Throughout 2016, the beauty and spa industry experienced significant growth. Whether seeking solace in a new moisturizer post-election or Brexit, glamming up for the party season, or keeping up a healthy skin routine, people from all around the world continued to invest in their personal appearance. Looking into 2017, the spa and beauty industry is still poised to prosper. Here are the top beauty trends for 2017 from CIDESCO members from around the world.
Switzerland
In CIDESCO International’s home country, big, bold, and beautiful brows will continue well into 2017, says CIDESCO International's Sandy Aerne. Eyebrows frame the face, so getting them right, is a must and oftentimes best left to the spa pros. There are many ways for clients to update their eyebrows. While 2016 saw the rise in using pencils, powders, and gels, 2017 is all about microblading, a beauty treatment that is slowly but surely gathering momentum within the industry. Designed to create a semi-permanent look ideal for those wanting to reconstruct, define, and cover gaps or fill-in over-plucked eyebrows, microblading is a meticulous tattooing process for anyone seeking a more permanent solution to sparse brows.
U.S.
Stateside, facial masks are making a strong comeback. “Masks are big business,” says Lydia Sarfati, chairman of CIDESCO Section USA and founder and CEO of Repêchage. “The market value of facial masks is estimated to reach more than $7.4 billion in 2020 alone. The true beauty of masks is that they don’t have to be a standalone treatment, they can be performed virtually anywhere and can be used in conjunction with body treatments, waxing, and massages.” Most recently, celebrities including Drew Barrymore and Emma Stone took to social media to reveal the face masks they used to get ready for the prestigious Golden Globe Awards. Whether hydrating sheet masks, nourishing lip masks, or gold clarity masks, the different materials and formulas combined within one of the industry’s biggest selling beauty products promises to be a winner for 2017.
India
“Unlike most countries, India is much more focused on skin health starting from within’, says Jyotsna Thopte, examiner and PR committee member from India for CIDESCO. As the second most populated country in the world, it is also the youngest country with more than 50 percent of the current population under the age of 25 and more than 65 percent under the age of 35. Naturally, this impacts beauty trends and the type of products in demand. As does the city’s environment, which can wreak havoc on the skin. The hectic pace can cause stress, while high pollution levels and challenging weather conditions contribute to skin concerns. As a result, the demand for traditional beauty concoctions with ingredients such as natural honey, coconut, sandalwood, turmeric, almond, and sesame oil are fast becoming more and more popular in a bid to maintain a healthy and more youthful complexion.
A product labeled ‘herbal’, ‘natural,’ or ‘organic’ has a far better response in India when compared to beauty products that may deliver quick results but contain parabens, fragrance, and synthetics. Asian cultures have a deeper understanding of the longterm effects these harmful and toxic chemicals can have on the skin, which is why they are avoided. More “cosmo-medico” centers are also coming up where skin specialists, homeopaths, and Ayurvedic doctors provide a combination of their medical services with beauty therapies from tradition Indian heritage.
Italy
Currently making strides within the world of beauty, salon, and spa, is Italy. Inspired by the traditions of ancient Rome, the country predicts that 2017 will see simplicity merge with enjoyment as the year continues. “In ancient Rome, spas were deemed as places to stimulate the senses of wellbeing and pleasure’, says Andrea Bovero, president of CIDESCO Section Italy. “As the industry continues to progress and develop, we’re finding that professional beauty therapists are needing to create more of a bespoke experience, tapping into the mindset of the customer. No longer is “just a treatment” sufficient. It’s key to remember that the client is essentially a “spectator” within the theatre of wellness." According to Bovero, the human senses absorb both the positive and negative vibes within the surrounding environment, which is why it’s important to create the most memorable experience possible. Together with the traditional science of beauty, this new discipline will help spas decide how to strategically use sensory stimulation to make unique and unforgettable experiences, ensuring customer satisfaction and return.