A successful hairstylist needs more than just talent with a pair of scissors. They need the right attitude and positive people skills. A vocational school cosmetology program teaches you how to help others make the most of their appearance. But it’s these qualities that will help you make the most of your relationships with clients and coworkers in a salon setting.

Qualities for Success as a Hairstylist

Cosmetology students learn the hands-on skills they need to succeed. But it’s only through interactions with students, instructors and customers that they learn how to represent themselves as the professionals they are. Hair, nails and skincare are personal services, so how you treat clients and the atmosphere you create in the salon matters. It’s your soft skills that make you an engaging hairstylist, a supportive coworker and a valuable employee. A successful hairstylist is:

Quality #1: Friendly

A friendly approach is the key to making customers feel welcomed. The relationship between clients and their hairstylists is a uniquely personal one, and the fastest way to ruin it is to make the customer feel like a nuisance.

Greeting clients like they’re the friend you’ve been waiting all day to see makes a winning first impression. A warm smile and a hospitable demeanor make them feel appreciated and opens the door for communication. It’s a win for both you and customers when you get off on the right foot.

Quality #2: Punctual

Part of being a professional is getting to work on time. Your employer, colleagues, and clients are counting on you. It may not seem like a big deal to punch in a few minutes late, but that puts the burden of opening the salon or managing your shift on others. Coworkers must extend hospitality to your clients while managing their own responsibilities to protect the salon’s reputation.

It doesn’t look good to customers when you arrive frazzled. They may wonder if you’re cutting corners by not sanitizing your workstation or equipment before they sit in your chair. And they’ll worry you’re not focused enough to give them your full attention. Punctuality is at the heart of doing good business.

Quality #3: Courteous

Lack of courtesy is among customers’ greatest pet peeves. They feel neglected when staff is distracted. If the salon is busy and you need to leave the workstation, ask their permission. When the telephone rings, put the customer first by asking “Do you mind if I answer that?” Chances are they won’t, and they’ll feel like you’re respectful of their time.

Avoid distractions whenever possible. If you’re chit-chatting with colleagues about your weekend plans, clients know your mind isn’t on your job. Be considerate and focus the conversation on them.

Quality #4: Honest

Telling someone the cut they want won’t complement their appearance isn’t easy. Everyone wants the latest Hollywood look, but it’s your professional duty to offer honest feedback when a client requests a style that isn’t a good fit for their features. A gentle approach offering more suitable alternatives is usually well-received if you explain why.

It’s also critical to be upfront about fees. People don’t mind paying for services, but getting a surprise bill at checkout is frustrating, and it can be embarrassing if they don’t have enough money to pay. Why damage a good professional relationship? If you offer additional or upgraded services, be clear about the costs.

Quality #5: Positive

Giving a bride runway hair on a budget is unrealistic, but there are usually similar options that are both gratifying and affordable. She just wants to be beautiful, and it’s your job to make her look and feel her best. Don’t concentrate on what you can’t do, focus on what you can by offering alternative styles with a similar effect. Successful hairstylists troubleshoot requests and find ways to say yes.

Being positive is also appreciated by coworkers and supervisors, spending the day without your colleagues isn’t much fun. There’s no easier way to reduce workplace stress than by staying upbeat and having fun.

Quality #6: Patient

A client who says “Do whatever” is a hairstylist’s worst nightmare. It sounds like carte blanche to be creative, but it’s a set-up for failure if you get it wrong. They don’t do it to put you on the spot. For most, it’s their way of saying they want something fresh, but they don’t have the knowledge or confidence to ask for it.

Perhaps they’ve insisted on styles in the past that didn’t look good, or they’re not familiar with hair care terminology. But most genuinely believe you have a better idea than they do, and they want your recommendation. Asking questions is the best way to find out more about what they like. Be patient and go with the flow but be prepared with a script for handling it.

Quality #7: Team-oriented

Whether you work for the salon or are an independent contractor, your relationship with your coworkers can make or break your success. Some services, for example, require two hairstylists to complete. Others benefit from the creative input of more than one mind, everyone has strengths and weaknesses.

When everyone works together to satisfy customers, salons run like clockwork and earn an excellent reputation which brings more customers through the door. Everyone benefits.

Quality #8: Creative

Tomorrow’s hottest hairstyles are created today. Hairstylists are trained in the most popular techniques but being creative is what sets them apart. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Take whatever skill you have and build on it. If you have a knack for updos, develop new special occasion styles. Or turn your eye for hair color into blending specialty shades.

