Entering the hairstyling or barbering profession is tough. You need years of practice and dedication before establishing yourself as a professional. However, going on a journey in this field isn’t impossible. If one puts their mind to it, they can achieve any goal. The same goes when working on your profession.
The journey to become a hairstylist is long, but having a dedicated mind can help you in entering the industry swiftly. Here are ten tips to become a top stylist.
Entering the Hair Styling and Barbering Profession with Ten Helpful Tips
As easy as the profession might sound, it’s not a piece of cake. Like any other field, you need to give it your all, or you won’t be able to fulfill your dream of becoming a hairstylist. You can follow these tips for assistance.
Take the Relevant Barber Exam
Before becoming a hairstylist or a barber, you need to pass relevant exams. Some professions require individuals to pass the examinations to become qualified to work. The same goes for the hairstyling profession. You cannot practice what you have learned in some countries without a license.
Of course, the exam won’t be easy, so you might need to take a barber practice exam to become familiar with the exam style and have an idea what questions may be asked. That way, your chances of passing on your first try will increase. You can also gain confidence in life.
Once you pass the barber state board exam, you can work at any place. You could even start your own business, but that is up to you. However, that depends on your exam score. A higher score indicates your grip over the subject matter.
If you feel worried about taking the exam, you could use a barber study guide. It can be helpful to individuals who are dreaming of entering the industry.
Practice to Achieve Perfection
Another tip to become a hairstylist is to practice as much as you can. The barbering profession is a bit tricky. You are responsible for another person’s hair and need practice to get better at your job. That’s the thing about practice; it makes you attain perfection with time.
Haircutting might sound simple, but it is complex work. You need to understand your client’s hair type, know how to distribute all the weight of the hair evenly, and even assess your client’s face structure. If you give a bob cut to someone whose face is broad, it will not suit them.
So practice is crucial. When you practice, you get an idea of different hair types which face type they suit. Furthermore, it helps you increase your speed and follow the requests of your clients.
Remember All Safety Precautions
One should not forget to opt for safety measures in the barbering profession. It’s not all about passing the barber exam or attaining a license. Safety precautions are important in a hairstylist’s life.
Numerous accidents could happen if the hairdresser isn’t careful. Some common problems that occur are:
- Cutting too much hair
- Accidentally burning the client’s hair
- Causing allergic reactions due to incorrect hair products
- Trips and falls
So the number one rule of becoming a hairdresser is to follow safety measures. When clients feel safe with you, they come back to your salon.
In addition, you will need to remember all safety precautions because an increased number of accidents might lead to your license getting revoked. To continue your profession as a hairdresser, avoid unnecessary accidents.
Learn Relevant Skills
The best part about joining the world of hairstyling is that you can practice in any country or continent. The skill is in your hands. So you can take it anywhere. If you want to become a hairstylist in your native city, you can practice there, or you could relocate if needed.
To become a hairdresser, you only need to learn the necessary skills. The place won’t matter. Learn every skill by heart. Of course, the things you learned in the barber exam will give you a grip on multiple skills, but you will need to polish them. So train yourself and practice.
Moreover, if you find something new that isn’t present in the book, try to learn it. The greater the skills, the higher your chances of becoming a recognized hairstylist. Your creativity depends on how skilled you are.
Your valuable skills help you earn all the required recognition and provide financial stability.
Work for Yourself
These days, most people are keen on starting their businesses. Therefore, an individual could kick start their career by having their own business. The moment you attain a license, you have every right to provide your services to people. So, nothing can be better than opening your own salon. You will be your own boss and work according to your comfort.
Furthermore, your finances, clients list, and working hours, will be in your hand. Even the size of the place won’t matter. You could start with a few clients and let your network grow slowly.
Leading a business is no doubt a massive responsibility, but it is the quickest way to excel in your hairstyling profession.
Have Complete Control Over Your Scissors
If you are in the engineering profession, you will need a grip on your devices. Similarly, architects, doctors, and other professionals must develop familiarity with their tools. In the same way, you must have a proper grip on styling tools to become a reliable hairdresser.
Most of your hairstyling is done with scissors, and having enough knowledge on them is necessary. You should have perfect control over your scissors and know how their uses, or the results won’t be good.
So analyze your scissors and learn about their weight, size, and sharpness. Pay attention to how you can hold it to increase your speed and at what angle you are comfortable holding your scissors when cutting your client’s.
Hairstylists who don’t treat their tools with kindness always suffer. These tools, especially your scissors are your best friends. Once you are familiar with a scissor, you can cut a client’s hair in the best possible way.
Make People Feel Comfortable
You can’t ignore your customers. A hairstylist must always behave cordially with each client sitting on their chair. They are putting their trust and hair in your hands, so they deserve an assurance. So to be a hairstylist, you must learn how to make people feel comfortable while sitting on your chair.
Learn the technique to win over your clients’ hearts. Ask about their opinion from time to time. Some hairstylists don’t let their clients speak at all, so it discourages clients from revisiting them.
Most importantly, reassure clients that they are in safe hands while cutting or styling their hair. It’s good to work hard, but your business won’t last long if you can’t provide good customer service.
Don’t Be Afraid of Taking Risks
The thing about hair is that you can sometimes cut it too much or too little. However, if something does turn out a bit shorter or longer than your expectations, don’t panic. Instead, learn from your experience and improve next time.
Being a hairdresser isn’t easy. You deal with multiple types of hair and face types every day. Each day brings a new lesson for you. Welcome it with open arms.
Furthermore, experiment and don’t be afraid of recommending new styles to your clients. Sometimes, being bold in your decisions can help boost your career. Remember, these risks help you grow.
Keep Professionalism Above All
Being professional is of utmost importance. Your professionalism in the fashion or styling industry means a lot. If you’re confused about what comes under professionalism, here are a few points:
- Arrive at your work before the scheduled time.
- Manage tasks within the exact time.
- Be prepared before clients come into the salon for their appointment.
- Keep your working space clean and organized.
- Dress appropriately and look presentable to others.
- Offer help at all times.
These few key points can impress your clients and employers. Every hairstylist must practice these points.
If someone lacks professionalism, they won’t survive in the industry for long.
Be a Team Player
Another tip to keep in mind is to always value your team. You don’t work at the salon alone. There is an entire team, and everyone should have good behavior. Otherwise, it can negatively impact your clients. In such circumstances, things won’t work out, even if you deliver premium services.
So, value your team and be nice to them. Remind them about cleaning their stations and being friendly with clients. You should be on friendly terms with each member of your team.
If someone is lazy, try to make them understand the situation instead of punishing them. Hair stylists benefit the most when their entire team is on board.
Conclusion
Becoming a hairstylist requires years of training and practice. Your journey will officially start after passing your barber state board exam, but there are other things to do. For example, you will need to learn several skills, get control over your scissors, and keep practicing every day.
All these things mentioned above can help you become a hairstylist and get recognized in the industry. There are hundreds of hairdressers everywhere, but not all are successful. You must invest your time and energy to get to the top.
So, follow these tips by heart to grow as a professional. The more motivated you are, the better the chance of achieving your goal.
