For the new cosmetologists

I thought I should write up something for all the budding cosmetologists out there. There are a lot of young men and women who have hopes to tackle hair school and leap right out into the professional world a super star. Unfortunately I have a reality check for you...it's a long, hard, poor road to stardom.

Take myself for instance. I am a 40 year old male. This was a major career change for me. Because I have worked in the professional world in numerous fields, I knew there would be a climb...a long, arduous climb. And that's where I am. And here's the deal:

When you graduate from hair school you better be prepared to give yourself 2-5 years before you are really on your feet. Building a clientèle takes a lot of time. And while you're building that clientèle be prepared to pay your dues. You'll be answering the phone, sweeping hair, folding towels, shampooing, watching...all those things you don't want to do...while you learn and build. And while you're doing this, you do it with a smile.

Everyone's situation is different. But the one universal that will always hold true is that dedication, hard work, and a good attitude will take you very far in this world. And it's certainly worth it. This industry is fun will pay you back every penny and drop of sweat you put into it. Bt you have to put in before you get back.

I am but one year removed from hair school and my clientèle is slowly but surely building up. And I am having fun and working hard. I am doing things above and beyond what I probably need to do. Why? Karma. That and I like to help out to make things easier for others. I take pride in what I do - whatever it is. You will never see me phone anything in (as we used to say in the acting world).

So to all you aspiring stylists I say make sure you are ready for some hard work. And have another job in your back pocket so you can pay the bills. You don't want to drown in debt as you build your book. And above all - enjoy yourself! This is an industry that thrives on fun.

stylists are like actors

Being a stylist who spent twenty years as a professional actor, I am constantly amazed at how similar the two professions are. The most obvious similarity is that we are constantly having to perform for an audience. Now the audience of a stylist is much smaller than the audience of the actor - but the effect on the performer is very similar. There is pressure to ensure that your audience is entertained one way or another. There are times when your client needs to laugh, or smile, or cry, or vent. Which, naturally, brings us to another, less obvious, similarity. Listening. Actors must listen and must listen in many ways. Actors listen with their ears, their eyes, their hearts, their skin - everything. A stylist must do the same thing in order to pick up on the cues given by the client. The client may be in need of something (to vent for example) and the stylist must be able to pick up on that.

Without the ability to really, and honestly, listen to a client a stylist is doomed. So, if you are a client, don't accept the nods and uh-huhs that should indicate to you that your stylist isn't listening. Make sure they are hearing you when you have something you need them to hear. And stylists, make sure your clients are hearing you when you are educating them on their hair. It is a two way street and it's one that is wonderful to travel. So don't miss out on such a great opportunity.

And of course without an audience, both the actor and the stylist have no purpose. They must have someone to witness them do their work. As a stylist it is my job to make sure my audience is given the respect they deserver (even if it is only to make sure they come back.) And as a client it is your job to return the respect to your stylist. Stylists put a good deal of time and energy into their clients to make them happy and comfortable. Let them know you appreciate that effort - even if it is only to return to them another day.

Of course there is always ego involved when dealing with people of an artistic bend. Yes, stylists have egos too. So as they are stroking your ego to make sure you know you look your best, give a stroke or two back to make sure you appreciate their talent. Just don't stroke too much else the ego get out of hand. ;-) That goes for both stylists and actors.

Stylists and ESP

It's been a few days since I posted. Which is strange seeing as how I have a good post to put up. Here's how it goes. Over the weekend I was going for a run and for some reason I thought of one of my first clients of the week. I thought how cute it would be if I took her hair shorter than we normally do.

So I figured I would mention it when I saw her. Believe it or not, she had the same thought over the weekend. So I cut it shorter and it looked adorable on her!

The point is, when you think of your clients, or when clients have a thought about their hair, never hesitate to talk about it. You never know, from a simple thought might come a magnificent change! On top of that, your client will know that you're thinking of them.

Watch what you say

As a hairstylist it is our job to not just make people look beautiful, it's also our job to listen to people. Many people think of their stylists as one step below their therapists. Clients want to sometimes unload on their stylist - just to get things off their chest with an unbiased ear. For clients that's a big deal - trusting someone they hardly know. And with that "big deal" comes responsibility.

Much (if not all) that is heard from your client should stay in your space - it should never leave your lips to any other's ears. That would break a trust you are forming - a trust that is very hard to come by without seeing a therapist or psychiatrist. This should, of course, all go without saying.

But one issue that might not be so obvious is that stylists shouldn't just feel free to either unload on their clients or say things about their fellow workers or, for the most part, anyone else. You never know who is connected to whom and who is listening in.

