The beauty industry never stands still, and neither do the professionals driving it forward. To better understand how confidence and performance are trending across the professional beauty market, PBA, in partnership with PBA Business Member Pivot Point International, presents the Pro Beauty Pulse. This monthly index that tracks industry sentiment among independent beauty professionals, salon owners, and beauty school leaders.
Pro Beauty Pulse: Industry Professionals
Many professionals report consistent client activity and stable business conditions, signaling confidence even as service patterns shift.
Independent professionals cite steady revenue and loyal clientele as key strengths. Salons note improved traffic and sustained demand across core service categories.
Optimism remains strong. Most expect business to hold steady or improve through the next month, supported by continued client engagement and flexible pricing strategies.
Pro Beauty Pulse: Beauty School Leaders
Current Outlook (Past 30 Days)
Beauty school leaders continue to navigate enrollment fluctuations, focusing on maintaining student engagement and hands-on learning opportunities.
Programs remain steady, with ongoing interest from students pursuing long-term careers in cosmetology and barbering.
Leaders are cautiously optimistic, anticipating stable enrollment and sustained interest from new students seeking career pathways in the beauty industry.
Data Insights from The KIM Report
(September 2025 vs. September 2024)
The KIM Report, powered by PBA Business Member SalonInteractive, aggregates real-world data from thousands of professionals nationwide to offer quantitative insights into the performance of independent contractors and salons.
The KIM Report: Independent Contractors
Year-over-year traffic for independent contractors was nearly unchanged, and overall revenue remained steady due to continued pricing strength—particularly in non-color services where clients are accepting higher service costs. However, resistance is more evident in color services and even more pronounced in retail.
The KIM Report: Salons
Salons are growing through a combination of increased client traffic and higher average spend. Unlike independents, salons are experiencing gains in both visits and ticket size, with year-over-year strength across most service categories. The one area of softness is retail units sold, though higher prices are helping maintain revenue.
Stay Informed
Explore more insights in The KIM Report, your source for real-world data and monthly performance trends shaping the professional beauty market.
