With GCSE results day, we often see hairdressing bandied around as the career to turn to if you’ve not done well academically.
Hairdressers are highly skilled, hard-working individuals who combine creativity with business skills; social and personal skills with a scientific understanding of colour formulations; biology, especially when it comes to the scalp and hair loss, with maths. So with the industry crying out for fantastic apprentices, what does it take to be a successful hairdresser? We spoke to some leading stylists for their advice:
Luke Benson, Owner, Luke Benson Hair
Former London Hairdresser of the Year specialising in cut and colour, styling and occasion hair. Luke is set to launch his Berkhamsted salon in September, clients include Billie Eilish, Roman Kemp, Tom Grennan and brands including Tom Ford. https://www.lukebensonsalon.com
What did you enjoy at school?
“I actually enjoyed most subjects at school, but Languages came quite easily to me, and then probably biology and maths. I also of course loved my friends, the social side and sport. I hate the mindset you’re probably stupid or failed exams and became a hairdresser. I got 2 A* 5 A’s and 3 B’s at GCSE and 4 AS Levels too. I went into an industry that excited me and I loved and never looked back. Do something for you and do something you enjoy. You work for a long time, make sure it keeps you smiling.”
What didn’t you enjoy?
“I wasn’t, which seems odd, very good at the creative things like Art, Music, Technology. Even though they are now something I spend a lot of time looking into and admiring.”
What’s the best thing about moving from school to the workplace?
“I always wanted to work. And be in fashion. So, hair felt like a good path for me. The social side from school was still there in a way but it was with clients and staff instead. I also knew I was learning a skill.”
What skills do you need to be successful in hairdressing?
“All I would say, like in anything, is be committed to learn and open to taking on new things. I think being good with people is also helpful. So, work on confidence and people skills because sometimes the best hairdressers aren’t the busiest, it’s the ones with a great relationship with their clientele.”
Are there any skills you’ve learnt that you were surprised you enjoyed, for example, practical application of maths or science for colouring, or learning to run a business? Is it different when you’re learning in a practical setting?
“I’d say the business side always interested me, and my Dad always said to me to work for myself one day, so I always kept an ear and eye out to the business relationships bosses were building. I’d like to think this has helped me and I have a good relationship with industry figures that I can always turn to for advice if needed.”
Emma Fowler, Owner, Emma Fowler Hair
https://emmafowlerhair.com – @emmafowlerhair
“I really wanted to do Law at college so after getting good grades in my GCSEs I applied at my local college for Law- I always had a natural flair for Maths, Art, and Business so I added those as my other subjects.
Looking back, I always struggled in the classroom, I also was very sociable – my best friend was doing an apprenticeship at a top London salon and I spent my Mondays in the salon on her training days letting her try out different things on my hair.
I had worked since I was 13, I loved earning my own money so my Mum suggested I get an apprenticeship in a trendy salon in Soho, I looked quite alternative at the time and I loved being surrounded by creative people who shared the same interests as me. I loved the independence of working, earning money while also going to college on a Monday and learning new skills.
I feel like my love of hair colouring came from my love of Maths and Art and my interest in business later led to me growing successful clienteles in salons I worked in and eventually being self-employed and running my own education business.”
Gina Conway, Owner, Gina Conway Salon & Spa
https://ginaconwaysalons.co.uk – @gina_conway_aveda
Cutting-edge eco salon in Wimbledon that combines excellent customer service, state of the art products, and environmentally conscious actions. A multi award winner, a Marie Claire and Most Wanted awards judge, and a collaborator for many prestige fashion brands such as Jean Paul Gaultier and Valentino.
What did you enjoy at school?
“Boys.. ha ha… oh and playing with hair and creating my own fashion trends…. I always was the one people asked to do their hair and my first perm was in my living room when I was 13.. sorry Janelle!”
What didn’t you enjoy?
“I slept through math… and although I loved English, I was more of a thespian than a bookworm. I wouldn’t say my grades were A’s but I always worked hard at school in spite of being distracted often and trying to be the class clown. I just about managed Bs and Cs. I loved learning but hated studying… anything to do with my hands and creative thinking I enjoyed.”
What’s the best thing about moving from school to the workplace?
“Leaning every day… I was so amazed by my fellow hairdressers and how they could create such beautiful shapes and colours. And they made people happy all day long… what a great career I was on to… I couldn’t believe I stumbled on this… it was far better than anything I imagined it could be. I took the job very seriously, while still trying to be the class clown. I knew that I liked people pleasing… and when it was my turn to turn on the charm and give that big warm welcome to the guests, what I got back was truly great and free. I found that the more I gave, the more I got.”
What skills do you need to be successful in hairdressing?
“People skills! You need to be a DAYMAKER… (people who love making others’ day) if you get a buzz from helping others, and serving, think about working in the beauty/ wellness industry.
Creativity! I never considered myself a creative, but in beauty school (apprenticeship training here) I was already an artist, and I didn’t even know it. I was opened to a world of possibilities and craft of sculpting and painting… but on hair.
