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Thinking About a Career in Hair? Here’s What Hair Stylists Actually Do

If you’ve ever walked out of a salon feeling like a brand-new person, you’ve experienced the transformative power of a skilled hair stylist. But behind the scissors and styling sprays lies a profession that blends artistry, technical skill, and human connection. What do hair stylists do exactly? It turns out, their responsibilities go far beyond cutting hair. From crafting personalized looks to being a trusted confidant, hair stylists play a major role in how people present themselves to the world.

Whether you’ve always had a flair for fashion or simply love making people feel good about themselves, a career in hair can be a deeply rewarding path. And if you’re serious about turning your passion into a profession, there’s no better place to begin than Silvie Hair Studio, a respected training hub that blends real-world experience with expert guidance

What Do Hair Stylists Do?

How Do You Become a Professional Hair Stylist? Step-by-Step Guide

Hair stylists are beauty professionals who specialize in enhancing a person’s appearance through expert hair care. They work in a variety of settings primarily salons and barbershops, but also in spas, editorial shoots, and entertainment productions. On a basic level, stylists perform tasks like shampooing, trimming, cutting, blow drying, and styling hair. But their work doesn’t stop there.

Stylists are also trusted advisors. They use their knowledge of current trends, face shapes, and hair textures to help clients select looks that complement their natural features. Many also guide clients on how to maintain their style at home with the right products and care routines. Just as important is their role as a customer service expert stylists must be friendly, professional, and capable of building long-term relationships with repeat clients. Working with children, in particular, requires a stylist to be especially gentle, patient, and reassuring.

What Are The Duties Of A Hair Stylist?

While the creative aspect of hair styling is exciting, a stylist’s day-to-day duties require organization, multitasking, and professionalism. Their responsibilities typically include:

Consulting with clients to understand their preferences and desired outcomes.
Performing haircuts, trims, coloring, highlighting, and chemical treatments based on client needs.
Blow drying, curling, and flat ironing to create polished styles.
Educating clients on hair health, home care routines, and salon products.
Sanitizing tools and maintaining a clean workstation to meet health and safety standards.
Assisting with client scheduling, check-ins, and processing payments when needed.
Staying on top of product knowledge and retail sales, often recommending shampoos, conditioners, or treatments sold in the salon.

In many environments, stylists are also expected to help with marketing whether by promoting themselves on social media or building their personal brand within a larger salon.

Work Environments

The beauty of this profession is its versatility. While many stylists work in salons or barbershops, others find opportunities in:

Luxury spas and wellness resorts
Fashion shows and editorial shoots
Film, TV, and theater productions
Cruise ships or destination salons
Home-based studios or mobile styling businesses

Some stylists rent a chair within a salon and manage their own schedule and clientele, while others are employed on a commission or hourly basis. In the entertainment industry, stylists work alongside makeup artists and costume designers to help actors and performers achieve specific looks for stage or screen. Some celebrities even hire personal hair stylists to travel with them and manage all hair-related needs during events and appearances.

This wide array of settings allows hair professionals to choose a career path that fits their lifestyle and creative goals.

Earnings and Compensation

Like many professions in the beauty industry, a hair stylist’s income can vary depending on location, experience, clientele, and specialization. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for hair stylists in 2015 was $23,710, but this base number doesn’t account for tips, bonuses, and product commissions, which can significantly increase take-home pay.

Stylists who work in high-end salons or entertainment settings can earn considerably more. In fact, stylists in film, television, or fashion can command salaries ranging from $30,000 to $100,000 annually. Those who bring in new clients or consistently meet performance benchmarks may also receive financial incentives or team bonuses. As with most client-facing careers, your income will grow as your reputation, experience, and demand increase.

