Career Styler 2023

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STYLer

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OFTHE MONTH LEAR NER spotlight award SCHOOL

OFTHE YEAR LEA R NER

Editor’s word

Looking for a career that is creative, fashion-led, and about making people feel fabulous? Look no further. Hairdressing is an incredible career that offers so many amazing possibilities, from working in a salon and building relationships with regular clients to traveling the world in a variety of creative roles.

With the help of our sponsors, we want this Career Styler to open your eyes to just what a rewarding career hairdressing can be. We’ve also packed the Career Styler with information and advice to make sure you get the most from your career and explore all the paths hairdressing offers.

You’ll also find details of Concept Hair’s competitions, including The School Spotlight Award, which is open to entries until 31 March, 2023. Entering competitions like The School Spotlight Award and our pioneering Learner of the Year competition, is a great way to hone your skills, express your creative side and build your profile within the hairdressing industry.

We hope you enjoy the Career Styler 2023 and that it inspires and excites you to enter a career in hairdressing.

Matthew Batham

Editor, Concept Hair Magazine

www.concepthairmag.co.uk

Search: ConceptHairMag

EDITOR: MATTHEW BATHAM matthew.batham@sng-publishing.co.uk

SENIOR DIGITAL CONTENT EXECUTIVE: SAM TAYLOR sam.taylor@sng-publishing.co.uk

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER: LEE OWEN lee.owen@sng-publishing.co.uk

MANAGING EDITOR: CELIA MATTHEWS celia.matthews@sng-publishing.co.uk

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: PATRICK BLORE patrick.blore@sng-publishing.co.uk

EVENT MANAGER: SAMANTHA COLE samantha.cole@sng-publishing.co.uk

MANAGING DIRECTOR: ZOË TANNER zoe.tanner@sng-publishing.co.uk

Career pathway

5 CATWALK CREDENTIALS

• Session styling is thrilling! You could work in the worlds of fashion, TV or magazine editorial. But its highly competitive.

• You’ll need to get experience working with teams backstage at fashion shows and shoots.

• Consider studying a Level 3 Diploma in Fashion, Theatre and Media Hair and Make-up.

1 YOUR ADVENTURE STARTS HERE!

• Studying a vocational qualification, at Levels 1 and 2, is a great way to kickstart your hairdressing career.

• You can also take Level 1 Technical Certificates in specific areas of hairdressing.

• Great News! You’re all set to go and work in a salon as an assistant barber or hairdresser.

2NO STOPPING YOU NOW! There are hundreds of colleges out there where you can begin your inspirational journey.

• Study Level 2 Technical Certificates in a range of hairdressing skills.

• Take Level 2 Vocational/ Occupational qualifications such as Diplomas and NVQ/SVQs.

• Enrol in a traineeship, a skills programme that includes a work placement.

4 IT DOESN’T STOP THERE!

• It’s time to become a fully-fledged stylist or even a senior stylist or barber. These qualifications will help: Level 3 vocational qualifications, such as Diplomas or VRQ Level 3 Awards.

• Now you can specialise! Be a bridal hairdresser or travel the world as a cruise ship stylist. You could go freelance.

3 LEARN AS YOU EARN!

• Begin an apprenticeship with a salon straight from school, or after achieving qualifications at college and start earning money while you learn.

• Take on some assistant duties within the salon, while learning the skills needed as you work.

• Attend college or a private academy for the theory side.

• You’re already winning! With an apprenticeship under your belt, you can work as a graduate stylist in a salon or barbershop.

Your career in hairdressing will be as varied and exciting as you make it! This pathway, compiled with the help of VTCT, shows you some of the fabulous directions you could take.

“Every career will be different”

Richard Phillipart

Ruffians

7 LOVING THAT TEXTURE!

• Textured hair is one of the most exciting areas to specialise in – you could be the expert!

• Study a specialist Level4 qualification.

6 COLOUR EXPERTISE

• Take specialisation to the next level and focus your career around a specific area of hairdressing such as colour.

• Continue your education journey with specialist Level 4 qualifications.

8 SHARE YOUR SKILLS

• Being an educator or lecturer at a college or academy is a great way to go in your career.

• You’ll need to study one or more of the following: Level 3 Award in Education and Training, a Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training and a Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training.

9 HAIR SCIENCE

• Extend your skill set beyond hairdressing and study trichology.

• Trichology is the science of hair and scalp and a qualified trichologist is a highly respected professional.

• To become a fully qualified trichologist you would need to study extensively for around two and a half years.

10 BE THE BOSS

• Want to own or manage your own salon? Experience is a massive part of your learning journey, but there are also Level 4 qualifications that will help you achieve your dream.

• Level 4 qualifications can include a Diploma in Salon Management or Advanced Technique and Management Practice.

“A growing number of hairdressers are extending their skill set beyond hairdressing”

Indola

Blushes

Francesco

Fontana

Rob Eaton

In the know

FIVE REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BE A HAIRDRESSER:

1

Hairdressing offers loads of variety.

You can work in a salon, get creative on photoshoots and backstage at fashion shows, travel the world as a brand ambassador, or choose to specialise. There are so many pathways you can take!

2

You really make a difference to people. Hairdressers can lift a client’s mood, give them confidence and even help them through really difficult times in their life. Don’t underestimate the importance of being a hairdresser, you really can make a huge difference.

3

It’s a creative career. From the moment you start working on your first doll’s head, you are being creative. As you build your skills, you’ll get the chance to be even more adventurous. Hairdressing is a creative career, whether you’re helping transform a client, putting together a photographic collection or making a model look fabulous for a catwalk show. Every element of hairdressing involves creativity.

4

It’s such a friendly industry

If you love people, you’ll love being a hairdresser. A big part of hairdressing is building relationships with clients, plus your colleagues are likely to be as sociable as you. There are also lots of events you can go to and mix with other hairdressers, including some real industry icons. Hairdressing is famous for being a caring sharing industry, with fellow hair pros always happy to share advice and experience.

5

Every day is different. In hairdressing, whatever path you take, you will wake up every morning and know that you are going to meet new people, maybe travel to new places or take on different roles.

Hairdressing is a vibrant, profitable and creative industry with a bright future ahead of it.

“Hairdressers can lift a client’s mood, give them confidence and even help them through really difficult times”

INDOLA

Luke Ormsby

INDUSTRY FACTS

There are around 48,425 hairdressing, barbering and beauty businesses in the UK

bright future

These businesses employ 256,657 people

WHAT CAN YOU EARN?

• A recently qualified stylist in the UK should earn an average salary of £21,457

• A more experienced stylist can expect to earn around £24,658 per year

• A colour specialist is likely to earn, on average, around £34,792 per year

• A barber will earn on average around £28,333, but this can rise to around £50,000 with experience

Source: Gassdoor.com

• A freelance hairdresser can expect to earn, on average around £33,150

• A salon manager earns an average of £32,500

Some 30,454 of those people employed are aged between 16 and 25

Self-employed people account for 101,400 of those working in the industry

There are thousands of apprentices working in the hairdressing and beauty industry Here’s how the number of apprentices breaks down by country:

• England 13,990

• Scotland 1,049

• Wales 195

• Northern Ireland 231

Source NHBF

• A hairdressing lecturer is likely to start on around £31,722

Source: Talent.com

Other areas of hairdressing such as working as a brand ambassador or a session stylist can earn hairdressers six figure sums! You’ll need to gain a lot of experience first and build a first-class reputation to command these figures.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The UK Hair and Beauty Industry contributes around £6bn per year to the UK economy.

Source: The Hair Council

• Hairdressing is regularly voted one of the happiest industries to work in!

Luke Ormsby

Why Enter competitions?

Entering competitions is a great way to build your confidence, hone your hairdressing skills and, ultimately, raise your personal profile in the hairdressing world.

