Hairstyling is a popular profession as it offers immense growth opportunities for both newbies and seasoned professionals. The freedom and versatility it offers make it one of the most rewarding career options. You can follow trends or be a trendsetter, work in a salon or do your own thing, just the way you want. Not surprisingly, young professionals, stay-at-home moms, and experienced beauty experts are keen to join the bandwagon. But you cannot expect success to come right away because the industry is competitive and clients are highly demanding.
Succeeding as a stylist requires you to master the skills of the trade and add a personal touch to your services. You require more than technique and know-how to reach the top of the ladder. Your attitude and mindset go a long way in determining your growth trajectory as a hairstyling pro. While you may have some qualities inherently, it is vital to cultivate others to open the road to success. Here are some essential traits you must imbibe to become a master hairstylist.
A knack for listening
Anyone in the beauty and styling industry should be a good listener. Your clients will have several things to share when it comes to their expectations, challenges, and needs. For example, they may want a hair makeover if they are tired from carrying the same style for years.
Likewise, a client may want a coloring job to cover their grays while looking natural. Someone may narrate their horror stories of having bad hair days at important meetings and events. Listening to clients closely enables you to recommend the style that matches their needs. In fact, reading between the lines can make you even better at your job. You are bound to end up with happy clients and more referrals if you go the extra mile by being a good listener.
Empathy for clients
Being in a client-facing profession means you have to be empathic towards others. It enables you to understand the unspoken needs of your patrons, which helps break the barriers with introverts. Not everyone is expressive enough to state their needs in clear words. But you can use empathy to dig deep and understand what they actually want. The trait can enable you to build a loyal client base with people who trust you enough to let you do your own thing with their hair. You can use the freedom to create a masterpiece with a beautiful cut, style, or color for them.
Love for learning
Successful professionals never stop learning, and the rule applies to hairstylists as well. In fact, the styling industry is dynamic, and you must be willing to learn and upgrade to stay relevant and competitive. Love for learning is perhaps the most significant trait that takes you a step close to your career goals. You can learn in more than one way. Going back to the styling school is a great way to revamp your skills. Attending workshops and events keeps you at pace with the latest trends. You can even check new techniques on the internet and try them on dummies until you are confident enough to work with clients.
Master craftsmanship
Hair styling is a craft, and the best stylists do not settle for anything but the best. Even as you learn and upgrade, practice to hone your specialist skills. Investing in quality tools gives you a good start, so make sure you have the best shears, beveled blades, razors, combs, and brushes in your cutting kit. Likewise, opt for high-quality styling and coloring equipment as well. At the same time, ensure keeping your tools in excellent condition with good maintenance. The best tools make you a master of the craft and ensure you always deliver the best to your clients.
Immense creativity
The best stylists can think outside the box for every client they serve. If you wish to be an expert, be willing to let your creativity take control every time you hold your tools. Embrace a unique vision to match each client’s needs and expectations. Also, be honest enough to suggest what works and what doesn't, even if your client may have some qualms about accepting your ideas. Providing them with multiple options is even better, but ensure you have a plan B ready in case they do not like the style you create for them.
Self-confidence
Besides creativity, self-confidence is another skill a successful hairstylist must have. It comes from practice and passion, so fuel yourself with endless hard work and drive. Consider finding a mentor to take your confidence to the next level. It could be a trainer at your styling school, a senior stylist at your salon, or even a social media influencer. Watch your mentor closely, and you can even learn from their deft movements without training under them. Self-confidence also comes from mistakes, provided you are willing to learn from them and find ways to correct them with a better idea.
Business skills
Achieving success as a stylist is as much about business skills as technical capabilities. Whether you run a studio or work as an independent artist, you must think like an entrepreneur. Calculate your costs, revenues, and profits, and assess your professional growth over the years. Think of marketing and customer service operations as any other business owner would. You must have both plans to ensure good visibility and outreach and enhance client retention for your styling business. Learn the ropes as you go, and reinvest in your business by spending on skill upgrades, new equipment, and marketing outreach.
Becoming a master stylist takes more than inherent skills and professional training. You can get close to your goals by embracing these winning traits. Remember that you are born with some traits, and you learn the others once you enter the professional zone. Be ready to polish the inborn ones, and educate yourself to imbibe the rest. You will become a master sooner than later with only a little effort and lots of passion for your craft.
