Unleashing the Potential of Hairdressing

Have you ever contemplated a career in hairdressing but didn't realise its full potential?

The hairdressing industry of today has evolved into a realm of exciting roles and career prospects, catering to a wide range of interests and ambitions. It offers endless opportunities for personal growth, creativity, and community engagement, making it a path worth exploring for those with a passion for hairstyling.

At the heart of every successful hairdresser's journey lies a solid foundation. Hairdressing graduates are encouraged to understand that training never stops. As they transition into full-time salons, attending training sessions in the salon provides invaluable hands-on experience, enabling them to fine-tune their craft and learn from seasoned professionals. This real-world exposure helps build confidence and a strong foundation for their future career.

Embracing the salon environment is another crucial aspect of a hairdresser's growth. It takes time to establish a clientele and become a senior stylist, essentially running a business within a business. Successful hairdressers can specialise in various services, such as hair colouring, creative hairstyling, fashion work, film, wedding styling, and specialised cutting techniques. This creativity and artistry allow them to push boundaries, experiment with new techniques, and create innovative hairstyles that leave a lasting impression.

For some, the dream goes beyond styling clients' hair; they aspire to become salon owners. Making this transition requires careful consideration, including assessing readiness, creating a business plan, securing funding, hiring staff, adhering to legal requirements, and managing finances. Owning a salon offers an opportunity to not only showcase your creativity but also to mentor and nurture other hairstylists.

Yet, the hairdressing realm doesn't stop at the salon doors. It extends far beyond the traditional boundaries, offering diverse career paths for those eager to explore. One can venture into roles such as artistic hairdresser, working on fashion shows and editorial projects or becoming a sales representative or educator for top haircare brands. Fashion shows on runways and major events provide avenues for hairdressers to showcase their creativity on a grand stage.

The path of an educator is equally rewarding. By working closely with top-notch brands and staying updated with the latest trends, educators have the opportunity to help other hairdressers advance their skills and knowledge. This role enables them to pass on their expertise to the next generation of aspiring stylists, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.

Imagine combining your passion for hairstyling with the love of travel. Working on cruise ships provides an excellent opportunity to meet people from different cultures while perfecting your hairdressing skills. It's a unique and adventurous way to experience the world while doing what you love.

As we step into the spring and summer of 2023, Toi Ohomai tutors take a moment to share some of the hottest hair trends. 

The ‘lived-in’ colour
Lived-in hair is the effortless and low-maintenance look with natural-looking highlights. Embrace your natural roots for a flawless style that grows out beautifully.  Enhance natural shades with smoky shadow lights, glazed root shadows and stunning quartz blonde for a translucent shimmer.

Colour Blocking
Face Framing Colour
Concentrating lights of colour around the face with cool depth added throughout the remainder of the hair for contrast.  Make those face-framing highlights POP for a soft blocked effect.
Blocked Face Frame
A blocked face frame represents the creative side of colour blocking. Play with pastel framing layers - from seafoam blues to mauve platinum.
All set against a neutral blonde that creates the coolest of looks.
Monochromatic Blocking
High contrast colour blocking combed with deep cool charcoal tones with cool alpine blonde.

Curtain fringe
Curtain fringe is this summer's big trend - slightly long, soft, and swept-to-the-side bangs with a cool and effortless look. It's the most searched hair look on Instagram. This 70s-style fringe works with various hair lengths, framing the face and drawing attention to the eyes and brows. 

The French Bob is back!
Who can wear this look?  Oval and pear-shaped faces suit this cheekbone-length bob, but pretty much all hair textures will suit, particularly those with a soft natural wave.  Rectangle face shapes will also suit however adding a shorter fringe will ad to this chic and sexy look.  Round and heart shaped faces suit a slightly longer, more like the lob.  Wear these looks in any texture you like, but best worn tousled styled with a texturizing product such as sugar or salt sprays.

For something a little longer that suits just about any face shape, different variations of the wolf cut is uber cool and edgy or the reinvention of the Rachel cut from friends will always be a favourite.  Think of the different shapes it makes as it falls down your back, U, V or the C shape to add face framing layers to curve around the face.

In conclusion, the world of hairdressing is bursting with possibilities. From nurturing your talent in established salons to exploring exciting careers beyond, the hairdressing industry welcomes those who are passionate, creative, and eager to make a difference. So, dare to dream big and let your passion for hairdressing shape an extraordinary future where you can flourish and make your mark!
 

-Written by Toi Ohomai Hairdressing Tutor Shannon Quin