At Concept Hair Magazine, we believe competitions are a great way to build confidence and celebrate the skills of hairdressing’s next generation. Concept Hair’s Learner of the Year is the leading competition for hairdressing learners, showcasing the incredible creativity and technical ability of college students and apprentices across the UK. The 2023 Learner of the Year competition received more than 2,000 entries!

Now in its third year, we also have The School Spotlight Award, a photographic competition for secondary school-aged learners. You can find out more about the School Spotlight Award on page 10.

And for those who want to stretch themselves creatively on a regular basis, don’t forget to enter Concept Hair’s Learner of the Month over on Instagram. Make sure you’re following us for all the details @concepthairmag.

There are loads of hairdressing competitions out there, and they are all free to enter. You can take part to push yourself regardless of how well you do compared to other people. Here’s what some top talent had to say:

Winner, Wella TrendVision Award 2022 Xposure Colour the Cut UK & Ireland

“Entering and winning a competition such as Xposure has been great for my career because of the confidence boost it has given me. It’s a good feeling being able to tell my clients in the salon about the experience and I instantly feel that they have more trust in my ability. I also feel more capable within myself.”

Denman Stage Star

2022 Winner

“Entering industry competitions is fantastic for your career because they open up so many doors. They help with building confidence, meeting new people and learning new skills. With each one I’ve entered, whether I win or not, I feel like I’ve come away with more skills and knowledge than I started with.”

new skills

@neva_medusa

@tiagentles_hair

NEVA HOUSTON

TIA GENTLES

“Prove to yourself that you can do whatever you put your mind to”

confidence

“I think that competitions are an incredible way to push yourself. They are a great platform to raise your profile within the industry. Competitions are a fun way to try new ideas and represent a more artistic side to the industry than you’ll experience in the salon chair day to day.”

“Competitions are a great way to push yourself outside of your comfort zone, which is key to growing and developing as a stylist. The Big Blow Out allowed me to really enhance my creative skill set and pushed me in areas that I perhaps wasn’t so comfortable in or wasn’t working in on a day-to-day basis. Also, to be mentored by Sam McKnight and Lisa Farrall for eight weeks is a money-can’t-buy experience and something I’m so grateful for.”

“The main reason for entering a competition such as Learner of the Year is to prove to yourself that you can do whatever you put your mind to. Even if you don't get through to the final, it's an achievement in itself to enter and have that belief in your own work. You really have nothing to lose by entering, you never know what could happen. Enter to prove to yourself that you have the talent and creativity to move forward in your career — it’s one of the best feelings in the world.”

@blue_amelia_hair

LEA R NER 2023

spotlight award SCHOOL OFTHE YEAR

SCAN HERE

for more information about Concept Hair’s Learner of the Year competition and The School Spotlight Award.

Our Learner of the Year 2023 sponsors

VICKI-ANNE HOSKIN The Grove Studio, Winner of The Big Blow Out

LYDIA WOLFE Finalist British Hairdressing Awards Southern Hairdresser of the Year

@lydiawolfehair @vikiscissorhands

AMELIA JAHANPOUR Winner Learner of the Year 2022

You can read more about Amelia and Learner of the Year 2022 Hair UP Level 3 winner, Molly Rayner on pages 25 and 26.

Embrace the texture

To become an all-round hair pro, mastering all hair textures from super-smooth to Afro curls is essential.

Whether you choose to specialise in textured hair, or just make working with Afro hair part of your skill set, it comes with its own challenges and rewards. Here’s what three top textured hair specialists had to say about the importance of being inclusive when it comes to hair.

LISA FARRALL session stylist and Founder of Wig London

“It’s so important for salons, individual stylists, educators and education establishments to be texturally diverse and spread texture equality. That’s what I and the team at Wig London pride ourselves on — we go into salons and education establishments and teach and upskill hairdressers on how to work with every hair type. It’s important not only from an equality point of view to not turn people away from salons, but it’s also good for business as stylists can provide a service for every person that comes to them. In the UK we eat, sleep and work together so we shouldn’t be segregating education or our hair salons by saying we don’t do your hair type. That’s why it’s really important that we upskill and use this in our development. As hairdressers, we should be able to work with every hair type. It’s all about inclusivity.”

YOLANDA DOUGLAS

“I enjoy working with all textures, but I have always been drawn to Afro hair in particular. I see how Afro hair to many, including myself, can sometimes be more than just hair, it can be a statement, but also an expression of identity and culture. I love the transformational opportunities that textured hair brings, from embracing natural hair to the silk press look. It has always been an integral part of our training within the Errol Douglas salon that we are skilled in all hair textures — as I further my career, this is something I really take pride in.”

Stylist at Errol Douglas

@lisafarrall @ydxhair

“Being creative with hair is very exciting for me. Working with Afro hair gives me the freedom to mould, shape, cut and style, and the versatility to be as creative as my imagination will let me be. Whether you’re creating looks that are commercial, avantgarde, graphic, or editorial, Afro hair gives you the freedom to play very easily once you know the rules. I personally find cutting graphic shapes into the hair very satisfying as you can see the shape in the hair when you’re cutting it. Working with colour on Afro hair is equally as exciting.”

@desmondmurray

DESMOND MURRAY Award-winning freelance hairdresser

“I love the transformational opportunities that textured hair brings”

Your Chance to shine!

The Concept Hair School Spotlight Award is back for the 22/23 academic year, offering incredible prizes and careerboosting exposure.

Studying hairdressing and aged 14-16?

The School Spotlight Award is the competition you’ve been waiting for.

The photographic competition is open to all schools, colleges and training providers that offer hairdressing at Key Stage 4.

It’s totally free to enter and really could help kick-start your career, while also shining a spotlight on your school or training provider.

HERE COMES THE BRIDE!

This year’s theme is Bridal Party!

The emphasis really is on party for this one — you don’t have to go traditional. Hair can be styled up or down, or a combination of both.

There are two categories, depending on your level of study, with winners and runners-up announced in both Level 1 and Level 2.

spotlight

award SCHOOL

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

• Create a mood board to accompany your look, demonstrating where you took inspiration from

• Take a ‘before’ photo of the training head

• Create a Bridal Party look on the training head

• Take three photographs after you have styled the hair, showing the look from the front, side and back.

Your teachers will then submit your fabulous photos to be marked by the panel of expert judges!

HOW TO ENTER

Ask your teacher to email samantha.cole@sng-publishing.co.uk or enter details on the form provided on our website.

SCAN HERE for all the rules and regs and entry form.

Deadline for entries is 31st March 2023

Winners will be announced on 25th May 2023

These are the sponsors that made this Award possible!

A skilled hair pro specialising in short hair and beards with a passion for customer service.

EXPERTISE IN SHORT HAIR

GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS AN OUTGOING PERSONALITY

Barber

Sam Campagna travels the world as a member of the Wahl Education and Artistic Team, while running a chain of successful gender-neutral barbershops.

Concept Hair: Tell us a little about your job.

Sam Campagna: After 12 years working in a variety of barbering jobs gaining knowledge and experience, I opened my own business in 2010. My ethos was to create a gender-neutral environment specifically focused on short hair. My job has evolved from a barber to a mentor spanning five barbershops. My job is to make people successful in barbering and, most importantly, being customer focused.

CH: What attracted you to a career in barbering?

SC: I started my hairdressing career in the late 1990s. At the time barbering still wasn’t focused on delivering a customer experience, but I knew then that I enjoyed cutting shorter hair, so I made the jump to barbering. I moved to a salon and was mentored by a meticulous barber in barbering, business, and customer service.

“An outgoing personality, plus a desire and willingness to listen to advice”

@sam_campagna

CH: What personality traits make a good barber?