Most people probably don't realize how multi-layered being a hair stylist is. It's not just about having the skills to pretty people up. Although that is certainly a large portion of a stylists palette, it is not the only tool. Stylists have to know how to listen intently, when to talk and when not to talk, and (when the occasion arises) how to comfort.

The stylist/client relationship is a very complex one. And it's one that must be fostered and nurtured. It doesn't just happen automatically. And it never will if you blather on about yourself, talk about your fellow stylists, or break the bonds of trust created between you and your client.

Know when to talk and when not to talk. It'll take you just as far as knowing what to cut and what not to cut.

Young mens' hair

I do a lot of young mens' hair and I find it fascinating to say the least. Now I realize that most people looking around at today's young man would shake their heads and wonder what in the heck I was smoking. The young male of today is generally speaking a floppy, shaggy, mess of fluff on top. And normally I wouldn't completely disagree with you. But I know these young men go to great lengths to actually make their hair look like they just woke up. And believe it or not, they are very picky about their haircuts.

They have to be! Why? They don't use product. No matter how much I educate them on how product could help their look, they don't want it. They want their hair frizzy and fluffy and truly "just out of bed". And I think I know why.

Most young men are getting up just in the nick of time to make it to school or work. So there is no time to spend on their hair. To that end they have collectively adopted a shaggy flop of a style that goes well with "just getting up". So what you have is an "on demand" style that requires absolutely nothing on the part of the wearer, and everything to do with the stylist and mother nature.

But it's still frustrating for people like me. Growing up (and developing a sense of style) in the 80s, to me product and tools are my hair salvation. And I want to get those young boys to adopt a new method of styling, but that would be doing them a disservice. They have worked hard to get the public to accept their Shaggy-from-Scooby-Doo floppy hair style. And to that end I say "bravo!"

Of course I can say that because I know at some point in their lives they are going to wake up and go "Maybe some product would help this fuzzy fluff."

Until then I will razor and shag their hair all they want. I am there, after all, for them.

A slow day and a milestone

Today is a slow day here at the salon (at least for me). I had two cuts listed on my book (a husband and wife - a very charming pair that I really enjoy.) When they came in the husband told me he thought his hair was still short enough. We decided to have him call when he was ready for a cut. The wife then told me how much he loved his hair now and had been styling it differently every day. That, of course, made her very happy because her husband now looked younger and better! Chalk one up for giving the male species confidence that they can, in fact, care about what they look like.

That's one of those issues that I really want to keep pushing forward: That men do not have to limit themselves to the same ol' same ol'. Men can have style. Men can care what they look like. And trust me, it will make the woman in your life happy if you care about what you look like. And, as my dear ol' dad says, "If momma ain't happy, ain't no one happy." So, men, take a tip from me - try something new with your hair, it might just make the woman in your life happy (and if she's happy, you're happy.)

Today, after totally up Saturday's book, I realized that I reached a big milestone. Remember, I have only been doing hair for a year now. So I am, as my daughters would say, a n00b (that's noob for non-geek-speakers). But for this pay period my commission would equal more than my hourly wage! Woohoo! Now, let's hope I can keep up the growth. Just have to keep new people coming in. Hint, hint all you peoples out there needing to be pretty. ;-)

That's all for today. Peace out.

Wonderful people

I wanted to start this blog off by saying there are a lot of wonderful, interesting people out there to meet in the salon. Where I work we see the entire spectrum of sizes, shapes, colors, sexual preferences, gender presentations, religions, disabilities, economic status, employment status...you name it, we have it. And it's wonderful. On any given day I will see everything from a sassy 70 year old to an uber-intelligent teen. I get hugged, high-fived, smiled at, thanked, blessed, kissed (on the cheek - don't worry dear wife), made fun of (good naturedly of course) - you name it. All the while making good people feel even better about themselves.

And even though I don't always see people at their best, when they leave, they do so feeling a little bit better.

Being a hair stylist is not a job, it's a joy. And I can not tell you how grateful I am to get up and go to that playground I call work every day.

And now that out of the way, I will begin my daily (hopefully) ritual of talking about my day. Understand my work week is Tuesday through Saturday (oh how I love Mondays). So check back here on Tuesday for your first glimpse into what it's like to live the life of a stylist.

Hello everyone

It's been a long time coming. I figured one day I would start blogging my daily life as a hair dresser. Why? If you know a hair dresser (or are one), then you know how wacky life can be in the salon. And this will be my account. A fun, strange, constantly entertaining ride that is the world of hair fashion.

So bookmark me, cause ya know you're gonna want to come back and play.