Hair Designer Job Description

Obtaining State Hairdresser Licenses Through Apprenticeship

The salon hair care market is worth $64.8 billion in sales in the year of 2013, so it's no surprise that hair is important. A woman's hairdresser is often one of her most beloved advisers, serving as a trusted ally and the only person who understands her hair issues. Depending on the role hair cuters play in a salon, they may be responsible for ensuring product inventory is sufficient, ordering new products, stocking products on display shelves, and even doing some marketing for the salon.

Hairdressers must be licensed in order to practice in the state in which they work. Hairdressers and hair designers in some states need a specific license, which is why most of them hold a full license. Kentucky requires hairdressers to carry a general license, while Connecticut only licenses hairdressers who have a specific license.

Candidates for licensure must pass a state hair styling examination and have at least one practice hour to be eligible. State licensing exams include both practical and written portions. College graduates can receive hands-on experience while building their skills through apprenticeship for hairdressers.

After graduating from a formal program, apprenticeship can be completed in lieu of a formal program. It is important for candidates to remember that apprenticeship requirements for licensure may differ from the number of requiered training hours required by a school. California requires students to complete a full-time, two-year program that includes full-time work with a Board-licensed salon in order to be eligible formal apprenticeship programs.

VolunteerMatch.org: A site for volunteering hair styling services to non-profit organizations

A hair salon may provide instructions and sell products that will let the customer get the same look at home if the hair salon analyzes the hair and recommends a style before working on a client. In every state, you must be at least 16 years old to work as a hair stylist, and a high school or equivalency diploma is needed for admission to a state-approved program. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that the outlook for hair styling is strong, due to the increasing population in need of hair services.

Hair styling jobs are usually in free-standing hair salons, but some are in spas and hotels. Some people who work in hair braiding lease a chair or booth from a salon owner and later open up their own shop. Hair stylists spend most of their shift on their feet.

They're exposed to chemicals and dyes, which makes wearing aprons and disposable gloves a necessity. VolunteerMatch.org is a site where you can find an opportunity to work as a volunteer hair stylist. You can volunteer your hair styling services to non-profit organizations.

Hair Removal and Colouring

Hairdressers cut, trim, and color hair in order to enhance or maintain a customer's appearance. Before starting any appointment, they ask the client what style or color they are thinking of getting, and will assess their physical features, lifestyle and hair type to see if that style choice would work for them. A hairdresser will usually address all of the hair related issues.

After listening to the client and making sure they have a clear understanding of their expectations, a hairdresser will often refer to photographs and pictures in beauty and style magazines to visualize the look desired by the client. Chemical treatments to hair can change the way it looks. Hairdressers make curly hair smooth and straight by giving it a chemical relaxant.

Curls or waves are semi-permanent because of chemical perms. It takes patience and knowledge of chemicals to create the perfect colour. It can be difficult for a hairdresser to colour multiple shades.

A hairdresser is an expert in the area of hair care and often will sell products that they are knowledgeable about and would like to recommend to clients. Hairdressers develop their own line of hair care products. Hairdressers may be involved in beauty and style guides.

Hair restoration services and products are not as common as you might think. A hairdresser can help with hair plugs and styling artificial hair. Special training is required for wig styling.