Feature - Take your Hairdressing Career to a New Level

Text / Images by Jamie Harrison // Published Friday 14 January 2011

Hairdressing can be both a creatively and financially rewarding career, but to make the most of it you need to keep on top of your game. The most successful people in any career, especially hairdressing or cosmetology, are those that refuse to stand still and continue to grow their skills.

 
Starting out in hairdressing

Young people starting out in hairdressing typically begin as an assistant in a local salon. A good salon will provide on the job training, along with college release for class room learning designed to provide a recognised industry qualification. In the UK for example, the standard qualification is NVQ 2 and requires up to two years training. In the US cosmetology schools provide the essential training over one year, with licences granted according to various state regulations.

Continuing your hairdressing training

Like any other job, the hairdressing or cosmetology qualification is just a starting point and there are many levels of qualifications available to further enhance your CV. Most major hair product manufacturers also offer a wide range of hairdressing workshops and seminars to keep you informed of latest hair trends and hairdressing techniques, usually with an emphasis on their own products.
 
Similarly, lots of large hair salons and chains have dedicated Academies where, for a fee, you can attend a variety of hairdressing courses designed to enhance your techniques and talents. Whilst these are without a doubt the most popular way to keep up to date, they can be expensive and are often only located in large cities. For more provincially based hair stylists this means extra travel and accommodation expenses. They are very useful for networking with other hair stylists, sharing ideas and so forth, but you only get to see the hairdressing technique once and there’s a lot of information to absorb in one day.

 
Online Hairdressing Training

Recently the internet has offered a new and exciting way of hairdressing training and networking. Networking sites are great for talking to other hairdressers and making friends, whilst the massive range of fashion and style websites offer inspiration and keep you up to date with the hottest hair styles and looks.
 
Video streaming technology allows detailed access to hair training and an almost one to one training, and sites such as MyHairDressers.com provide a structured and cost efficient way to learn a vast array of new and up to date hairdressing techniques. As video can be stopped, rewound and watched over and over, the advantage is that you can really learn the techniques at your own pace and in great detail.

Keeping Inspired

No-one knows everything, and it is vital to your hairdressing career that you keep on top of your skill base as well as progressing to keep your hair styles up to date. Hairdressing is closely linked to fashion and is constantly evolving. Reading fashion and hair magazines, browsing websites, watching movies and music videos will ensure that you keep on top of fashionable hair styles and colours. Visiting the major hair shows as well as the many regional hair shows will help to keep you up to date with new hairdressing techniques, products and styles. And don’t forget to keep an eye out on the street – see the hair styles that people are wearing in your town or city, and just be aware of the current trends.

Putting it all together

So, armed with a good hairdressing or cosmetology qualification and regular ongoing hairdressing training, as well as the experience you gain on the salon floor, you should always have enough skills in your tool box to be able to apply them to your clients hair and keep them looking fresh, trendy and beautiful and keep them coming back to your salon time after time.
 
MyHairDressers.com believes that all hairdressing professionals should have the opportunity to be the best they can be, no matter where they live, how rich or poor. Our website is designed to teach you the basic hairdressing skills along with the advanced techniques to challenge you and inspire you. We are setting new standards in global hairdressing education, to give students and colleges everywhere the opportunity to learn from the world’s best hairdressers - not a member sign-up today >>