Salonist Beauty Trends Report 2026: Most Booked Salon Services in UAE

In the Middle East, The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has developed very rapidly into a leading beauty and wellness marketplace.

The Beauty Trends Report indicates that the UAE’s beauty market is evolving rapidly.

The UAE has a large and diverse population who have high levels of disposable income and find grooming and aesthetics to be very important cultural practices which has supported the continual expansion of the salon industry in the UAE.

In the latest Beauty Trends Report, it is highlighted how grooming is vital in the UAE culture.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi specifically have become world-class destinations for high-end luxury beauty services, with thousands of beauty salons, spas, and aesthetic clinics servicing their cosmopolitan populations (clients from all over the world) there. Here we shall have a look at Salonist’s Beauty Trends Report for the 2026 season.

The Beauty Trends Report shows that luxury beauty services are thriving.

Executive Summary to Beauty Trends Report

The Beauty Trends Report reveals insights on consumer preferences in beauty services.

According to industry sources, the growth of the UAE’s overall beauty industry is being fueled by digital booking applications, high-quality premium beauty service offerings and the demand for customized services. With over 12,000 licensed beauty salons and spas in only Dubai alone, it’s very apparent how large and competitive the beauty market is in the UAE.

According to the Beauty Trends Report, the salon market’s growth is linked to digital advancements.

Consumer expectations are constantly changing to keep up with how we use technology and convenience to make our lives easier, which means that we now demand more than just traditional services like haircuts; we also expect a unique experience, with advanced styles and access to technology in order to create a personalized look.

This Beauty Trends Report highlights the transformation of consumer expectations in the industry.

Market Growth Insights

The growth of salon management solutions that allow for immediate online reservations has made accessing salon services incredibly easy for consumers.

The Beauty Trends Report emphasizes the importance of online bookings for salon growth.

Salonist is a leading platform for salons to manage their bookings, and it provides a wealth of information related to client behavior and booking trends throughout the UAE. For instance, Salonist provides insight into appointment pattern and behavior data, trends and commonality among clients, and individual service/groupings for each salon.

As noted in the Beauty Trends Report, client behavior is evolving due to technology.

Hair service categories remain at the top of the list when it comes to spending, nail services are the most frequent due to continued visits, and skin care is a segment that’s expected to continue to grow rapidly throughout the UAE salon market segment.

The Beauty Trends Report predicts continued growth in skincare services in the UAE market.

This includes examining the top services in the UAE (2026) that are likely being booked frequently and their top 5 categories. The service categories included are as follows:

• Hair Services
• Nail Services
• Skin Care & Facials
• Lash & Brow Services
• Hair Removal Services
• Men’s Grooming Services
• Scalp & General Wellness Treatments

These service categories will also identify key trends impacting salon bookings today with respect to technology, sustainability, and the new trend of personal beauty experiences.

According to the latest Beauty Trends Report, technology is reshaping salon experiences.

With regards to the salon industry in the UAE, traditional beauty services are transitioning into experience-based, technology enabled wellness-focused beauty services.

The Beauty Trends Report points to a shift towards experience-driven beauty services.

Salon services UAE 2026: Year in Review

The Beauty Trends Report summarizes the advancements in salon services for 2026.

UAE Beauty Market in 2026
Total Valuation	$3.49 billion
Expected Growth (CAGR)	6.14%
Dubai & Abu Dhabi’s National Share	70%

marketreportanalytics.com/reports/beauty-salon-industry-in-uae-101790

According to a new market report, by 2026 the beauty and cosmetics sector in the UAE will be worth a significant $3.49 billion, with an expected compound annual growth rate of 6.14%.

In the Beauty Trends Report, 2026 predictions reflect a growing focus on personalized services.

With a wealthy and well-connected population as well as a rapidly expanding tourism industry, the percentage of the national market share attributed to salons located in the Dubai and Abu Dhabi areas has now exceeded 70%.

The period through to 2026 is characterized by “Precision Pampering,” meaning that consumers no longer prefer non-specific treatments but demand targeted, specialist, and machine-supported treatments.

While hair care continues to generate the most revenue, the “Clinical Skincare” and “Express Grooming” categories for men are experiencing the highest degree of growth.

Market Overview 2026

A multi-billion dollar ecosystem for Beauty & Wellness developed in UAE with luxury retail, tourism & global beauty brands supporting it.

The diverse nature of the UAE’s beauty/wellness businesses attracts a global customer base, including residents, tourists & expats, who all have different preferences & grooming habits.

