What does a Hair Stylist do?
Hair Stylists are key players in the beauty industry. By changing a hairstyle or treating damaged, dry, coarse or thinning hair, they completely change a client’s look and image. They can also alter the texture of a client’s hair for aesthetic reasons; for instance, diminishing frizz with a Brazilian blowout or giving straight hair a curl through a perm. During a consultation, a Hair Stylist will listen to the wishes of the client and offer advice based on factors like face shape, skin colour and type of hair.
Hair Stylist skills and qualifications
In addition to having technical expertise, a Hair Stylist needs to be a people person. As these professionals chat with clients throughout the working day and work in close proximity to other Hair Stylists, they should ideally enjoy the company of others and have an outgoing personality. A successful Hair Stylist candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications, these typically include:
- Strong listening skills in order to understand a client’s needs
- Good verbal skills, so they can effectively advise clients
- Excellent customer service skills
- The ability to work a flexible schedule
- The ability to build long-term relationships with clients
- Patience and the ability to remain calm under pressure
- Physical stamina in order to handle long hours on their feet
- Good time management skills, so that clients are not kept waiting
- Basic knowledge of computers
Hair Stylist experience requirements
Typically, employers require that Hair Stylists have at least two to three years of experience working in a salon, especially for more senior positions. Junior Hair Stylists normally need around one year of experience on a salon floor, whereas a trainee Hair Stylist gains the required experience on the job.
Hair Stylist education and training requirements
Although there are no fixed education and training requirements for Hair Stylists, many employers expect that candidates have at least a few GCSEs in subjects like English and Math to prove they are proficient in reading, writing and working with numbers. Those who wish to become qualified can complete National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) in hairdressing. NVQ Level 1 and 2 Diplomas in Hairdressing, demonstrate that a candidate has all the essential knowledge to work as a qualified Hair Stylist, whereas NVQ Level 3 equips Hair Stylists to take on more senior positions.
Hair Stylist salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Hair Stylist is £22,096 per year. Whereas junior Hair Stylists typically earn around £15,799 per annum, senior Hair Stylists average around £23,970 annually. These figures will vary depending on factors like location and the specific work environment.
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