As a Cosmetology Student or a New Hairstylist, have you ever wondered: What does it takes to become a successful Hairstylist? What skills do I need to be confident, know what I'm doing and make a lot of money? ...or at the very least, enough money to pay your bills?
This list is just 1 of 2 ways I've seen Hairstylists excel in their careers. Click here to read my blog "2 Skills You Need To Become A Successful Hairstylist".
As the Director Of New Talent Education, I can attest to this list of ways New Talent Hairstylists excel at "doing hair".
10 Ways New Hairstylists Get Really Good At Doing Hair
They kept working on foundational cutting and color skills. They sought out classes, anywhere and everywhere, and participated. They didn’t wait for their salon to teach them, they went looking for educational answers.
They reread their Cosmetology Books on hair color and hair-cutting theory. They studied the color wheel and the color chart of the color line they were using. They studied and practiced one-length, layered, and short men’s cuts. (Foundational cutting and coloring skills.)
They prepared for their appointments. They talked to their client outside of the salon, and asked them for inspo pictures. When they had an idea of what the client might want for their cut or color service, they watched YouTube Videos, practiced on a mannequin, and talked to other Hairstylists. By the time the client came in, the New Hairstylist was nervous, but they were ready to perform the service.
They went to the dorms at the local college and offered the students low cost haircuts, styling, and hair color. They did hair in the dorms outside of their work hours to practice their skills and build their confidence.
They asked more experienced Hairstylists if they could observe (or assist) them doing a cut, styling or color technique they didn’t know how to do. They asked a lot of questions in the back room. And listened to the answers.
They practiced cuts and color on their moms, dads, friends, siblings, aunts and uncles.
If they were scared of a particular haircut, they watched YouTube videos, and practiced on a mannequin, then took the mannequin to an experienced Hairstylist and asked them to go through the cut and give them constructive criticism.
They asked if they could bring in a client to practice a service they wanted to get better at doing, and then asked for feedback from another Hairstylist. Or they asked if they could put up a tripod and mannequin to practice when it wasn’t busy in the salon.
They worked one or two days a week at a kid salon or a blow dry bar to improve their skills and speed.
They volunteered to apply color, or blow dry the front desk, cleaning person, or anyone that worked at the salon.
Elevating The Industry,
Karen Spinelli
Cosmetology Students and New Hairstylists I would love to hear from you! You can reach out here, on my site, Instagram, or Facebook. Sign up for my newsletter to receive my weekly blog sent to your inbox.
Cosmetology Schools and Teachers I would love to talk to your students! To book Karen as a speaker at your Cosmetology School, click here.
Karen Spinelli is from Pasadena, California. She was behind the chair for thirty-five years, as well as Salon Director of Education for New Hairstylists for the last twenty years. Karen loves to spend time with and watch Hairstylists succeed!