The future salon experience will be characterised by premiumization as shown by [97% penetration] of smartphones; meaning online booking platforms such as Salonist, which currently accounts for roughly 65% of the salon customer base & their overall volume of business; is no longer deemed just ‘convenient’ but now is ‘essential’.

The Beauty Trends Report provides a snapshot of market indicators for beauty services.

UAE Beauty Market Indicators (2026)
Indicator	Numbers
Total UAE Beauty Market Value	$3.49 Billion
Projected CAGR (2026–2034)	6.14%
Dominant City	Dubai (50% Market Share)
Average Profit Margin	35% – 50%
Top Booking Channel	Mobile Apps & Online Platforms (65%)
Primary Consumer Group	Women (64.27% share)

fortunebusinessinsights.com/salon-service-market-104608

Beauty trends UAE 2026: What’s Hot in 2026

Multicultural Client Base

The United Arab Emirates has had an effect on the way salon treatments and trends are produced. With over 200 different nationalities residing within the UAE, each of these cultures has its ideas about what services are most important:

As highlighted in the Beauty Trends Report, cultural diversity influences salon services.

• Arab Clientele tends to request hair coloring and facial treatments.
• South Asian Clientele will tend to request thread treatments and hair treatments.
• Westerners usually prefer to request skin care treatments such as HydraFacials.
• Southeast Asians will mostly prefer to request manicures, nail art, and eyelash extensions.

This diversity in people has caused a large demand for many different types of salon services and has enabled salons to create very different types of treatment for very different types of hair texture, skin texture, and beauty standards.

Beauty Expenditure in Dubai

The spending on beauty in the UAE is also considerably above average when compared with international beauty markets. According to surveys, beauty consumers in Dubai are spending an average of AED 847 each month on beauty treatments and services referring to the high-quality, luxury nature of this sector. Another driver of beauty expenditure is the rise of bridal makeup packages in Dubai.

High disposable income levels paired with a strong influence from social media promote regular repeat visits to salons and trying out new treatments.

The Beauty Trends Report shows rising spending trends in Dubai’s beauty market.

Quick Digital Change

Technology has changed the way salons do business and how customers make appointments.

• • Approximately 72% of salons use technology for making appointments.
  • More than 82% of appointments made online are through mobile devices.

The Beauty Trends Report indicates a significant shift towards mobile bookings.

• Improved appointment management (by utilizing appointment management software systems)
• Reduced missed appointments (by utilizing technology to remind customers about scheduled appointments)
• Personalized recommendations of services (by utilizing service referencing tools)

Salonists enable salons to analyze their appointment trends as well as determine which services have been the most effective and make necessary adjustments to their pricing strategy based on those results.

Experience-Driven Fashion in 2026

Today’s hair salon clients want more than just having their hair cut or styled, a manicure, or a new hair color. They want the entire experience of beauty, wellness, and relaxation combined into one service, as well as to experience new services that have recently been added on by many salons, including:

• Scalp Therapy Services
• Full-Service Facials
• Hair Repair Treatments
• Wellness-Oriented Massages

As more and more people focus their attention on self-care and mental well-being, the popularity of these services continues to grow.

The Beauty Trends Report confirms increased interest in wellness-oriented services.

Most Booked Salon Services Dubai and UAE

This is supported by findings in the Beauty Trends Report about popular salon services.

I. Hair Care: The Current Industry Leader

Currently, hair care represents around 76% of all salon transactions in the UAE and has transitioned from simple haircutting services to advanced restoration services.

• Most frequently booked: Balayage and “Liquid Hair” Glossing 
• Popular trend: 45% of clients now request organic/ ammonia-free hair coloring.
• Up-and-coming: Scalp facials/ detoxification services.

Reason: Due to the severity of the water quality issues and humidity levels in the UAE, there were many more bookings for services focused on getting healthy scalps in the last year.

Keratin and Protein Botox: These remain staples in management of frizz throughout the Gulf due to climatic conditions, particularly with expatriate clients specifically.

Hair salon booking trends Dubai

The most booked hair services include:

• Haircuts and styling
• Hair colouring
• Balayage
• Hair treatments
• Blow-dry services
• Keratin and smoothing treatments

Hair colouring and balayage treatments are particularly popular, with balayage accounting for a significant share of salon colour service revenue globally.

The Beauty Trends Report identifies top hair services dominating the market.