Hunger for learning! This industry moves fast, trends come and go, and you can be a leader or a follower. There is room for both, but I find the successful and fulfilled ones, seek inspiration from everywhere and inspire others.
Tenacity! It is not easy… learning a new skill is hard. Long hours on your feet is hard. Being an assistant for years yet wanting to be great now is hard. Finding a mentor and a salon that can propel you is hard. But you can’t give up. You need to give it life and energy. It does not happen to you. You have to make it happen. You need to eat and drink it, and you need it to consume you… or you can find yourself being average… earning an average living and having average success. Or you can go all in… spending free time learning, growing, making it happen. And in time… it will click… all of it. You will get it, and the pieces will fall into place. Your career will be much more than a job. It will also be your hobby.”
Are there any skills you’ve learnt that you were surprised you enjoyed, for example, practical application of maths or science for colouring, or learning to run a business? Is it different when you’re learning in a practical setting?
“I have travelled the world as a hairdresser, been on photos shoots, backstage in Paris and Milan, London, Hawaii and led stage hair shows for audiences of 5K using strong teamwork and leadership skills and collaboration. I adored these times and love the alchemy we can create together to produce images, collections and teaching the craft of hairdressing. But the thing that surprised me the most was that I loved being in a salon the most. The day-to-day energy, loyal clients, and working with wonderful people and friendships created and grown. I love innovation. I love figuring out how I/we, can be better every day. And I love that I have a team of people (most of whom) that have been with me well over a decade and still love coming into work and calling this their home from home. I use maths and science every day. I am surprised how much I enjoy the business side, and although I have had many coaches over the years, I still grow and learn every day. Not a day goes by where I think…. Ugh… I don’t want to go to work today… It’s very special… and I know I am very lucky…”
Andrea Dorata, Owner, Dorata Hairdressing
Salon owner and L’Oreal Guest Artist
https://www.dorata.co.uk – @doratamarlow
What did you enjoy at school?
“Art, science, maths”
What didn’t you enjoy?
“PE, geography”
What’s the best thing about moving from school to the workplace?
“Applying what I would learn, seeing myself progress, earning while learning”.
What skills do you need to be successful in hairdressing?
“Many skills, but for me the most important ones are social skills, emotional intelligence, and commitment”.
Are there any skills you’ve learnt that you were surprised you enjoyed, for example, practical application of maths or science for colouring, or learning to run a business?
“I enjoyed learning the colour science, and also found maths useful to run the business, having an understanding of social and market behaviour as well.”
Is it different when you’re learning in a practical setting?
“100% in work you learn in many different ways, not just by textbook, you learn by others’ experiences and by your own as you are able to apply everything you learn. Everybody is smart, I believe we all have different forms of intelligence and different ways of learning, I did well at school and could have carried on to further education but I choose not to, as for me it was boring, I knew I wanted to do something that included being creative and that would allowed to see people, I also wanted something I could make a career out of, and where I could learn and apply, hairdressing has fulfilled all of that for me, the different avenues to take are endless and many year into my career it excites me every day.”
Anna Sorbie, Owner, Anna Sorbie
Owner of Anna Sorbie Salon and Bowness Barber Lounge, a product line formulated for use on extensions and bridal hair expert
https://www.annasorbie.co.uk @anna_sorbie
“The social environment, drama, maths, and food science. I always talked too much but I could absorb what I wanted to within a lesson while I was talking!”
What didn’t you enjoy?
“English as I am dyslexic, subjects that bored me, I would day dream or talk too much and get into trouble for it.”
What’s the best thing about moving from school to the workplace?
“I fell in love with hairdressing while I was studying fashion, they complemented each other. I loved moving into a workplace as I felt valued and respected by clients, I enjoyed learning about the science not just the hair techniques.”
What skills do you need to be successful in hairdressing?
“People skills, maths, chemistry, artistic”
Are there any skills you’ve learnt that you were surprised you enjoyed, for example, practical application of maths or science for colouring, or learning to run a business? Is it different when you’re learning in a practical setting?
“The rules of how to break the rules to become a creative hairdresser, problem solving hair issues and gaining the results you wanted through practice and learning. Learning to build a business and all the other skills sets that requires, within hairdressing it is always evolving and keeps things interesting. Meeting new people in all walks of life is fun.”
Next Steps for Students
If you want to learn more about hairdressing as a career, you can check out some of the websites:
- Hairdresser | Explore careers | National Careers Service: This website provides information on the average salary, working hours, skills, and qualifications of a hairdresser. It also has a video of Jasmine, a hairdressing apprentice, who shares her experience and tips.
- How to become a hairdresser: Jasmine’s story – BBC Bitesize: This article is another source of Jasmine’s story, where she talks about how she met her boss, how she balances learning and earning, and what skills she uses in her job.
- Level 2 Diploma in Hairdressing · Eastleigh College and Women’s and Men’s Hairdressing Level 2 Diploma: These are examples of college courses that you can take after GCSEs to become a qualified hairdresser. They cover topics such as cutting, styling, colouring, health and safety, and customer service.
Join some relevant Facebook groups such as U.K Hairdressers Helping Hairdressers
