A Smart Slow-Season Reset Every Artist Should Do
Slow season isn’t a bad thing. It’s actually one of the best times of year to check in on your business, clean things up, and set yourself up for a strong year ahead. Before things get busy again, use this 2026 salon audit to reset, refine, and move into the year with more clarity and confidence.
1. State Board & Compliance Audit
Always follow your state’s specific guidelines.
Every brow and lash artist is responsible for knowing and following the rules set by their state board of cosmetology or barbering. Since requirements vary by state, this audit should always be done using your state’s official guidelines as your main reference.
Use the checklist below as a general guide, then double-check each item against your state board rules:
-Your state license is current, posted, and not expired
-Client consent forms are up to date and stored properly
-MSDS / Safety Data Sheets are accessible
-Tools like tweezers, shears, and lash tools are cleaned and disinfected correctly
-All products are clearly labeled and not expired
-Trash and waste are disposed of properly
-Clean linens, capes, and disposable supplies are stocked
-Handwashing station meets state requirements
-No cross-contamination risks (no double dipping or shared applicators)
If your state board showed up tomorrow, your space should feel calm, clean, and compliant.
Check Your State Board Guidelines Here
Alabama – https://www.aboc.alabama.gov
Alaska – https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardofBarbersandHairdressers.aspx
Arizona – https://bcb.az.gov
Arkansas – https://www.cosmo.arkansas.gov
California – https://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov
Colorado – https://dpo.colorado.gov/BarberCosmetology
Connecticut – https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Practitioner-Licensing--Investigations/Barbering-and-Hairdressing
Delaware – https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/cosmetology
Florida – https://www.myfloridalicense.com
Georgia – https://sos.ga.gov/georgia-state-board-cosmetology-and-barbers
Hawaii – https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/cosmetology
Idaho – https://dopl.idaho.gov/bcb
Illinois – https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/cosmetology.html
Indiana – https://www.in.gov/pla/professions/cosmetology-and-barbering-home
Iowa – https://cosmetology.iowa.gov
Kansas – https://www.kansas.gov/kboc
Kentucky – https://kbc.ky.gov
Louisiana – https://www.lsbc.louisiana.gov
Maine – https://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/cosmetology
Maryland – https://labor.maryland.gov/license/cos
Massachusetts – https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-of-cosmetology-and-barbering
Michigan – https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bpl/health/cosmetology
Minnesota – https://mn.gov/boards/cosmetology
Mississippi – https://www.msboc.us
Missouri – https://pr.mo.gov/cosmetologists.asp
Montana – https://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/barber-cosmetologist
Nebraska – https://cos.nebraska.gov
Nevada – https://cosmo.nv.gov
New Hampshire – https://www.oplc.nh.gov/barbering-cosmetology
New Jersey – https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/cos
New Mexico – https://www.rld.nm.gov/boards-and-commissions/individual-boards-and-commissions/cosmetology-and-barbering
New York – https://dos.ny.gov/cosmetology
North Carolina – https://www.nccosmeticarts.com
North Dakota – https://www.ndcosmetology.com
Ohio – https://cos.ohio.gov
Oklahoma – https://www.ok.gov/cosmo
Oregon – https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/hlo/pages/board-cosmetology.aspx
Pennsylvania – https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Cosmetology
Rhode Island – https://dbr.ri.gov/divisions/licensing/cosmetology
South Carolina – https://llr.sc.gov/cosmetology
South Dakota – https://dlr.sd.gov/cosmetology
Tennessee – https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/cosmo.html
Texas – https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/cosmet
Utah – https://dopl.utah.gov/cosmetology-barbering
Vermont – https://sos.vermont.gov/cosmetology
Virginia – https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Cosmo
Washington – https://www.dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/cosmetology
West Virginia – https://bcb.wv.gov
Wisconsin – https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/Cosmetologist/Default.aspx
Wyoming – https://wyobdc.wyo.gov
2. Operations & Systems Check
Is your business supporting you, or stressing you out?
Take a look at how your business actually runs day to day:
-Booking feels easy and clear for clients
-Clients know how to prepare before their appointment
-Cancellation and no-show policies are clear and enforced
-You have a process for each service you offer
-Retail and back-bar products are organized
-You’re tracking inventory so nothing runs out or expires
If things feel chaotic when you’re busy, this is usually where the issue starts.
3. Service Menu Check
Your menu should make booking simple and profitable.
Review your services and pricing:
-Service descriptions are easy to understand
-Pricing matches your experience and demand
-Services that don’t sell well are removed or updated
-Add-ons are available to boost ticket totals
-Your signature services stand out
Less clutter on your menu often leads to more bookings.
4. Sales & Numbers Review
Your numbers don’t lie.
Pull your sales reports and look at:
-Top-selling services
-Highest-profit services
-Average client spend
-Service versus retail income
-Slow months and busy months
-Rebooking rates
Use this info to lean into what actually works.
5. Expenses & Profit Check
Making money is great. Keeping it is better.
Review where your money is going:
-Monthly supply spending
-Products you over-order or barely use
-Vendor price changes
-Cost per service
-Monthly profit goals
Even small tweaks here can make a big difference.
6. Branding & Client Experience Check
Your brand should grow as you do.
Ask yourself:
-Do your website and social media still reflect your business today?
-Is your messaging consistent?
-Does the client experience feel thoughtful and elevated?
-Are aftercare instructions clear and easy to follow?
-Do clients understand what makes you different?
Strong branding attracts the right clients before they even book.
7. 2026 Goal Setting
Clear goals make better decisions.
Before the year fills up, get specific about:
-Monthly income goals
-The schedule you actually want to work
-Services you want to be known for
-Education or skill upgrades you want to invest in
-One system you want to improve each quarter
Treat this like a roadmap, not a wish list.
-RD