Why Hair Services Dominate?

Several factors explain the popularity of hair services:

1. High visual impact: Hair transformations are highly visible and widely shared on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.
2. Regular maintenance cycles: Haircuts and colour touch-ups require regular maintenance, typically every 4–8 weeks.
3. Specialized expertise: Many hair treatments require professional expertise and cannot be easily replicated at home.

Trending Hair Treatments

Some trending treatments in 2026 include:

• Hair Botox
• Olaplex strengthening treatments
• Bond repair therapies
• Organic hair care treatments

Demand for scalp treatments and hair health solutions is also rising rapidly, as clients become more aware of hair loss, scalp microbiome health, and long-term hair care.

II. Professional Skincare: “Skin-tellectual” Culture

The Beauty Trends Report highlights the evolution of skincare services in 2026.

In 2026, “standard” ‘relaxing’ facials will be eliminated by MGE (Medical-Grade Esthetics). Individuals are now looking for active ingredients and results that can be measured.

• Most Requested Service: HydraFacial; Chemical Peels (Medical-Grade)

• Newest Trend: NCTF Skin Revitalization. Micro-attached to the face with a cocktail of 17 different skin-revitalizing (hydrating) ingredients that will also create “glass skin” as seen on social media.
• The “Lunchtime Lift”: Non-invasive contouring procedures that do not require any downtime continue to increase by 22% since 2024.

 

The Skincare Service Business is expanding quickly due to an increase in interest regarding enhancing the condition of our skin, especially for anti-aging treatments and many other dermatologic services available to consumers today.

 

According to the Beauty Trends Report, demand for anti-aging treatments is surging.

Below is a list of the top requested services:

• HydraFacial Treatments
• Microdermabrasion
• Chemical Peels
• Anti-Aging Facials
• Express Facials

As a result of the above factors, facial services have increased by 18% during the past year, which shows there is a desire by consumers for treatments that help maintain reasonably healthy skin.

Top salon treatments UAE

Treatment	Benefit
HydraFacial	Deep cleansing & hydration
Microdermabrasion	Skin resurfacing
Chemical Peel	Skin renewal
Anti-Aging Facial	Wrinkle reduction
Express Facial	Quick skincare treatment

 

III. Nail Care: Artistry Meets Health

Nail salons have evolved into “Nail Bars & Lounges.” High-end nail art is no longer for special occasions but is a part of bi-weekly maintenance.

The Beauty Trends Report reveals that nail art has become a significant aspect of beauty.

• Most Booked: Russian Manicures & Gel Extensions.
• Growth Area: Builder In A Bottle (BIAB). This treatment has seen a massive uptick as consumers move away from damaging acrylics toward healthier, strengthening gel alternatives.
• Stats: Nail services account for 12% of total salon revenue, with the highest rate of repeat customers (every 14–18 days).

Key reasons nail care dominates salon bookings:

• Frequent maintenance cycles (2–3 weeks)
• Affordable compared with other beauty services
• High customization (colors, art, extensions)
• Strong social media influence

Globally, gel manicures account for nearly two-thirds (58%) of all clients in nail salons today, making them the most popular form of nail service today.

Why are gel nails so popular?

• Long-Lasting Results
• Chip-Resistant Finish
• High Gloss Shine
• Quick to Dry with Ultraviolet or LED Lamps

The demand for gel manicures increased 65% from 2019-2022 due to these attributes. Some of the popular nail trends to watch out for include:

This aligns with the findings from the Beauty Trends Report on nail trends.

Nail art services UAE

Trend	Impact
Builder Gel (BIAB)	Strengthening natural nails
Press-on luxury nails	Alternative to salon visits
AI nail design	Personalized styles
Sustainable nail polish	Eco-conscious beauty
Smart nail technology	Color-changing and wearable nails

 

The Male Grooming Explosion

The Beauty Trends Report notes a growing interest in men’s grooming services.

Men’s grooming services are very popular nowadays in the United Arab Emirates, with male clients increasingly opting for a premium quality experience.

The biggest change that was noted in the report of 2026 was that male grooming has become normalised. It is estimated that the total male grooming market in the UAE will be about AED 400 million, with growth expected at 25% per annum.

Over the last few years, the average spend by male clients has increased substantially. Male grooming services have expanded from simply having their hair cut to also including:

• Beard shaping
• Facials for men
• Treatments for scalp
• Colouring the hair

The average amount spent by male clients per visit has increased from AED 120 to AED 340 per client, which clearly demonstrates the movement toward premium priced services.

