With GCSE results day, we often see hairdressing bandied around as the career to turn to if you’ve not done well academically. Hairdressers are highly skilled, hard-working individuals who combine creativity with business skills; social and personal skills with a scientific understanding of colour formulations; biology especially when it comes to the scalp and hair loss, with maths. So with the industry crying out for fantastic apprentices, what skills do you need for a successful hairdressing career?
Luke Benson, Owner of Luke Benson Hair
Former London Hairdresser of the Year at the British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional, Luke Benson specialises in cut and colour, styling and occasion hair. He is set to launch his Berkhamsted salon in September, and his clients include Billie Eilish, Roman Kemp, Tom Grennan and brands including Tom Ford.
What did you enjoy at school?
“I actually enjoyed most subjects at school, but Languages came quite easily to me, and then probably Biology and Maths. I also of course loved my friends, the social side and sport. I hate the mindset that you're probably stupid or failed your exams so became a hairdresser. I got two A*'s, five A’s and three B’s at GCSE - and four AS Levels too. I went into an industry that excited me and I loved and I've never looked back. Do something for you, something that you enjoy. You work for a long time, make sure it keeps you smiling.”
What didn’t you enjoy at school?
“I wasn’t very good at the creative things like Art, Music and Technology, which seems odd as they are now things I spend a lot of time looking into and admiring.”
What’s the best thing about moving from school to the workplace?
“I always wanted to work and be in fashion, so hair felt like a good path for me. The social side I liked from school was still there but it was with clients and staff instead. I also knew that I was learning a skill.”
What skills do you need to be successful in hairdressing?
“All I would say, like in anything, is be committed to learning and open to taking on new things. I think being good with people is also helpful. So, work on your confidence and people skills because sometimes the best hairdressers aren’t the busiest, it’s the ones with a great relationship with their clientele.”
Are there any skills you’ve learnt that you were surprised you enjoyed, for example, practical application of maths or science for colouring, or learning to run a business? Is it different when you’re learning in a practical setting?
“I’d say the business side always interested me, and my Dad always said to me to work for myself one day. So, I always kept an ear and eye out to the business relationships that bosses were building. I’d like to think this has helped me and I have a good relationship with industry figures that I can always turn to for advice if needed.”
Emma Fowler, Owner of Emma Fowler Hair
With 15 years of experience as an educator, Emma Fowler began her journey as an in-salon assessor and developed into an independent education business owner. She champions self-employed hairdressers through memberships, online courses and sell-out masterclasses.
“I really wanted to do Law at college, so after getting good grades in my GCSEs, I applied at my local college for Law. I always had a natural flair for Maths, Art, and Business so I added those as my other subjects. Looking back, I always struggled in the classroom, I was also very sociable. My best friend was doing an apprenticeship at a top London salon and I spent my Mondays in the salon on her training days, letting her try out different things on my hair.
I had worked since I was 13, I loved earning my own money so my Mum suggested I get an apprenticeship in a trendy salon in Soho. I looked quite alternative at the time and I loved being surrounded by creative people who shared the same interests as me. I loved the independence of working, earning money while also going to college on a Monday and learning new skills. I feel like my love of hair colouring came from my love of Maths and Art, and my interest in business later led to me growing successful clienteles in salons I worked in, eventually being self-employed and running my own education business.”
Gina Conway, Owner of Gina Conway Salon and Spa
The cutting-edge eco salon in Wimbledon combines environmentally conscious actions, excellent customer service and state of the art products. Gina Conway is a multi-award winner and a collaborator for many prestige fashion brands such as Jean Paul Gaultier and Valentino.
What did you enjoy at school?
“Boys! Oh and playing with hair and creating my own fashion trends. I was always the one that people asked to do their hair and my first perm was in my living room when I was 13 - sorry Janelle!”
What didn’t you enjoy?
“I slept through Maths and although I loved English, I was more of a thespian than a bookworm. I wouldn’t say my grades were A's but I always worked hard at school, despite often being distracted and trying to be the class clown. I just about managed B's and C's. I loved learning but hated studying, I enjoyed anything to do with my hands and creative-thinking.”
What’s the best thing about moving from school to the workplace?
“Learning every day; I was so amazed by my fellow hairdressers and how they could create such beautiful shapes and colours. Plus, they made people happy all day long, what a great career I was on to. I couldn’t believe I stumbled upon it, it was far better than anything I imagined it could be. I took the job very seriously, while still trying to be the class clown. I knew that I liked people-pleasing, and when it was my go to turn on the charm and give that big warm welcome to the guests, what I got back was truly great and free. I found that the more I gave, the more I got.”
What skills do you need to be successful in hairdressing?
