What are the pros and cons of being a hairstylist?

The pros and cons of being a hairstylist relate to education requirements, work environment, and pay. Here are the top pros and cons of being a hairstylist:

Pros:

• Education requirements

You can attend a hairstylist or cosmetology school to become a hairstylist which is far cheaper and less time-consuming than traditional college degree programs. Some hairstylists even bypass school by being self-taught. Some also gain a hairstylist apprenticeship where they are paid to learn and work at the same time.

• Fun working environment

If you enjoy cutting hair then the environment of a hairstylist shop can actually be a really fun job. Not only do you get to create hairstyles, but you also get to hang out and talk with clients and other hairstylists all day.

• You get to help people look better

hairstylists can experience satisfaction and fulfillment when they are able to make a person look better. This service often makes clients feel better about themselves, which in turn, makes the hairstylist feel good about their job.

• Work is normally pretty easy

If you are good at cutting hair, being a hairstylist is usually pretty easy and not stressful. Hairstylist shops and salons can get busy, but even during these times, the general feeling is one of low-stress and fun. The typical day for a hairstylist sees them cutting several clients' hair, cleaning the shop, and taking care of any necessary bookkeeping or scheduling.

Cons:

• In general, hairstylists do not make really good money

Hairstylists on the whole make decent salaries. The average annual salary of a hairstylist is $53,524 in the United States. However, you also have to put a lot of energy into building a strong client base before you can rely on a salary around this average. Most hairstylists also put in at least 40-hour work weeks.

• It's hard to make good money if you don't own a hairstylist shop

Hairstylists in cities generally have a steady stream of customers every day, while those in smaller cities and towns can sometimes have little to no customers on a given day. Your location can have a major impact on your overall earning potential as a hairstylist.

Many hairstylists have to use chemical-based beauty products on a daily basis. While exposure to these can occasionally be fine, everyday exposure might have the ability to cause health concerns. These professionals need to be careful not to inhale too much aerosol or get too much of any beauty substance in their skin. Frequent hand-washing is encouraged.

• Building a strong client base isn't usually a quick process

Hairstylists that do well for themselves often have a strong client base that consistently comes in every few weeks or every other month for a haircut. Gaining a clientele is not exactly easy, in fact when you are new to a hairstylist shop you are likely to see that most of the people coming through the doors are already a client of one of your fellow hairstylists.