know your target demographic needs and loves.

Your employees aren’t motivated to sell

Some people in the beauty industry don’t like selling products because they feel they are artists, not salespeople. Others are worried they might scare away clients or lose out on tips if they push products too hard.

Educate your employees that getting the right products into their clients’ hands will increase their credibility as artists, while helping their clients extend the life of their new look outside the salon.

Then, motivate your employees to sell with a good commission percentage (but be sure to do the math to make sure you’re still making money on your products!) and rewards for top sellers each month.

Your employees don’t have sales training

While motivation is important to boost your retail sales, it isn’t enough: Your employees need sales training! Invest in employee education from the get go, so they feel at ease introducing products to their clients and do so in a respectable, natural way that works.

Your displays are boring

Purchase displays are responsible for 80% of impulse buys. Make sure your displays are highly visible and draw the eye, taking the perusing customer on a journey. Place things a customer is most likely to buy impulsively nearest to the register — smaller travel products, for example — to encourage impulse purchasing.

Make the retail area an appealing place to spend time. By setting up complimentary coffee and tea near the retail area, you’ll encourage customers to linger. Music matters too: It sounds crazy, but studies show 80% of people purchase more when music is playing.

You have too many options

The paradox of choice is very real: If you provide too many options, it becomes difficult for your clients to decide what’s right for them— and that indecision will cost you sales.

Take this study on buying behavior: When researchers gave customers a choice between 24 different types of fruit preserves to purchase, only 3% of customers bought something. Alternatively, 30% of customers made a purchase when they only had to choose between 6 types of jam.

Stock your retail shelves with the all star products you know your customers need at home, and cut out the rest of the white noise.

You’re not selling products clients get excited about

If your products don’t make your clients feel gorgeous, special, or even a little glamorous, they’re not going to fly off the shelves. Stock a line of products both your employees and your clients will obsess over and advocate for. Better yet, launch your own line of products branded to your salon: It’s easier than you think to do and will create a feeling of luxury and exclusivity around your products, increasing customer excitement and loyalty.

With these simple salon retail tips, you can make retail sales a pillar of your salon or spa business plan, boosting your revenue and scaling your beauty empire.