Hairstylists cut and style hair and perform related services. They are employed in hairstyling or hairdressing salons, barber shops, schools, hair replacement clinics, health care establishment, theatres as well as film and television establishments.
As a hair stylist, your duties include shampooing, colouring and perming hair, shaping beards and mustaches, as well as maintaining the salon. Being able to cut and style hair is just one part of a stylist's job. You must know how to talk to your customers, find out what they want done with their hair and offer options. You should also be able to discuss any problems clients have with their hair and recommend appropriate hygiene and styling practices. This approach builds up their confidence in your abilities.
Pay for this occupation depends on each individual salon. Usually, you start by working for an hourly wage. As you build up regular clients, you are more likely to work on a commission basis. Tips add to your income.
On entering this field, you are expected to enroll in an apprenticeship program at a local community college. Alteratively, you should get certification from a private hairstyling school.
Once you have the credentials, you can take your skills anywhere. Successful stylists rely on building up the loyalty of the clients they serve and encouraging repeat business. Artistic merit and good client relations may still not be enough. You also need to have good business sense to get ahead.
Training is an ongoing element in this job as styles change and new hair-care techniques are developed. Depending on where you work, training may be conducted in-house by senior stylists or by company representatives. You can also attend courses nd conferences to learn about new trends in the field. You should be interested in constantly updating your techniques and developing your skills.
In this job you should be outgoing and respectful of people and able to communicate easily. You should enjoy working with the public and have the confidence to provide honest, knowledgeable advice about hair styles and hair-care products. As a hair stylist, you are in the image business and you should be professional, tactful and discreet with your customers. You must also keep up with trends and fashions in the industry.
Hair styling demands technical abilities in cutting hair but it helps if you are artistic enough to develop new styles and techniques. Furthermore, since many people who pursue this profession open their own businesses, you may wish to focus on the business side of the job.
You should be flexible with your time and be prepared to work some evenings and weekends. You are also expected to be well-groomed.