A hairdresser, or less commonly hair dresser, is a person who specializes in coloring, cutting, and styling hair. There are many different kinds of hairdressers, ranging from professionals who work solely with children to those who only work with elderly clients. Becoming a hairdresser requires a small amount of schooling followed by extensive hands-on experience.
The best way to begin a career as a hairdresser is to attend a specialized hair school. There are many private hair schools scattered throughout the world, and most of these schools offer short-term courses. In fact, many schools have programs that last less than one year. In addition, various hair schools offer apprenticeship programs that allow students to practice hair skills on various clients. This type of program adequately prepares students for a position within a private hair salon.
Following the successful completion of a hair school course, graduates will then have to find employment. This can be accomplished by applying for positions at salons. Alternatively, a hairdresser may seek employment through other institutions such as nursing homes.
While the position of a hairdresser can be extremely rewarding, this type of work can also be highly demanding. Prospective hairdressers should be able to communicate efficiently, work well with others, and have the ability to listen carefully to customer concerns and wishes. Also, hairdressers spend numerous hours standing, which can be physically demanding. As with most other types of professionals, a hairdresser who stays abreast of current trends will likely gain a steady clientele.
To accomplish the task of understanding current hair styles and trends, many hairdressers take part in hair competitions. These competitions involve showcasing cutting, styling, and coloring skills. A salon that has an award winning hairdresser will often gain a large client base. In many instances, salons encourage hairdressers to partake in competitions in order to gain public attention.
Depending upon a hairdresser's place of employment, this profession can be a fairly lucrative one. Many hair stylists who work for larger salons often enjoy a greater salary. Some stylists may also decide to open salons upon graduating from hair school.
Hairdressers can be found in nearly every country across the world. Within North America, hairdressers are often found within salons, though this isn't the case within every country. In many countries, hairdressers make house calls instead of working within salons. Regardless, the position of a hairdresser is one that most societies cannot live without.