Creating Ambience in Your Salon Through Smell
Creating the perfect ambiance in a salon can be a challenge for many beauty professionals. From the lighting to the music, every aspect of the salon experience plays a role in how clients perceive their visit. One often overlooked element of ambiance is scent. The right scent can transport clients to a peaceful oasis or energize them for the day ahead and as such we’ve gathered up some of the best scents and methods to spruce up your salon.
Studies have shown that scent can have a significant impact on a person's mood and emotions. For example, the scent of lavender has been shown to reduce anxiety, while peppermint can boost energy and focus. By understanding the emotional impact of scent, beauty professionals can use it to create the perfect ambiance in their salon.
Choosing the Right Scent
When choosing a scent for your salon, there are a few things to consider. First, think about the overall vibe you want to create. Do you want to create a calm, relaxing atmosphere, or do you want to energize your clients? Or would you like to customise the scent for each client? Once you have a general idea of the ambiance you're aiming for, you can choose a scent that complements it.
For a calming atmosphere, scents like lavender, chamomile, and vanilla are great options. These scents are known for their relaxing properties and can help clients unwind during their visit. On the other hand, if you want to create an energizing atmosphere, scents like peppermint, lemon, and eucalyptus are good choices. These scents are invigorating and can help clients feel refreshed and alert.
Diffusers
One of the most effective ways to use scent in your salon is through a diffuser. A diffuser is a device that disperses essential oils into the air, creating a subtle and consistent scent throughout the space. You can place a diffuser in your waiting area, treatment rooms, or even in the restroom to create a cohesive ambiance throughout your salon.
Electric or reed?
Electric diffusers, powered by electricity, offer customizable and consistent scent diffusion with adjustable settings, making them convenient and low-maintenance options for creating ambiance in a beauty salon or spa. In contrast, reed diffusers use scented oils and reeds to release fragrance naturally without the need for electricity, providing a safe and decorative touch to the space. While electric diffusers offer more control over intensity and duration, reed diffusers add elegance and require occasional reed flipping. The choice ultimately depends on personal preference and specific salon needs, considering factors such as convenience, adjustability, and aesthetic appeal.
Dermalogica Ultimate Scent Diffuser
The brand launched an exclusive collection of branded items including the Ultimate Scent Diffuser. It’s warm light and humidifying mist scented with chosen essential oils strengthens client’s mood and wellbeing. The Ultimate Scent Diffuser can be used by adding a few drops of any essential or fragrance oils to cold water and features multiple timer settings along with two light intensity options.
Available now to trade professionals at Dermalogica.
Aromatherapy Associates The Atomiser
The waterless and portable Atomiser allows you to seamlessly switch between any of Diffuser Oils and disperse micro-fine mists directly from the bottle, which throws the scent across your home to match every mood and meet every wellbeing need - perfect if you’re looking to change scents for each client. With a soft halo of light, your clients can truly relax and surround their senses in pure wellbeing.
Available at Aromatherapy Associates.
Granado Duo Kit Diffuser and Liquid Soap (Tropical Birds Collection)
Arriving in sets of a diffuser and liquid soap together, Granado offers uniquely lively scents for your salons. The Tropical Birds collection comes in three new scents, Nostalgia (elegant floral fragrance enveloped in a soft cashmere), Jardim Real (bergamot and mandarin orange with the romantic delicacy of jasmine and magnolia) and Infusão Botânica (fresh notes of coriander seed and lemon with a woody base and rich notes of cashmere and vetiver).
Available exclusively at Liberty.
Comfort Zone Tranquillity Diffuser
This luxurious scent is designed to inspire calm and promote tranquillity to help you unwind from a hectic day. The fragrance diffuser opens as a delicate floral bouquet with essential oils of Sweet Orange, Cedar Wood, Rose, Geranium and Sandalwood. This elegant reed diffuser features a minimalist design to complement any salon décor.
Available at Comfort Zone.
Tisserand Aromatherapy Total De-Stress Aroma Spa Diffuser
This modern aromatherapy diffuser combines an elegant lightweight design with all the benefits of ultrasonic aroma technology for a fine and silent mist that envelops a room. When switched on, the ultrasonic diffuser begins to vibrate water molecules at a specific frequency, causing the water to heat up, producing steam with tiny bubbles. Featuring gentle variations of soft coloured light.
