Five Skills Every Hairdresser Needs and Expectations Clients Should Forget

woman with short hair at salon
Meow Creations- stock.adobe.com 

Most experienced hairdressers working in the service industry were trained to have the technical abilities, creativity, and communication skills to manage a client’s expectations.

In this article, we’ll explain the five essential skills hairdressers need to keep clients happy and how to manage a client’s expectations to provide them with the best experience.

Five essential skills every hairstylist needs

Here are some of the essential skills you’ll learn in a cosmetology program

Creative expression

Creativity is usually the result of inspiration. Cosmetology students often find inspiration through learning about hair history and how styles change over time. Reimagining a classic hairstyle and putting an innovative twist on it is a form of creativity many instructors encourage during their hair lessons in a cosmetology program. Creativity can happen over a period of time or can come to students instantly as a fully developed concept. In the beauty industry, beauty professionals often get their creative juices flowing through inspiration and exposure to current and past trends.

Productivity management

Planning your day effectively while managing your appointments can help ensure you stay efficient. For instance, if you’re performing a haircut, consider the time it takes to consult the client, wash the client’s hair, perform the cut and dry, and style the wet hair. If the client has a full head of hair that cascades down their back, it could take longer.

While managing time is essential to get the client out the door and the next client in the seat, it’s essential to provide quality service and a good salon experience to your customers. A rushed, unsatisfactory, bad experience can result in a negative online review and losing a client. Managing productivity realistically is critical in ensuring success and not leaving clients unhappy.

Advanced cutting techniques

Perfecting advanced cutting techniques for various hair types and conditions, from clean hair to unwashed hair and varying texture and manageability, takes extensive practical, hands-on training.

In hair salons, stylists often work with wet hair during hair appointments to achieve precision cuts, as it allows for cleaner lines and a more accurate shape. There are times when hairstylists must adjust their techniques and prepare for any request that comes through the door.

Color application mastery

One sign of an amazing salon is when customers walk out with stunning hair colors. Understanding color application and correction and achieving the desired tone can take the person in your chair from having a line of bad hair days to having beautiful hair and a boost of self-confidence.

From garishly bold amazing rainbow hair to au natural hues, a hair stylist should understand that color theory is not a one-time learning. It’s a skill that should be continuously mastered throughout their career, and the payoff will be better than any boxed hair dye can achieve.

Communication and expectation management

Arguably, one of the most important skills in a hair care profession is listening to the customer and helping to manage their expectations. By telling the client what you can realistically achieve, you’re giving them the choice to reconsider their request and also not getting their hopes up. 

The hairdresser’s job is to offer expert advice and maintain clear communication. 

woman getting hair consultation
Viacheslav Yakobchuk- stock.adobe.com 

Managing expectations

When a customer speaks, the stylist should listen carefully to their preferences and be forthcoming about what can be achieved based on their hair type, condition, and the requested service. Offering professional advice and setting attainable goals helps to avoid major disappointment later.

Explaining maintenance and treatment post-hairstyle is essential. For instance, describe how color treatment or the effort required to keep a style looking good can help manage long-term expectations after providing a service.

As a hairdresser, it’s your job to advocate for the client and for yourself. Ask for photo references, but let the client know that the model or celebrity hairstyle they are trying to achieve may look differently on various face shapes and complexions.

About Evergreen Beauty College

At Evergreen, we put our students at ease as they navigate through our program, learning each phase of the curriculum with guidance from our instructors. By the time they graduate from our program, students will be ready to immerse themselves in a salon setting, consulting clients, and communicating goals.

If you’re considering enrolling in a cosmetology program, take our brief survey

Contact Evergreen Beauty or make an appointment today to tour our campus and meet the instructors and current students. 

FAQ: Five skills every hairdresser needs and expectations clients should forget

What skills does a hairdresser need?

Hairdressers need the following technical skills:

  • Cutting
  • Coloring
  • Styling hair

What are the soft skills for hairdressers?

Soft skills for hairdressers include:

  • Exceptional communication
  • Active listening
  • Empathy

How to stay organized with salon appointments?

The best way to stay organized is by using booking software to manage appointments. Booking software is intuitive to use and will make reserving appointments effortless for hair stylists. 

Author
Frank Trieu
Vice President of Business Development & Industry Relations

Frank Trieu is a cosmetology industry leader, and despite his accomplishments and accolades, he still prioritizes students on the Evergreen campus. Through building relationships within the community and local salons, retail stores, and spas, he helps facilitate job placements for aspiring beauty professionals using his expansive network.

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