Nails
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Did You Ever Wonder How the Word "Salon" Developed?

It's kind of a funny story: It started with the word saloon.

by Staff
January 1, 2002
1 min to read


How did beauty establishments come to be known as salons? We had to search through numerous reference books, but we finally pieced together at least part of the story.

The word salon traces far back to a European family of words for “large room.” By the 1700s, the French had borrowed the word to denote a “large room,” and it quickly evolved to mean an elegant apartment or living room, then later a fashionable assembly of notable people, such as literary figures, artists, or statesmen in the home of a prominent person. At the beginning of the 18th century, the word snuck into the English language in two forms — salon and saloon.

Ad Loading...

The saloons of the Wild West may have evolved to today’s bars, but we argue that beauty salons got the better end of the deal with America’s entrepreneurial twist on the venerable tradition of assembling notable people in a large room.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Business

A row of styling stations at JBW Jeffrey Ching Salon
Business|Articles|Mar 3, 2026

Precision, Passion, and the Business of Beauty

When Bowie Lau and Jeffrey Ching opened JBW Jeffrey Ching Salon in 2011, they weren’t just launching another luxury hair destination—they were building a business rooted in passion, artistry, and thoughtful growth.

Sponsored by Amex

Ad Loading...
Business|Articles|Nov 27, 2024

Prepare for Small Business Saturday® with American Express

The busy holiday season is here, and with it comes jam-packed days, last-minute client requests and booming retail sales. For many salon owners, the highlight of the season is Small Business Saturday® (SBS). This year on Saturday, November 30, consumers can take their shopping into the small businesses in their communities.

Sponsored by Amex

Ad Loading...
Business|Articles|Oct 22, 2024

Success at the Top: Thriving on Madison Ave.

Salon owner Nuri Yurt had a dream of owning a salon on New York City’s Madison Avenue. "Through perseverance, hard work and stellar customer service, he and partner John Kaygisiz founded Toka Salon in 2007.

Sponsored by Amex

Business|Articles|Sep 6, 2024

Vagaro’s New AI Features and Communication Tool Pave the Way for a More Efficient, Profitable Business

Vagaro has consistently been at the forefront of salon software technology, helping businesses be more efficient, create more effective communication, and even improve company culture. Now, Connect by Vagaro, the platform’s two-way communication capability, and Vagaro’s new generative AI tools are giving owners new opportunities to grow and expand.

Sponsored by Vagaro

Business|Articles|Aug 6, 2024

5 Things I Won't Do as a Nail Tech

This list of watch-outs from @jodydoesjels prompted us to reach out to her and learn more. We had already fallen for her hand-painted designs and now we wanted to know more about this list she created to help clients decide if she was the nail tech for them.

Ad Loading...