SC: An outgoing personality, plus a desire and willingness to listen to and react to advice will set you up for a successful barbering career.

CH: What skills make a great barber?

SC: Apart from being able to provide the best customer experience, I get excited when a barber has developmental skills. If someone has foundational skills that can be developed, then we are off to a good start. For example, knowing techniques like scissor over comb, along with styling, retailing and delivering consultations.

CH: What do you love most about your job?

SC: For me, it’s meeting and retaining a new client.

CH: What are the biggest challenges you face as a barber?

SC: I strongly believe building teams and working with people effectively is vital. My challenge is to always be moving, evolving, and finding better ways to keep teams and business relationships progressing.

CH: What have been your career highlights as a barber to date?

SC: Definitely signing with Wahl UK! I’ve loved working as part of the Wahl Artistic Team and demonstrating my influence professionally.

CH: What can a successful barber expect to earn?

SC: Broadly speaking, someone behind the chair working in employment should be aiming for a salary of £30k-plus, and self-employed barbers should be aiming for a £50k turnover.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

★ FIND THE RIGHT TEAM AND A GOOD MENTOR

★ ALWAYS KEEP LEARNING

★ LISTEN TO ADVICE.

“Self-employed barbers should be aiming for a £50k turnover”

THE WORLDWIDE STANDARD

FOR BARBERS & HAIRDRESSERS

“If you want to be the best, you need to use the best. Wahl clippers will help you achieve the results you want every time, without fail.”

GET

20% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER WITH WAHL

- DEAN GLEESON, BARBERSHOP OWNER & WAHL EDUCATOR

Salon creative

A salon creative is always innovating and reinventing what it means to be a hairdresser.

PASSION FOR CREATIVITY A QUESTIONING NATURE AN OPEN MIND

Salon creative

Concept Hair: How are you creative within a salon environment?

Ky Wilson: I always like to question why we do things the way we do, and when I was creating my space to work, I decided to take that classic salon concept and turn it on its head. What we ended up with was a hub for other freelance creatives to come and go. Yes, The Social is a salon, but it’s also a place for people to come together and collaborate.

CH: How did you develop your creative side?

KW: I’ve been a perfectionist for as long as I can remember, and while sometimes it can be frustrating, it has made me constantly perfect everything that I do over time. I take inspiration from absolutely everywhere, always keeping my eyes open to what I think looks cool, and use this in my creative work.

@kycutwilson @babylissprouk

Ky Wilson is one of the most innovative hairdressers in the industry, reinventing the concept of a salon with his creative space, The Social, while working as a brand ambassador for BaByliss PRO.

“Find people that you respect and aspire to be like, and take inspiration from them”

respect & aspire

CH: What advice would you offer to someone wanting to be more creative in the salon?

KW: Find people that you respect and aspire to be like, and take inspiration from them. A key thing that everyone can do is collaborate more — those people you look up to didn’t get to where they are by doing it on their own. Sharing ideas and working together is the easiest way to produce really great work.

CH: Tell us about some of the creative work you do outside the salon.

KW: I think that we are constantly evolving and taking in information. Over the years I’ve done a lot of session work, photoshoots, brand ambassadorships, events, fashion, and music videos, and each job is a unique opportunity to learn something new to bring back to the salon and help be more creative with clients.

CH: How important is it to have the right tools in order to fully express your creativity?

KW: I’m always armed with a full set of BaByliss PRO tools wherever I go. There’s so much versatility between the different sizes of tongs to the multiple heat settings. This means what we can create with them is limitless.

CH: What would you say were the most important skills to master?

KW: I think that all hairdressers should be able to absolutely smash all of the fundamental skills of hairdressing — you have to learn the rules before you can start to break them.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

★

★

★ KEEP UP WITH WHAT’S NEW

DARE TO BE DIFFERENT

COLLABORATE WITH OTHER CREATIVES.

POWERFUL, PROFESSIONAL TOOLS. NOW IN GOLD.

Powered by advanced lithium technology for ultimate cordless cutting performance. Our heavy-duty Super Motor range of professional grooming tools are now available in a gold finish. Featuring ultra-sharp Japanese Steel blades and a high-torque brushless motor for consistent fast blade speed, even through longer, thicker hair. And the Titanium Foil Shaver gives exceptional crisp fading and blending.

BABYLISS.COM

We Love hairdressing!

Here’s why hairdressers love what they do.

“Hairdressing is an amazing skill to have, and can take you around the world. What I love about hairdressing is the variety it offers. Working in a salon you get to make people feel and look great. There is also the opportunity to do photographic work, where you create beautiful hair looks on gorgeous models. You can also educate people and pass on your skills to the next generation. The list is endless!”

“I consider myself very lucky to have this career. Hairdressing plays to all of my strengths — being creative, spontaneous and flexible with ideas, and having the willingness to take risks. There is a lot to learn in order to be a successful stylist, a lot of hard work and dedication, but hairdressing is worth every second.”

“Hairdressing is so much more than just cutting hair. There aren't many industries that use such an array of skills and abilities, including forming bonds and friendships with people from all walks of life, the mathematics and science of hair, working in a close team, business and time management, and pushing your creativity further than you imagined possible.”

“There’s an abundance of opportunities and it's an industry that celebrates individualism You have a chance to find an area that suits you within the industry – there is room for so many different styles within hairdressing and there are many different paths you can take.”

MICHAEL GRAY Freelance hairdresser and bridal hair specialist

EWAN FRASER Pulp Riot Artist and freelance hairdresser

SAM BICKLE Senior Stylist, Urban Edge salon, Shenfield and member of Fellowship ClubStar Art Team

ROMAN SYS Stylist, Brooks & Brooks, London

Michael Gray

Colour specialist

An inspirational colourist who creates individuality through bespoke colour for clients.

Colour Specialist

Meet Esther Wood, the L’Oréal Colour Trophy 2022 colour specialist category winner and successful colourist at Bloggs Salons in Bristol.

Concept Hair: Tell us about your job

Esther Wood: As a L’Oréal Professionnel Paris Colour Specialist, I use my expert knowledge to create beautiful, bespoke colours for my clients as well as educating other hairdressers and creating new and exciting techniques.

“The thing I find most fulfilling in my role is achieving a really excellent colour result for a client”

CH: Did you always want to be a colour specialist?

EW: When I started hairdressing, I was actually more nervous about colouring hair than cutting. I realised that this came down to a lack of understanding. I completed my Colour Specialist degree in 2015 and it really gave me the tools I needed to be a confident colourist.

CH: What do you love the most about your job?

EW: Achieving a really excellent colour result for a client. Nothing beats it and it always keeps me motivated to work hard.

CH: What are the biggest challenges you face as a colour specialist?

EW: Colour correction services are a challenge. I always revert back to the knowledge I learnt on the Colour Specialist degree course, applying these principles to achieve really beautiful results.

I’m always really honest with a client about the results we can achieve and how many steps it will take to achieve their dream hair colour. Social media creates high expectations and it’s our job to educate clients on how to look after their hair colour and create personal results that make them feel great.

Exciting

CH: How do you keep up with colour trends and techniques?

EW: The best way to keep up with trends is to see what colours designers are using at the Fashion Weeks around the globe and then translate this to create hair colour results that sit beautifully alongside them.

@estherwoodhair @bloggssalons

CH: What have been your career highlights?

EW: My biggest highlight to date is winning the L’Oréal Colour Trophy Colour Specialist category in June 2022. This has been a dream of mine since I started hairdressing and to win the award is a huge achievement.

I created a hair colour called pink copper, that sits beautifully alongside a pink.

CH: What can a successful colour specialist expect to earn?

