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Job Profile

Hair Stylist

Hair stylists cut, shampoo, colour, curl and style people's hair. They may specialise in particular services, techniques or client groups.

The Work
Conditions
Getting In
What Does It Take?
Training
Getting On
Pay
More Information

The Work

You could be:

talking to clients about how they want their hair and advising on styles
cutting and styling hair using a variety of equipment; scissors, clippers, straighteners, rollers, hot brushes and dryers
washing and conditioning hair, perhaps applying special treatments such as scalp massage or deep conditioning treatments
tinting, colouring, permanently waving or straightening hair using tints, bleaches and lotions
applying styling products such as gel, mousse, wax or spray
trimming beards and moustaches
advising on simple hair problems and suggesting possible treatments or recommending hair products
answering the phone, making appointments, preparing bills and ordering materials
keeping the salon clean and tidy, making sure supplies are readily available and chemicals stored away safely.

Conditions

You work in a hair salon.
You would work around 40 hours a week.
If you work freelance you visit people in their homes.
You are on your feet all day.
You have to bend and stretch a lot.
Salons can be very busy and are sometimes hot and humid.
You might work some evenings and weekends.
Part time work is usually available.
You would wear overalls and protective gloves when dealing with some chemicals.

Getting In

Many entrants train through a Modern Apprenticeship. A good general education is useful. Some employers prefer 2 subjects at Standard grade(Level 1-3) or National 5 including English and perhaps Maths.
You could take a full time course as the first step. There is a range of courses: National Certificates and National Qualifications (NCs and NQs), Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) at Levels 1-3 (SCQF Levels 4-6) and Higher National Certificates (HNCs).
Entry requirements vary from no formal entry requirements for NC and NQ courses to SVQ Level 2 or 3 (SCQF Level 5 or 6) or a relevant NC or NQ for HNC courses.
You need good colour vision for some areas of the work.
You should not be prone to allergies.

Job prospects in the industry are steady. There are jobs for hair stylists in salons big and small throughout the UK.

What Does It Take?

You need to be:

smart and well groomed
artistic and creative with an eye for colour and form
friendly with good communication skills
a good listener and able to take instructions
able to work quickly and accurately
aware of health and safety issues
able to work under pressure
a good team worker
interested in fashion and the latest trends and products.

You need to have good technical skills and a steady hand.

Training

If you follow an apprenticeship you would do much of your training on the job supervised by experienced hair stylists. You may also attend college part time, where you would be able to work towards relevant SVQs.
If you take a full time course as the first step and then go into a job, you might be able to study part time for advanced qualifications.
You would study to SVQ Level 3 (SCQF Level 6) to train as a senior stylist.
You must also keep up to date with changing styles and fashions by attending short courses from time to time.
Manufacturers run short courses on new hair colouring and styling products.
If you have a relevant SVQ Level 2 (SCQF Level 5) you can apply to the Hairdressing Council to become a State Registered Hairdresser (SRH).

Getting On

Job prospects for hair stylists are very good in Scotland.
Salons which are part of a chain offer better promotion prospects or the chance to specialise in particular styles or techniques.
You could open your own salon.
You could become a senior stylist or, as they are sometimes known, a creative director.
If you have enough experience and training you could become a salon manager.
There are openings in hotels, film and television, the fashion industry and cruise ships.
You could teach in further education colleges or become a consultant for companies producing hair products.
A few hairdressers go on to further study to become trichologists.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

where you work
the size of the company or organisation you work for
the demand for the job.

The starting salary for hair stylists is likely to be based on the National Minimum Wage (NMW). From October 2014 this is £3.79 an hour for workers aged 16 to 17, £5.13 an hour for workers aged 18 to 20 and £6.50 an hour for workers aged 21 and over. After experience this could rise to £8.00 an hour, or higher in large salons. Apprentice hairdressers under the age of nineteen in their first year are exempt from the National Minimum Wage until their nineteenth birthday. Some employers may pay trainee or apprentice hairdressers considerably less than the NMW. Tips from customers, and possibly commission from products you may sell in the salon, can boost your income.