Still want to be a hairdresser, need further training

[Ditzy]

Hi guys, I've not been around for a while:hug:

Here's my situation. I did an evening NVQ2 hairdressing over 2 years, I qualified in 2009. I didn't feel that I had enough chances to work on the public at the time, and got an offer of unpaid training in a unisex salon, primarily doing mens hair. However, this turned out not to be ideal, the goalposts kept changing, and although I couldn't get enough clients/training to feel confident, he suddenly told me I'd been there long enough, the next walk in would be my client, as a full paying client, we would not tell them that I'd only previously worked on models (which were few and far between). I totally couldn't handle this, it freaked me out. Anyway, we didn't have any more walk ins that day, and I decided not to go back. (I also had an offer of a full time job as a nail tech, which I am also trained in)

That was over a year ago, and I would still love to be a hairdresser, but really feel that I need more training and practise on the public/models before offering my services.

I would like to know if anyone out there knows of a way to get more experience, eg another course but in a working salon environment (the college evening course I did, we mostly had to bring models, they only advertised to the public for daytime students)?

Please bear in mind I am 40 so it'd probably be difficult to get a job as an apprentice. However, I am in the lucky (in this instance) position that I will soon have to sell my house, and will have some equity, so will possibly be able to rent a house/flat anywhere in the country, and subsidise my earnings with the equity. Therefore I could move if there is a particularly good training/experience situation available that could build my confidence.

Has anyone else got through this situation and become a successful hairdresser? What did you do?

Thanks to all the lovely geeks who can offer some help or advice:hug:

 

[VIVA.GLAM]

I see you're from Norwich, I'm 10 miles outside of Norwich. When I looked into a lot of the salons in Norwich a few of them take on a lot of newly qualified hairdressers and offer training evenings once a week. Just because you've not been doing it long doesn't mean nobody will give you a chance. I did full time at college (only 2.5 days a week though!) and the rest of the days worked as a junior in a salon. When I got towards the end of my course I was allowed to practice on a lot of the regular clients who were kind and patient enough to allow me to. I was nervous about jumping into my column and you're going to make mistakes in the beginning. But you DO learn from them trust me I made enough of them lol and looking back now I cringe. I found the BEST thing for me was working alongside other hairdressers. From some who'd been doing it for 3 years, 11 years even 30 years. You can learn so much by simply observing and NEVER be afraid to ask for help. Get yourself out there and your confidence will build up quicker than you know. Whatever you end up doing, good luck Sorry for rattling on :/ x

 

[dreax]

Hi there, im in a similar situation, I did hairdressing over 15 years ago when I left school and left my training 6 months before I qualified, I could kick myself for leaving and giving in. When I had my children I needed to go back to work and decided after a few different jobs I knew deep down I still wanted to be hairdresser. So at the age of 27 I went back to college and qualified after 2 years.The problem is they only teach you the bare basics! Even getting distinctions in some of my practical work, i still dont feel confident enough to work in a salon, so I decided to go mobile, my confidence is picking up slowly but surely. I would love to work along side other hairdressers for a bit of support! I have found this website sooo helpful....a blessing!!!
So thankyou fellow geeks.
Hopefully one of these days I will feel more confident, and hope you do too x

 

[Lamaur man]

Hi Ditzy.
I am in exactly the same situation as you. I am 41 years old and is a qualified hairdresser. But although I am confident and practise what I have learnt at college and in my junior salon placement, I am completely out of touch with current trends and techniques.
After my training way back in 1988 I moved location and never worked in a salon again, but continued to practice my profession on friends, family and built up clientelle. I now would like to work in a salon to gain new experience in all the latest styles ect ect. But to be honest, I think no one would employ me in my current situation. I don't know what to do either. I thought about going back to college to do an evening NVQ2, but I still wouldn't get the appropriate real training needed on real people, so it would probably be a complete waste of time and money.
Its a real shame cause I am confident and have a vast knowledge of colouring which is an area I would love to specialise in.

