We ask hair expert Ruksher Malik from Pastels Salon what shaped our industry in 2016 and what lies ahead for 2017

What, do you believe, was the most influential industry innovation in 2016?

In my mind, there were two big talking points in the hair industry. Firstly, there was a real resurgence in natural beauty. One huge trend was nude or natural-looking hair. With nude hair, there’s a balance. There’s an even amount of both warm and cool tones, which cancel each other out to create a neutral colour, which is very flattering on all skin tones. There was also a return to roots, perfect for low maintenance ladies. This year, brunettes were “woodsy”, with shades ranging from chocolate to espresso, which works great with a colour gloss for added shine. In terms of highlights, microlights were big news. These are similar to balayage and ombre techniques, but more subtle shades of blonde are placed in the hair to create soft, natural looking pieces. Strobing, the popular make-up technique that highlights the face where the light would naturally hit, gained momentum in the hair industry too.

What product developments do you predict for 2017?

I believe many consumers are now thinking not only about the steps they need to take to achieve their perfect hair colour, or to banish frizz, but also how to ensure hair is protected. In the past few years, we have seen brands such as KeraStraight offer smoothing treatments that are aldehyde-free and I believe this was one of the major
reasons many brands introduced sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners, as well protector treatments.

What treatment developments do you predict for 2017?

Treatments will become even healthier for the hair. Gone are the days when consumers will compromise the hair’s health only to find a remedy to the damage they have done later. Now it is all about prevention – having your dream hair but in a manner that sustains the hair’s health.

What market changes do you see for 2017?

For the past few years, consumers have been mindful of the money they spend and so there was a surge in discounting and promotions to attract business. In many cases, consumers were driven to salons and spas that offered the treatments they wanted at the lowest price. Now I believe there has been a shift. Instead of considering purely the cost of a service or treatment, consumers are looking to visit salons and spas where the journey is enjoyable from start to finish. This means that salons need to consider all aspects of their business, not just their price list. They must offer a luxurious experience that starts and ends at the salon door.

Do you foresee any great changes in business practice for our industry in 2017?

As the market continues to be fiercely competitive, salons are being forced to consider new ways to adjust their business practices so that they become more efficient and therefore more profitable. To do this successfully, I believe salon owners must become more business-savvy and so I think mentoring programmes will become more commonplace. Earlier this year, EIDEAL introduced the EIDEAL-Santi Leadership Programme to the UAE where renowned salon manager and industry expert Susie Santiago was enlisted to mentor salon owners and I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of the owners to join the inaugural programme. I think that mentoring programmes such as this will increase our understanding of our clients’ needs better, which will lead to a business that prospers immensely. Ultimately, this is what all salon owners strive to achieve.

Ruksher Malik is co-founder of the renowned Pastels Salon chain in the UAE. She anticipates a greater move towards more natural looking hair from clients who are knowledgeable and demand a complete, quality experience.