EW: As a Colour Specialist your earning potential is huge. It’s not just what you do in the salon, but having such detailed knowledge means that other people also want to learn from you. Getting involved in education events or photographic work means your potential is limitless.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

★

★ INVEST IN YOUR EDUCATION

★ BE DETERMINED, DEDICATED AND CREATIVE

STAY CALM UNDER PRESSURE

And the winner is…

Amelia Jahanpour of Walsall College says winning the 2022 Learner of the Year competition has boosted her confidence and creativity.

Concept Hair: What did winning Learner of the Year 2022 mean to you?

Amelia Jahanpour: I consider winning Learner of the Year as my greatest achievement because it made me realise my own sense of worth and gave me that boost of confidence I so desperately needed.

CH: How has winning helped you grow as a hairdresser?

AJ: Since winning, I've been more open to trying things that I would never have thought I was capable of doing. For example, a friend

@blue_amelia_hair

recently asked for a purple balayage, and I taught myself how to do it through video tutorials, and thought ‘why not, let's give it a go!’ I also taught myself recently how to cut men’s hair and to do a fade and, again, I surprised myself.

CH: What are you working on at the moment?

AJ: I'm developing a new avant-garde design, inspired by the fantasy hair theme of this year’s Avant Garde category in Leaner of the Year 2023. I’ve been sketching nonstop, and this fantasy creature I have come up with is very dark and gothic. I just can't wait to finish making all the hairpieces and piecing it all together on my model.

CH: Are you excited about your future career?

AJ: Before winning Learner of the Year, I didn't really have any ambitions. To see how much I have grown since winning is really amazing, and has opened up a whole new creative world to me.

“I consider winning Learner of the Year as my greatest achievement”

World class

Molly Rayner from West Suffolk College, winner of the Hair Up Level 3 category at Learner of the Year, went on to compete at the prestigious WorldSkills competition.

Concept Hair: How did winning your category at Learner of the Year 2022 (LOY22) help you succeed in other competitions?

Molly Rayner: Winning at LOY22 helped me grow in confidence. At the competition, even before I found out I had won my category, I could feel my confidence growing just from all of the compliments I was getting from everyone. I had never been in a room full of so many people with the same passion before, and that made me realise why I chose to become a hairdresser.

@hair.by.mollyr

CH: You recently represented the UK in the Hairdressing category at WorldSkills — tell us more about that.

MR: WorldSkills was a real challenge. It began with a photographic entry of a hair-up style. From here, they selected around 150 people for the regional rounds in various locations across the UK. WorldSkills works on a points system, and I won my regional round. From here, I scored high enough to make the World finals, which took place in Belfast, over four days. The final covered all aspects of hairdressing including cutting, colouring, and hair-up. I didn't place in the top three, however, I did receive highly commended.

CH: Any other successes you can share with us?

MR: In between LOY22 and WorldSkills, I took part in the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists competition and I was placed second in the regional rounds in the Bridal Hairup category. At the final, I managed to pull a win out of the bag!

Find out more about Learner of the Year 2023 by scanning the QR code.

“I could feel my confidence growing just from all of the compliments I was getting”

A passionate ambassador dedicated to passing on knowledge to help others reach their full potential.

As a Matrix Artist and part of the UK and Ireland education team, Michelle Summers Davies inspires other hairdressers to grow and reach their full potential.

CH: What has been your career highlight as an educator to date?

Michelle Summers Davies: My role as an educator is to teach everyone at every level with a friendly approach, showing the best ways to use products, create styles, colour placements, and achieve new cutting shapes along with the perfect finish. It’s about working from foundation to advanced techniques in all aspects of hairdressing.

CH: Tell us more about your role.

MSD: My role is to educate, inspire and develop individuals in all aspects of hairdressing. My courses are all commercial and cover a wide range of hairdressing skills from colouring, cutting and barbering, right the way through to perming and working with curls and coils.

CH: What do you love most about being an educator?

MSD: The best part is when you see the hairdresser have a lightbulb moment — when they understand what they are doing. This is the moment you know you have delivered the right information and that the content and planning behind each course has paid off.

MSD: Lock down was the turning point for me, I threw myself into developing online education and was offered a place on the Matrix Artistic Team for the UK and Ireland. Through this experience, I was able to learn more about the educator that I could be and really started to believe in my ability.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

★ NETWORK AT EVENTS AND ATTEND COURSES

★ KEEP CHALLENGING YOURSELF

@michelledavies_artist

@michelledavieshair_ salon

★ NEVER STOP LEARNING

Passion

Concept Hair: How would you sum up the role of an educator?

Michelle Summers Davies educator

Cathal Walshe educator

Helping salons grow, develop and inspiring learners are all part of Cathal Walshe’s role as Education Consultant for L’Oréal Professionnel Paris.

Concept Hair: How would you sum up your role as an educator?

Cathal Walshe: I visit salons and help them find solutions to any problems they may have. I also educate at the L’Oréal Academy where I deliver the core information from Colour Keys to our Colour Specialist course. I’m involved in projects, working closely with our guest artists at events like L’Oréal Colour Trophy, Colour World and Salon International. Plus, I get to be part of showcasing new launches and innovations.

CH: How did you work towards becoming an educator?

CW: It started when a position became available to be the assistant teacher for our in-salon training evenings at the salon where I was working. From there I was lucky enough to have developed a relationship with our L’Oréal Professional Products Education Consultant and was asked if I would like to do freelance education for them. I jumped at the opportunity, and it was the best thing I ever did.

CH: What do you love most about being an educator?

CW: I love helping people find the answer to a question.

CH: What are the biggest challenges you face as an educator?

CW: Managing the expectations of learners who see transformations take place in seconds on social media.

CH: What have been your career highlights so far?

CW: Working with guest artists and seeing how they innovate and create beautiful hair. Seeing our Colour Specialists graduate and experiencing the nerves and the excitement behind the scenes of L’Oréal Colour Trophy.

CH: What can a successful educator expect to earn?

CW: The field of education has such a wide scope. The options and opportunities are endless which in turn means the expected remuneration can be very varied.

TIPS

FOR SUCCESS

★ LEARN FROM MISTAKES

★ CHOOSE YOUR AREA OF EXPERTISE

★ BE CONFIDENT, ORGANISED AND RESILIENT

“I love helping people find the answer to a question”

Soft touch

Developing soft skills is important from the very start of your career in hairdressing.

Building a set of hairdressing skills is obviously vital to a successful career, but so are soft skills – communicating effectively with clients, knowing how to greet someone and the language to use while caring for a client, for example. With the help of Pivot Point LAB we’ve put together some common scenarios you may encounter early in your career. Pick the option, A,B or C, that you think would be the most effective and appropriate response.

ANSWERING THE TELEPHONE

If your first job in hairdressing is in a salon, there may be times when you are asked to look after the reception area, including answering the telephone and taking appointment details. Which of these do you think would be an appropriate way to answer the phone?

A: Alright?

B: Hello, this is NAME OF SALON, you’re speaking to YOUR NAME, how can I help you today?

GREETING A CLIENT WHEN THEY ARRIVE AT THE SALON

If you are on reception, you may be the first person a client meets when they arrive for their appointment. Which of the following would be a great way to greet them?

A: Hello NAME OF CLIENT, can I take your coat? Take a seat, I’ll just check if NAME OF STYLIST is ready for you. Can I get you a refreshment at all?

TOP TIP

C: Can you hold on, I’m just finishing my sandwich?

Always repeat the appointment details back to the client, including the name of the stylist, the service and the date and time.

TOP TIP

Remember to smile and use welcoming body language.

B: Hi. Who are you here to see?

C: Hold on, I just need to finish this conversation with my colleague about what I watched on TV last night.

THINGS TO SAY AT THE BACKWASH

As a trainee in a salon, the backwash is where you are likely to spend the most time with clients. From the below, which do you think is an appropriate thing to say during the shampoo service?

