How to be a Great Hairdresser
Being a good stylist is much more than just having the right tools and techniques for the job. It’s a passion for the craft, an ability to communicate, and an art form. In the UK, where there are many stylists who can make your hair look pretty, being able to play your cards right is what will set you apart from the others. This guide will walk you through the steps on how to impress clients and become known as one of the best in town.
1. Learn and Train
The first step in creating a successful career as a hairdresser is learning from experienced professionals. The UK offers different levels of training when it comes to hairdressing, but usually you start off with either level 2 or 3 NVQ in hairdressing. These qualifications are important because they give you a variety of skills that’ll help with different styles: from cutting wigs to doing chemical treatments to get rid of lice. Most stylists start with an apprenticeship program where they gain experience by working in salons while also attending classes. This gives them practical knowledge about what it’s like working behind a salon chair while also developing their skills further in school. As trends change over time, it’s important for all stylists – beginners or not – to continue educating themselves so they don’t fall behind.
2. Make Personal Connections
Aside from knowing how to dye someone’s hair purple, another crucial skill that’ll separate you from other stylists is customer service. You could be the best technical stylist out there but if you suck at communicating with people then expect clients not coming back anytime soon after their first visit! Building loyal customers takes more than just giving them cute bangs; it means making them feel comfortable and respected throughout their entire stay at your salon or barbershop. In order to make this happen, pay attention when they talk about their likes and dislikes. Understand their needs and wants so you can make suggestions on what they should do with their hair. Treat every client as if they were your mom, because who wouldn’t want to keep coming back to someone who treats them like gold?
3. Be a Picasso
Everyone loves getting a great haircut, but not everyone is exactly sure about what that means for them personally. That’s where your creative eye comes into play! A good stylist knows how to stay updated with the latest trends so don’t be afraid to try something new on yourself or even someone else! This will help you develop your own style over time which can totally set you apart from other stylists in the industry. Also keep in mind that sometimes clients have no idea what they’re asking for, so it’s important for you to be open-minded and think outside of the box when it comes to giving them the look they’re trying to go for. You’d be surprised at how many people end up loving something completely opposite of what they said they wanted!
4. Show Your Masterpieces
What kind of artist doesn’t have a portfolio? In order to gain new customers and even hear about potential job opportunities, stylists must have pictures of their work readily available. It’s important for these photos to show different examples of styles and techniques so potential clients know you can work with different genres – sort of like a DJ playing multiple types of music! A digital portfolio or an Instagram account is definitely recommended since we all live in a world where everything is done online now.
5. Listen
For all my listeners out there: this one’s for you!! Make sure that whatever style clients are asking for also fits their personal lifestyle too. It could be an amazing cut but if it doesn’t fit more than one lifestyle factor then it just becomes another bad haircut story! Understanding why certain cuts won’t work on specific hair types will help earn respect and trust from clients. It’s also important to give them styling tips on how to keep their hair looking fresh when they’re at home. This will show that you actually care about them and not just getting money out of their pocket!
In hairdressing, having a clean work space is important. You need to have a well maintained salon that has all its tools and equipment cleaned and in good working condition. An organized workplace helps improve efficiency and also keeps the environment safe for your clients.
7. Networking and Industry Engagement
Going to events with other people who work in the industry can get you new opportunities and insights. Attend their workshops and hair shows about the latest trends and techniques. When you meet other professionals, it’s possible that they can help you learn something new or work on valuable collaborations together. Engage with everyone online as well to raise your profile.
8. Embrace Continuous Learning
The industry is always changing so staying informed about new trends, products, and techniques is very important. You want to keep your skills sharp so take advantage of trainings courses when they are available. Or if you don’t work best in those environments then maybe attending workshops or learning from experienced mentors would be better for you. Just stay open minded because one day it will help you grow as a hairdresser.
9. Develop Business and Marketing Skills
If owning your own salon or building a personal brand is what you want then developing business and marketing skills is essential to that goal being reached.
Skills in social media marketing, customer relationship management, and basic accounting can be incredibly beneficial even for someone who doesn’t have their own business yet.
10.Practice Patience
Building a career in this field takes time but if it’s something you love then it’s worth it! Like any job there are ups but also downs along the way but hopefully more ups than downs. Be prepared for long hours since some styles take longer than others but always give every client the same amount of effort no matter how tired you may be!