The shift from high-maintenance to high-mindfulness.

 
Beauty and hair routines are becoming rituals and time for relaxation. As head spas are growing in popularity, as is the role of touch, products that help people slow down are part of the movement. It’s no longer just a treatment but rather an experience. Think scalp massage, steam, or a meditative hair ritual to transform a salon service or shower routine.
 
Gone are the days when haircare was just about the surface results such as shine, smoothness and colour. It’s now a 360 approach to hair health… wrapped up in a wellness experience!
 

 

“Self-care is no longer a trend, it’s a necessity. We’ve all learned to view haircare as part of personal wellness- it’s not just about how we look, but how we feel. A few mindful minutes spent nourishing the hair or massaging the scalp can be grounding, almost meditative. It’s beauty as restoration. We’re finally understanding that true hair health is holistic. It’s not just what we apply to our strands – it’s how we nourish our bodies, manage stress, and care for our scalps. The connection between internal wellbeing and external beauty is undeniable. When one thrives, the other follows,”
– Naeemah Lafond, OLAPLEX Ambassador.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by NAEEMAH LAFOND (@naeemahlafond)

 

We’ve been talking to Naeemah Lafond, hairstylist, Texture on Set founder and OLAPLEX global ambassador, about the shift in salons and hairdressing towards holistic haircare and the wellness trend that’s influencing it.

 
What role does touch through massage or scalp care play in client wellbeing?
Touch is an unspoken language in our craft. Through a scalp massage, we’re not only stimulating circulation- we’re offering stillness. The scalp is where stress quietly lives, and through touch, we remind clients that beauty begins at the root. I especially love giving scalp massages to clients with low-cropped cuts, particularly on set, where time can be limited. Taking that extra moment allows me to make them feel seen and cared for. It’s a small but important gesture that says, you’re just as important as anyone else in my chair.
 
What is the heritage and cultural significance of scalp care, and what can salons and stylists learn from it?
Scalp care has deep cultural roots, particularly in African and Caribbean traditions where oiling, braiding, and massage are passed down through generations as acts of love and community. These rituals remind us that haircare is about connection- not just aesthetics. Stylists can honour that heritage by slowing down, listening, and treating touch as a ceremony of care.
 
How do you create a sense of calm or ritual around a professional service?
Working in fashion and on set means there’s rarely time to dim the lights or pause for deep breaths. My ritual is internal. I bring a quiet confidence into the room- an energy that says, I’ve got you. When I’m calm, my clients feel safe to relax. Even amid the chaos of a backstage environment, that sense of composure becomes its own kind of luxury.
 
Why do you think self-care is becoming such a strong influence in haircare?
Self-care is no longer a trend, it’s a necessity. We’ve all learned to view haircare as part of personal wellness- it’s not just about how we look, but how we feel.
 

A few mindful minutes spent nourishing the hair or massaging the scalp can be grounding, almost meditative. It’s beauty as restoration.

 
Why is a 360-degree approach (inside and outside, root to tip) to hair health becoming the new standard?
We’re finally understanding that true hair health is holistic. It’s not just what we apply to our strands- it’s how we nourish our bodies, manage stress, and care for our scalps. The connection between internal wellbeing and external beauty is undeniable- when one thrives, the other follows.
 
How does mindfulness connect to the craft of styling and creativity?
For me, mindfulness is number one when I’m styling. I have to connect spiritually and emotionally with myself before I can tap into my most creative state. Even in the most hectic environments- backstage, on set, surrounded by noise and urgency- I find a way to tune out the outside world. That inner stillness allows me to channel my highest level of creativity. It’s where my artistry truly comes from.
 

 
What do you notice in the hair and scalp when clients are stressed or unbalanced?
Stress always finds its way to the hair. I often see more dryness or breakage, and sometimes clients have been too overwhelmed to care for their hair as they normally would, which leads to tangling or matting. In those moments, I slow down- detangling gently, giving extra care. It’s a way of saying, I see where you are right now, and I’m going to meet you there.
 
How can professional treatments support wellbeing beyond just hair repair?
Professional scalp treatments transcend repair- they’re restorative rituals. The Olaplex Pro Scalp Rebalancing Concentrate rebalances the scalp’s microbiome, but it also creates a sensorial reset through its cooling touch and soothing scent. It’s science meeting serenity – a moment of quiet that lingers long after the service ends.
 

“Scalp care in particular has deep cultural roots, particularly in African and Caribbean traditions where oiling, braiding, and massage are passed down through generations as acts of love and community.

 
These rituals remind us that haircare is about connection- not just aesthetics. Stylists can honour that heritage by slowing down, listening, and treating touch as a ceremony of care.
 
For more inspiration, follow @naeemahlafond on Insta.

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INSTA @Salon_Business

 

 

 

 

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