5 Steps to Becoming a Hair Color Specialist
If your dream is to become a hair color specialist, you want to go through the necessary training and gain hands-on experience to prepare you for your journey as a professional in the industry. You will need to know what a hair color specialist is and what is involved in getting ahead.
To be a hair color specialist, you want to gain a name and reputation in the industry by becoming certified by the American Board of Certified Hair Colorists. You need to know how to market yourself to get more business. It also does not hurt to work in a high-end salon.
Becoming a hair color specialist requires the skill and creativity to be a hair color expert. Read below and find out five steps to becoming a hair color specialist.
What Does a Hair Color Specialist Do?
People who want to modify their hair color want it to look as natural as possible. They go to a hair color specialist to achieve a look that will surely turn heads. A hair color specialist has many duties. Some of these include the following:
- Client consulting
- Blending hair color chemicals
- Applying hair color products
- Keeping customer records
The most significant role of the hair color specialist is customer consultation. You need to know how to communicate with customers.
For instance, some people want to go for a look that you know will not suit them, or they want to mix colors that do not fit with their skin tone. This situation is where the hair color specialist comes in.
The hair color specialist’s chief role is to make sure that the customer knows all the pros and cons involved in choosing a hair color. The hair color specialist must also communicate to the customer how much maintenance is involved in maintaining color.
Are There Different Levels to Becoming a Hair Color Specialist?
There are no particular levels to becoming a hair color specialist. There are, however, different levels of stylists. The following is a brief explanation of these levels:
- Level 1 stylists have just graduated from beauty school and offer minimum services at lower rates
- Level 2 stylists know how to cut, color, and style hair and have about one year of experience
- Level 3 stylists have about three years of experience and are skilled in their craft, as they can do extensive coloring and corrections
- Level 4 stylists are masters of the craft and experienced mentors
A hair colorist needs to learn everything that stylists do. They will need the knowledge and experience to move up the ladder in the business.
Get 3 simple hair color ideas for brunettes in this article to change up your new hairstyle.
5 Steps to Becoming a Hair Color Specialist
Becoming a skillful hair color expert takes a lot of time and practice. You want to establish yourself as a professional and build a solid client base. People pay a lot of money for their hair. You can make a lot of money being a hair color specialist. Look up some of the 7 tips on making money while going to beauty school to start gaining some experience and money.
The following includes all the steps you need to take to become a hair color specialist:
1. Cosmetology School
You will need to take hair color courses at a reputable cosmetology school. You will learn everything you need to know to get started. You will also receive invaluable hands-on training, which will help you prepare for the real thing.
You will be taught how to do the following:
- Choose and mix color
- Cut hair
- Do nails
- Dye eyelashes and eyebrows
- Style hair
- Wash hair
You will also be allowed to color the hair of real customers under the tutelage of a cosmetology instructor. You will be able to put your skills into practice.
2. Obtain Cosmetology License
If you want a career as a hair color specialist, all states require that you get your cosmetology license. When you graduate from cosmetology school, you must pass the State Board exam. There is a written exam and a practical exam. If you pass both, you will obtain your cosmetology license.
3. Become a Hair Color Expert
You will work with other stylists in a hair salon and learn how to perform expert hair coloring on customers. You will master the advanced techniques of hair coloring. A professional hair color specialist is required to know all about the following:
- Adding highlights
- Applying lowlights
- Bleaching
- Lightning hair
- Mix and apply permanent hair coloring
- Mix and apply semi-permanent hair coloring
- Mix and apply temporary hair coloring
You will need to understand how to mix and apply color. Follow these 5 tips to get balayage to work on dark hair. You may need to work as an assistant until you become better acquainted with the coloring process.
4. Get Certified
You will become certified by the American Board of Certified Hair colorists. This certification is the best path toward earning a professional hair color specialist reputation. The exam costs $375, and it consists of three parts. These include the following:
- Interactive
- Performance
- Written
The American Board of Certified Hair Colorists offers this certification so that new hair colorists can get credibility and market themselves. It can lead to more clients, and you may get to work at high-end salons.
5. Find a Position at a Salon
Once you have been certified, you now need to advertise yourself. Work in a salon that can utilize your skills. If you already work in a salon, you may want to move up and work in a top-notch salon that will allow you to practice your craft and gain more profit.
Some of the ways you can promote your hair color services include the following:
- Take before and after photographs of your customers to put on social media
- Promote your services by mentioning the salon in which you work
- Create a book of celebrity and style photos and add it to your salon’s website
- Ask customers for reviews on Facebook and Yelp
- Keep in contact with customers in between appointments
- Read fashion and style magazines to keep up with emerging trends
You can also search social media to find out which color trends are in and out. You can add promotions to bring the customers looking for that style into the salon.
Final Thoughts
If you want to develop into a hair color specialist, you need specific training and experience. You will also require passion and dedication to create a good customer base and reputation in the industry.
