Inside a Spa - Salon Jobs Overview

Inside a Salon: Who's Who

Every person has their own
unique role within a salon.
A colorist foils a girl's hair
in the makeover above.

On the TV Guide show "Look-A-Like," a hair stylist, make-up artist and fashion consultant work together to make ordinary people look like Hollywood stars. In a real salon, the goals aren't usually quite so ambitious, but everybody does have a role to play. They all work together to help clients look and feel their best.

This may be highly structured, as in a luxury salon, where an owner or manager organizes a program for each client. Or it may be a more relaxed process, with everyone communicating informally to meet the client's needs. In some salons, each specialist may work independently and may be responsible for his or her own booth and products. But— specialists may share clients who want multiple services.

When you work in a hairdressing salon, your responsibilities depend on your role, the salon's ambiance and the salon size (for example, private, franchise, chain, TV show). In some salons, everyone is a generalist, offering complete hair, skin and nail services. In other salons, everyone is a specialist and customers may be passed along two, three, or more times during a single appointment.

In almost every salon, employees are responsible for building their own clientele and maintaining their own workspace. Maintaining your workspace will include sanitizing all work instruments, sweeping the work area after each client and ensuring a tidy personal appearance.

Every salon is unique, even within a chain, so it's important to find a salon that suits your personality and goals. Visit as many as you can. Don't be afraid to say that you're a student and ask for a tour. Most salons will be happy to show you around, especially if you show up in the middle of the week when business is slower. Evenings and weekends are the busiest times for salons.

Many experts in the beauty field recommend that you get a job in a salon as soon as possible. If you work in a salon while you're still a student, you will be able to gain hands-on knowledge and expertise in your area of study. Even if you're just sweeping up or doing laundry, you'll have the opportunity to learn and observe as an insider. Receptionist or shampooer jobs are perfect for students. You get to familiarize yourself with working in a salon, while building relationships that will help you get a great job when you graduate.

The various individuals who may work in a salon are listed below.

Receptionist

Every successful salon needs a friendly and capable receptionist. A good receptionist ensures that each client's first and last impression of the salon is positive. Salon receptionists greet customers and make sure they're comfortable. They handle phone calls, book appointments and make calls to confirm all upcoming appointments. They handle financial transactions, sell products recommended by other employees and maintain the waiting area and display units. They may also oversee deliveries and maintain an inventory of products and supplies.

Hair Stylist

Hair stylists, also known as hair designers or hairdressers, cut and style hair. This may also include curling, waving, straightening or advising clients on their personal hair care routines. Hair stylists may also do weaves, hair extensions or fittings for wigs and hairpieces. They are generally trained to do hair color as well, but some salons separate styling and color into different departments and have specialized colorists.

Colorist

Colorists have the same basic training as hair stylists but specialize in hair coloring. They apply bleach, dye, tints, foils, highlights and other hair coloring treatments to meet each client's styling goals. Some colorists specialize further in color correction and covering gray hair, or “rock star” hair (a bold or bright pigmented color).

Shampoo Technician

In most salons, hair stylists and colorists shampoo their own clients' hair, but larger salons may have a specialized staff position for shampooing and conditioning hair. Shampooers, sometimes called shampoo technicians, usually do not need a state license and generally make a lower wage than their stylist and colorist counterparts. However, they often receive tips of $5 or more every time they wash an individual's hair.

Nail Technician

Nail technicians, also known as manicurists and pedicurists, focus on hands, feet and nails. They provide manicures and pedicures, which involve cleaning, smoothing, massaging and moisturizing hands or feet before shaping and polishing nails. They may apply nail extensions, artificial nails and gel nails. Some nail technicians also offer decorative nail art.

Esthetician

Estheticians, also known as beauticians or skin care specialists, offer a wide range of services from basic facial treatments to waxing. With appropriate training and qualifications, they may offer advanced cosmetic treatments such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels or laser skin resurfacing. Most commonly, they offer skin analysis, facials, body wraps, salt glows, unwanted body hair removal and make-up application.

Make-up Artist

In salons, make-up artists most often do make-up for weddings, proms and other special occasions. They are usually trained as cosmetologists and may also provide hair, nail and skin care services.

Permanent Make-up Artist

Permanent make-up, also known as cosmetic tattooing or micropigmentation, is the injection of color under the skin for long-term eyeliner, eyebrow shaping or lip color. Permanent make-up artists have received specialized training in addition to basic training as licensed estheticians, cosmetologists or electrologists.

Permanent make-up is a specialized service that is not available in most salons. Eyelash and eyebrow tinting are much more common. These services may also be considered permanent make-up, but do not involve any tattooing. An esthetician or cosmetologist simply applies dye to the lashes or brows.

Electrologist

Using an electrolysis machine, electrologists permanently remove unwanted hair. Small amounts of electricity are applied at the base of the hair follicle, destroying hair growth tissue. Electrology can remove hair from almost anywhere on the body and is popular with both men and women. Common treatment areas include the eyebrows, hairline, neck, shoulders, back, chest, upper lip, earlobes, bikini line, underarms, toes and hands.

Assistant/Apprentice

For new graduates, especially in the hair design field, working as an assistant is a fantastic way to get real-world experience. That means finding a mentor with lots of experience and working under their supervision for a year or two. Many independent salons offer on-the-job training programs where you can apprentice for a year or two before you get your own chair. That gives you plenty of time to learn, practice and build up a clientele by handling walk-in customers.

Related Articles:

• Find the Field that Fits
• Paying for Massage & Beauty School
• How to Start Your Own Salon
• Inside a Spa: Who's Who

View all our Spa and Beauty Articles to learn more about the spa, massage and beauty industry.

Return to the Spa and Massage Career Center home page.

Looking for Spa, Massage or Beauty 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.