Available at Tisserand.
ESPA Aromatic Essential Oil Diffuser
Ultrasonic vibrations humidify the atmosphere and disperse your choice of precious natural essential oils. Use the diffuser’s light settings to cast a subtle glow over your room as a nightlight, or create a calm, soothing ambience for meditation. The diffuser is designed to accompany the brand’s sensorial collection of Signature Blends, allowing you to harness the power of aromatherapy to support wellbeing.
Available at ESPA.
Gaia Awakening Diffuser
Natural and handmade containing GAIA's signature awakening blend and bespoke elixir.
The long-lasting diffuser offers an energising blend of pure essential oils geranium, petitgrain and lemongrass. The aromatic reed diffuser will create an uplifting, refreshing and inviting ambient space around you, perfect for if you’re looking to energise your clients.
Available at Gaia Skincare.
Molton Brown Re-charge Black Pepper Aroma Reeds 150ml
Molton Brown’s re-charge black pepper number features a cult classic fragrance. Invite the brand’s adventurous, woody-citrus icon into your spa or salon. This sophisticated eight-reed diffuser revitalises with energising Madagascan black pepper, ginger and earthy vetiver.
Available at Molton Brown.
Candles
Candles are a classic way to add ambiance to any space, and the same goes for beauty salons and spas. Scented candles come in a variety of fragrances, and you can choose a scent that complements the overall vibe of your salon or spa. For example, if you want to create a relaxing atmosphere, a lavender-scented candle can help your clients unwind during their visit. Just be sure to choose candles made with natural, non-toxic ingredients to avoid any negative impact on your client's health.
While diffusers are a popular choice for creating ambiance, there are compelling reasons why a salon might prefer to use candles. Candles offer a unique and aesthetically pleasing way to enhance the atmosphere. The soft, flickering light of candles adds a touch of warmth and elegance, creating a cozy and inviting environment. They can be selected to match the salon's decor or theme, allowing for greater customization and creativity. Candles also provide flexibility in placement, as they can be positioned strategically to create focal points or highlight specific areas. The act of lighting a candle can become a ritualistic experience, setting the mood for a relaxing and indulgent session.
Never Go Alone Candle
Never Go Alone's first edition candle is designed to create a calming, soothing atmosphere. The scent is the brands signature Edition 01: Sandstone fragrance -featuring grounding notes of Nutmeg and Cardamom contrasted with Lavandin and Cedar, which are proven to reduce anxiety and improve mood.
Available at Never Go Alone.
VOYA’s Eucalyptus, Rosemary & Lime Scented Candle
Feel instantly uplifted with VOYA’s New Oh So Scented Eucalyptus, Lime, and Rosemary luxury scented candle. Natural essential oils unfold to reveal beautiful top citrus notes, balanced with cooling Eucalyptus and a calming Rosemary base.
Available at VOYA.
Room Sprays
Room sprays are another option for adding scent to your salon or spa. They come in a variety of fragrances and can be used to quickly freshen up a space. Room sprays are great for use in between appointments or in the restroom to create a pleasant and inviting aroma.
Douvall’s Scents to Uplift Set
Transform your spa experience with Douvall's expertly blended room sprays that revitalise and refresh your salon or spa with natural essential and botanical oils, without any nasty toxins or artificial perfumes. The three sprays include Lemon and Basil, Vanilla Coconut and Black Pepper and Mandarin and Lemon.
Available at Douvall's.
Our Top Tips
Be mindful of allergies: Some people may be sensitive or allergic to certain scents, so be sure to ask your clients about any sensitivities before using any fragrances in your treatments or waiting areas.
Don't overdo it: While scents can enhance the ambiance of your salon or spa, it's important not to overdo it. Strong scents can be overwhelming and may even trigger headaches or nausea for some clients. Start with a subtle scent and adjust as needed.
Use quality products: Whether you're using essential oils, candles, or room sprays, be sure to use high-quality, non-toxic products. Cheap or synthetic fragrances can be harmful to your clients' health and may even cause allergic reactions.
Experiment with different scents: Don't be afraid to try out different scents to see what works best for your salon or spa. You may even want to switch up scents seasonally to keep things fresh and exciting for your clients.