Skills and Qualifications

Becoming a successful hair stylist requires a blend of creative talent, technical training, and interpersonal finesse. Key qualifications include:

Proficiency with scissors, clippers, razors, trimmers, and heat-styling tools
Understanding of different hair types, textures, and treatment techniques
Strong communication skills to interpret vague requests and turn them into results
A passion for ongoing learning, new styles and techniques are always emerging
Customer service excellence, including patience, empathy, and professionalism
Physical stamina to stand for long hours and work with precision

Most states require hair stylists to complete a state-approved cosmetology program, which leads to licensure after passing a written and practical exam. Stylists must also renew their license periodically and may need to complete continuing education to stay current with industry trends and health regulations.

Career Growth and Specialization

What Do You Need to Become a Hair Stylist

The beauty of this profession is the opportunity for continuous evolution. As stylists gain confidence and experience, many go on to specialize in niche services such as:

Hair coloring and balayage
Perms and chemical straightening
Brazilian blowouts and keratin treatments
Hair extensions and wig styling

Some professionals transition into salon ownership or management, while others become cosmetology instructors, passing their knowledge on to the next generation. Even as stylists move up the ladder, many continue to work with clients directly because of their deep love for the craft and the satisfaction of helping others feel their best.

Ready to Start Your Journey? Enroll at Silvie Hair Studio Today!

If you’re passionate about hair and ready to take the first step into a rewarding, creative career, Silvie Hair Studio is here to help you succeed. Our industry-leading instructors provide hands-on training in cutting, coloring, and styling techniques while also teaching you the business and client-service skills you’ll need to thrive. Whether your dream is to work in a high-end salon, backstage at fashion week, or in your own boutique studio, we equip you with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to get there. Plus, our supportive learning environment ensures that every student feels seen, supported, and prepared for licensure. Don’t wait, enroll in our Hair Extensions Classes Online today and turn your passion into a lifelong profession with Silvie Hair Studio. Reach out to our experts now!

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Check out our articles to help with your stylist journey:

How to Be a Good Hair Stylist

What Degree Do You Need to Be a Hair Stylist

What Do You Need to Become a Hair Stylist

How to Become a Licensed Hair Stylist: A Step-by-Step Guide

So, you’ve been dreaming about scissors in your hands, color swatches in your pocket, and turning heads with the transformations you create. But you’re stuck on one big question: How to become a licensed hair stylist? If you’ve been Googling your heart out and still feel like there’s more to know, you’re in the right place.

This guide is for aspiring stylists like you—those who want more than just the basic steps. Yes, we’ll walk through the licensing process, but we’ll also talk about the real things: the cost, the emotional highs and lows, where most people trip up, and how to make yourself stand out in a competitive industry.

Let’s get into it step by step.

Step 1: Know Your Why

What Training Is Required to Be a Hair Stylist

Before you even touch a mannequin head, take a moment to figure out your “why.” Are you here to express your creativity? Build a personal brand? Maybe one day, you can open your own salon?

Having clarity around your motivation can get you through those tough days in cosmetology school when nothing seems to click or you’re exhausted from back-to-back practice sessions. It’s more than a dream—your “why” becomes your compass.

Bonus tip? Write it down. Stick it on your mirror. When you question yourself (and trust me, you will), it’s your reminder of why you started.

Step 2: Research Your State’s Licensing Requirements

Licensing requirements vary significantly depending on where you live. Here are a few examples to show the range:

California: 1,000 hours of training
New York: 1,000 hours
Florida: 1,200 hours
Texas: 1,000 hours
Ontario, Canada: Completion of a hairstyling program + 4,480 hours of apprenticeship before Red Seal certification

Check with your local Board of Cosmetology or your provincial college to confirm the required training hours, exams, and whether you can go the apprenticeship route.

Something many people don’t realize: Some states don’t recognize online cosmetology programs, while others may offer partial credit. Always confirm with your local licensing board before enrolling.