 

[persianista]

Reading these replies is so sad. I wish I could give you positive, definative advice on how to move forward. Beyond unpaid work experience, I really don't know what to suggest. NVQ's are not considered great by salon owners as they have been devalued over the years.
Personally I look for an unbroken work record in good quality salons.
Even salons which take new qualified, won't usually take them on when older as they have to be paid more.
So it is a difficult question. My best advice is vounteer in the best salons that you can find.

 

[wonderwoman]

Big hug! I think its always scary trying to do something from scratch again. Theres so many options at your disposal!

I personally think its great that you have experience, if you have the money you could always train at the big powerhouses acadmies in london, l'oreal, toni & guy,wella, vidal sasson etc They have a nice rapur about them, in the sense i trained with l'oreal and they were so creative and innoviate, made me look at hair completely differently. Plus you always get great street cred! hehe!

You could always scratch up on product knowledge and book yourself in for seminars to help get you refamiliar with brands and help refresh your confidence. These are quite reasonable priced and i think that once your affliated with a brand you can confidently sell it, whilst selling yourself! You know your stuff (your qualified!) and i dont want you to feel defeated, you've done unpaid work were proberly no one complianed that should shout volumes at your skill!

Last but not least you get to press the reset button, grab yourself a pen and paper and look at your goals that you hope to acheive! (its sooooo dooooable!) hths xoxo

 

[Lamaur man]

Thanks for all your positive thoughts & suggestions guys/girls.

I would love to be able to do a fast track course in Cutting and Colouring.
A three week course would set me back around £3000
I just don't have that sort of money lying around. Why are these courses sooo expensive anyway. I just want to brush up my skills in Cutting and some modern coloring techniques. Maybe some modern blowdrying as well.
I suppose I will have to ask around some local salons for some unpaid work experience. At least they will have their floors swept, clients shampooed and tea made for free. But then they may tell me I can't because of insurance and health & safety laws. :irked: Shame, I was always told I was an excellent shampooist. It was my firm hands you know.:lol: The clients loved it.

Something will turn up.
xxxxx

 

[wonderwoman]

lamaur man, please dont fret they is a cheaper way..ranging from £45-400+vat etc....i dont want to endorse any courses but i have found some of the powerhouse equalvilants for some of my own stylists, ie wella, wahl, matrix, indola etc Please look at the training prospectus/manuals available at wholsalers, some are online, You'll be surprised with how reasonable they are. hths xoxo

 

[VIVA.GLAM]

You've gotta have faith in yourself. Don't keep knocking yourself back and finding excuses that'll stop you getting where you want to be. Get the phonebook out and ring around, that's always a start. I've just got off the phone to my friend in Lincolnshire and a woman she knows there, a friend of hers, is newly qualified (within the year) and she's in her 30s and she had ZERO confidence because of her age and late start in the business. She rang around and eventually found a salon to take her on and she's built up so much confidence and learnt so many new skills. She was employed on a part time basis as I understand, I think that may have been due to the higher wage demand (I say demand, she didn't literally demand :\), and that was enough for her to progress and gain the experience and knowledge she needed. Now she works full time and is really building up her column and has taken herself on a couple of courses. It is possible and I'm sure you'll be looking back this time next year and you'll be there

 

[Lamaur man]

lamaur man, please dont fret they is a cheaper way..ranging from £45-400+vat etc....i dont want to endorse any courses but i have found some of the powerhouse equalvilants for some of my own stylists, ie wella, wahl, matrix, indola etc Please look at the training prospectus/manuals available at wholsalers, some are online, You'll be surprised with how reasonable they are. hths xoxo

Thanks Wonderwoman, I will also look into that.

Troy.

