What is Hairdressing?

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A career in hairdressing gives you an opportunity to explore trends, creativity, and representation.

Hairdressing is an expertise that is used in many sectors and most hairdressers work in the beauty industry.

Hairdressers mainly specialise in cutting, colouring, styling hair and applying hair foils as a hairstylist you will be expected to be across all manner of concerns relating to appearance, hair styling and personal grooming. A career in hairdressing gives you an opportunity to explore trends, creativity, and representation.

The job of a hairdresser can be very flexible as well. A hairdresser can work at a hair salon or be an independent contractor. In addition to all these perks, hairdressers get to meet many interesting people with fascinating occupations.

What does a hairdresser do?

Hairdressers need to be trained professionally and it is a profession that requires various soft and hard skills. Responsibilities of a hairdresser may vary from salon to salon, but some general hard skills every hairdresser should know are below.

Using hairstyling instruments
Cutting hair with relevant instruments (scissors, clippers, razors)
General hair treatment and scalp care
Shampooing and conditioning hair
Hairstyling
Straightening and waving hair
Cleaning and maintaining work area and hairstyling instruments
Colouring and highlighting hair

Differences between hairdressers and hair stylists

Hairdresser and hair stylist are terms generally used to describe hair professionals. There are some similarities in what both professionals offer, but there are some differences as well. The contrast between these two professions is most visible when hairdressers and hair stylists work together as usually a hairdresser is focused on shampooing, cutting, and colouring the hair.

What does a hair stylist do?

Hair stylist is a person who styles and arranges hair. Stylists provide consultation on hairstyle and mostly they are very involved in the initial stage of a hair appointment where a look is decided on, such as a bob cut.

Stylists will come up with the idea of how the client should change their hairstyle, which style suits the client's appearance and character.

Hairdressers usually do the technical part: cut and colour the hair. Then stylist completes the look by blow-drying, arranging the hair and applying hair care products.

What is the workplace of a hairdresser like?

Hairdressers mostly work at hair salons in shopping malls, hotels, or spas. Some hairdressers even rent a chair in a hair cutting establishment. Hairdressers in the entertainment industry may work in television or production companies. Soft skills are also very important to engage the customers and make them feel comfortable. Soft skills that stylists should have include the below.

Actively listening
Offering advice
Time management
Accepting criticism

What's it like to be a hairdresser?

The career of a hairdresser is very interesting and entertaining and if you love working with different people and being creative with hair (like designing a mohawk) it may be a good career path. Hairdressers have various opportunities to develop professionally as well as personally.

Travel the world
Meet interesting people
Develop interpersonal skills
Earn good money
Hone a creative skill set

What can I earn as a hairdresser?

As a hairdresser you can earn between $50,000 and $60,000 annually. The salary varies according to the hairstylist's education, experience, knowledge, and geographic location.

A hairdresser's annual salary can get as high as $70,000 a year.

For more information on a career as a hairdresser, take a look at Your Career.