Hair Stylist Schools & Career Guide

Hair Stylist 101

Hair design is one of the most exciting specialties in the field of cosmetology. Hair stylists are on the cutting edge of fashion, helping individuals look their best with the latest styles, color treatments and products. Just as you've seen on popular television shows like Look-A-Like and Shear Genius, hair stylists have a dramatic impact on their clients' appearance and confidence.

But, even if you've been doing your friends' hair since kindergarten, becoming a hair stylist is a serious commitment. It takes time to develop advanced skills, earn a cosmetology license and build a clientele. You'll need the passion and persistence to keep learning throughout your career.

In order to be successful as a hair stylist, you will need to be able to do the following:

• Communicate well with clients to understand exactly what they want
• Develop and apply a wide range of hair styling skills
• Work with all kinds of hair and all types of personalities
• Keep up with trends in hair design and fashion
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, health and safety
• Keep your own appearance professional and well-groomed

Your Hair Stylist Education

What You’ll Study

To become a hair stylist, you will need a cosmetology license. That means you'll be learning more than just how to cut and color hair.

Basic skills taught in cosmetology school include the following:

• Cutting and styling hair
• Coloring, bleaching and highlighting hair
• Applying chemical perms to hair (relaxers, curls, waves)
• Nail care and grooming
• Skin care and make-up application
• Hair removal methods
• Use and care of instruments
• Sanitation and hygiene
• Relevant chemistry, anatomy and physiology
• Recognition of common skin diseases

You may also learn how to apply extensions and weaves, as well as learn how to fit and care for wigs and hairpieces. The best hair stylist schools will prepare you for working in the real world through a lot of hands-on experience.

Average Length of Study

A full-time cosmetology program can be completed in less than two years. You will learn all the basic skills you need in hair design, as well as skin care, nail care and make-up. Many hair stylists launch their careers by apprenticing under an experienced stylist for a year or two after they graduate from school. Apprenticeship is a great way to develop your skills and learn the practical details of working in a salon.

Most states also require you to receive a minimum number of continuing education hours each year to maintain your license.

Average Tuition

Tuition for cosmetology school will vary depending on where you live and the hours of training required by your state. Programs generally range between $6,500 and $10,000.

Hair Stylist Certification and Licensing

Every state has its own requirements for licensing and regulating hair stylists. To earn your cosmetology license, you will need to complete your education and then pass a state board exam.

State education requirements vary between 1200 and 2100 school hours. Most are 1500 to 1800 hours. Some states will accept a certain number of apprenticeship hours as an alternative to attending a school. In addition to requiring you to pass a written exam, many states will give you a practical test in which your styling skills are judged based on established performance criteria. In a few states, there is also an oral examination in which you have to explain what you're doing during the practical test.

Hair Stylist Career Overview

Hair stylists work primarily in beauty salons and spas. Some travel to their clients’ homes or offer services out of their own homes. Others specialize in photo shoots, teaching, product development or sales.

If you work in a salon, you may be paid in any of the following ways:

• Commission pay – You receive a percentage of the money made from the services you provide. You will probably be considered self-employed and will be required to pay your own taxes. The salon pays for all the products, equipment and other expenses of running the business.
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• Booth rental – You rent a chair or booth in the salon but keep the money you earn in fees. Your contract will specify whether you are required to supply your own tools and products and collect your own fees. Usually the salon will schedule appointments, price services and pay for advertising. You must pay your own insurance and taxes.
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• Hourly wage or salary – Many chain salons use this method. Some also provide paid vacations and medical benefits in order to attract the best talent.

You will earn tips over and above these methods of payment. You may also receive commissions on products you recommend to customers or bonuses for bringing in new business. No matter where you work, it is always your responsibility to build a loyal clientele.

Hair Stylist Career Outlook

Job opportunities for talented hair stylists continue to grow with the rising spa and beauty industry demands. A 2003 job demand survey by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS) found that cosmetologists had dramatically increased earnings in recent years because of a shortage of salon professionals.

The challenging part of establishing your career will be building a loyal clientele. There are a lot of hair salons, so there’s a lot of competition. Many hair stylists develop a specialty. For example, becoming an expert in coloring, perming or different types of hair can help you distinguish yourself among the competition. You can also build clientele through networking, hair shows and donating services in exchange for other beauty-related services.

The best hair stylists never stop learning. As you become more skilled, your clientele will improve. You’ll be able to offer more complicated services and increase your rates. You may be able to move to a more prestigious salon, take on a management role or open your own salon.

Hair Stylist Salaries

In 2003, NACCAS reported that the average salon income, including tips, was $30,000 to $50,000 a year. Factors that may influence your income include the size and location of the salon where you work, hours worked, tipping habits of your clients and competition from other salons in your area. Developing a loyal clientele is the key to maximizing your earnings.

Looking for Spa and Massage Schools?

Try our Spa, Massage & Beauty Schools page. There you will find a comprehensive list of schools which offer program descriptions. You can also request information from the schools that interest you most.

Sources:
American Association of Cosmetology Schools, 2007.
NACCAS, 2006