A: Where are you going on your holidays this year?

B:

I’m using this shampoo on your hair today as it contains an ingredient that will be nice and soothing for your scalp.

C:

I’m so tired today – I was out until 3am

TOP TIP

Always try to gauge the client’s mood and keep chatting to a minimum if they obviously want to zone out.

A:

So, what are we doing today?

CLIENT CONSULTATION OPENER

When you have progressed to being a stylist, how you open the client consultation will be key to a successful appointment. Which of these do you think would be a great way to open a conversation with the client?

B: Sam, as usual?

SAYING GOODBYE

If you are working on reception, you will often be the last point of contact a client has. What would you say was a great way to say goodbye?

A: Your hair looks lovely, it really suits you. Did you want any products to take away with you, and can I book you in for your next appointment with NAME OF STYLIST

B: See ya!

TOP TIP

C: Bye then, see you soon!

As with the welcome, remember to smile and adopt positive body language – you will be the last impression a client has of the salon.

C:

So, what did you like and not like about your last hair cut/colour?

TOP TIP

Where possible use visual aids during the consultation, such as coloured hair wefts for a colour appointment.

Hair heroes

Incredible careers flourish through excellent education. Meet some of Wella’s hair education heroes.

Creative Director/ Owner, Cobella and Wella Top Artist

I took an unconventional route to hairdressing. I achieved a law degree and was a police officer for almost two years. My parents were both hairdressers and, while working for the Metropolitan Police, I was also learning hairdressing. I slowly realised that hairdressing was for me, and I’ve never looked back.

My career highlights have been delivering Wella education to passionate hairdressers around the world and landing a shoot with my favourite designer Hayley Menzies on her most recent collection, shot for Elle magazine. I plan to continue travelling the world empowering hairdressers. I would love to create business retreats for salon owners and freelancers to unite hairdressers and raise the profile of the industry together.

RUTH SALT College Education

Lead, Wella UK&I

I have worked at Wella for almost 17 years, travelling the country and working with a variety of teams. I worked as a colour technician for seven years before moving on to a key account technician role which I did for five years. This role then grew and developed into the national role I do today which is College Education Lead for the UK and Ireland. I help to grow the Wella college business, assisting lecturers in planning their education, running educational events and tours up and down the country and helping them educate the next generation of hairdressers.

My favourite part of the job is networking and meeting new people, finding out more about them and where they work and how they do things.

“My favourite part of the job is networking and meeting new people”

“I plan to continue travelling the world empowering hairdressers”

JORDANNA COBELLA

JORDANNA COBELLA

NIKKI CLIFFORD Owner NJUK Hair & Beauty and Wella Craft Expert

I’ve been hairdressing for more than 16 years. There’s no feeling like making someone feel differently about themselves through great hair.

I opened NJUK Hair & Beauty Salon in 2009 and I now run a super-successful business with a highly educated team of 19 people who are like family to me. We have won numerous industry and business awards.

I love being part of this industry especially being a Craft Expert for Wella. I have travelled the world, worked on stage, backstage and even with celebrities. My passion truly lies in educating and inspiring young talent. Seeing people grow and be as happy as I am in my career is so rewarding.

GEORGIA WARE-GOSTELOW Apprentice and 2022

Wella TrendVision Xposure Winner

I’ve worked in my local salon, Zimmini for five years. I started as an apprentice and I’m currently studying the Level 3 Hair Professionals standards.

My favourite service to offer is creative colouring. I enjoy being able to experiment with the latest products and techniques.

Winning Wella TrendVision Xposure was amazing, I can't believe the amount of publicity and well wishes I have received. Now I want to push myself further and enter TrendVision.

When I have completed my apprenticeship, I would like to specialise as a colour technician and work for a product manufacturer or in my own salon.

FEELING INSPIRED?

Your journey starts here! Let Wella help you reach your hairdressing potential. Sign up to discover online education, webinars, resources, latest news and information.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY! wellacollegehub.co.uk

@nikkiclifford_hair

@colourbygeorgia

“My passion truly lies in educating and inspiring young talent”

“I enjoy being able to experiment with the latest products and techniques”

GEORGIA WARE-GOSTELOW

Building brand you

Simon

Think about how you want to be known. If you shine at cutting, showcase more of that skill set. I was told early on in my career that it’s OK to be exceptional at one thing, you don’t have to be an expert at everything, although a foundation across all skills is important.

1

Social media is currently all about videos, but trends change. Keep your eyes open for changes. For example, TikTok is being hailed as the place to be seen right now. My most successful Tik Tok content is often raw, behind-the-scenes, backstage videos.

6

Always remember that you are your brand. Don’t be scared to feature yourself on your social media channels and let that personality shine through. Remember, there are millions of hairdressers out there, but there is only one of you!

2

7 Be prepared to put in the work –nothing happens overnight. Keep going!

3

Make sure your bio on your social media channels says who you are and what you do. Make it obvious, so as soon as someone hits your profile, they can see what you are all about.

4

Tag publications and product companies into your hair images – build relationships with the education teams and editors.

5 Join hair communities. There’s an abundance of hairdressing communities on social media to share your work and ask for advice. I set up The Hair Socials on Facebook during the pandemic so hairdressers could inspire one another, share their work, and to give a platform of opportunity to other fantastic artists.

brand journey

Townley styles hair for some of the nation’s biggest sports stars, owns a successful salon and he’s an ambassador for colour and haircare brand, Matrix. Here are his tips for building your brand.

“There are millions of hairdressers out there, but there is only one of you”

@simontownley

Freelance hairdresser

From working on Miss World to looking after clients at home, freelance hairdresser and Indola Ambassador, Andrew Minarik, is constantly motivated!

Concept Hair: Tell us about your job

Andrew Minarik: As a freelance hairdresser, you need to be capable of multitasking and working in any situation and place that you are booked, whether that be with a client at their home, for a show such as London Fashion Week or any other project. Freelance hairdressing offers flexibility and freedom. It gives you the chance to manage your own hours and work at the pace you want and enjoy.

CH: How did you work towards being a freelance hairdresser?

AM: It was about 10 years ago that I decided to step into the world of freelance hairdressing. I was looking for more variation in my day-to-day life and loved the freedom that this world gave me. I started to take days out of the salon to assist on various shows with Indola and from there started to branch out more and more.

CH: How did you build a clientele?

AM: I had already built up a solid client base while working in a salon. When I decided to move into the world of freelance hairdressing many followed me as the flexibility and being able to come to their houses worked

much better for them. I was also booked on various photoshoot jobs both in the UK and internationally. From here I then continued to build up my clientele base from word of mouth and referrals.

CH: What do you love most about being a freelance hairdresser?

AM: I love the variety. On Monday I could be visiting a client who has been having their hair done with me for years and then I could be styling hair for a Miss World catwalk show. There is so much variety and this means I am never bored or becoming complacent.

CH: What is the biggest challenge you face as a freelance hairdresser?

AM: The biggest challenge is making sure that you're organised and that you have every single bit of kit or product that you need for wherever you are going.

Flexibility

CH: What have been your career highlights so far?

AM: A big career highlight for me was when I started working with the Miss England organisation and competition, this led me to being introduced to Miss World which has given me so many opportunities to work anywhere in the world.

CH: What can a successful freelance hairdresser expect to earn?

AM: The earnings of a freelance hairdresser are hard to calculate as the sky is your limit depending on what jobs you do. This will also depend on what avenue of freelance work you choose to take; will you visit clients in their homes, rent a chair or even open your own home studio. The great part about freelance work is that the money you earn is yours, no one else is taking commission and you can manage your own money, the only things to consider are, of course, your own overheads.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

★ NEVER STOP LEARNING

★ BE ORGANISED

★ STAY ON TOP OF YOUR PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE.

