Freelance Job No.8: Become a Hairdresser ~ The Home Buff

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Hair stylist unique fashionable salon red head by thebootique

What does a hairdresser do?

Before you become a hairdresser, it is very important that you know what a professional hairdresser do.

Hairdressers cut and style hair. The stylist's main goal is to make sure the customer is satisfied with his or her haircut. If the customer is pleased, this will help to ensure repeat business.

Barbers are also hair dressers and usually have men as clients. The barber gives haircuts, trims hair on your face and shaves. Some additional providers performed can include facials and neck massages. Treatments such as locks replacement and coloring might be available.

Some hairdressers that work at salons may help along with spa providers. The hairstylist would need to be knowledgeable about the spa treatments. At some places, the stylist may help with body wraps or deep tissue massages. Sophisticated hairdressers occasionally specialize in skin care. Often, clients may want consultation services regarding their own skin, as well as hairdressers can recommend lotions, make-up and other products.

What do you need to become a hairdresser?

In order to become a good hairstylist, you have to undergo training. You don't become a hairstylist overnight, you have to learn the skill.

Most hair dressers have graduated from cosmetology school and acquired their cosmetology license. The hair dresser may start away working as an apprentice in a salon to get experience. The hairs dresser may lease booth space from an established salon or have a private shop.

The first step of any career decision is to determine whether you really want to be a hairdresser and work within hair salons and clients. Look into what the career involves on a daily basis and what the long term goals can be for career development. You need to ensure that your temperament and personality are suited to hairdressing and the daily tasks involved. Once you have determined that you do want to be a hairdresser, there are several steps to complete to become qualified. After high school there are various levels of post-secondary education and training that you will need to complete to become qualified, with various levels and extended training for higher qualifications.

Where can you learn the skill to become a hairdresser?

United Kingdom - There are a number of hairdressing institutions that offers courses about hairdressing. There are some that offers a week-long course, and some offers diploma course with training that lasts for months.

You can also learn how to become a hairdresser in three ways:

1) by becoming an apprentice in a salon;

2) Gain an NVQ;

3) Earn a Foundation Degree in Hairdressing.

Australia - There are a number of schools and programs available with one of the most popular being the Certificate III in Hairdressing from TAFE institutions. This course is the basic one year course that trains students to become fully qualified hairdressers, with the Certificate I and II being the foundation courses. Naturally there is a Certificate IV in Hairdressing available that develops the skills and knowledge at a higher level of specialist hairdressing, in addition to business management skills. This course is ideal for those wishing to operate hair salons as a business.
USA - According to the National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator, there are over sixty schools in the US that offer training in hair styling and cosmetology. Most programs take at least nine months to complete, and many hair stylists pursue additional professional development in hair care, skin care, cutting techniques, dyeing, styling and product training.

You need to be at least sixteen years of age and have a high school diploma or GED to attend cosmetology school. It is also helpful to be interested in chemistry since you will be mixing chemicals for dyeing, curling and straightening hair. You should also like people and have good customer service skills, which you can obtain by working in a salon or spa as a receptionist or as a shampooer. There is also a preference to hire organized, dependable people who are neat in their appearance, since it is important to keep a clean station, fulfill appointments and to act as representative for the salon or spa.

What are the qualifications to become a hairdresser?

United Kingdom - If you wish to become a hairdresser first you will have to undertake suitable training. The recognised qualification for hairdressers is a NVQ Certificate/Diploma in Hairdressing/Barbering/Combined Hair Types.

There are three different NVQ levels. Level 1 is suited to anyone who wishes to become a hairdressing assistant. Level 2 is aimed at those who want to become a junior stylist. Finally, level 3 is for those who already have one of the previous qualifications and wishes to become a senior stylist.

Australia- There are Diplomas of Hairdressing Salon Managementwhich is classified as an advanced trade qualification and is an alternative to the Certificates. The two year Diploma course is for new entrants to the hairdressing industry and it combines both certificate criteria with management skills at Diploma level for effective hair salons management.

As an alternative to straight educational courses, many hairdressers opt for an apprenticeship as a means of becoming a qualified hairdresser. This is means to a full trade qualification with many hair salons offering training from the commencement of a hairdressing apprenticeship to its completion, often with a career at the end.

USA - Licensure is mandatory for all barbers and hairdressers, and requirements vary by State. Training from vocational schools as well as private academies is usually available. Length of training varies, but most programs are completed in less than one year. During the training period, practical experience in hair cutting, coloring and processing is mastered, as is health and safety procedures and basic business practices. Upon completion of training, candidates are then eligible to take the State Board Exam offered by the state. The exam usually consists of two parts, written and practical; some states require an oral examination.

List of equipment needed to start your hairdresser career:

A. Blow-drying equipment

Blow-drying is a technique that you will use to style wet hair into a dry hair shape. You can use blow-drying to make hair curly, straight or wavy and to make it fuller and give it volume. The equipment you will use for blow-drying includes:

Round brushes
The Denman Classic brush
Vent brushes
Hairdryers
Diffusers
Tongs
Clippers and neck trimmers
Flat irons

B. Diffuser

With a diffuser, you can achieve root lift and define curly hair. Diffusers come in different sizes. They fit on the end of your hairdryer and help you to control the heat and direct it onto the hair.

C. Round Brushes

Round brushes can be metal or wood. Metal round brushes You will use metal brushes to create a bend or movement in your haircuts. Wooden round brushes Wooden brushes come in different types and sizes.

D. Hairdryer

Hairdryers come in many shapes, with different speeds and powers. Professional dryers start from 1,800 watts and go up to 3,000 watts. Small hairdryers are good for short or fine hair. Bigger and more powerful ones are for thick or long hair. The hand-held dryer Hair-dryer attachments

Nozzle The nozzle is used to help concentrate the flow of hot air onto a specific area of the hair. The hot air is directed through the nozzle, which makes it a particularly effective tool because it gives you more control over your blow-drying. Diffuser A diffuser is attached to your hairdryer and distributes an even flow of hot air through a set of vents. You can use it to create a soft, casual curl or give movement to your finished haircuts.

E. Denman Classic brush

The Denman Classic half-round brush is designed to help you get the right finish on a one-length classic bob. It is highly versatile and will allow you to maximise volume and give a smooth, polished finish to your haircuts.

F. Tongs

Electric heated styling tongs are used on dry hair. They are most often used on short fine hair, afro hair or long hair to make a ringlet effect. They can be used to create movement or curl. Spiral tongs Spiral tongs have a grooved barrel, usually of about 13mm. The hair is wrapped around the barrel to give perfect tiny curls and ringlets.

G. Vent brush

This lightweight, plastic brush is the easiest to use and the most popular with both men and women stylists. With it, you can add more volume to your haircuts than with any other brush.

Who are the clients of a hairdresser?

Almost everybody can be a potential client of hairdressers because everyone will need a haircut. You can start by offering free haircuts to you family and friends do that people will be able to see you finished products.

What is the typical income of a hair dresser?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, the median salary for hairdressers was $18,960 in 2002. Salaries will vary according to region, type of salon and experience. Areas in more metropolitan areas will invariably be more populous, and the demand for qualified hairdressers will be higher than that of a rural area, thus, salary will be affected accordingly. Additionally, the income of self-employed hairdresser will vary depending on type of services, business and region. Learn More, click here.