“People skills, you need to be a 'daymaker' -people who love making others’ day. If you get a buzz from helping and serving others, think about working in the beauty and wellness industry. Creativity, I never considered myself a creative, but in beauty school (apprenticeship training here) I was already an artist and I didn’t even know it. I was opened up to a world of possibilities and the craft of sculpting and painting but on hair. What's more, you need a hunger for learning. This industry moves fast, trends come and go, and you can be a leader or a follower. There is room for both, but I find the successful and fulfilled ones seek inspiration from everywhere and inspire others. You also need tenacity as learning a new skill is hard, long hours on your feet is hard, being an assistant for years yet wanting to be great now is hard, finding a mentor and a salon that can propel you is hard. But you can’t give up; you need to give it life and energy, it does not happen to you, you have to make it happen. You need to eat and drink it, and you need it to consume you, or you can find yourself being average, earning an average living and having average success. Or you can go all in and spend your free time learning, growing, making it happen. And in time, it will click, all of it. You will get it, and the pieces will fall into place. Your career will be much more than a job, it will also be your hobby.”
Are there any skills you’ve learnt that you were surprised you enjoyed, for example, practical application of maths or science for colouring, or learning to run a business? Is it different when you’re learning in a practical setting?
“I have travelled the world as a hairdresser, been on photoshoots, backstage in Paris, Milan, London and Hawaii and led stage hair shows for audiences of 5000 using strong teamwork, leadership skills and collaboration. I adored these times and love the alchemy we can create together to produce images, collections and teaching the craft of hairdressing. However, the thing that really surprised me was that I loved being in a salon the most; the day-to-day energy, loyal clients, and working with wonderful people, creating and growing friendships. I love innovation, figuring out how I, and we, can be better every day. And I love that I have a team of people that have mostly been with me well over a decade and still love coming into work and calling this their home from home. I use maths and science every day, and I am surprised how much I enjoy the business side. Although I have had many coaches over the years, I still grow and learn every day. Not a day goes by where I think, 'Ugh, I don’t want to go to work today'. It’s very special and I know I am very lucky.”
Andrea Dorata, Owner of Dorata Hairdressing Salon and L’Oreal Guest Artist
What did you enjoy at school?
“Art, Science and Maths.”
What didn’t you enjoy?
“PE and Geography.”
What’s the best thing about moving from school to the workplace?
“Applying what I would learn and seeing myself progress - earning while learning.”
What skills do you need to be successful in hairdressing?
“Many skills, but for me the most important ones are social skills, emotional intelligence and commitment.”
Are there any skills you’ve learnt that you were surprised you enjoyed, for example, practical application of maths or science for colouring, or learning to run a business?
“I enjoyed learning the colour science and I also found maths useful to run the business. You need to have an understanding of social and market behaviour as well.”
Is it different when you’re learning in a practical setting?
“Of course, in work you learn in many different ways, not just by a textbook. You learn by others’ experiences and by your own experiences as you are able to apply everything you learn. Everybody is smart, I believe we all have different forms of intelligence and different ways of learning; I did well at school and could have carried on to further education but I chose not to, as for me it was boring, I knew I wanted to do something that included being creative and that would allow me to see people. I also wanted something I could make a career out of, and where I could learn and then apply this. Hairdressing has fulfilled all of that for me, the different avenues to take are endless and it still excites me every day many years into my career.”
Anna Sorbie, Owner of Anna Sorbie Salon and Bowness Barber Lounge
What did you enjoy at school?
“The social environment, Drama, Maths, and Food Science. I always talked too much but I could absorb what I wanted to within a lesson while I was talking!”
What didn’t you enjoy?
“I didn't enjoy English as I am dyslexic. I would day dream or talk too much through subjects that bored me and get into trouble for it.”
What’s the best thing about moving from school to the workplace?
“I fell in love with hairdressing while I was studying fashion, they complemented each other. I loved moving into a workplace as I felt valued and respected by clients, I enjoyed learning about the science not just the hair techniques.”
What skills do you need to be successful in hairdressing?
“You need people skills, Maths, Chemistry and to be artistic”
Are there any skills you’ve learnt that you were surprised you enjoyed, for example, practical application of maths or science for colouring, or learning to run a business? Is it different when you’re learning in a practical setting?
“The rules of how to break the rules to become a creative hairdresser, problem solving hair issues and gaining the results you want through practice and learning. You need to learn how to build a business and all the other skills sets that requires - within hairdressing it is always evolving which keeps things interesting. Plus, meeting new people in all walks of life is fun.”
For those of you that may have received your GCSE results, and are wanting to enter a career in hairdressing, here are 10 skills you'll learn as a hairdressing apprentice.