Becoming a Hair Stylist

Are you constantly begging your friends and family members to let you cut or style their hair? Have you colored your hair more in the past month than most people do in a lifetime? Well, have you ever thought of directing all that hair-raising energy into a future career?

Training

There are hairdressing schools all over the world, but if you aren't the type who wants to spend life after high school taking post-secondary education, then you'll be pleased to know that the training to become a professional hairdresser often takes less than a year! That's not to say it's all smooth sailing, but it does mean you can be in and out of school before you know it and headed for the working world. Once you're certified, you can take specialized courses for different styling techniques like perms and hair coloring.

Highs of the Job

Aside from the ability to play around with people's hair all day, it's rewarding to make a person look and feel great with a new haircut. Plus it's great to know that when a happy customer leaves, they'll come back - and bring all their friends with them! And on slow days, you'll always have lots of gossip to keep you busy!

Lows of the Job

You often don't think about all the time hairdressers spend on their feet, but standing for eight hours a day while clipping, styling and sweeping up the mess afterwards can leave you tired and in need of a good foot massage!

Cause for Concern

We've all been the recipient of a bad haircut that had us grabbing for our trusty baseball caps, but have you ever wondered what it's like to be the one who caused that wretched hairstyle? What do you do to rectify the situation? Well, after countless reassurances that the client looks great (even if they don't) and an apology or two later, the hairdresser won't charge the client. So you'll lose money and possibly even the client, who may go looking for a new hairstylist.

Salary

How much a hairdresser makes depends on which salon they work at, how many regular clients they can rack up, and what the client wants done to their hair. The best clients are usually women because they're all about cuts, styles, blow-drys and color. Potentially a hairdresser can make up to $100 per client - and that's not even for the fanciest salons.

On the Cutting Edge

So if you think that hairdressing is the career for you, then check to see whether your high school offers an introductory haircutting course, or take a weekend class at your local community center. And continue practicing cuts, styles and dye jobs on your friends and family members... if they'll let you!

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Read more: Work It