12 beauty industry trends to look out for

Beauty industry trends are moving quicker than ever before, and consumers are increasingly aware of what’s gone viral. This can have an impact on how you run your beauty business and what your clients expect from you.

Many of the beauty trends we see today are driven by social media, especially TikTok, so keeping up to speed can be a challenge. However, there are also opportunities that come with keeping up with beauty industry trends too.

It means you can be more in line with what your customers want, and you can get ahead of the game to offer services and treatments before your competitors.

Let’s take a closer look at the beauty industry trends you need to know about in 2024.

 

2024 beauty industry trends

 

 

We’re halfway through the year and we’ve seen some beauty industry trends skyrocket. Here are some of the biggest trends in 2024 so far that we expect to see continuing into 2025.

 

1.  Sustainability and values

Customers are prioritising sustainability and environmentally friendly beauty businesses. Whether that’s because of concerns for the planet or because they want to make sure they only use products they consider “safe” for their skin, it’s driving sales. Even if they’re not necessarily buying sustainable products, they’re thinking about it.

This is important for your salon or beauty business, as it means that you can align your values with customers who are looking for sustainability. You may choose to use or retail sustainable products or update your salon space to be more environmentally friendly.

This trend can be challenging as “greenwashing” (the practice of pretending that products are sustainable and environmentally friendly when they aren’t) is everywhere. This makes it tougher to work out if brands are actually eco-friendly. That’s why it’s so important to approach your beauty business with honesty, transparency, and integrity.

 

2.  Health and wellness

Health and wellness have always been linked, but consumers are tuning into holistic wellness and beauty routines to look and feel better inside and out. Beauty salons and businesses are capitalising on this trend by offering services and products that promote not just outer beauty but also inner health.

This includes treatments like facial massages that stimulate lymphatic drainage, detoxifying body wraps and services that incorporate natural and organic products. Salons are also increasingly integrating wellness elements such as aromatherapy (or products with aromatherapy elements), meditation sessions and stress-relief techniques into their service menus, providing beauty treatments that emphasise overall wellbeing.

Beauty businesses are expanding their retail offerings to include wellness products like supplements, essential oils and superfoods that support skin health from the inside out. They are also educating clients on the importance of a balanced lifestyle,  (including diet, exercise, and mental health) in maintaining your health and wellness.

 

3.  Personalisation

Personalisation in beauty is revolutionising the industry, as consumers increasingly seek tailored routines that address their unique needs and preferences. Beauty salons and businesses are using advanced technologies, AI and data analytics to offer highly customised services and products.

Skin analysis devices and AI-driven quizzes can assess a client's skin or hair type, condition and specific concerns, allowing the creation of personalised treatment plans and product recommendations. This bespoke approach means that clients can truly feel like their routine has been designed for them.

Beauty brands are also offering custom-blended products, like foundations and skincare serums, that are specifically formulated based on an individual's skin tone and needs. Salons can also offer personalised consultations and follow-up services to track progress and adjust treatments as needed.

 

 

4.  Focus on fragrance

Fragrance has always been a key element in the beauty industry, but its role is evolving as consumers become more sophisticated in their preferences. Social media is also driving perfume sales, especially for certain brands and scent profiles.

According to Google Trends, there has been a 14% increase in global searches for “perfume” in the last year, and significant growth over the last 5 years. Personalised fragrance services are becoming popular too - combining two of 2024’s beauty industry trends - where customers create their own signature scent.

Beauty businesses are increasingly focusing on the olfactory experience, using fragrances to enhance the overall ambiance and appeal of products and services. This trend isn’t just about pleasant scents; it involves using specific fragrances to evoke emotions, create memorable experiences and reinforce brands or treatments.

 

5.  Skinimalism

“Skinimalism” is the name for a minimalistic approach to skincare where consumers are shifting towards simpler, more sustainable beauty routines. It’s all about enhancing your natural skin and glow, rather than masking or covering up what you already have.

Adapting to this trend could mean offering treatments and products that focus on enhancing the skin's natural beauty rather than hiding it with heavy makeup. This includes promoting the use of multifunctional products that simplify skincare routines, like tinted moisturisers with SPF, or serums that combine hydrating, anti-ageing, and brightening benefits in one.

Salons are also embracing techniques that promote skin health and radiance from within, such as microdermabrasion, gentle chemical peels and LED light therapy, rather than 10-step routines. These treatments help clients achieve a glowing complexion with minimal effort and products.

