TV and Film Work

Another route you can take in the session world is to work in television or film. Being an on-air expert allows you to be in front of the camera, while working on hair on TV or film sets enables you to showcase your skill set behind the scenes.

“I had an opportunity to do the hair for a television pilot and it gave me an interesting perspective because the work you do is different than other session work,” says LaChance. “You have to make the hair look exactly the same for about 12 to 16 hours in the day, so continuity is a huge thing. I had to remember not to be too elaborate and out there with my ideas because I had to be able to recreate that multiple times in a day or multiple days in a row, and I had to prepare myself to stare at the same thing all day long, which is very different than photo shoot work and working behind the chair.”

“As a hair expert on television, I’m working in front of the camera to share

— KEVIN HUGHES, EDITORIAL HAIRSTYLIST AND GLOBAL ARTISTIC DIRECTOR FOR MOROCCANOIL

Fashion Week

my knowledge with the audience and I’m also working with clients on camera,” says Duplantis. “I like to tell people that you have to remember that you’re a hairstylist first.”

Duplantis adds that when working with TV clients on camera, she always does a full consultation so she can get to know her client and what they want, just as she would in a salon environment. The key difference is remembering not to do something drastic to the client’s hair. Just because it’s going to look good on television doesn’t mean it’s going to work for the client on a daily basis.

“You also have to keep in mind that when you’re working with a client on television, that’s their first time being in front of a camera in that way,” she says. “You want to make sure you’re walking them through the process completely to make them comfortable and confident. I like to give them a little bit more coddling than a client behind the chair to help take those butterflies away.”

Getting used to talking to a camera is also part of the job. While it can be nerve-wracking for anyone to be on television at first, taking every opportunity to speak in front of people and practise before your debut is a good idea.

Hairstylists who are hired to work backstage at Fashion Week have to be able to thrive in a fast-paced environment while also work collaboratively with designers and makeup artists on the overall look.

“I began by assisting at New York Fashion Week, and it’s a great way to learn about the whole process and get used to how everything works,” says Hughes. “One of my best pieces of advice for any hairstylist who’s looking to do the same is to make sure your ego is checked. A lot of people go into this wanting to be a star and, while it could happen, you have to remember that it’s a lot of work and you need to be open to learning. Keep your mind open, watch the main stylists like a hawk, and pay attention to everything that’s going on. Taking all of the information and then being able to apply it to your own process is priceless.”

Staying up to date with your education is imperative to help you advance your career and get noticed by brands and designers. Not only does education help you keep up with trends and techniques but it can also help you get comfortable working with others.

“It’s about being able to create someone’s vision without just copying it,” says Hughes. “I realized that you have to work with others. It really does take a village, and you need to hear other people’s point of view and be open to that.”

“I’m also a perfectionist, which was another challenge for me because I learned that you have to pivot or change things sometimes,” he adds. “I learn something at almost every show because they always ask things of me that have never been asked before. While this work comes with press coverage that is great and allows me to continue to expand my portfolio, I think one of the greatest things about this type of work is that it can inspire others and spark creativity in them.”