Hairdressing Courses: What to Know Before Becoming a Hairdresser

You might think becoming a hairdresser is just about cutting and coloring hair, but trust me, it’s a whole lot more layered than that. Before you sign up for a course, know what you’re walking into. You’ll spend most of your day on your feet, talking with all kinds of people, and handling way more than shampoo and scissors.

Some folks love the creative freedom and the feel of making someone walk out happy with a fresh look. But there’s also the reality of dealing with tough clients, last-minute cancellations, and keeping your workspace clean every hour of the day. If you like set routines, this job might just drive you nuts, because no two heads—or days—are ever the same.

If you’re curious about what hairdressing is really like, or if the vibe of a salon fits your style, hang around. There are some things you need to know, some things to be just plain honest about, and some mistakes you’ll want to skip. It starts with understanding what the job really looks like, and what you need to learn before you ever pick up your scissors.

• What a Hairdresser Really Does All Day
• Training and Courses: What You Actually Need
• The Skills That Matter (and Not Just with Scissors)
• Handling Clients: More Than Hair
• Life in the Salon: Expectations vs. Reality

What a Hairdresser Really Does All Day

If you picture hairdressers chilling behind the chair all day, you’re way off. Most hairdressers juggle a whole list of tasks that go way beyond just giving the latest haircut. Let’s break down what actually fills up those long workdays in a busy salon.

• Hairdressing courses prepare you to do way more than snipping hair. Think washing heads, mixing colors, straightening, curling, blow drying, cutting, and styling—over and over, sometimes on a tight schedule.
• You’ll greet clients, give professional recommendations, listen to their hair “problems,” and explain what is or isn’t possible with their hair type (and yes, you’ll have to be honest, even when clients insist their hair can turn silver-white in one sitting).
• Cleaning is a huge part of the job. You’re sweeping floors, sanitizing tools, wiping surfaces, and folding towels throughout the day because hygiene rules are strict, and you honestly don’t want to gross anyone out.
• There’s a chunk of time spent booking appointments, answering calls, and learning new styles—hair trends change fast, and you can’t afford to fall behind.

So, what does a day actually look like? Here’s a basic breakdown of a typical busy salon day:

On top of that, you’re probably working weekends, with shifts starting before most folks’ coffee kicks in. It’s fast-paced and sometimes stressful, especially during prom or wedding season.

You’ll get folks from all walks of life in your chair. One minute you’re fixing a three-year-old’s haircut disaster, the next you’re prepping highlights for a big job interview or creating wild colors for a music festival goer. That variety can be fun, but it demands patience and flexibility every single day.

Training and Courses: What You Actually Need

If you’re dead set on becoming a hairdresser, your first stop should be a good training program. It’s not just a nice-to-have—most salons won’t let you near their clients until you’ve got certified skills. In the UK, for example, the NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Hairdressing is the basic ticket in. In the US, you’ll need to finish a state-approved cosmetology program, which usually takes around 1,000 to 1,600 hours. That’s a lot of haircuts before you even graduate.

Don’t just sign up for the first course you see. Some programs are all theory, with very little hands-on practice. Others let you cut hair on real people early on, which is where the real learning happens. Make sure the course covers these areas:

• Basic cutting and styling techniques
• Color application and correction
• Chemical treatments (like perms or relaxers)
• Health and safety (trust me, nobody wants a bleach accident)
• Client consultation and communication

Plenty of people also work as apprentices in a salon while taking classes. This means you get paid something (even if it’s not much) and learn in real-life situations where you actually talk to clients and fix mistakes on the fly. It’s a quicker way to figure out if you’re cut out for this.

If you’re trying to compare how long different courses and apprenticeships take, check out this quick breakdown:

You’ll probably be working with classmates or mannequins at first, and then, if you do an apprenticeship, you’re thrown into the real deal. Either way, once the training is done, you need to pass written and practical exams. Only then do you get your license to officially call yourself a hairdresser and work with paying customers.

Don’t forget: trends change all the time, so the best stylists keep learning long after finishing school. Masterclasses, online tutorials, or popping back to class for advanced techniques are pretty common. Your first qualification gets your foot in the door, but it’s just the start if you want to stay in the game.

The Skills That Matter (and Not Just with Scissors)

If you ask anyone starting out what matters in hairdressing, they’ll usually say, “Cutting hair, obviously.” But hairdressing is more than being handy with scissors or clippers. You need a mix of technical, people, and even business skills—or you’ll be left behind in a crowded field.