Step 3: Choose the Right Cosmetology School

Don’t just pick the school down the street. The right cosmetology school can make or break your early career. Look for one that’s:

Accredited (check with the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences in the U.S.)
Offers hands-on salon experience
Has modern tools and techniques
Offers business education
Partners with local salons for externships or job placement

A school that offers specialty training is a bonus. For example, if you’re interested in hair extensions, consider leveling up with Silvie Hair Studio’s Hair Extension Classes. You’ll learn real-world techniques from stylists who are actively working in the field—something textbooks just can’t teach.

Step 4: Understand the Costs

According to Beauty Schools Directory, the average cost of a cosmetology program in the U.S. falls between $5,000 and $20,000. That doesn’t always include your kit, books, uniforms, or state exam fees.

Breakdown example:

Tuition: $12,000
Kit: $1,200
Books and supplies: $300
Licensing Exam: $75–$150
State License Fee: $50–$100

Many schools offer financial aid if they’re accredited. Ask about Pell Grants, federal loans, and even scholarships for underrepresented communities or second-career changers.

Consider the value, not just the price. A school that teaches modern techniques (like balayage or tape-in extensions) and business skills may help you earn more, faster.

Step 5: Enroll and Start Training

Here’s where the real work begins.

Your program will cover both theory and hands-on practice, including:

Hair cutting, coloring, and styling
Shampooing, blow-drying, and chemical treatments
Skin care and nail basics (in some programs)
Sanitation and hygiene practices
State laws and safety procedures
Customer service and salon management

Get as much hands-on time as possible. Ask instructors for extra practice. Offer friends and family free services. Build muscle memory and learn to communicate with real people—not just mannequins.

Step 6: Pass the State Licensing Exam

After completing your hours, you’ll take a state-administered exam, which typically includes:

A written portion (sanitation, anatomy, state laws)
A practical portion (cutting, perming, coloring, styling)

Some states offer the test multiple times per year; others let you schedule when you’re ready.

There are tons of test prep apps and practice exams online. Don’t cram—study consistently and practice frequently.

Step 7: Land Your First Job (or Apprenticeship)

Now it’s go time. You’re licensed and ready to work!

Start applying to salons, spas, or even mobile styling gigs. You could also start as an assistant in a high-end salon to gain experience and mentorship. This might mean sweeping floors for a while, but you’ll be learning from the best.

Build your portfolio: Capture before-and-after photos, create a simple website or Instagram account, and treat every post like a digital resume. Many new stylists land jobs through their social profiles rather than their resumes alone.

Step 8: Choose Your Niche and Keep Learning

You’ve made it—now what? You get to define your career path. Here are a few directions you could take:

Hair coloring specialist
Bridal and event styling
Natural/textured hair care
Hair restoration and scalp health
Hair extensions

If you’re eyeing extensions, you’ll love Silvie Hair Studio’s Hair Extension Classes. Whether you’re learning hand-tied, tape-in, or fusion extensions, Silvie’s classes are designed to teach you how to install and maintain hair extensions confidently—and market them effectively.

Extension specialists can earn $500–$1,000+ per client session, according to Salon Today. That’s a major income booster.

Key Takeaways

Becoming a licensed hair stylist requires research, training, exams, and dedication.
Not all cosmetology programs are created equal—look for one that teaches business and modern techniques.
Expect costs between $5,000 and $20,000, depending on your school and location.
Getting licensed is just the beginning; real growth happens on the salon floor.
Specializing in high-demand services like hair extensions can fast-track your success—Silvie Hair Studio’s Hair Extension Classes are a smart place to start.

Ready to Take the First Step? Here’s Your Next Move

You’ve got the passion, now it’s time to take action. Start by researching cosmetology schools in your area and asking the right questions. Once enrolled, maximize your training by learning everything you can—including how to specialize. If you’re serious about building a strong, profitable career, don’t miss out on advanced education like Silvie Hair Studio’s Hair Extension Classes. This isn’t just a job—it’s a lifestyle, and your future behind the chair starts today. Sign up now!