A further indication of this shift is that beard grooming services doubled in the amount of demand since the year 2018.

Men’s grooming UAE 2026

The Beauty Trends Report illustrates the expanding male grooming market in the UAE.

Service	Growth Rate (YoY)	Description
Beard Sculpting & Tinting	30%	Precision shaping using steam and straight razors.
Men’s Facials (Oil Control)	18%	Targeting skin issues caused by gym routines and dust.
Man-icures	12%	Clean, buffed nails for professional presentation.
Scalp Micropigmentation	15%	Non-surgical solution for thinning hair.

wifitalents.com/salon-industry-statistics/

Technology and the “Salon of the Future”

The integration of AI and AR has transformed the booking experience.

According to the Beauty Trends Report, technology is crucial for salon evolution.

• Virtual Consultations: 40% of top-tier salons in Dubai now offer AI-driven hair color previews through their apps before the client steps into the salon.
• Data-Driven Personalization: Salonist software now allows owners to track “Ingredient Sensitivities” and “Preferred Beverage” automatically, leading to a 15% increase in customer loyalty scores.

Key technological developments include:

• AI booking assistants
• Mobile appointment scheduling
• CRM-based personalization
• Automated marketing campaigns

Today:

• 72% of salons use digital booking systems
• 82% of bookings happen via mobile

Technology platforms like Salonist and other management software enable salons to:

• Track client history
• Offer personalized recommendations
• Automate reminders
• Improve client retention

New & Notable Trends to Watch

The Beauty Trends Report details new trends shaping the future of beauty services.

Halal Certified Beauty Product Standards

Demand is continuously increasing for Halal certified products that can be absorbed through water (Wudu-friendly) . Salons are starting to dominate the local Emirati and resident Muslim market share with the provision of Halal-certified nail polish and hair dye.

Growth and “eco-friendly” Salons

Environmental awareness has become ”mainstream”. 35% of customers are looking specifically for salons that promote : “Cruelty-free” or “Vegan” experiences. Many salons have eliminated the use of single-use plastics and have implemented the use of eco-friendly shower heads (such as eco heads).

Such businesses report a greater degree of engagement among the Millennial and Gen Z customer segments than salons that haven’t implemented these criteria.

Wellness Merger

A blurred line is beginning to emerge between the roles of a salon and a wellness center . Salons are including the following features in their salons:  

• IV Drip Lounges (vitamin infusion during hair processing). 
• Aromatherapy during every shampoo service. 
• Sound healing or meditation tracks in facial treatment rooms. 

A rundown of the top wellness trends GCC 2026 is given here:

Trend	Growth Indicator
AI Skin Analysis	Increase of 340% demand
Scalp Health Treatments	Increase of 218% demand
Organic Beauty Products	Growing
Men’s Premium Grooming	Rapid growth
Online Booking	Industry standard

respark.in/blog/salon-trends/

Salon Business Strategy Insights

The analysis of appointment scheduling data and business trends can help the salon business develop strategies for increased success.

• Offer essential services that are in demand: Primary focus of a business should be on hair color, nails, and skin care.
• Invest in skin care: Skin care services are the fastest growing service area.
• Grow male grooming: The male beauty segment continues to grow rapidly in the UAE.
• Implement technology: Tech such as digital booking and artificial intelligence based personalization improves client retention.
• Be personalized: Custom beauty services enhance client satisfaction and promote loyalty.

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The UAE salon market will be strong, advanced and more technology driven than ever before, as seen in the Beauty Industry Report UAE. In 2026, while hair and nails will continue to be the staples of the salon, the industry will be dominated by Male Grooming and Medical Esthetics.

In conclusion, the Beauty Trends Report emphasizes the importance of adapting to market shifts.

Highlights from the Salonist 2026 Beauty Trends Report include:

• The largest revenue producers are hair services.
• The most commonly booked services are nail services.
• The fastest growing categories are skin care.
• New opportunities await via Men’s grooming.
• Personalisation and technology are transforming the salon experience.

In Dubai alone there are over 12,000 Salons which in turn creates a competitive marketplace. To maintain their competitive edge, salon owners will need to continuously use data-driven systems like Salonist to provide customers with personalized and tailored services to meet the increasing expectations of consumers in 2026 for high demand services.

The Beauty Trends Report exemplifies the need for personalized services to meet consumer demands.