Does Practice Really Make Perfect? By Kylie Dwyer

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If you Google, “how many hours does it take to become an expert”, you will see the answer is 10,000 hours! Does it really take 10,000 hours to truly master something? Some experts in the sporting and performing arts world suggest that 20,000 to 25,000 hours is what it really takes to become an expert or a master at your skills or subject.

So how does this relate to Hairdressing? I often ask myself! Why don’t many hairdressers reach an expert level of cutting hair with confidence?

Whilst I know the answer, and I will get back to that in a moment, it still baffles me, if you choose a career in something you want to do, why don’t hairdressers create a habit and behaviour of practicing their skills every day so they can be the best they can be.

I believe this happens for a few reasons.

- Little or no culture of training & practicing in the salon

- Lack of foundation training in the team as a whole - The current fashion doesn’t demand a high level of skill in haircutting to give the clients the style they are asking for

- The business doesn’t have a training plan or pathway in place for each team member

- Lack of budget allocation for training.

- Poor understanding of the ROI for quality Education.

This is just a few of the reasons, let’s chat about some of these.

Education culture

If the salon owner and the senior stylist are not investing time or money into education themselves, then why would a person new to Hairdressing ever think that self-education is something they should do. Rarely do I see a hairdresser in their spare time between clients working on a mannequin or model, creating/ practicing new techniques to share with their clients. As a hairdresser of the 36 years and an expert in haircutting, I’m still learning and practicing weekly so I can produce my best work possible.

Current Fashion demands

Long hair and balayage……. Don’t get me started on this!!! Whilst I love the fashion and the look, most of the stylist attending my workshops are terrified of short hair cutting. The reason for this is two things:

- The fashion trends that our clients are asking for, being at the moment balayage and long hair means that our younger hairdressers simply don’t get the opportunity to work with short hair. - My research shows that 90% of hairdressers have never had short hair themselves so understanding the skills required to produce short hair is almost nonexistent.

Foundation training

I often get asked by salon owners and managers, when is the right time to start haircutting Training? The simple answer is always, “the sooner the better”. In many of my workshops I work with apprentices that have never picked up a pair of scissors before and within two days of education with me they are comfortably cutting solid form haircuts, other apprentice’s that attend have already been cutting hair, are often in bad habits. Whilst a good educator can break those habits quickly it will take patience and consistent practice to break the bad habit. I relate foundation training to the likes of a pilot learning to fly a plane. The earlier you start learning the theory behind it and the hands-on practical education in a simulated environment the sooner you can get on the floor confidently.

Training requirements

With an apprenticeship being only three years there is so many training requirements and practice needed to help hairdressers become qualified let alone an expert. To have your team qualified and on their way to becoming an expert, your training plan needs to include my top 10 disciplines a hairdresser needs to master. 1. Structured consultation with clients 2. Develop Communication skills with colleagues and Clients 3. Colour training 4. Cutting training 5. Understand Customer service 6. Home care education for clients 7. Up-styling 8. Blow drying skills 9. Straightening services 10. Leadership and management skills.

Budgeting for Education

I know many education providers like mine offer weekly payment plans so there really is no excuse, a little bit each week of your turnover dedicated to up-skilling your team will return you ten-fold.

Let me share a great saying by Aristotle that I really love.

The roots of education are bitter but the fruit is sweet

Meaning when you start your learning it’s hard and tedious and an assortment of all other difficulties.

My advice to any hairdresser that wants to become an expert is, yes, it will take 10,000 hours, and remember there are many disciplines to master before you will become an expert hairdresser. Trust the process, Work hard perfecting strong foundation skills and practice at every opportunity.

www.elitehaireducation.com