Celebrity Hair Stylist Careers
Lots of hair stylists enter the beauty sector with the aim of becoming a celebrity hair stylist. Hair styling for magazines is referred to as “session” or “editorial” styling. To break into the celebrity styling industry, you will need agency representation.
Celebrity Hair Stylist Agents
These agents represent makeup artists, photographers and hair stylists, and are similar to modeling agents. An agent will get you work and deal with all the related client negotiations. Your agent will receive a predetermined percentage of the money you are paid for carrying out the work.
Finding an Agent
To get agency representation, you will need to put together a book of photographs to showcase your skills. Your “book” (as it is called in the fashion industry) will serve as your portfolio, and you will give this to agents to try to get them interested in representing you. It is essential to have a nicely organized book with a professional appearance. Prior to starting your book, look online at some of the portfolios of people who already have agency representation. These will be displayed on agency websites, and will provide you with an accurate idea of what the agents are looking for.
At first, the most sensible idea is to team up with other photographers, models and makeup artists, who are just beginning their careers, for a test shoot. A test shoot is a photo shoot that is specifically for your book. Normally, the people involved are not compensated.
Certain sites connect people who want to arrange tests shoots to develop their books. Here, you will discover lots of photographers, models and beauty professionals who wish to work together on test shoots.
After your portfolio has a minimum of eight to ten different photographs in it, you are ready to contact the agencies.
Becoming an Assistant
The fact that you have a good book of photographs does not automatically mean that you will attract an agent straightaway. Among the most reliable methods of gaining representation is to put your name forward to be a hair stylist’s assistant. By becoming an assistant, you can network with other stylists (during photo shoots) who already have agency representation. This video has more details:
Essentially, as an assistant, you are being paid to observe and lend a hand. You are not there to style hair, so do not expect to do this whilst on set. However, the more of this type of work you do, the more opportunities you will get to form a relationship with an agency that will eventually represent you. If you are seriously committed to a career as a celebrity hair stylist, you should consider working in New York or Los Angeles.