Experimenting cautiously with cuts and color is great for your branding. People with unique styles get noticed and asked which hairstylist did the work. Filling a niche by doing something others can’t is an ideal way to build a client base.

Quality #9: Perceptive

There are many reasons a person could be self-conscious, insecure or sensitive about their appearance. Why people like or dislike the way they look is personal. To a hairstylist, thinning hair is just another styling challenge, but to clients, it can be devastating to their self-esteem.

While there’s no way to accurately predict how someone feels about their appearance, it helps to look for clues. Listen to what they say about themselves and observe their body language. Do they make self-deprecating comments about themselves? Do they hesitate to make eye contact? Observation helps you be more perceptive and in tune with what your client is thinking.

Quality #10: Knowledgeable

Part of a hairstylist’s revenue comes from services, but even more can come from product sales. Profit margins on salon-quality shampoos and conditioners are often higher than on cuts and colors, and no one is better qualified to promote them than a trusted hairstylist who knows and understands their benefits.

Most clients want recommendations for the most appropriate products and are willing to pay a premium price for better brands and your advice. Selling is a skill that isn’t easy for everyone, but if you’re knowledgeable, the right products sell themselves. It’s an income-booster for a hairstylist willing to go the extra mile to provide comprehensive service.

Quality #11: Well-Groomed

A hairstylist’s appearance is an audition, clients will assume you’ll put as much effort into making them look good as you do yourself. Sloppy clothing and unkempt hair don’t inspire confidence, and hygiene is a safety issue. Always come to work clean and well-dressed.

A professional appearance is also the perfect way to market products and services. Sharing photos of your work is always impressive, but nothing promotes the latest hair color better than sporting it in the salon.

Quality #12: Compassionate

Fewer qualities matter more in cosmetology than compassion. You’ll see clients every day with personal care challenges, from medical conditions, like hair loss, to limited budgets. It will be up to you to help them make the most of their situation with dignity.

Serving people with all needs and of all means is not only rewarding, but it helps cement your reputation in the community. If you want to reach out in a way that benefits others, consider donating time to under-served seniors and children. Nursing facilities are always looking for hairstylists willing to travel.

Quality #13: Trustworthy

Being trustworthy is among the qualities clients look for most in a hairstylist. Personal appearance is a sensitive topic for most clients, they need to trust you before sharing how they feel about their looks. It takes time to build trust by keeping their confidence and your promises, but the reward is a loyal customer base.

Trust also improves teamwork and efficiency between coworkers. Employees who trust one another are willing to work harder because they aren’t worried about who’s pulling their weight. The lesson is, be there for your colleagues, and they’ll return the favor.

Quality #14: Skilled

Practice makes perfect, but no client wants to think you’re practicing on them. There’s an expectation that you’ll be competent in your craft. Be a master of any service you offer.

Since most states require continuing education to renew your cosmetology license, it won’t be hard to keep up with the latest techniques. But the more services you can offer, the more clients you’ll have. Stay on top of changes in the field and seek certifications when you can.

Quality #15: Productive

Salons depend on productivity for revenue. But maintaining productivity can be tough depending on how much attention individual clients need and your personal working speed.

You can’t control who comes through the door and when, but supervisors will expect you to serve your share when it’s busy. You can stay ahead by maximizing efficiency and staying flexible about breaks and lunch hours.

Quality #16: Committed

What employers and coworkers want most in a hairstylist is commitment. Defined as a sense of responsibility and enthusiasm for a business’s mission, it encompasses most other qualities and encourages mutual support among colleagues.

A salon’s success is a group effort. What each person does in some way contributes to the business’s reputation and everyone’s prosperity. For example, no hairstylist wants their income to suffer because a coworker’s rude behavior scares away good customers. When everyone is committed to the same goal, the entire staff wins.

Final Thoughts

Hairstyling is a rewarding career for students with an aptitude for beauty. But as a service profession, it requires more than talent to be successful. It takes the right qualities to get along with people. If you’re not sure you have the necessary soft skill, don’t worry. Vocational school cosmetology programs help you develop them through coursework and externship experiences. Just bring the enthusiasm and willingness to learn, the education will do the rest.

Want to build the qualities you need to be a good hairstylist? Meridian College offers a Cosmetology training program in Florida that prepares you to deliver high–quality beauty and hair services to both men and women. Meridian College offers a hands–on Cosmetology training program giving you the skills you need to start an exciting career and become a leader in the beauty industry.

Contact Meridian College today to learn more about becoming a cosmetologist.