Becoming a hairstylist is a great career choice if you’re looking for a creative and satisfying jobs. But what does it take to become a hairstylist? And what kind of career path can you expect once you’ve made the switch? In this blog post, we’ll explore the answers to these questions and more. So keep reading to learn everything you need to know about becoming a hairstylist!
1. What Is a Hairstylist?
Hairstylists are professionals who specialize in cutting, styling, and coloring hair. Hairstylists work with both men and women, but most of their clients are women. They primarily work in salons, though they can also be found working for movie or television productions and doing on-location work for magazines and fashion shows.
Stylists cut and style hair to meet the needs of their clients using a combination of techniques such as wet-cutting, dry-cutting, chemical services, and more. They may also apply dye or other coloring agents to affect changes in their client’s hair color. There is also some overlap with hairdressers — technically, anyone who cuts and styles hair can be referred to as a hairdresser. Still, the term is often used to refer to those who work in salons specifically.
Stylists should not be confused with barbers — barbers do men’s grooming exclusively while stylists focus on women’s hair styling. Some stylists, particularly high-end or celebrity stylists, may specialize in cutting and styling only the most elite clientele.
2. Types of Hairstylist
A hairstylist does much more than cutting and coloring hair. It is a profession involving the production of creative works. The artistic nature of hairstyling is derived from its purpose, which is to cut or trim and style hair in an aesthetically pleasing manner according to the client’s wishes. There are different types of stylists such as:
Hairstylist: Cut, trim, and style hair to improve the client’s appearance.
-Cosmetologist or beautician: providing skincare and beauty advice such as makeup, hair styling, and nails.
Wig Specialist: creating headpieces made of human hair or synthetic fibers for special occasions such as Halloween, weddings, and funerals.
Hair Restoration Specialist: restoring hair loss due to disease or trauma.
Hair Extension Specialist: attaching additional strands of human or synthetic hair as a means of increasing the length, volume, and fullness of natural hair.
As you can see, there are many different types of hairstylists. However, they all have one thing in common: they are all experts at cutting and styling hair according to the client’s wishes.
3. What Are the Responsibilities of a Hair Stylist?
A typical workday for a hairstylist may involve arriving at the salon about thirty minutes before the salon is scheduled to open to prepare for their clients. Their daily schedule can vary greatly depending on their clientele, so it’s essential to be flexible when working as a hairstylist.
Most of the day-to-day responsibilities of a hairstylist revolve around providing their clients with the best service possible. This may include shampooing, conditioning, cutting, and styling hair to ensure their clients leave looking fabulous. A large part of this job may also involve suggesting new hairstyles or color techniques appropriate for the client’s face shape, skin tone, and other factors.
Hairstylists may also help their clients choose the best products for their hair and show them how to style and care for their new look. Some stylists may work as a liaison between their client and the salon’s colorist or other staff members if they feel these other professionals could better meet the client’s needs.
On top of all their client-facing responsibilities, hair stylists also have administrative duties such as managing client files and scheduling appointments.
4. How Do You Become a Hair Stylist?
Becoming a hairstylist typically requires completing a formal education that lasts between one and two years. Many hairstylists complete cosmetology programs at local community colleges and technical schools, but some hairstylists learn their trade through apprenticeships or other means.
There are two paths you can take to become a hairstylist: completing an entry-level cosmetology program or earning a professional degree in hair styling. Completing an entry-level program typically entails the following:
Completing a state-approved cosmetology program or apprenticeship. Earning at least 1,000 hours of hands-on training. Passing the state licensing examination.
Graduates from these programs are qualified to work as basic stylists but are not yet eligible for advanced services such as chemical straightening and coloring. Professionally licensed stylists are also commonly required to complete continuing education courses throughout their careers.
Entry-level programs may be an excellent way to break into the hairstyling industry as they provide students with a base of theoretical and practical knowledge that can help them excel in the profession. Earning an advanced degree, on the other hand, gives stylists access to more advanced theoretical and practical knowledge that can help them specialize in a particular area of hair stylings, such as bridal or color theory.
5. What Skills Do I Need to Become a Hair Stylist?
To be a successful hairstylist, you should possess these essential skills
Good Communication and Interpersonal Skills.
Good customer service and people skills are necessary to work as a hairstylist as you will often need to talk to your clients about what they want to achieve with their hair. You should also listen carefully and provide them with appropriate advice.
Creativity and Passion for Hair Styling.
Stylists need to think outside the box to develop new ways of cutting, coloring, or drying hair that are both beautiful and practical. They also need to have a certain degree of artistic skill as they will need to sketch out their hairstyle ideas before actually cutting the hair.
Good Manual Dexterity and Physical Stamina.
Stylists may spend long hours on their feet as they run their hands through hair to wash, cut or style it. They also use sharp instruments like scissors and shears to cut hair, so stylists need to have steady hands and strong stomachs to avoid cutting themselves or others by accident.
Good Business Sense.
