Becoming a stylist is not a quick and easy job. There are skills and essential personality traits that pertain to becoming a successful stylist. Before anything else, patience is the biggest characteristic one needs as you need time to build up your reputation and contacts.
So what are the essential skills you need to become an amazing stylist whose opinion everyone values and relies on?
1. Good Fashion Sense
This has to do with being able to match certain colours and patterns together to create the perfect outfit “composition”. Stylists have to be able to know a very broad spectrum of fashion brands, trends, and styles. It is important to understand which colours and shapes look good on people, and which don’t.
Some people are just naturally good at picking and pairing the right clothes that match perfectly together. They usually already see a picture in their head of how the final outfit will look like before even trying it on.
However, if you don’t have this ability, don’t worry – a good fashion sense can be build up over time. It involves a lot of active observation, so next time you go out, look around you. Do you see anyone who is exceptionally well dressed? Check out how they’ve paired their outfit and make a mental note of what works well together. You can do the same with fashion magazines and movies.
2. Understanding Body & Face Shapes
The shape of one’s’ body has a lot to do with what clothing they wear. If someone is pear shaped – meaning they have larger hips, they are not going to wear something that make their hips look any bigger. If you want some more information about body shapes we recommend to check out this article here. A stylist needs to know what will make people look best, what clothes will accentuate the best aspects of their bodies, while at the same time hiding their flaws.
3. Understanding how the industry works
This can be learned from taking a couple of courses about fashion and the industry. Alternatively, you can also learn it from internships, shadowing anyone that works in the industry, working at a fashion magazine, or being an assistant to a stylist. Any hands on experience can strengthen the skills and also provide you with very useful contacts. Knowledge is power in many aspects of work, especially when it comes to styling. In this particular industry, one never stops learning.
4. Excellent interpersonal skills
The attitudes of many clients may vary and you must be able to pick the clothes that will be suitable to all the different types of personalities. Some clients might want to be very “eye-catching” with their style and some clients may not at all. A stylist must be able to understand exactly what a client wants and go beyond that to offer them more. A stylist must be very flexible with the attitudes of a broad spectrum of clients.
5. Going beyond the trends
Thinking outside the box is exactly what a stylist needs to offer. If a client has hired you, it is because they want your skills and creativity to create a look specifically for them. So try to be creative and different!
That’s it from my side. Let me know about your experiences as a stylist – what was the biggest challenge you had and what do you love the most about this profession?
Looking forward to reading your feedback!
Tatjana, Looks Good On Me
FAQs
Technical Skills
One of the major reasons why clients will choose you is your skills. All the honesty, organization skills, communication skills, and other traits will not make up for a bad haircut. Great stylists work hard to master their craft. They take time to know the ins and outs of several techniques.
What are seven important qualities of a hairdresser? ›
Important Qualities
- Creativity. Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists must keep up with the latest trends and be ready to try new hairstyles for their clients.
- Customer-service skills. ...
- Listening skills. ...
- Physical stamina. ...
- Tidiness. ...
- Time-management skills.
A stylist is a professional who curates looks for another person or brand. As a stylist, you'll be responsible for all aspects of a person's visual aesthetic. You'll need to create and maintain a curated image for someone, by designing and coordinating what they wear, and how they wear it!
What skills do hairdressers need? ›
What it takes
- customer service skills.
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail.
- the ability to work well with your hands.
- active listening skills.
- excellent verbal communication skills.
- the ability to work on your own.
- to be flexible and open to change.
- the ability to learn through your work.
Level 4 Stylist
They are established, respected, and carry a reputation for excellence that has earned them this title. With years, sometimes decades of experience, advanced education and the highest demand for their services, there isn't much a Level 4 Stylist hasn't handled in his or her craft.
What makes a stylist a good communicator? ›
Hairstylists should take the initiative and start conversations. New clients might feel shy at first, but a light conversation will help them relax and trust you. Make eye contact, and make sure your body language is open and friendly.
What is your greatest strength as a hairdresser? ›
Sample Answer: My strengths are my attention to detail and my ability to listen to customers. I'm working on improving my ability to work quickly and efficiently.
How do you know if a hair stylist is good? ›
If your stylist takes the time to talk with you, look at your photos, ask you questions, and work their way through a series of scenarios to better understand your style and preferences, you've found the right stylist for you.
What personal quality do you have that would make a great hairdresser? ›
Good communication skills to understand client's needs and preferences. Creativity and the ability to think outside the box. Technical skills, such as the ability to cut and style hair. Physical stamina, as the job can be physically demanding.
What is a hairdresser personality? ›
Hairdressers tend to be predominantly artistic individuals, meaning that they are creative and original and work well in a setting that allows for self-expression. They also tend to be enterprising, which means that they are usually quite natural leaders who thrive at influencing and persuading others.
What makes a good hair salon?
- Quality of Service. The quality of service provided by a hair salon is perhaps the most important factor to consider. ...
- Reputation. ...
- Range of Services. ...
- Cleanliness and Ambience. ...
- Customer Service. ...
- Contact our local hairdressers.
Personal stylists help clients create the most suitable image by choosing clothes and accessories that fit clients' body types and individual needs. They may also provide style advice and assist with hair, make-up, and even home decor. Personal stylists should be flexible and willing to travel.
What are the weaknesses of a salon? ›
Lack of skilled staff: This is undoubtedly a big weakness that can kill your business before it even takes off… A Poor location: If the salon is located in a less visible or less convenient location, it may be less likely to attract new customers and may have lower foot traffic.
Is hairdressing a skill or a talent? ›
Hairdresser skills are abilities and competencies that allow these professionals to handle their job duties and execute them consistently. Hairdressers are cosmetology professionals who work with clients' hair to perform a variety of tasks, including cutting, coloring and applying hair care treatments.
What are the soft skills for hairdressers? ›
Time management, communication, adaptability, integrity, customer service, networking, social skills, problem-solving, and active listening are all examples of soft skills essential for beauty professionals.
What should I look for in a personal stylist? ›
What to Look for in a Personal Stylist
- Experience & Expertise. ...
- Ability to Work Within Your Budget. ...
- Their Personal Style Aligns with Your Own. ...
- Good Communication Skills. ...
- They Instill Confidence. ...
- They Encourage You to Try New Things.
20 Characteristics of a Great Hair Salon
- Skilled and Knowledgeable Stylists: ...
- Excellent Customer Service: ...
- Clean and Inviting Environment: ...
- Effective Communication: ...
- Personalized Consultations: ...
- Quality Products: ...
- Versatility and Expertise: ...
- Up-to-Date Techniques and Trends:
There are several important factors to consider when selecting a hairstyle, including face shape, hair texture, lifestyle, personality, personal style, hair color, hair length, and haircut maintenance.
