Hairdressing around the world: the facts

Hairdressing salons, techniques and hairdressers share many similarities worldwide, but there are also plenty of differences.

Here are some of the quirky hairdressing facts from around the globe. 

• Salons in Moscow often have security guards on the door after a number of lavish salons opened there a few years ago attracting rich clients.



• One in 20 hairdressers in Canada rent their salon chairs.



• Most hairdressers in Spain wear a uniform, usually black, even if they are a small independent salon.



• In China salons have a specific service menu for international brands. For example, colour by Wella Professionals will be at one price while colour by Schwarzkopf Professional is at another. This means stylists do not charge by their technical level, but by the brand they use. The more premium the brand, the higher the charge.



• In Russia there are hairdressing salons which are open 24 hours a day. However, typical working hours are 9am-10pm.



• Salons in China are usually open from 10 or 11am until 10 or 11pm. 



• There are more hairdressers in Belgium per square kilometre than anywhere else in the world



• In Pakistan long, thick hair is considered a very important part of a women's beauty and it's very unusual for a woman to have really short hair. Most clients want their hair very long.



• In Singapore and Japan, some 'convenience' salons operate like a deli counter at the supermarket - you take a ticket and wait your turn. To help speed up the process, clients are placed in a disposable apron and given a comb, which they can keep if they like. They pay a very small amount for this service, which is designed to be efficient and cheap. These convenience salons often have a specially-designed hair vacuum cleaner to dispose of hair on clients' head and shoulders. 



• On the day before Eid (the equivalent of Christmas) most salons in Pakistan stay open through the night until 6am.



• Traditionally, hairdressers in Belgium do not work on Mondays - and it's not common for clients to tip.



• In Australia, a typical working week is 40-43 hours spread over six days. Employees are generally entitled to four weeks' paid holiday, rising to three months' paid holiday after 10 years' service.



• Perms are not very popular in Spain, but straightening services are as Spanish women often have coarse, wavy hair.



• In Japan, perms are very popular because Japanese people typically have straight hair. As a result, the Japanese market for perm lotions, tools and equipment is very advanced.



• In Spain, bigger salons open 12 hours a day, while smaller salons open eight hours a day. There is a lunch break of two to three hours, normally from 2pm - 4pm or 5pm, and salons are closed on Sunday.



• The average price for a cut in Australia is A$60-$80 (£30-£40) and the average price for a half head of colour is A$80- $120 (£40-£60).   



• In Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong salons provide hot lunches for their staff. They order in various dishes from catering companies to ensure employees have a nutritious meal and are raring to work. If a salon doesn't provide lunch for staff, it is nounusual for the salon employers to offer money, around £5, for staff to go out and buy something to eat.



• There are 15,000 salons in Australia, which has a population of 20 million. The largest franchise group has 170 salons across the country, and the average apprenticeship lasts four years. 



• In Buddhist Thailand, Wednesday is the ceremonial 'head shaving' day for monks. As a result, some deeply religious people and those who are superstitious believe you mustn't cut your hair on this day, which means business is quiet on Wednesdays, so some salons will close. 



• In China, clients will always check the product is not fake before buying it, and are very particular about checking the expiry date on retail products.
• Japan is renowned for its dedicated 'workaholic' culture and because businesses don't close until 8pm or 9pm, it's not unheard of for salons to stay open till 11pm to offer services to people who work late. It is common practice for a client to arrive at 9pm for a perm or colour. 



• Mobile hairdressers are not uncommon in Singapore and Malaysia, but they differ from those in the UK. Rather than visiting the home, they travel by bicycle to residential areas and set up under a tree. They are usually quite successful, as they appeal to children and old people who can't travel to city salons.



• In Saudi Arabia men are not allowed in women's hairdressing salons so all the sales people in the industry are women. However, women are not allowed to drive, so every female salesperson has to have a male driver in order to get around.



• In some Asian countries, including Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, it's not uncommon for a salon to rent the first floor of the building, just above the business, and transform the rooms into bedrooms. These are available for staff members who want to stay there, whether they live far from work, want a sleep during the day or are going out in the city and can't get home if it's late.



• There are hardly any salons which just offer hairdressing in Russia - it's usual to offer manicures, pedicures and cosmetology as well.  



• In Taiwan (and most Chinese-influenced countries) they will shampoo clients' hair at the dressing-out unit (pouring a shampoo and water mix from a bottle directly on to the head). The stylist will then shampoo and scalp massage the client before taking them to the backwash to have it rinsed off.



• In Brazil salons typically open from 9am to 9pm, six days a week. Brazilian women often visit the hairdressers once a week. Each appointment takes 90 minutes to two hours and the most requested services are colouring, relaxing and brushing.



• In Italy most stylists are able to take an average of 20 appointments in a working day. On average, seven out of 10 women will have colour while manicures and pedicures are also very popular.



• In Slovenia bigger salons are open for the whole day, while smaller salons only open for a morning or afternoon. It's common for salons to close on a Saturday afternoon, Sunday and, in many areas, on Monday.



• Depending on the area, salons in Japan will often close on Tuesday and open on Sunday.



• Hair like pop star Rihanna is by far the most popular hairstyle request in Hungary, followed by Victoria Beckham and Katie Holmes.



• In Canada 75% of hairdressers are female 



• It's not unusual for hairdressers in Serbia to work six-days-a-week and it's becoming more common for them to work on Sundays as well. Hair extensions are the most sought after service.



• In Spain, girls as young as 13 regularly visit the salon for colour and straightening services

We would like to thank the following companies for their help in researching this article: Alterna; Schwarzkopf Professional; Wella Professionals; Essensuals Pakistan; Toni & Guy Belgium; Jamie Carroll, Australia; Wella Professionals, Spain; TIGI; Webster Whiteman; Affinage; Unleashed Potential; Alison Jameson PR.