@andrewshaunminarik

“Freelance hairdressing offers flexibility and freedom”

Hair: Andy Smith and Paddy McDougall for Indola

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Everyone goes through tough times. Here, Owner of Hx Hair, Heffy Wheeler, offers her top five tips for staying positive and motivated.

Surround yourself with positive people. Your vibe is your tribe, so surround yourself with likeminded positive people who will keep you motivated and push you to do better.

1

Give yourself a day. Everyone has a bad day but don’t let a bad day turn into a bad week, month or year. Give yourself 24 hours and then move on. Don’t dwell on it, think ‘what’s next?’

2

Stay positive! POSITIVITY

@heffyx

3

Step outside your comfort zone. Push yourself to do better and really go beyond your limits by working outside of your comfort zone. This is key to success and a positive mindset. Saying yes to opportunities that scare you is one of the best ways to conquer your fears. But remember, baby steps are fine.

4 Sometimes routine is okay. Whenever I’m going through a tough period, I always find that sticking to a routine keeps me level-headed and on track. Routine is about giving yourself self-love, whether that be going to the gym, eating well, or reading a motivational book. Take some time for yourself. 5

Set yourself goals. A great way to stay motivated is to set yourself targets or goals and review them every month. You’ll also feel motivated to keep going once you start achieving these goals. Goals don’t have to be anything big but as long as you’re seeing progress you’ll be motivated to succeed further.

“Your vibe is your tribe, so surround yourself with likeminded positive people”

Prepare to dazzle

Your first job interview can be a daunting prospect, but we know you can shine! Here, George Smith, Co-Manager of Toni&Guy, Salisbury offers his advice on wowing a future employer.

GEORGE SMITH

1 BE PREPARED

Research everything you can about the salon that’s recruiting and the position you’ve applied for. Do a search online, on social media and ideally take a walk or drive by first to get a feel for the place. Be as informed as you possibly can — it will reflect well on you if you can talk knowledgeably about your new, prospective workplace at the interview.

2 PRACTISE YOUR TECHNIQUE

Ask a friend or family member to run through some general interview questions beforehand. You may feel completely uncomfortable doing this at first but it’s a great way of honing your delivery, working out what you want to say and overcoming any last-minute nerves.

3 STOP AND THINK

As prepared as you are for the interview, there may be some questions that you didn’t see coming. In this situation, rather than bluff your way through, try saying, “good question – do you mind if I think about that?” or “I honestly don’t know the answer to that but my best guess is…” Most interviewers will respect your honesty and an interview isn’t about trying to trip you up, it’s about finding out if you’re a good fit for the job.

4 ASK QUESTIONS

A job interview is a two-way street, so think about what you need to know too. Write a list and don’t be afraid to refer to it when you’re asked if you have any questions. It shows your interviewer that you’re keen and taking things seriously. Some things you could ask about are training programmes, career progression and who does what in the team. One warning — don’t ever just focus on asking about time off and money!

5 LOOK THE PART

Hairdressing is a creative industry so it’s fine to express your own identity. The most important aspect of looking the part at an interview is to show that you’ve made an effort. No sloppy grooming or unwashed clothes. This is your chance to present your best self. That also applies to a firm handshake, good eye contact and a confident, open posture. First impressions count, make a good one!

“Do a search online, on social media and, ideally, take a walk or drive by first”

Co-Manager of Toni&Guy, Salisbury

@toniandguy. sailisbury

What salons want SINGLE SALON

Christabel Legrand is a Pulp Riot Artist and Co-Owner of Salon 4t4 in Exeter. Here’s what she will be looking for from an assistant.

WHAT ASSISTANTS WILL DO

When you join as an assistant, you are learning from the ground up, so you need to learn the basics — how the salon runs and how the team works. This is your opportunity to build the foundations of your career. Soak up as much as you can, ask questions, and offer to help wherever and whenever you can. If you are keen to learn or take your career in a certain direction, make yourself useful in any way you can so you get the most opportunities!

PERSONALITY TRAITS WE LOOK FOR

We want assistants with initiative. They will need to:

• Think a few steps ahead of what the stylists need

• Keep themselves busy

• Ask questions and soak up as much knowledge as they can from the people around them.

WE WANT ASSISTANTS WHO ARE:

• Keen to learn

• Organised

• Offer great customer service

• Consistent in their work.

WHAT WE DON’T WANT!

• Lack of interest in the job or industry

• Poor communication skills

• Someone who’s unreliable

• Someone who can’t take direction.

@salon4t4

“This is your opportunity to build the foundations of your career”

SALON GROUP

Akin Konizi is Creative Director at HOB Salons, one of the UK’s leading salon groups. Here’s what he looks for from an assistant.

confidence

WHAT ASSISTANTS WILL DO

Whether you are greeting a client or conversing at the backwash, we expect our assistants to talk with confidence and maturity. You are ambassadors for our brand and need to be able to talk with people of all ages and from all backgrounds.

A GREAT ATTITUDE

As an assistant, you may have to do some basic jobs such as sweeping up hair or making refreshments. We expect our assistants to do every task to the best of their ability and with a smile – no tutting, rolling of eyes, or sloping off into the staffroom.

SUPPORT FOR STYLISTS

You need to know where their product and tools are and be an extension of them. Be able to pass their foils, their comb, or grips when they need them. Without you, they can’t do their job properly. Rather than spend time in the staffroom, watch the stylists work, there’s no better way of learning.

INITIATIVE

Don’t stand around and wait to be told what to do, use your initiative and you will stand out for the right reasons.

PRIDE IN YOUR SURROUNDINGS

We want you to be proud of where you work and take pride in a clean and presentable salon.

PRIDE IN YOUR APPEARANCE

You are representing a brand so need to be professional at all times. This means no chewing gum, shoes, clothes and make-up appropriate to your workplace and hair clean and styled.

@hob_salons

“You are ambassadors for our brand”

Session stylist

Working in the worlds of fashion, TV, and magazine editorials, a session stylist is a fearless, creative powerhouse.

sponsored by

THE ABILITY TO WORK TO A BRIEF

NO FEAR OF WORKING UNDER PRESSURE A LOVE OF THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

Session stylist

Josh Woodman works at fashion shows, on photoshoots with famous bands, and behind the scenes on

the X Factor!

Concept Hair: Tell us about your job

Josh Woodman: Session styling is about creating hair looks that reflect the needs and vision of the client. That client can be a photographer, a magazine editor, a band, a TV producer, a fashion designer, a movie director —the list goes on.

CH: Tell us about some of the most exciting elements of your job

JW: I do a lot of work with the band Bastille, I also work with major brands, including Wella and ghd, assisting top session stylist, James Earnshaw at Fashion Week shows. I work on front covers and editorial shoots for magazines such as Malvie, Huff and Rolling Stone. My TV work includes X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent.

CH: Describe how a working day might look for you

JW: If I was working with a fashion designer, I would meet to do a hair test weeks ahead of the show and take a model or two along. We would play with different looks to find the idea that will work best. Once that is agreed I have something to share with the team so that we can replicate those looks on the day. You have to be part of a team for big jobs like Fashion

Week as the number of models could range from 10 to a 100 — sometimes there can be up to 30 stylists working on a show. You must be organised and prepared too, your session kit needs to be ready at all times and full of all the kit you will need to do great work. My kit is always packed and I never go anywhere without all my Denman tools – quality counts and you need tools that you can rely on.

CH: What are the biggest challenges you face as a session stylist?

JW: Session work keeps the weirdest hours, so the early call times and late nights are really tiring. It’s all so worth it, but tough.

CH: What have been your career highlights as a session stylist to date?

JW: Working on a cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

CH: What can a successful session stylist expect to earn per year?

