As the beauty industry is evolving for all, it is now realising the significance of its youngest clientele with kids-only salons.
Kids-only salons may not be the norm but are slowly gaining popularity. They offer a unique and specialised experience tailored for kids. Such salons make children comfortable and allow them to explore the wonders of self-care. And, that makes them a segment with abundant potential. Let’s explore insights into making a kids-only salon successful.
Specialised Products and Services
Children have delicate hair and skin. Salons must prioritise services and products that are safe, gentle, and free from harsh chemicals. Incorporating mini facials, gentle manicures, and pedicures can introduce young ones to grooming safely. Also, kid-friendly products and services instil trust in parents that children can be brought back without any concerns.
Vidhi Arya from Professional Beauty India spoke to Preeti Harkare, co-founder of Starfish Kids and Teens Salon in Mumbai. We asked her how they tailor their services for kids and she explained, “We provide services largely related to hair — hair cut and styles that are non-cosmetic. We also provide soft manicures and pedicures for kids, and most importantly, lice treatments. As a conscious decision, we do not do makeup and any other cosmetic or chemical services.”
Vidhi also spoke to Sanjula Agrawal, co-founder of Barber Blacksheep, Gurgaon, NCR. She explained, “For all that we do, we try and ensure that our products are largely chemical-free and entirely safe for children. Now there are a lot of brands present in the market that cater to kids. We need to be very careful with products and ingredients as kids are impacted easily and are susceptible to allergies also”
Trained Staff in kids-only salons
Kids might end up crying, wiggling, or even throwing a tantrum. The staff needs to be patient, empathetic, and skilled at understanding their unique needs. They should know how to engage with kids and make them feel comfortable throughout the salon experience.
Preeti also told us “The first thing at the time of hiring is to ensure that the person likes kids. Secondly, all the staff must undergo training — skill and behaviour. And, they should be retrained from time to time. We ensure our staff is vigilant toward hygiene — before and after procedures.” Preeti raised an interesting and important point about consent too. She explained, “When working with children, you have to be sure that without the parent’s permission, you are not lifting them off and on the chair.”
Further, Sanjula also explained, “Training the staff to suit the needs of kids is very important. Staff needs to be very patient and empathetic. They need to be very sensitive to the needs of the kids and the parents too. Further, they need to have an all-around approach. They should not just be good at their skill but should always have the ability to engage the kid, entertain the kid, and deal with parents. Such an approach makes the clientele return for the service provider and puts them at ease of work.”
Entertainment at Kids-Only Salons
Including interactive stations that offer age-appropriate activities can keep young clients engaged and entertained. Installing a TV, a play area, or a video game corner can provide entertainment during services and while they wait.
Design and Decor
Visual aesthetics play a crucial role for kids. Bright colours, playful patterns, and decorations make a child feel welcome. They capture a child’s attention and keep them engaged. Child-sized furniture and equipment further enhance overall friendliness. Additionally, displaying images that represent children from various backgrounds, and abilities can make all clients feel included.
Way Ahead
The emergence of kids-only salons marks an exciting shift in the beauty industry, emphasising the importance of providing a positive and engaging experience for children.
Sanjula told us, “It is not just girls, but boys too are very interested in getting good haircuts and hairstyles. In India, grooming for kids is a growing market. These days, parents don’t just bring their kids for service but they also call staff over for slumbers and parties where grooming activities like nail art, temporary tattoos are now commonplace. It is an untapped market that needs exploration. Many salons might not have sustained in the past but the future is surely bright.”
Further explaining the segment, Preeti rightly said, “Definitely there is a big need gap. If you see younger kids, especially toddlers, haircuts can be very difficult for them. It’s a new experience. We need comfortable places for kids and well-trained staff who can effectively and quickly finish the job. The category itself was not there earlier. It is still in the nascent stage, so surely, more players are likely to come into the field, and the industry will grow.”