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10/20/2024

Are Hair Salons Really in an Appointment Recession?

From appointment deposits to price discrepancies and the rise of the influencer hairstylist.
It seems everyone is struggling to secure a reliable hair appointment.

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This is a very well written article, chalked full of valuable insight and information.

I have a few take-aways from the article:

1) Social Media Influencers are ruining the salon industry and have been for a while now. And not just the salon industry either.

2) Who in the heck goes to a "stylist" that isn't licensed? We call these individuals "kitchen cosmetologist." That's on you if you don't get what you want or your hair melts or breaks off. God forbid you don't have an allergic reaction to haircolor because they don't know how to do a patch test. Any of this could happen with licensed cosmetologist, too, but more likely by someone who hasn't put in the hours of training and eduction to get their license.

"Still, it's important to note that there is a risk when booking hair appointments with social media stylists who are not licensed since there are fewer restrictions than what professional salons would require regarding pricing, a cosmetology license, hygiene, and more."

3) No consultation before someone touches your hair is asking for trouble. A consultation should be an analysis of your hair type and texture, let you know if the style you are wanting is suitable for your face shape, hair type, haircare routine & lifestyle, give you a pretty close estimate as to what the service should cost, how long it will take, and if it might take multiple appointments to achieve the look you want. You'll also know whether the stylist is someone you're comfortable with. This is a relationship you're establishing. And these are just are very bare minimums.

4) Celebrity hair (both women and men) has been manipulated for a photo shoot, movie or event. Usually by a team of stylists. If you're not willing to put in the time (blow-drying, styling and regular appointments) you'll blame me because you can't achieve the look. See #3 above.

5) DO NOT BELIEVE MOST OF WHAT YOU SEE OR READ ON TIKTOK. PERIOD. The internet has a lot of misinformation when it comes to safe hair care. This probably should have been the #1 take-away.

"The landscape of hair salon culture has changed indefinitely with the rise of social media and hair stylists taking clients at home rather than being contracted with a salon. So be wary of whether a salon or stylist has hidden service fees or scheduling charges. And when it comes to finding a good salon, Stephen says to scope out the location before your appointment “to see if the space is clean.” Other tell-all signs to gauge reputable stylists or salons include checking stylists' licenses, reviewing their online portfolios, and communicating beforehand with your stylists about all appointment fees and surprise add-ons before they put their hands on your head."

Click below to read this article

In this report, Teen Vogue's contributor Maria Poggi investigates the
controversy around hair salons and the rise of the social media
hairstylist, speaking with stylists and content creators to hear
from both sides how things have changed for the worse.

10/19/2024

England’s hair salons face recruitment crisis as gen Z shuns profession

This is very distressing news from the UK. If it's happening across the pond, you know it's happening here in the US, too.

Owners say it’s almost ‘impossible’ to hire new stylists after 70% decline in people enrolling in apprenticeships

“It is a brilliant, brilliant career...But taking someone on is now very difficult; the talent pool is getting smaller and smaller.”

The number of trainees enrolling in hairdressing apprenticeships has declined by 70% over the last decade. This, combined with a wave of high street salon closures, means people in the UK could face a longer wait for an appointment in the years to come.

One of the issues, according to industry experts, is hairdressing is perceived by young people to be a low-paid profession. The decline in apprenticeships is also due to school-leavers opting for a college course instead, but salon owners complain this is no substitute for the learning on the job. They say it takes an average of 16 weeks to fill a salon vacancy.

After the financial strain caused by closing for long periods during the pandemic, the UK hairdressing industry has struggled to rebuild its fortunes. Salons have had to put up their prices, sometimes several times, but have struggled to pass on to customers the magnitude of business cost increases such as energy and wages during the cost of living crisis.

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England’s hair salons face recruitment crisis as gen Z shuns profession

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Are Hair Salons Really in an Appointment Recession?

England’s hair salons face recruitment crisis as gen Z shuns profession

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