JW: Initially you need to do a lot of free work to get your foot in the door. Many session stylists work in a salon or have private clients too. If you are a full-time session stylist and working on celebrity clients, you are looking at six figures.

@joshwoodmanhair

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

★ KEEP LEARNING

★ INVEST IN A GREAT KIT BAG — I’M A DENMAN FAN

★ KEEP THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX.

WIN WIN WIN THE CORE KIT

Serious kit is for serious students and you deserve to start your career with quality tools. The Denman Student Kit has everything you will need to start your career off on the right foot. The Denman Student College Kit can only be purchased through colleges, so ask your tutor for more information. The kit comes in a handy bag and includes:

• Denman Classic Styler D3

• Denman Medium Style and Shine Brush D81m

• Denman Skeleton Vent D200

• Denman Power Paddle D38

• Denman Small Head Hugger DHH2

• Denman Medium Head Hugger DHH3

• Denman Dress Out Brush D91

• Denman Starflite Cutting Comb SF858

• Starflite Pintail Comb SF43

• Starflite Handle Rake Comb SF73 WORTH

£114

Denman has 10 Student Kits worth £114 to give away. For your chance to win, follow @denmanpro on Instagram and drop an email with your name, address and social media to competitions@denmanbrush.com with ‘Student Kit’ in the subject.

Competition Closes on March 6, 2023

Only available to UK college hairdressing students. Only one entry per person. Closes midnight 06/03/23. No cash alternative. Winners chosen at random from qualifying entries only.

“My TV work includes X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent”

SERIOUS KIT!

If you’re going to be a serious hair professional, you need to use serious professional kit. Co-designed by real salon hairdressers, Denman brushes and combs are used by leading hair professionals worldwide. To be the best, you need the best. Special student price RRP £95 ex VAT.

ASK YOUR COLLEGE TUTOR HOW TO ORDER YOUR KIT. The Denman College Kit is only available for purchase through Colleges. For College enquiries please contact orders@denmanbrush.com.

https://www.denmanbrush.com

Find Your Tribe

Whether you are looking for your first job after qualifying or on the lookout for a salon to undertake an apprenticeship, you want to make sure you choose carefully.

The following quiz is just for fun, but it should get you thinking about the right salon to help you achieve your career goals and be the hairdresser you deserve to be.

LOCATION

A I don’t want to travel too far to work — my homelife is important to me

B I am happy to travel and want to be based in a busy town or city

C I don’t mind where the salon is based, it’s more about the creative opportunities it offers

AMBITIONS

A I am happy to work in a salon, building a loyal client base and making people happy through my work

B I want to become the best hairdresser I can be. I never want to stop learning and improving on my skills

C I want to become known for my creative work and gain the respect of the industry

INTERESTS

A My interests mainly lie outside of hairdressing. Although I want to be a hairdresser, I don’t want it to take over my private life too

B I like the idea of gaining new skills and passing them on to others

C I love fashion, art and film and would like to tie these interests in with my hairdressing career

Greatvibe

PERSONALITY

A I like routine and knowing what each day holds in advance so I can plan ahead

B I am focused and committed to the craft of hairdressing

C I love working under pressure, as long as there is a creative end result to my efforts

ENVIRONMENT

A I just want to work as part of a small team of hard-working hairdressers helping to build a successful small business

B I want to work with a larger team where the focus is on technical excellence and ongoing education

C I need to work with artistic people where there is a real creative energy and constant sharing of ideas

YOUR SALON TRIBE

MOSTLY AS WORK/LIFE BALANCE

You’re happy to focus on being a great salon stylist, looking after clients and delighting them during every visit. That’s a great ambition to have. Do a Google search for local salons, read the client reviews. If they are making their clients happy, then the chances are the team is a happy one too.

MOSTLY BS A LOVER OF LEARNING

You’ll probably be happier working for a salon or salon group based in a city or large town with ongoing educational opportunities and a strong focus on career development. Check out the websites of some of the salons in the town or city where you’d love to work and see what they offer.

Careerprogression

MOSTLY CS GET CREATIVE

You seem to be looking for a salon or group with a focus on creativity. The salon or group you are looking for will probably have finalised or won a number of creative awards. Check out the websites of those industry magazines that hold creative awards and see who their recent winners have been and the salons they work at.

Look before you leap

Five things to think about before you make the

Abbey Jarrold, a member of the Freelance Hairdressers Association and UK Ambassador for Indola has gone from being a salon stylist, to a freelance session stylist and home-salon owner. Here’s what she thinks you should consider before going freelance.

1 DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH EXPERIENCE?

It’s best to have worked as an employee for a few years to understand how to build relationships with clients and how to run a column. If you’re looking to get into freelance session styling gain experience by assisting anyone you can, even if you work for free to start with.

@abigail_jarrold

2 HAVE YOU GOT THE RIGHT KIT?

Depending on what services you offer you will need colours, wash and styling products, scissors, styling tools and a sturdy case or bag that’s waterproof.

3 WHAT MARKETING DO YOU HAVE IN PLACE?

Set up business accounts on all the social media channels that you are comfortable with. Ensure you post images of your work regularly and encourage your clients to follow, like and share your posts.

4 KEEP LEARNING

Make sure you continue to educate yourself — knowing the latest techniques will keep your client base engaged and help it grow.

5 TAX AND INSURANCE

Before you go freelance, register this with HMRC. You’ll need to keep your own accurate business accounts, declare your earnings, and pay taxes. You’ll also need Public and Products Liability insurance cover in place. It is crucial to have insurance specifically written to include the many services freelancers provide, including extensions, colour and keratin.

leap to going freelance.

“Make sure you continue to educate yourself”

Mentoring the Next Generation

3

Mentoring is something we take very seriously at the Fellowship, with some of the industry’s biggest icons leading or spending time with our teams, including the ClubStar Art Team.

Here is my advice on what to look for in a mentor and how to find one.

Every successful hairdresser needs a great mentor, says Fellowship for British Hairdressing President, Robert Eaton. 1

A mentor is someone who you can look up to, who may be on the path you want to take or has been successful in their own right. They are there to offer guidance and provide a listening ear.

Share your concerns, your goals, and your frustrations. There are going to be bumps in your learning journey but don’t let this put you off. 4

A mentor isn’t there to judge you but to listen, so don’t be afraid to talk about your mistakes or challenges. Everyone has been in the same situation at the start of their career. 5

Listen to what your mentor is saying and question it. Everyone approaches their careers differently, so keep your eyes and ears open to all opinions and form your own.

Don’t be upset if you receive criticism — take it on board and learn from it. We all make mistakes, that’s how we become better at what we do. 2

The Fellowship has many live and online events to boost your skills as well as your confidence. Become a ClubStar member and take advantage of being in the audience with your hair heroes – go and say ‘hi’ and strike up a conversation.

As a ClubStar member, you can also try and gain a place on the ClubStar Art Team, which involves a year of mentoring with some of the industry’s most iconic and talented hairdressers.

Find out more about ClubStar membership fellowshiphair.com/join-now/

“A mentor isn’t there to judge, but to listen” mentor

@fellowshiphair

Get Business savvy

Whether you choose to work in a salon or barbershop or take a freelance route, running a full column will be vital to a successful career. Here, the NHBF offers some great advice on how to make sure you build a busy column and a loyal client base.

The National Hair and Beauty Federation (NHBF) is the industry’s biggest association, and is there to support you at all stages of your career.

BUILDING CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS

There’s only one way to keep your clients coming back — deliver an outstanding client experience every time. This is also the best way to get word-of-mouth recommendations to help attract new clients and grow your column.

“The basis of client loyalty is delivering a great service. This means guarenteeing clients an amazing service throughout their time with you. It’s about the small things such as offering clients a drink as well as the hairdressing services that you provide. Client loyalty comes from offering an unforgettable five-star experience that makes them want to return time and time again.”

