Becoming a hairstylist is a dream for many people. It’s a creative and fulfilling career that allows you to work with people and help them look and feel their best. But making the switch from amateur to professional can be daunting.
While you might be able to do your friend’s hair for free without any professional qualifications, if you want to get paid for your work and build your career, you’ll need to get some training under your belt.
So where do you start? What are the steps involved? Read on for a comprehensive guide to becoming a hairstylist. In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to do to become a professional hairstylist with an enviable career.
Table of Contents
To be a stylist you need to be a creative person with a passion for learning new things. You also need to be a confident communicator and be able to work well with a lot of people. You might be working in a very busy and crowded work environment, so you need to be able to keep calm in tense situations.
You may also need to be able to put customers at ease and quickly build up a rapport. If you’re not naturally gifted in these areas, don’t worry – they can all be learned. The most important thing is that you have a genuine interest in the industry and a willingness to work hard.
By its very nature, the hair and beauty sector is always changing with the trends, and you need to be willing to keep up. It isn't a sector that will allow you to become complacent, so it's important to be aware of this before you get started.
Your path to becoming a hair stylist will be different depending on when you decide you'd like to join the profession. If you decide you'd like to become a stylist while you are still in school, the path will be more straightforward. But if you decide you'd like to change careers later on, there will be multiple pathways available to you.
Often, the first step is getting some qualifications under your belt. There are many different routes into the profession, but most stylists will need to complete a vocational hair training course. These are available at colleges and universities, as well as private training academies. You could also work your way into the industry by gaining experience and building your portfolio, but you will still need a qualification to be able to do this professionally.
There are a number of benefits to professional training. As well as teaching you the basics of hair cutting and styling, these courses will also give you an introduction to other aspects of the job, such as customer service and retailing.
If you decide you would like to be a hairstylist early on in your professional career, the first step to becoming a hairstylist is to complete high school. This isn’t an absolute necessity, but it will give you a solid foundation of knowledge and skills to build on.
Working as a stylist may require basic numeracy and communication skills, so you'll need to be confident in English and Maths. Science subjects like Chemistry can also be helpful to gain a better understanding of how chemical treatments such as hair dye and perming work.
Once you have completed high school, you can then look for college courses in cosmetology or hair styling. This will give you the opportunity to learn more about the trade and start refining your skills. The most popular and in-demand qualification for hair stylists in the UK is an NVQ or National Vocational Qualification.
Passing a Level 2 course will allow you to start working as a junior stylist, but you will need a Level 3 qualification before you can work as a senior stylist.
If you’re already working in a completely different sector but fancy a change, don’t worry – it’s never too late to become a hairstylist. There are many people who have made the switch later on in their careers and gone on to have very successful hair styling businesses.
When you are first starting out, you will need to complete a hair stylist course. This will give you the basic skills and knowledge you need to start your career. There are many different courses available, and it's important to choose one that is accredited by the British Association of Hairdressing (BAH).
After you have completed your course, you will need to find an apprenticeship or work as a junior stylist in a salon. This will give you the chance to gain practical experience and learn from more experienced stylists. It's important to take advantage of any opportunity to learn, as this will help
The first step is to research NVQ Level 2 qualifications in your area. There are often adult learning courses that will enable you to get the skills and experience you need to excel in this field.
You could also look for an apprenticeship. These are perfect if you want to get some on-the-job experience while you learn. Many apprenticeships will also give you the opportunity to work towards an NVQ qualification, so it’s a great way to kill two birds with one stone.
There are other ways to get into the industry without completing a vocational course or an apprenticeship. You could build up your portfolio by taking on clients informally or working at friends’ weddings and events. This is a great way to get some experience under your belt, but it's important to remember that you won't be able to work as a professional stylist without a qualification.
There are three main ways that hair stylists can work in the UK. The first is to be self-employed. When you choose this option, you are responsible for your business premises, insurance and marketing. This can be a great way to have complete control over your work-life balance and earnings, but it does come with its own set of challenges.
The second option is to rent a chair in a salon. This is a popular choice for stylists who are just starting out in their careers. You will need to pay rent to the salon owner, but you will get to keep all of the money you make from your clients. This option gives you the flexibility to build up your client base without any major financial commitments.
The third option is to find employment in a salon. Many stylists will start their careers by working for someone else, and there are many benefits to this arrangement. You will receive a regular salary, and you will also benefit from things like holiday pay, sick pay and training. This option can be a great way to get your foot in the door, but it's important to make sure you find a salon that shares your vision and values.
Once you have gained some experience, you may decide that you would like to move into freelance work. This can be a great way to have complete control over your career, and it also gives you the opportunity to earn more money. You could operate
When you are freelance, you are responsible for finding your own clients and managing your own finances. This can be a challenge at first, but there are many ways to market yourself as a freelancer. Social media is a great way to reach out to potential clients, and networking events can also be beneficial.
As a freelance hair stylist, you will need to make sure you are properly insured. You should also consider setting up a limited company to manage your finances.
Working as a hair stylist can be a very rewarding career. It's important to remember that it takes time and dedication to build up your skills and experience. The most important thing is to enjoy what you do and always strive to be the best stylist you can be.
Clients need to know that they can trust you with their hair, and often the best way to demonstrate this is with a portfolio of your work. When you are starting out, you may not have a lot of work to show, but there are a few things you can do to get started.
One option is to ask friends and family if you can style their hair. This is a great way to get some experience and build up your portfolio. You could also offer your services for free at local events or charity functions.
Another option is to take before and after photos of your clients. This is a great way to show potential clients what you are capable of. Just make sure you get permission from your clients before you use their photos.
As your career progresses, you will start to build up a more extensive portfolio. You could also consider submitting your work to hair magazines or entering competitions to demonstrate what you can do. As your profile grows, so too will your earning potential. You may also be in demand and could have top salons in your area keen to hire you.
If you are a freelance stylist, you need to make sure you have sufficient public liability insurance to cover you in the event that something goes wrong. You should also consider taking out insurance to cover your equipment.
As a hairstylist, you will be using a variety of chemicals and products on a daily basis. It's important to make sure you are using them safely and correctly to avoid any accidents. There are many training courses available that can help you stay up to date with the latest safety procedures.
You also need to make sure you are keeping up with the latest trends and techniques. Hair fashion is constantly changing, so it's important to make sure you are keeping up with the latest styles. Many salons offer in-house training, but there are also plenty of courses and workshops available that can help you stay ahead of the curve.
Once you have established yourself as a hairstylist, you may decide that you would like to move into education or management. There are many opportunities available for those who are willing to progress in their careers.
One option is to become a salon manager. This could involve managing a team of stylists, overseeing the day-to-day running of the salon and dealing with clients. If you are interested in this role, you will need to have excellent organisational and people skills.
Another option is to become a hair colourist. This is a specialist role that involves mixing and applying hair colours. You will need to have an eye for detail and be creative to be successful in this role. This is equal parts technical and creative, as you'll need to know how to mix chemicals and understand how they work on different hair types. You'll also need to be able to stay on top of the latest hair colouring trends.
If you want to progress your career even further, you could specialise in a particular area. For example, you could become a wedding hair stylist or you would train as a hairstylist in the fashion, TV or film sectors. There are many options available, and you can choose the path that best suits your skills and interests.
Becoming a hairstylist is a great way to use your creativity to make people look and feel their best. There are many different routes into the profession, and you can choose to specialise in a particular area if you want to progress in your career. To be successful, you need to have excellent people skills, be up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques and be able to use a variety of products safely. And finally, you should commit to lifelong learning to make sure you are always ahead of the curve.
