My son wants to become a hairdresser, what advice would you give him?

Posted by wimsey_pimsey@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 29 comments

My son has decided he wants to become a hairdresser and is thinking of signing up for a full-time level 2 course at the local college (which in reality is three days a week). Any tips for him? In particular, what is the best way for him to get work experience - would he be able to do something like sweeping and tidying at a local salon, and would that be paid or unpaid? What's the best way to approach them - go in, email, phone?
The other thing is he has a very distinctive look - he's got long curly hair and wears a lot of heavy metal gear and camo. Is that likely to hinder him? Cheers!

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Flat_Development6659@reddit

My sister is a hairdresser, she's worked at a couple of high end salons and is currently in the process of opening her own salon.

In the kind of places she's worked you're son absolutely wouldn't be offered a chair, or even work experience based on your description. I've met loads of her work mates over the years, the girls are all very plastic and the guys are all very gay. When I say very gay I'm meaning the last time I saw her best mate he was in a backless shirt and was wearing makeup.

It's very good money when you're working in the right places, but those places all have the same look and it's just not camo clothes and heavy metal gear.

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Regular-Whereas-8053@reddit

I can’t speak for the career path but so long as he’s hygienic I have no issue with his appearance! There are plenty of salons that would suit his vibe; most of them would likely factor hair colouring strongly among the clientele (self included) so that might be something to focus on?

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FelisCantabrigiensis@reddit

A male hairdresser with long hair and clearly into the metal scene would be a good bet for a lot of my male friends to go to, as they're metallers and Goths with long hair who want to look after it.

I second the hair colouring focus, too.

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Possiblyreef@reddit

I used to have much longer hair and a hairdresser always did a much much better job than most barbers, they're just considerably more expensive.

Eventually I managed to find a barber that used to be a hairdresser and have been going there for nearly a decade now.

Stay tf away from most high street turkish barbers who seem to have an aneurysm if you want anything more than a fade

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Regular-Whereas-8053@reddit

See user name lol. There are lots of salons like this where I live, a two-university city with lots of students so the piercing/hair colouring/tattooing scene is pretty vibrant.

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Boycott-all-Rats@reddit

Get some good scissors???

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darcsend_eu@reddit

As someone who has career counseled many alternative styled teens. You need to tone down your fasshiom expression till your experienced.

Taking on training staff is always competitive and hairdressing is over stocked in many colleges. It's a very popular choice for lots of young people and secures academic funding for the school.

There will probably be a uniform at class to help with getting used to dressing in uniform.

If he wants to join salon, dressing appropriately is important. Makes you look keen.

If he wants to go solo then it's not as big a concern. Finding contracts for bulk cuts for care homes and boarding schools is a good experience and money maker.

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ktitten@reddit

On the first part, it really depends what industry. Being alternative styled has actually worked in my favour when going into creative and creative-adjacent sectors- people see and think I look the part! In fact, I often redye my hair bright colours before interviews, and have a blazer to match. Its never gone against me! There are ways to do gothy styles professionally, I quite like the brand Distrurbia for this.

I would say to OPs son that he should try get experience in alternative salons and with other alternative stylists. In the hairdressers I go to - the sons get up would be absolutely expected and almost part of the experience. I get a lot of fashion inspiration from when I go to the salon and not because they're in uniform, but because they're dressed cool af with lots of tattoos and piercings.

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hauntedathiest@reddit

What many people don't know is that if curly hair isn't cut right you can lose those curls for life.I also once had to have my hair cut very short and grew back with a full head of curls.Don't ask me why, I have no idea.

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heliskinki@reddit

My nephew is a full time barber. He was self taught initially, learned the basics over lockdown cutting his brother's and mates hair. Started as an apprentice in a local barbers, sweeping the floor, learning on the job.

He's now booked out everyday with a loyal customer base, loads of tips and raking it in.

Next plan is to open his own shop, which he's saving up for.

Definitely something you can make a career and decent money from if you're good.