Stacey Whyte, Creative Director, Cheveux Salon

ENCOURAGING CLIENT LOYALTY

Gaining new clients is crucial, but so is looking after your existing client base.

Client retention hovers below 50% and is even lower for new clients. So what can you do to create that special relationship with each of your clients to maximise client loyalty and build a column?

“Knowledge is crucial when it comes to building client loyalty, and once you qualify and start to look after your own column, you need to present yourself as the expert. Clients want to know that they’re in safe hands. A client will come to you because of your expert knowledge and will continue to visit because of this — they are paying for a service, your skillset, advice and knowledge.”

Stacey Whyte, Creative Director, Cheveux Salon

“Deliver an outstanding client experience every time”

“Knowledge is crucial when it comes to building client loyalty”

HOW TO SHOW YOUR CLIENTS THE LOVE

If you don’t make your clients feel valued when they arrive for an appointment they won’t value you and may start looking around to see what else is on offer locally. Below are a few key points to consider to help build client loyalty.

WINNING WITH RETAIL

From the outset, it’s important to know how important retail sales are to your column and to the overall business. All those products lining the shelves aren’t just there for decoration – so what do you need to know?

CONSULTATIONS

Never underestimate the importance of the consultation. As a stylist or barber, this will be your opportunity to show your client that they’re in expert hands and that you are able to offer advice and understand exactly what the client wants to achieve from the appointment. It’s also your opportunity to set realistic expectations for your client — not everything can be achieved in one appointment, sometimes it’s a process to get there. Keep consultations clear and concise and try not to overwhelm your client with too many options.

GET PERSONAL

A client isn’t just a number. When you are starting out as a newly qualified stylist or barber, always personalise your service. This will help you to get to know your client on a personal level. A personalised approach is a great way to upsell your services and treatments to new and existing clients. Remember the little details about your clients, their likes and dislikes as well as personal details, including their birthdays and other significant dates for them.

“It’s about going further than the salon chair and enhancing what we do. Building trust with your client, you’ll get to know more about them during every appointment. Remember the little things. You are more than a service provider, you’re a relatable person and this allows clients to trust in not only your work, but you as an expert.”

Stacey Whyte, Creative Director, Cheveux Salon.

“To create a loyal client base, you’ll need to be fully educated in every product you stock and be trained to do a full hair and scalp consultation. All good salon owners and managers should ensure you get the training you need. As a stylist, offering homecare advice and encouraging clients to purchase the right products for them is all part of the service — don’t think of it as selling. When a client has experienced the products and been introduced to them by their hairdresser, the products can then be reintroduced to them at reception and, ideally, result in a take-home purchase.”

SCAN HERE for more advice on building client loyalty.

“The basis of client loyalty is offering a great service”

Gary Hooker and Michel Young, Hooker & Young

SCAN HERE for more retail advice.

Follow us @nhbfsocial

The National Hair & Beauty Federation has over 6000 Members and is the largest trade body for the hair, beauty and barbering industries.

The NHBF focuses on helping salons/barbershops to run success and profitable businesses.

Get inspired!

For National Careers

Week (6-11 March)

we want to set you an inspirational task, designed to get you thinking outside the box.

Creative inspiration is a huge part of being a successful hairdresser and will help enrich your learning and your career.

Architecture

YOUR TASK

Here’s what we want you to do during National Careers Week

1 Find a building or other piece of architecture that inspires you. Think about shapes and angles. Search online or even find one in your local town or city. Get a screen grab or take an image.

2 Get out into nature and find some colour inspiration. lt might be the blossom on a tree, a vibrant flower or the shades of a bird’s wing, take images.

WHAT IS INSPIRATION?

Inspiration is something that stimulates your creativity and motivates your artistic side.

WHERE DO WE FIND IT?

Just about anywhere! The most famous hairdresser of all time, Vidal Sassoon, was inspired by the Bauhaus art movement. Bauhaus was all about geometric shapes and bold colours. Look at work by Sassoon and you can see this influence.

Today hair pros take inspiration from everywhere, including the street, nature, architecture and fashion.

You can also find inspiration from other hairdressers. It’s easy to see what your hair icons are up to thanks to social media.

3 Search on the social platforms of some of your favourite fashion brands. What colours, textures and shapes draw your eye and inspire you?

4 Explore social media and find at least two creative hairdressers whose work you love and follow them.

Fashion the street

Nature

5 From all the images, and screengrabs you have taken – plus any other material you may have gathered during your task – create an inspiration mood board.

“Creative inspiration is a huge part of being a hairdressersuccessful

Brand listing

Thanks to our fabulous sponsors for their support. Here’s how to get in touch.

BABYLISS PRO

BaByliss PRO develops creative tools designed to help you, the professional hairdresser, create any look, from high-fashion session hair to beautifully finished salon styles.

W: www.babyliss.com

@babylissprouk

DENMAN

Denman International has been manufacturing professional hairdressing tools in the UK for more than 60 years. Denman works closely with hair professionals to create tools that support their incredible creativity.

W: www.denmanbrush.com

@denmanpro

INDOLA

Indola is proud to be an exclusively professional brand, using innovative formulas to create inspirational products, relevant to everyday needs. Inspired by real people, Indola focuses purely on what you the hairdresser requires, nothing more. Indola’s unrivalled colour and effortless care and styling assortment caters to all your hairdressing services.

W: www.indola.co.uk

@indolauk

L’ORÉAL PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS

At L’Oréal Professional Products, our mission is to support hairdressers and develop the hair industry sustainably, benefiting all.

Professional Products founded the L’Oréal group more than 110 years ago. Always hand-in-hand with hairdressers. Creating beauty that moves the world.

W: www.loreal.com/en/professionalproducts-division/

W: uk.lorealaccess.com/learn/signin

L’ORÉAL PROFESSIONNEL PARIS

L'Oréal Professionnel Paris was born in Paris. Our founder Eugène Schueller dedicated his life and expertise to changing the lives of hairdressers. We deliver superior products, services and experiences. We develop game changing innovations powered by science, with an obsession of hair integrity and safety.

W: www.lorealprofessionnel.co.uk

W: uk.lorealaccess.com/learn/signin

@lorealpro_education_uki

NHBF

The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) is the UK’s largest trade body for the hair, beauty and barbering industries. The NHBF focuses on helping Members to run successful and profitable hair and beauty businesses by providing advice, specialist support and tailored services.

W: www.nhbf.co.uk

@nhbfsocial

WAHL

Wahl is leader in barbering and hairdressing products. It’s extensive portfolio of clippers, trimmers and styling products have been created to offer each professional, regardless of experience or regularity of use, products that perfectly suit their needs.

W: www.wahl.co.uk

@wahlprouk

WELLA PROFESSIONALS

Wella Professionals is a leading professional hair colour brand globally, home to many staple brands such as Koleston Perfect, Color Touch, Illumina Color, Color Fresh, Blondor and True Grey.

W: www.wella.com/professional/ en-UK/home

W: education.wella.com/home

@WellaHairUKI

HAIRDRESSING | EDUCATION RESOURCES | ONLINE

HERO IS AN ONLINE RESOURCE AND COMMUNITY FOR LECTURERS AND STUDENTS, DESIGNED TO SUPPORT AND EDUCATE YOU IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE HAIR INDUSTRY.

We believe that by sharing our knowledge we can inspire and grow as an industry, an industry that is driven by passion and creativity.

Sign up to discover online education, webinars, resources, latest news and information. Through our partnership with MW (McDonald Waterfall), we are also excited to offer access to their exclusive online content.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

wellacollegehub.co.uk

SIGN UP TODAY YOU COULD WIN £500 WORTH OF WELLA EDUCATION!

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