 

[stars36]

hi troy,

i teach at a private college in spain, its a working salon and we run various courses, also there is an offer of free accomation available for all overseas students, the courses are a fraction of uk courses too. if you want any more info,pm me and il be happy to help

 

[Lamaur man]

hi troy,

i teach at a private college in spain, its a working salon and we run various courses, also there is an offer of free accomation available for all overseas students, the courses are a fraction of uk courses too. if you want any more info,pm me and il be happy to help

Hi stars36

Thank you so much for the offer. I possibly couldn't go abroad at present, due to my domestic situation ect, but I will certainly bear that in mind.
Oh if only I was 18 again. :lol::lol::lol:

Thanks again.
Troy x

 

[persianista]

Lamaur man, if you have clients, have you thought about renting a chair in a salon? That way you are not looking for "employment" as such, but get to work alongside colleauges and build on your skills.

 

[Lamaur man]

Lamaur man, if you have clients, have you thought about renting a chair in a salon? That way you are not looking for "employment" as such, but get to work alongside colleauges and build on your skills.

hi persianista.

Yes I have thought about that and have enquired in the past, but had no luck. I think I will just stick with offering my free services to a local salon and gain some experience from there. Plus I will subscribe to myhairdressers.com which has got some fantastic training to brush up on my skills. I will also be ordering a few training blocks and trying new techniques on my family and friends. Things can only get better.

:lol:xx

 

[Ditzy]

Hi and thanks for the replies.

I have to be honest, I think the replies that have been posted are more suited toward Lamaur Man's situation than mine. I think his situation is different to mine, he says he's confident. As I said I don't have any confidence. I'm scared of someone sitting down in the chair and saying "I want ....... style", show me pics, whatever, and I suddenly freeze cos I can't transfer the style to the cutting techniques, IYKWIM? I actually don't feel ready to work in a salon as a junior, I actually feel that I need someone to walk me through, or at least watch me, while I cut the hair. Obviously staff in a normal salon don't have time to stop and watch me! That's why I feel like I could do with more actual training.

hi troy,

i teach at a private college in spain, its a working salon and we run various courses, also there is an offer of free accomation available for all overseas students, the courses are a fraction of uk courses too. if you want any more info,pm me and il be happy to help

What you do Stars36 sounds more like what I'm looking for, I just wish you were in the UK! I will PM you though, as if your courses really are cheaper than uk ones, maybe the flight's added in won't add too much more? Anyway, I think I'll do some more searching for courses in the mean time, and try to find anything in the UK where models are provided (or it's a working college/training salon IYKWIM. If anyone knows of any, please let me know. Many thanks.



I'd just like to say, good luck to the others who are in similar situations, it's so difficult to get past this confidence thing. Here's hoping we all end up as happy, confident, content in our career hairdressers!:hug:

 

[persianista]

You will. We all start off feeling like you. It takes time and application to become confident and confident. I have been slated on here before for pointing out that it takes about 7 years to become a great stylist.
For your situation I would suggest a few courses, the best you can afford, and try and find some work experience and a mentor.
I was lucky to work with some amazing hairdressers in my early career, and their influence is still in my work today.

 

[persianista]

Oh, and I worked for free to get my foot in the door. And paid the train fares myself to get there!

 

[Ditzy]

You will. We all start off feeling like you. It takes time and application to become confident and confident. I have been slated on here before for pointing out that it takes about 7 years to become a great stylist.
For your situation I would suggest a few courses, the best you can afford, and try and find some work experience and a mentor.
I was lucky to work with some amazing hairdressers in my early career, and their influence is still in my work today.

Oh, and I worked for free to get my foot in the door. And paid the train fares myself to get there!

Hi again:green:

I have to be honest, I think you're great for how passionately you try to help people:hug: it's thanks to people like you that people like me stand a chance of making it out there:green:

I agree with you re working for free, I'll happily do a day every week for free, would do more if I didn't have to work to pay the bills (I'm temporarily a cleaner so quite used to doing the worst of the worst jobs)