And tell your son to keep leaning in to the metal, headbangers need a trim too.

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ktitten@reddit

I cant speak for the career path, but I go to alternative hairdressers/salons where I would absolutely expect one of the stylists to have the sort of look that your son has! More likely to find these in cities.

They specialise in colouring and alternative cuts, so worth your son getting to grips with this. If there is any alternative hairdressers near you, would be worth asking them for some work experience or at least advice!

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snowyy__@reddit

Personally i would recommend an apprenticeship rather than college - he'd get salon experience every day and a little money. But if not - three days a week in college and see if he can get a weekend job at a salon. He'd probably need to drop the metal clothing look though - it doesn't really give off salon vibes.

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Worried-Departure386@reddit

Good career never go out of business unless AI can cut hair

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Sad-Basis7411@reddit

If a customer ask for a skin fade, just slap himself 5 times in the face and then decline the job.

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BasisOk4268@reddit

Better get that qualification quickly. Chop Chop.

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WelcometotheZhongguo@reddit

Learning how to cut hair might enable him to cut hair

Learning people skills, running a business, understanding trends, delivering customer satisfaction, building up an ambiance, designing an interior, a playlist, creating an atmosphere… these are also skills to learn to run a successful business.

I’m always bemused by people on Reddit who disparage ‘Turkish barbers’ when they seem to be the ones who call you boss man, bring you a cup of coffee, play good music rather than Heart FM, they have extra services of scrubs and spritzes, they hype you up for the weekend and provide a service. All on top of a hair/ beard cut.

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peppermint_aero@reddit

There is always a need for more stylists who understand curls!

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yogalil33@reddit

I second this !! I have naturally curly hair which no hair dresser knew how to manage. I eventually found a curl specialist but her waiting list was a minimum of 3 months! If he never wants to be out of work, being a curl specialist is the way to go!

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awesome2701@reddit

I appreciate this will depend on the area, but my salon are a training academy for some really big brands (the owner travels across Europe regularly to teach cutting and styling techniques) and she doesn't look for college applications at all. She offers in house training and partners with the college so they have a transferrable qualification afterwards, but rates learning in a salon Vs college setting. She found college applicants needed restraining and lacked the understanding of more textured hair (incredibly thick, curls etc.) This was a chat with my oldest, who is also mulling over options.

My advice... Reach out to local, highly rated salons and ask about apprenticeships with qualifications and show initiative. Accept it won't be immediate, and remember a good hair wash is just as important to the overall experience so master that too! Hate feeling nails catch in my hair!

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Fanny_Flapps@reddit

Start saving now, Jeep Wranglers are expensive!

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JeffSergeant@reddit

Can pick up an mx5 pretty cheap though.

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IEnumerable661@reddit

From your description, keep doing what he's doing! Keep the metal shirts on and learn how to be the best hedge chopper he can!

The best route, judging by a couple of peoples' wives who went into the beauty/salon thing, don't work for the man for too long. As soon as you can, step out on your own, start your own business. Offer mobile work if you can and learn conversational skills beyond holidays!

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Fantastic-Option-260@reddit

I kind of wish I’d got into hairdressing when younger.

Its something you can get better with as you continuously learn, always needed (and AI/recession proof) and famously a skill almost always on visas for travelling.

My only advice (as a non hairdresser) is there is a big rise in TikTok channels of people documenting their journey and doing before/after shots. It might be worth doing this as part of his learning journey as I believe a lot of hairdressers are now making significant sums off this (similar to how MUAs did a few years ago)

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AggressiveAd5248@reddit

Take him to chat with a hairdresser and see if one will let him shadow for a week, in that time he can sweep and stuff around the shop as payback.

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Bunister@reddit

Remember, there are no short cuts.

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PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit

Learn how to appear Turkish and run a cash-only barber shop?

But seriously, get on a college course, offer free haircuts, build up a small portfolio, take any work experience he can find in the meantime.

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