...to ask your honest thoughts when someone tells you they're a hairdresser?

[westmommy]

First thoughts, any assumptions? Fully transparent and honest answers please, no judgement whether good/bad!

Also any hairdressers out there, what are your honest experiences and thoughts about the job? Do you enjoy, would you recommend it etc?

First honey thought “oh god my hair is a mess, hope she won’t judge me”

then that’s all

Can you do Black hair? or Great they'll be able to do my hair.

Indifference. I'm only ever curious if their own hair is a bit of a mess because I feel like you're a personal advert for that kind of job..

go for it OP, forget the ‚stigma‘

The pay depends on what sort of arrangement you have and what level of salon you work for. My former boss paid minimum wage on paper but there was 30% commission on all services and products and the salon was charging west-end London prices. Most of our hairdressers earned above 45k in 2015 when I left which is equivalent of 63k today - that would the the level of NHS service lead salary but with no student debt.
You can rent a chair and be self-employed, then the sky is the limit.
The worst pay is probably in chains in shopping centers and little "cash in hand" where you can get a haircut for £20-30.
It's all about training and CPD. Don't just settle with your college qualification. Invest in your education, keep up with the latest techniques and you can keep moving up with your earning potential.

Honestly that they are judging my home dyed hair!

I think, I wish I had that skill. Go anywhere in the world with that. I also feel intimidated. Don't ask me why, I haven't a clue

Yes would think
chatty
friendly
probably into getting nails and lashes done etc
working class background
not academic
not uni educated
might be into more ‘townie’ interests rather than ‘outdoorsy’
creative

So what’s the pay, if people are saying they earn £££? Gross or net and what is net after paying for equipment/rent of chair if self-employed?

It’s an exhausting job,both physically and mentally.
hairdressers take on most people’s worries and stresses in life.

hairdressers are so much more than uneducated as put in previous posts.

been in the industry for 32 years

I have a levels in science,English maths and business.

I have trained and taught people from many different countries over the years
I run a successful business which takes alot of knowledge time and savvy as well as having a creative skill.
I have upwards of 10 different heads,conversations,consultations a day whilst standing the whole time.

I absolutely love my job and can probably give a few posters with a negative attitude towards us a run for their money when it comes to being educated 🧐

The stigma of being a dumbass is still clearly there for many people in their opinions but I know many many of us are smart savvy business people In an industry that can’t be taken over by ai

I think, "oh god what must they think of my hair?!?"

Me too!!

How much do you charge for a dry cut?

Well if you asked people for views on each job or career that has ever been done there would be stigma about each one

But in normal life do people think that much about what people do?

Nor unless they are traffic wardens That definitely has a stugma

This in spades!!

We’ve been using a brilliant at-home hairdresser for almost two decades. She came from a top London salon and is literally the best I’ve ever had. She’s also great company.

She charges £65 for an amazing cut and colour every three months, and I literally don’t know what I’d do without her (south east based).

I’ve spent far too much of my life working for HMRC so my initial thoughts are ‘are you a legitimate hairdresser or a money laundering/ tax evasion scam facilitator. Vape shops, nail bars, barbers and hairdressers are the only places that open near us, and they’re all always empty. How do they pay the rent / rates / insurance / equipment / taxes? Err, they don’t!

i think the bustling well established salons are probably legitimate but it’s poorly paid for the physical effort and chat needed.

My DIL has a little salon and she is such a talented entrepreneur I’m in total awe of her work ethic, my son is very very lucky.

Nothing. Same as if someone tells me they are a solicitor, in banking or anything else.

I’d warm to them - creative, cool and friendly- what’s not to love?

From what I know hairdressers don’t make much money unless you own the salon. Hours can be hard too, no time off before Christmas and new years and no Saturdays off. I have a mate who’s a hair dresser and her hands are damaged (arthritis), she’s only in her 30’s, I don’t know if she’s just unlucky.

I would wonder whether they could give me a cheap cut and colour.

Well yeah I have a hairdresser as a friend, and a tax barrister, events manager, 2 accountants and a cleaner. Job is a job, why would anything " think" anything of it. ( With exception of traffic wardens obviously)

I always check out their hair. I worry that they are judging mine 😂 I wish that I had a practical and creative job tbh. I have a memory that hairdressers were surveyed as one of the happiest roles…but maybe I’m misremembering.

Sad to see people assume hairdressers dropped out or didnt do well at school. It’s literally taught as a subject at my kids school.