If you enjoy beauty and hair care, you might want to consider a career as a hair stylist. Successful stylists enjoy a flexible schedule, never-ending challenges, and the option to open and run their own business if they so desire. Training and hard work are required to become a hair stylist, but for those who are passionate about hair, it can lead to a rewarding career.
A high school diploma or equivalency certificate is required by many beauty or cosmetology colleges. If you’re still in high school, you might want to consider taking some basic hair design or styling classes at a local community college until you graduate. Alternatively, look for a part-time job as a hair salon receptionist. This will provide you with valuable customer service and salon experience, which may assist you in obtaining your first job.
Make an application to a hair styling school. These schools may have a few dozen to a few hundred students and offer a variety of degree and certificate programs. The cost of attending a hair design school varies depending on the length of the program, but it is usually around $10,000 USD (USD.) Government student aid programs are frequently available to students who attend accredited institutions. Depending on your school’s financial resources, you may be able to secure housing, job placement, and living expenses.
Take as many extra classes as you can during the school day to get ahead of the game and become the best hair stylist you can be. Learn how to deal with various types and styles of hair. Colorist certification can help you find work dyeing and high-lighting hair, so study as much as you can. Before letting students loose on customers, most beauty schools offer a variety of theoretical and practical classes, but you’ll be dealing with real people and real hair issues in no time.
After graduation, look for available hair stylist jobs in your area. Many salons rent out stations to individual stylists, which means you must pay the salon a percentage of your monthly earnings. Others may want you as a full-time employee who can work with any client. You can also try to work as a junior hair stylist in a major salon; this will give you even more time to learn from a master and hone your skills, but you may have to start with menial jobs.
You might be able to open your own salon if you can save enough money. Even if you only have enough money to buy one chair and one mirror, you can start a business that will eventually grow to whatever size you desire. Begin by giving friends, neighbors, and family discounted haircuts in the hopes that word of mouth will spread about your business. If you’re a gifted stylist, the haircuts you give are your best advertisement, because everyone wants to know who gave their friend the perfect cut. You may soon have a line of eager customers out the door if you have studied hard and can put your new skills to use.