2021 Recap: Our Most-Requested Services This Year
As 2021 draws to a close, we find ourselves looking back on a year that was equal parts recovery and reinvention. After the upheaval of 2020, this year saw our clients returning to the salon with renewed energy and a boldness that was genuinely exciting to witness. At Sofia Loren Salon in Boca Raton, we tracked the trends, listened to what our clients wanted, and adapted our services to meet the moment. Here is a look at the services and styles that defined our year.
Color Corrections Led the Way
It will not surprise anyone who lived through lockdown that color corrections were one of our busiest service categories in the first half of 2021. The legacy of at-home box dye experiments, missed color appointments, and DIY lightening attempts created a backlog of correction work that kept our colorists busy for months.
The corrections ranged from relatively straightforward, like lifting box dye that was a shade or two too dark, to genuinely complex multi-session projects involving clients who had layered multiple products over many months. Each correction required patience, expertise, and honest communication about what was achievable and how long it would take. Our team rose to the challenge beautifully, and the before-and-after transformations from these sessions were some of the most dramatic we have ever produced.
Copper and Warm Tones Exploded
If 2021 had a signature color, it was copper. The demand for warm tones, from subtle copper-kissed brunette to vivid penny-bright copper to rich auburn, was unlike anything we have seen in recent years. This shift away from the cool, ashy palette that had dominated for so long felt like a breath of fresh air, and our colorists embraced it enthusiastically.
Copper was particularly popular among clients in their twenties and thirties, many of whom came in with social media inspiration photos and asked for their own version of the trend. But we also saw clients of all ages warming up their color, whether through a full copper transformation or by adding warm highlights and copper-toned glosses to their existing shade. The warmth trend was universal.
Curtain Bangs Were Everywhere
Curtain bangs continued their reign as the most-requested bang style at our salon throughout 2021. Their enduring popularity makes sense. They are flattering on virtually every face shape, they grow out gracefully, and they add a modern, polished element to any haircut without the heavy commitment of blunt bangs.
What evolved this year was how clients paired their curtain bangs with other trends. Curtain bangs with the wolf cut became a particularly popular combination, creating a shaggy, textured look with defined face framing. Curtain bangs with long, sleek hair offered a more classic, refined version. And curtain bangs with bobs and lobs continued to be a timeless pairing that our stylists never tire of creating.
The Wolf Cut Made Its Mark
Speaking of the wolf cut, this TikTok-driven trend went from internet curiosity to genuine salon staple over the course of 2021. What started as a niche style favored by the most trend-forward clients gradually expanded to a much wider audience as people saw how adaptable the cut actually is.
We cut wolf cuts on straight hair, wavy hair, and curly hair. We created subtle versions with softer layering for clients who wanted the vibe without the full commitment, and we created dramatic versions with heavy disconnection for clients who wanted maximum impact. The wolf cut proved to be one of those rare trends that works across age groups, hair types, and personal styles.
Bond Treatments Became Standard
If there was one shift in our service menu this year that felt like a permanent change rather than a passing trend, it was the mainstreaming of bond treatments. Olaplex and K18 went from being add-on services that some clients opted for to standard components of our color and treatment protocols.
As awareness of hair health continued to grow, more clients asked for bond protection during their color services and bond repair between appointments. This is a shift we wholeheartedly encourage. The science behind these treatments is sound, the results are measurable, and the long-term benefit to hair health is significant. We expect this trend to continue growing.
Shadow Roots and Low-Maintenance Color
The shift toward lower-maintenance color that began during lockdown continued to gain momentum in 2021. Shadow roots, root melts, and grown-out color techniques were requested by clients across the spectrum, from blondes who wanted to extend time between appointments to brunettes who wanted subtle dimension without frequent touch-ups.
This is a healthy evolution for the industry. Low-maintenance color does not mean settling for less. It means designing color intelligently so that it looks beautiful not just on the day it is applied but for weeks and months afterward as it naturally grows and evolves. Our colorists have embraced this approach, and the results speak for themselves.
Extensions and Volume Services
Extension services remained strong throughout 2021, with tape-in and hand-tied weft methods being the most popular. We noticed a shift toward clients using extensions primarily for volume rather than just length, reflecting a broader trend toward full, healthy-looking hair as the beauty standard. Clients who have fine or thin hair discovered that a small amount of strategically placed extension hair can transform their everyday look dramatically.
What We Learned This Year
The biggest takeaway from 2021 is that our clients are more informed, more intentional, and more invested in their hair than ever before. People are not just coming in for a trim and a color because it is time. They are researching techniques, understanding products, asking intelligent questions, and collaborating with their stylists to create results that are personalized and meaningful. This elevated level of engagement makes our work more rewarding and the results more impressive.
Looking Ahead to 2022
As we look toward the new year, we see a continuation of several trends that defined 2021 alongside some exciting new directions. Warm color palettes show no signs of cooling down. Textured, low-maintenance cuts will continue to dominate. Hair health will remain a priority, with bond treatments and professional deep conditioning becoming even more standard. And our Boca Raton community will continue to inspire us with their creativity, confidence, and trust.
Book Your Appointment at Sofia Loren Salon
Ready to start 2022 with a fresh look? Visit Sofia Loren Salon in Boca Raton and let our talented team help you ring in the new year with beautiful, healthy hair. Call us at (561) 444-0720 or book online at sofialorensalon.com.