We all make mistakes. Whether it’s in our personal lives or in the workplace, mistakes happen, but it’s important to learn from them, grow and improve ourselves so we can be better and do better. As a hair professional, there are many common mistakes that occur. But by paying attention to these areas you can avoid them in the first place. Let’s review some of these.

Not Listening to the Client:

One of the most common mistakes that hairstylists and barbers make is not listening to what the client wants. Often, the client will have a specific style or look in mind, and the stylist or barber may not pay enough attention to the details the client is requesting. To avoid this mistake, make sure to listen carefully to what the client wants and ask clarifying questions if necessary.

The consultation is the perfect opportunity to gain the most clarity. Don’t ask questions that will result in a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. Ask open ended questions. Then, repeat back to them what you believe they said by paraphrasing. Show them exactly how much hair will be cut by indicating it on their own hair. Using visuals to explain wants and desires is very helpful to make sure you and the client are on the same page.

Using the Wrong Products or Techniques:

Another common mistake that hairstylists and barbers make is using the wrong tools or techniques for the client’s hair type or desired style. For example, using tools with dull blades can leave hair frayed, using the wrong shampoo can causes curly hair to frizz or using the incorrect developer volume when doing color processing. To avoid this mistake, make sure to use the appropriate products and techniques for each client, taking into account the hair quality, texture and density. Keep up with your education and learn from professionals you trust. Test out products before you use them on clients and make sure you have a good understanding of them before you start using them in the workplace. Don’t take shortcuts which can save you time and money in the short term but hurt you in the long term.

Cutting Too Much Hair:

Cutting too much hair is another common mistake that hairstylists and barbers make. This can happen when the stylist or barber is not paying enough attention or is rushing through the haircut. To avoid this mistake, take your time and cut small sections at a time. Make sure to check in with the client regularly to ensure that they are happy with the length of the cut. This also goes back to the consultation. During the consultation show the client how much will be cut so they aren’t surprised. Also, cutting wet hair leads to shrinkage. Take into account the shrinkage factor when cutting to avoid cutting off too much length. In the end, it’s better to under cut than to over cut as you can always take more off but you can’t put it back on.

Uneven Haircuts:

Uneven haircuts are another common. This can happen when the stylist or barber is not paying attention to the angles and lines of the haircut. To avoid this mistake, use a mirror to check for any uneven sections and make any necessary adjustments. Throughout the haircut, make it a habit to continuously check your work to make sure it’s even. Be sure to also keep an eye on the angle of the client’s head to avoid unnecessary unevenness.

Poor Communication:

This can happen when the stylist or barber does not explain the process or the products they are using to the client. To avoid this mistake, make sure to communicate clearly with the client throughout the haircut and explain what you are doing and why. While the consultation is important, this only happens at the beginning of the haircut. Throughout the haircut, you should check in with our client to make sure you are on the right path. Explain to the client the products you are using in the hair and why.

Staying in Your Comfort Zone:

While it’s easy and comforting to only do what you know, it is stifling to your career to stay in your comfort zone for too long. You might know you’re in this zone if you treat all hair the same and do the same haircuts repeatedly, haven’t attended a class to further your education, haven’t experimented with new tools or products in a while or feel you are not being challenged. It’s important to not make mistakes on your clients, but it’s also important to grow and expand your skillsets. Invest in yourself and you might find something that really excites you or takes your haircuts to a new level. It’s ok to be in your comfort zone, but don’t stay there for too long. Always challenge yourself.

These common hair mistakes are easy to fall into. We’re all a work in progress, but the keyword is progress. To progress we need to learn from the mistakes. Making mistakes is ok, but when you make them repeatedly and don’t learn from them, they can lead to bigger problems. Don’t let these mistakes ruin your career or your confidence. We’re rooting for you!