What exactly does a hair stylist at a West Vancouver salon do all day? The answer is more complex than "cut and style hair." Here's a look at what the job actually involves.
The Technical Work
Cutting: Using scissors, razors, and clippers to shape hair. This sounds simple but encompasses understanding face shapes and which styles complement them, knowing how different hair textures behave when cut, mastering various techniques (point cutting, slide cutting, texturizing), creating shapes that grow out well and are easy to maintain, and adjusting techniques for each individual client's hair.
Coloring: Applying dyes, highlights, and creative color. This requires understanding color theory and how shades interact, assessing hair condition and predicting how it will accept color, mixing formulas precisely for desired results, applying product evenly for consistent coverage, timing processing correctly, and correcting color issues when needed.
Styling: Creating finished looks through blowouts, updos, curling, straightening, and special occasion styling. This means understanding product selection for different hair types, mastering tools (dryers, flat irons, curling irons), creating styles that last, and teaching clients how to recreate looks at home.
Treatments: Applying keratin smoothing treatments, deep conditioning, and other therapeutic services. This requires product knowledge, proper application technique, and understanding how treatments interact with different hair types.
The Consultation Work
Beyond technical skills, stylists need to assess what clients actually want—sometimes clients don't know or struggle to articulate it. They provide realistic expectations about what's achievable, recommend styles that suit the client's face shape and lifestyle, explain maintenance requirements, and adjust plans based on client feedback.
This consultation work is often the difference between a client who loves their hair and one who's disappointed. Technical skill matters, but understanding client needs matters just as much.
The Business Side
Stylists in West Vancouver salons also manage aspects of their own business. Building and maintaining a client base requires consistent quality and relationship skills. Managing schedules to maximize productivity without burning out is an ongoing challenge. Continuing education means staying current on trends and techniques. Product recommendations add value for clients while supporting salon revenue.
The Physical Demands
Styling is physically demanding work. Standing for 8+ hours daily, arms raised repeatedly for cutting and blow-drying, hands exposed to water and products. Maintaining physical health is essential for career longevity.
The Emotional Labor
Stylists provide emotional support as much as technical service. Clients share their lives during appointments. A good stylist listens, engages appropriately, and creates a comfortable atmosphere. They maintain professionalism through challenging situations—difficult clients, stressful days, personal issues that need to stay invisible during work hours.
At Wish Dry Bar
Our stylists specialize in specific services—bridal styling, blowouts, precision cutting—developing deep expertise rather than trying to do everything. This specialization means clients get stylists with genuine mastery of their specific service, not just general competence.
The Rewards
Despite the demands, styling offers real rewards: the immediate gratification of transformation, genuine connections with clients, creative expression, and the tangible impact of making people feel good about themselves. For those suited to the work, there's nothing quite like it.