Hair Schools

Attend Hair Schools To Become An Expert In Style

It used to be that going to a salon simply meant getting your hair chopped off the same way every time, but hair design has become so advanced that a salon visit could be a day long affair if you combine color, cut, design and style. It therefore requires a professional who has not only been properly trained but who also has an eye for style and what will suit you, since to many, a bad haircut could be a nightmare. Hair schools will prepare you for everything you need to know to set you off on this creative career path and maybe even grant you the opportunity to become self-employed.

Job Description

A hairdresser needs to be skilled enough to perform a variety of duties, like cutting, coloring, straightening, perming, styling and treating hair and scalps. If you are just beginning at a hair dresser, you will probably have the tasks of preparing clients and maintaining and sterilising equipment and work areas and shampooing. The senior hairdressers will probably take charge of more of the client interaction and hair styling.

You will also need to be skilled in working with chemicals like bleaches, dyes and perm or straightening solutions. You also need to be skilled in working with men's facial hair, whether you work at a barber or a beauty salon, being able to shave or trim beards and mustaches.

Working with wigs and hairpieces is also essential, as well as attending seminars about up to date techniques and products, and finally, adminstrative duties like scheduling appointments, working the cash register, keeping client files and contact information in order and doing reception work. It is an all encompassing job that requires a variety of different skills and the ability to multi-task, all of which you will learn at hair design school. 

Hairdressing School and Requirements

The requirements you need to get into hairdressing school are minimal, simply a high school diploma or being over 18 will do in most places, but there are basic personality requirements you need in order to do the job. You need to be patient, creative, detail-oriented, able to follow instructions well, mild mannered, have strong communication skills and be able to work well under pressure.

There are a wide range of hairdressing classes you can take, most programs taking about a year to complete, and they range from the hairdressing beginner to the professional who wants to take refresher courses. The beginner level at most colleges teaches the skills an apprentice would need to know: basic administration, equipment preparation and shampooing and conditioning.

At a more advanced level you will work on hair design, coloring and chemical use for straightening or creativing waves. Some of the better hairdressing schools around the US include Empire Beauty Schools, On Set Hair Academy, which specializes in movie hair, and International Academy of Hair Design.

Barber schools

Although most people think hair schools and barber schools are the same, there is actually a distinct difference. Barber schools will teach the stylist about managing different types of hair based on ethnicity, texture, curliness and thickness. The courses you will take will be geared towards providing services to men, so you will learn how to give steam facials, facial massages, foam shaves, razor styling, hair cuts and coloring.

You will also learn about hair and scalp conditions and how to treat them. Some schools will even give courses on business administration and management. Once you complete your course, you will need to take your state licensing exam to practice as a barber.

Career Outlook

Hair stylists who work in unisex salons have an expected job rate increase of 12% until 2016, and there is an especially high turnover rate since many experienced stylists leave their positions to work from home or open their own salons. This leaves a lot of room for newcomers and allows you to gain a lot of on the job experience as an apprentice.

On the contrary, licensed barbers who choose to specialize in working on men at a barber shop, will only see an increase of 1% until 2016, since so many men are now going to unisex salons. The average salary for both professions is about $24,000, with more to be made based on experienced and if you become self-employed.

Hair schools or barber schools are essential over and above basic cosmetology schools if you want to work with hair, because they go into more detail than a general course will, and help you better prepare for your licensing exam and your future career. If you have a knack for style, this may be the route for you, as long as you are a serious and dedicated professional.

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