The Road to Becoming a Great Hairstylist

Finding great hairstylists is hard to come by. Many celebrity hairstylists have been in the game longer than most millennials have been alive. Ted Gibson has been a professional hairstylist for over 30 years now. Gibson has paved the way for up-and-coming hairstylists with his exceptional work history.

For all hairdressers, the work must begin somewhere. To start, aspiring hairstylists must commit to the hard part, which is going to school to get their cosmetology license. According to LARA, in Michigan in order to obtain a cosmetology license individuals must be at least 17 years of age, be of good moral character, have an education equivalent to the completion of the ninth grade, have completed either not less than 1,500-hour course study in a licensed school of cosmetology, or have served as an apprentice for not less than 2 years in a licensed cosmetology establishment in which hair care services, skin care services and manicuring services are offered and have successfully passed an examination prescribed by the board and the department.

After obtaining a license, the hard part is over and now it is all a part of building clientele. Celebrity stylist Nathaniel Dezan gives hairstylist tips to get to celebrity status and styling actors and getting celebrities red carpet ready.

1. Learn the fundamentals of hairdressing.

2. Seek opportunities for yourself.

3. Remember why you started doing hair.

4. Don’t be afraid of change.

Carolyn Aronson, Founder and CEO of It’s a 10 Haircare, discussed the details and importance of not being afraid of change. To be a good hairstylist is to complete the job asked, to be an excellent hairstylist the individual has the ability to style any hair type no matter how difficult it may seem. Hairstylists in the UK must be trained in afro-textured hair. This change is something that could take a stylist from average to excellent. Learning to adapt and style any hair texture will help to expand the individual's portfolio due to increasing the numbers of clients needing their service.

Good hairstylists are those that are not afraid of change and apply themselves to whatever they want in life. To get a chance at the big leagues requires ambition, doing the work, and not being afraid to put themselves out there.