The basics? Yes, you have to master hair cutting, coloring, blow-drying, and styling. Good training breaks down these skills so you get hands-on practice, lots of it. But real life in a salon shows there’s more to it. Let’s talk about what really matters:

• Communication: You’ll need to listen—really listen—to what people want. Often, clients aren’t sure how to say what they like. If you can ask the right questions and turn vague ideas into reality, you’ll keep people coming back.
• Attention to Detail: It’s the tiny things, like getting that fade just right or making sure there’s not a stray piece of hair after a bob cut. The difference between ‘OK’ and ‘amazing’ is often a few millimeters.
• Time Management: You’ll have appointments stacked. If you run late, it’s not just one unhappy client—your whole day can turn into a mess, plus less tips for you.
• Problem-Solving: Hair disasters happen—colors can go wrong, someone might want to go from black to platinum blonde overnight. Learning how to fix, adjust, and explain what’s possible (and what’s not) is part of the gig.
• Physical Stamina: Not kidding about this. You’re on your feet, holding your arms up, for hours. Stretching before and after work, even wearing good shoes, makes a difference.
• Business Smarts: Whether you dream of getting your own chair in a busy salon or opening a place one day, knowing how to handle bookings, money, and social media is key.

Here’s something interesting—a big UK salon poll in 2024 showed clients rated 'good listening' and 'personal advice' above technical cutting. That means personality keeps people loyal, not just the haircut itself. It’s wild how much the ‘soft’ skills count.

And if you want to stand out in hairdressing courses, focus on learning more than one technique—like how to do braids, fades, precision cuts, and even quick fixes for hair mishaps. The more you can offer, the busier your chair gets. The people who hustle and keep building their skills are the ones who actually build a loyal crowd and a steady paycheck.

Handling Clients: More Than Hair

Ask any experienced stylist, and they’ll tell you: dealing with people is really half the job. Every time a client sits in your chair, you’re not just giving them a cut—they bring their expectations, their stories, and sometimes their moods too. A smile and a little patience go a long way, but so does listening and knowing how to guide someone who brings in a wild Pinterest photo and wants the impossible. Communication skills are gold here.

The magic comes down to understanding what folks want (and what they don’t say out loud). A 2023 survey from the National Hairdressers Federation found that 84% of clients value clear advice almost as much as the haircut itself. Sometimes you have to talk someone down from a bad decision—like when my daughter Clara wanted blue highlights after watching a cartoon—so honesty counts. Trust builds loyalty, and loyal clients are what keep stylists booked solid.

“The best stylists are part therapist, part artist. You can’t teach empathy, but clients know when you’ve got it.” — Nancy Braun, award-winning salon owner

Managing tough situations isn’t rare either. Once, I had a client furious about split ends that grew back in two weeks (spoiler: it’s not the haircut). Staying calm and respectful, even when things get heated, turns a bad day into a repeat customer down the line.

• Always confirm what your client wants before you start—repeat it in your own words.
• If something isn’t possible (like going from jet black to platinum in one go), explain why and suggest alternatives.
• Handle complaints with understanding, not excuses. Apologies work better than arguing.
• Keep it professional. Even if someone tells you their life story, respect their privacy.

Here’s a quick look at what clients care about most, based on a recent client feedback poll:

If you want to build a real name for yourself in hairdressing courses and beyond, work as much on your people skills as you do your blending technique. Nobody remembers a great fade from a person who didn’t listen.

Life in the Salon: Expectations vs. Reality

Walking into a salon for the first time as a pro might feel exciting, but it rarely matches the movie version. A lot of people picture hairdressers in cool clothes, chatting away while they whip up perfect styles every time. In real life, you’ll be hustling hard, managing your time, and sorting out hiccups all day.

First, you’re not just doing hair. You’re sweeping floors, washing towels, and sometimes taking out the trash. Newcomers are often the go-to for cleaning and basic jobs, and that’s normal. It’s also your chance to pick up tricks just by watching more experienced pros, so don’t treat those chores as a punishment.

Lunch breaks? They exist, but they’re rarely at regular times. If your client is late or the color takes longer than expected, you grab a snack when you can. The pace can be fast, especially on weekends or holidays. By the end of the day, your feet might feel ready to give up on you. Standing for hours is just part of the deal.

Then there’s the social side. You’ll spend most of your time talking, listening, and building relationships. Some clients will open up about their lives, while others say little. Learning to read people and adjust your style (communication and hair) is key if you want to keep them coming back.

If you’re aiming to move up, a lot of salons expect you to start with the basics and work your way up. Promotions depend a ton on attitude, not just talent. Show that you’re on board with this, and you’ll stand out from others who just want to do the fun stuff right away.

• Pay can be unpredictable at first, especially if you’re on commission or just starting out. Tips help, but they aren’t always consistent.
• Weekend and evening shifts are common. Most salons get busiest when other folks are off work.
• There’s a lot of teamwork. You can’t be a loner in the salon. If you’re stuck solo, you’ll miss out on bigger clients and industry tips.
• Technology and fashion move fast. You’ll need to keep learning new styles and updating your skills through workshops or online hairdressing courses.

Don’t expect glamour 24/7, but if you enjoy quick thinking, a bit of mess, and making people feel good about themselves, life in a salon can be rewarding. Just go in with open eyes and a willingness to put in the work.