 

6.  Scalp care routines

Scalp care is emerging as an important aspect of overall hair health, with consumers increasingly recognising the scalp's role in achieving beautiful hair. This has seen a rise post-pandemic, as many people experienced hair loss or shedding during this time.

The focus on scalp care is sometimes referred to as the “skinification of haircare” as more often than not it’s like creating a skincare routine, but for your hair and scalp health. This is another beauty industry trend that’s been driven by social media, with millions of videos using viral hashtags like #rosemaryoil as consumers focus more on the products they use on their hair.

Beauty businesses are responding to this trend by offering specialised scalp treatments that address common issues like dryness, dandruff and thinning hair. Salons are also educating clients on the importance of a regular scalp care routine and recommending suitable products for home use.

 

7.  Big on body care

Body care is expanding beyond traditional moisturisers and scrubs, with a growing emphasis on comprehensive body treatments that promote skin health and overall wellbeing. There’s also a focus on routines that deal with body care concerns like body acne, hyperpigmentation and uneven texture. This fits in with the health and wellness trend too.

Beauty salons and businesses are offering a range of body care services, including exfoliating treatments, body wraps, and massages that target specific skin concerns such as cellulite, dryness or uneven texture.

The “everything shower” - a term that covers spending time on a full top-to-toe beauty routine, including body care -  was trending all over social media earlier in the year. There are almost 170 million posts on TikTok about “everything showers”, so body care has definitely been a big trend this year.

 

 

8.  Sun protection

Searches for sunscreen have grown by 10% globally in the last 12 months according to Google Trends. Facial sunscreen has been a significant growth area, probably partly due to increased education around health and also a focus on anti-ageing skincare routines. 

“Skinimalism” also probably plays a part here too. It’s predicted that the sun protection market will be worth $13.55 billion by 2028, according to Statista. India, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and the United Kingdom are all predicted to be growth areas for these products.

There are more and more products in the market that focus on sun care and sun protection, including new ways to apply sunscreen. Tinted sunscreen, facial mists and mousse sunscreens have all become more popular over the last few years. There’s also increased inclusivity within the sun care market.

The beauty industry has long been a champion of using SPF products in routines, and this is continuing as people look for anti-ageing solutions and products that support their natural skin.

 

9.  Kids beauty products

The trend of kids' skincare and beauty products is gaining momentum, again driven by social media. Children are starting to get interested in beauty at a younger and younger age, as shown by queues in Sephora and a rise in kid-focused beauty brands or products.

With this trend, some young people aren’t always getting the right advice for their routines. They’re using products that are too harsh for their skin, or that are intended to address issues that they don’t have. This is where the beauty industry comes in as an expert and educator.

Salons and brands can provide skincare consultations and treatments designed for young clients. By catering to the needs of younger clients, beauty businesses can build a loyal customer base and promote lifelong skincare habits, positioning themselves as the go-to space in the industry.

 

10.  Gender neutral routines

Gender-neutral beauty routines are becoming increasingly popular as consumers move away from traditional gender norms and seek inclusive products and services. There is more awareness of gender identity overall, so it makes sense that the beauty industry has followed suit.

This has led to more gender-neutral beauty brands, where gender isn’t part of their marketing or customer targeting. Just skin, hair or body care products that are suitable for both. There has also been a rise in gender neutral beauty spaces who no longer price men and women’s hair services differently.

This approach not only broadens the customer base but also aligns with the growing demand for equality and diversity in the beauty industry.

 

11.  Beauty tech

The integration of advanced technology into beauty services offers clients innovative and effective solutions for their beauty needs. There’s also been a boom in at-home beauty tech devices for those looking for a DIY treatment.

Beauty businesses are adopting cutting-edge technologies like AI skin analysis, laser treatments, and non-invasive tech treatments to enhance their service offerings. These technologies provide precise, personalised treatments that deliver impressive results, attracting tech-savvy clients who seek the latest advancements in beauty.

Again, this fits in with “skinimalism” and the focus on health and wellness routines. People want to simplify their routines, but get better results and work with their skin, instead of against it.

 

 

Specialist hair and beauty insurance through Ripe

Whether you’re a hairdresser, beautician, or nail technician, insuring your beauty salon through Ripe can help provide financial protection and peace of mind should the worst happen.

Ripe specialist hair and beauty insurance includes Public and Products Liability cover as well as treatment risk cover, with the opportunity to build your own policy so you’re never paying for more than you need.

Find out more about specialist hair and beauty insurance through Ripe or get a quick online quote today.