5 Valuable Lessons from 3 Successful Hairstylists to Anyone Starting Out
Passion and perseverance are at the core of a career in hair care.
Hairstylists make the world go round! As we enter the last week of April and celebrate National Hairstylist Appreciation Day, it is important to take the time to appreciate hairstylists’ global impact in helping us feel more confident through their stellar techniques and amazing skills. If you’re an aspiring hairstylist hoping to positively impact the beauty industry like many hairstylists worldwide, check out the guide below on steps to building your own hair empire, plus tips and advice from hairstylists who are killing the game right now as well!
National Hairstylist Appreciation Day: Candid Talk with 3 New York-Based Stylists
What does it take to be a great hairstylist? This Hairstylist Appreciation Day, learn how to kick off your hairstyling career!
1. Education is Key
As a hairstylist, one of the best things you can do is educate yourself, even if it simply just starts with following along with tutorials that you come across on Instagram, TikTok, or Youtube. However, ultimately, your goal should be to become a licensed hairstylist. Becoming a licensed hairstylist increases your chances of building trust with your clients and working in hair salons. In the United States, it is legally required to have a license when operating as a paid hair stylist. Getting a license requires going to cosmetology school, where you will learn about industry standards for properly caring for hair which is why education is key when training to become a hairstylist.
2. No One Starts at a Pro Level
My tip to future hairstylists is to practice as much as you can. Offer to do a friend’s hair, buy a practice doll, and work on your hair; the more you practice, the closer you are to the next big step in your career.
- Nichole G, former Ghana Based Hairstylist.
Even the biggest artists in the world had a first day. As a hairstylist, it is super important not to compare yourself to those further along in their artistry journey. Instead, practice and persistence is the way to grow as a hairstylist. Also, connecting with and reaching out to professionals you aspire to is the perfect way to build your network and seek mentors you can learn from and grow with.
“In my early days of hair styling, I learned so much about being a hairstylist from watching the older women around me work. The longer I watched and expressed interest in hair styling, the more they allowed me to practice their craft using resources in their salon. Eventually, I was on my way to being licensed and mentoring future stylists who came after me. My tip to future hairstylists is to practice as much as you can. Offer to do a friend’s hair, buy a practice doll, work on your hair, the more you practice, the closer you are to the next big step in your career,” said Nichole G, a former hairstylist who was based in Ghana.
3. Use Social Media as a Promoting Tool
In the age of social media, utilizing social media to build your clientele is important. Social media is a great way to showcase your work, connect with other individuals, and learn from other hairstylists. “As a hairstylist who operates in a small college town, having social media as a tool only helps to make my network stronger; I highly recommend for young stylists starting out to utilize it as much as they can,” said Habi, a college stylist based in Cortland, New York.
4. Be Personable and Have Empathy
It is important to cater to various clients based on different needs and levels of ask. That is what separates a good hairstylist from a great one.
Bridgete K, NYC Stylist.
Being personable makes the job of being a hairstylist all the much better. When clients resonate with you and your values, they are more likely to feel comfortable around you, further instilling their trust in you. Also, who doesn’t love a hairstylist who can converse well with every appointment?
Besides being personable, being empathic is a key characteristic of a hairstylist. “Many people come to hairstylists for help because they cannot care for their hair alone. A hair wash that might seem simple for you could be potentially difficult for someone who experiences disabilities. It is important to cater to various clients based on different needs and levels of ask. That is what separates a good hairstylist from a great one.” says Bridgette K, a hairstylist based in New York, NY.
5. Never Stop Loving What You Do
It’s important to be able to make a living off the work that you do. However, most importantly, it is essential to love what you do. Success will trickle down when you love what you do and put your all into it! “In the new age of social media, many people think that hairstyling is a quick way to make money when it’s quite the contrary. The best hairstylists are people who love what they do and love their clients,” said Bridgette K.
Happy National Hairstylist Appreciation Day to all the hairstylists out there, regardless of your level in the space! Want to share your hairstylist journey with us? Share with us by tagging us @AllThingsHairUS. Also, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter below for more articles like this.
