Qualities of a Good Hairdresser
He or she is an artist, that’s a given. Yet the qualities of a good hairdresser go far beyond that. A good hairdresser likes every one of her clients, or can act as if she does. He or she’s a good listener, of course, but a good talker as well. She knows how to be friendly without being intrusive. A hairdresser is a businessperson, too, engaged in the business of beauty.
Importantly, a good hairdresser can skillfully adapt current styles to suit the client’s hair, face, and lifestyle. A good hairdresser never produces a cookie-cutter look. He or she stays up to date on style, but never forces her patron into the mold of the latest fashion.
The qualities of a good hairdresser can be divided into three groups-social skills, business skills, and artistic abilities. A highly artistic hairdresser may have some success, but a hairdresser who works at improving in all three areas is likely to have a great career.
Social Skills
For some women, getting their hair done is a chore, but for most it is relaxation. Their hairdresser makes them feel special, by remembering their preferences and catering to them.
A good hairdresser knows how to relate to her clients. She enjoys chatting with them and getting to know them. She may ask about their jobs or their families, but she will never probe or push. Similarly, she may share a story from her own life, but probably won’t share anything troubling or tragic.
At the same time, a good hairdresser is careful not to chatter, especially if she notices that her customer wants personal space. Some clients like to read or text while they are in the chair, and it’s one of the qualities of a good hairdresser to not take such behavior personally.
Business Expertise
Hairdressing is a competitive field. While a good hairdresser can get a job anywhere, to make a good living he must think about the best atmosphere for his personality. The rarefied atmosphere of a spa suits some hairdressers, while others find it stifling. The bustle of a department store salon keeps a stylist busy, but the atmosphere can be impersonal. Many hairdressers have always wanted their own salon.
Some stylists specialize in color or in particular styles. Specialists usually earn a premium for their skills, but must be careful to keep their skill set current. Fashions can change overnight.
For any hairdresser, product sales are an important source of income, but products must match the client’s needs to win repeat business.
Any stylist needs to keep her license current. Other business concerns are taxes, tips, and expenses: Good record keeping is paramount.
Another important facet of the business is building and maintaining a clientele, and books could be written about that topic. A good hairdresser may start out by simply renting a station, but she had better not stop there.
Artistic Quality
The artistic aspects of hairdressing are the heart of the business. A good hairdresser blends color, cut, and style to create a total look that brings out the personality of the person in her chair.
A good hairdresser guides a client toward the personal look that’s right for her. She knows that simply dropping someone else’s hairstyle onto a customer’s head is not artistic.
Therefore, a good hairdresser is not interested in reproducing a look she saw on a celebrity or in a magazine. Instead, she wants to adapt that look to a customer’s life, time constraints, preferences, and appearance. It’s a tough job, but satisfying, when a client assesses herself in the mirror and smiles.
A good hairdresser makes each client look and feel her best.
