How to become A Hair Stylist

Hair Stylists are underappreciated polyvalent artists who transform not just how a person looks, but also how they feel by cutting, coloring, styling hair to enhance or maintain the person’s appearance. They strive to make the world a better place, one appointment at a time.

• Hairdresser

What do Hair Stylists do?

A Hair Stylist would typically need to:

• Address all things related to the appearance, styling, and grooming of locks by analyzing them and the client’s facial features
• Listen to the client; make sure they have a clear understanding and expectation of the desired results
• Shampoo, trim, cut, and shave hair using clippers, scissors, trimmers, and razors; shave and trim beards, mustaches, and sideburns, wax eyebrows and facial hair
• Apply chemical setting, straightening, curling, and relaxing solutions as well as curlers, rollers, hot irons, curling irons, and hair plugs
• Apply hair color, dye, and tints as well as hot towel treatments
• Administer therapeutic scalp and hair treatments; perform scalp, neck, and face massages
• Braid, perm, and weave hair; style and dress artificial hairpieces, extensions, wigs, and weaves to create hairstyles for formal events
• Maintain work stations by sanitizing tools and equipment; keep records of products and services provided to clients such as hair color, shampoo, and any hair treatment used
• Advise clients, both male and female, on caring for their hair at home; market the products and services of the salon

Most Hair Stylists work out of salons and hair-cutting places that could be located anywhere from shopping malls to upscale spas. You may also operate out of your home, your vehicle, or travel and perform services in your clients’ homes. You will usually work in pleasant surroundings with good lighting.

Travel to exotic locations may be part of the Hair Stylist job description if you associate yourself with the entertainment or fashion industries. Tools include hairbrushes, scissors, blow dryers, curling irons, and flat irons.

Prolonged exposure to some chemicals may cause skin irritation, so they often wear protective clothing, such as disposable gloves or aprons. Hair Stylists, by default, need to present a personable and pleasing appearance at all times to their customers. A smart, casual dress code should work well on all occasions.

Most Hair Stylists work full time. Part-time positions are also common. Those who run their salon determine their schedules and may put in additional hours. Work schedules often include evenings and weekends?the times when beauty salons are busiest. 

Movies and theatrical performances employ Hair Stylists on staff to style and transform actors into characters. A Hair Stylist may rent the chair space as an independent contractor, manage salons, or open their establishment after several years of experience. Music artists and dancers also employ Hair Stylists behind the scenes.

The fashion industry employs Hair Stylists to style models’ hair for photoshoots and fashion shows. You may be employed by just one individual and travel with them exclusively to meet their hair-related needs.

Hair Stylists are generally employed by:

• Salons
• Spas
• Hotels
• Resorts
• Entertainment Industry
• Individual Clients
• Fashion Industry

Professional associations and organizations are a crucial resource for Hair Stylists interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more looks excellent on your resume to bolster your credentials and qualifications.

• Building up a steady client base by retaining clients, attracting new business and building a trustworthy relationship with clients and staff
• Competition with other salons
• Impeccable customer service despite physical exhaustion due to being on feet for the better part of the workday
• Travel to challenging climates and time crunches if associated with the entertainment or fashion industry
• Low or unsteady income until a good reputation is built

Many Hair Stylists start cutting hair shortly after they’ve earned their cosmetology licenses. However, in many salons, recent graduates will assist experienced Hair Stylists before they are allowed to go solo.

Vocational schools, community colleges, technical schools, professional schools, colleges, and universities offer hairstyling programs worth the while. Some hairstylists make a living with a high school diploma. However, an associate’s degree in cosmetology, business administration, psychology, or fine arts gives you an edge over others in the job market. Optimum schooling followed by extensive hands-on experience spells success for most Hair Stylists.

Most locations insist Hair Stylists are licensed before they begin practicing their trade. Typical license requirements include completing a post-secondary program in cosmetology from an accredited school, a minimum number of supervised training experience hours, payment of the license fee, passing a written or oral test, and a practical test of styling skills. The laws on licensing may change from one location to the next.

Some Hair Stylists develop their line of professional haircare products. Others may serve as Salon Managers, Cosmetology Instructors, Medical Estheticians, Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artists, Morticians, Undertakers, Funeral Directors, Consultants, or Editors beauty and style guides. You should expect stiff competition for jobs and clients at high-end salons, of which there are relatively few, and applicants must compete with a large pool of experienced professionals.

A Hair Stylist that can make the client feel at ease is most likely to generate regular customers and steady income and have the best job prospects.

You need to regularly evaluate your skill set and identify areas that could be improved to increase your earning potential. Hair Stylists should set aside time for working on identified areas of improvement every four months.

You will require continuing education units (CEUs) for periodic renewals of your license. You must continue with your training and education to offer clients the latest style or cut. Courses in sales and marketing help you realize your dream of opening up your own business.

Many Hair Stylists take part in hair competitions to keep up to date with the latest styles and cuts. These competitions showcase coloring, styling, and cutting techniques. Salons encourage their employees to partake in competitions, as an award-winning Hair Stylist will be great publicity for a salon, and will often gain a large client base.

Hair Styling Services - A High and Regular Demand

Hair styling is a reputable and well-established career that is attractive to many because of its high demand and flexibility of operations. Hair Stylists are not gender-stereotyped. The most common task is the actual cutting of hair. Clients seeking a new look or just requiring a trim will seek out the services of a Hair Stylist regularly.

Expertise in Hair Types and Styles

Hair Stylists will often refer to photographs and pictures in beauty and style magazines to visualize the client’s look. You must have in-depth knowledge of curly styles and the most flattering way to cut curly hair, straight styles, poker-straight hair, short styles, long styles, and complicated up-do styles for weddings and formal events.

Other Areas of Hair Styling

A less common area of hairstyling is hair restoration services and products. A Hair Stylist can be licensed to handle hair plugs. They must be skilled in styling wigs and artificial hair. A traveling Hair Stylist may visit hospitals and assisted living facilities generating a steady base of clients.

Managerial Duties in Your Salon

Hair Stylists who run their salon have managerial duties in addition to hairstyling. They would need to maintain an appointment calendar through scheduling, maintain and update client records, learn and perfect new styles and techniques, stock products on display shelves, demonstrate and sell styling products, ensure sufficient product inventory, arrange for advertising, in addition to hiring, supervising, and firing workers.

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs. Full-Time Employment

Freelancing offers Hair Stylists freedom regarding flexible schedules, working hours, and location. They have full ownership of the business and can afford selectivity in terms of the variety of projects and clients presented. While it has unlimited earning potential, freelancing comes with less stability and security, with inconsistent work and cash flow. There is more responsibility, effort, and risk involved. There are no paid holidays and sick/maternity/paternity leaves are almost unaffordable. There is the added pressure of a self-employment tax and no eligibility for unemployment benefits.

A full-time Hair Stylist, on the other hand, has access to company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Despite that, they are susceptible to potential boredom and inability to pursue passion projects due to their lack of time or effort. With a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety, there is also a need to budget extra money for commuting and attire costs.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

Heat stimulates hair growth, which is why your hair grows faster in the summer. It is minutiae like this that Hair Stylists learn to provide the best treatments possible to their clients.

Hairstyling is the best profession to be in. Hair Stylists get to listen to music, be creative, bond with others, and make their clients feel amazing. They have a new boss every 30 minutes / a movie star sitting in their chair every time: that is who they are trying to please and to whom their all is given: success is seeing their clients smile. Being a Hair Stylist rocks!!!

Success is when I see my client smile.