Stylists need to manage both their client files and the salon’s administrative work so they can spend more time doing what they do best – styling hair.
6. How Much Do Hair Stylists Make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), hair stylists and other personal appearance workers made an average salary of $24,340 in 2015. However, this number can vary depending on years of experience, occupation, and employer.
The top-paying states for hairstylists are Washington ($45,080), District of Columbia ($44,920), New York ($39,720) and Oregon ($37,580). The top-paying metropolitan areas are the greater Albany, New York area, and the greater Seattle and San Francisco areas.
7. How Long Does it Take to Become a Hair Stylist?
In most states, you can become a hairstylist when you have finished your cosmetology program if you are at least 16 years old. Hairdressers usually need to be at least 18 years old before obtaining an operator’s license from their state government.
Some cosmetology schools may offer short, fast-track programs that can allow you to become a hairstylist in as little as four months. However, most programs last at least nine months and require students to complete 1,000 hours of hands-on training before they qualify for state licensing exams.
8. What Does a Typical Day for a Hair Stylist Look Like?
A typical workday may involve both independent and team tasks. Self-employed stylists may spend a substantial part of their day marketing themselves and finding new customers to keep their business afloat.
Stylists who work in salons can expect to do some client consultations and do administrative work such as filing client files, handling bookings, and handling purchases for the salon. They can also expect to spend part of their day working with other stylists and salon staff members.
9. What Is the Job Outlook for Hair Stylists?
The job outlook for hairstylists is positive, and the BLS predicts that jobs in this occupation will grow by around 5 percent from 2014-to 2024. The growth of the beauty industry can contribute to an increase in demand for hairstylists, especially stylists who are highly skilled at cutting men’s hair.
10. What Is the Difference Between a Hairdresser and a Hair Stylist?
Sometimes people use these terms interchangeably, but they refer to different things. Hairdressers are professionals who focus on cutting hair. They may choose to specialize in men’s or women’s hair or both. However, they typically do not have the artistic flair that a hairstylist has.
Hairstylists cut and style hair to make it look its best. They can be creative in their work, taking inspiration from styles they see on celebrities or in fashion magazines. They may also do more than just cut and style someone’s hair – some hairstylists will dye it or apply special effects for a unique look.
11. Best Colleges to Study Hair Styling
Your hair styling school or college must be accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences. They will hold you to high standards to ensure that when you are done studying at their institution, you are ready to set out on a successful career in cosmetology.
The top-ranked state for hairstylists in Washington. Its cosmetology schools are accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS), making it easier for graduates to find jobs in the state.
The Best Colleges for hair styling include
Paul Mitchell the School Seattle – This school offers full- and part-time programs in hairstyling. Students can enroll in a minimum of 900 hours and a maximum of 2,100 hours for their program.
Paul Mitchell the School Portland – This school offers full- and part-time programs in hairstyling. The school requires 1,200 hours to complete the course, but students can choose to attend part-time to take up to four years to complete the course.
Aveda Institute Seattle – This institute offers full- and part-time programs in hairstyling. Its minimum hour requirement is 900, but students can sign up for 1,300 hours if they want an accelerated program.
Aveda Institute Portland – This institute offers full- and part-time programs in hairstyling that last between 900 and 1,300 hours. Students can complete their course in as little as nine months by attending classes 40 hours a week.
L’Academie de Coiffure – This school is located in Vancouver and offers part-time courses in hair styling. The minimum requirement here is 800 hours; however, students can attend classes for up to 1,000 hours.
Paul Mitchell the School Eugene – This school offers full- and part-time programs in hairstyling. It requires 1,200 hours to complete the course.
Belle College of Beauty Culture – This institute offers 611 hours of training in hairstyling. Students can complete the course within nine months by attending classes 40 hours a week.\
12. Online Courses to Study Hair Styling
When you study hair styling online, you can expect to learn everything that students at a traditional school or college would. You will also get the same diploma as those who attend full-time. Following are some of the popular ones are:
The Ultimate Creative Hair Design Course by Udemy- This course will help students learn everything they need to know about hair care and hair styling. The student would also get to create a hairstyle and teach and do what they love by following this course. You can enroll in the Ultimate Creative Hair Design Course here.
Hair Styling Training- FIRST ONLINE HANDS-ON COURSE! by online makeup academy- This course is suitable for anyone who wants to look after hair and give them a new look. It can also be used as a quick guide for students already working in the hairdressing industry.
Bridal Hair Styling by Alison- When it comes to learning about Bridal Hair Styling, this course is the best. The only place where you can learn how to style and perfect a modern upstyle and natural-looking wedding hairdos.
Conclusion
For those passionate about the beauty industry, a career as a hairstylist may be an ideal choice. With so many different hairstyles and haircuts to choose from, there’s no shortage of creativity for this professional. If you enjoy meeting new people and helping them feel beautiful nside and out, then it might just be time to take that next step in your career!
