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Hairdressers cut, style and colour clients' hair to create the look they want.
You could work: evenings / weekends; on a rota
As a junior hairdresser, you'll:
As a more senior hairdresser, you'll:
You could work in a salon, at a client's home, at a health spa, at a store, at an adult care home or on a cruise ship.
Your working environment may be physically demanding.
You could get into this job through:
You could take a course at college that will give you some of the skills and knowledge to do this job.
Courses include:
You may be able to combine these courses with other subjects like beauty therapy, make-up and nails.
You'll usually need:
The following apprenticeships may be relevant to this role:
You'll usually need:
You may be able start work as a trainee hairdresser in a salon and learn on the job. Your employer would expect you to take qualifications part-time, either at a college or in their own training school.
You may be able to work freelance and rent space in a salon, though you may have to supply your own equipment.
With experience and an interest in business, you could move up to manage or own your own salon. If this is your aim, it may help to gain some business qualifications alongside hairdressing experience.
You can find out more about careers in hairdressing from the Hair and Beauty Industry Authority and National Hair and Beauty Federation.
With experience you could become a senior stylist or salon manager. With further qualifications, you could also move into training or assessing student hairdressers.
You could become self-employed or open your own salon.
You may be able to use your skills as a hair professional in the theatre, film or television industry.
The Hair and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA) has information about choosing hairdressing as a career.