Monday I went into salon with girls to do some style training. While I was in salon Sarah said something that at the time we laughed and joked about amongst ourselves because it is without a doubt a situation that every stylist has found themselves in. However this time this certain situation has stuck in my head, maybe it’s because I’m at the ripe old mature age of 30 or maybe it’s my motherly instincts kicking in to where or I get protective over my girls or too be honest it’s probably just the severe lack of sleep I am getting and the fact that a massive side effect of sleep deprivation is that every little thing really pisses you off! (anyone that knows me is sitting there thinking so what’s different?)
So back to the story As Sar was shampooing, she laughed to us about how she had seen someone she knew and they had asked her “what are you doing now?” to which Sarah replied with her big cheesy grin “hairdressing” Now this is the part where we all had a chuckle as Sarah explained how you could see the disappointment in the ladies face as she just replied “oh” and changed the subject. To which all of us girls of course chimed in with some of the comments we had been met with over the years “oh so you just like sweep the floor” “ew, you touch dirty hair” “you’re so lucky you have a fun job and not like an actual job” “what’s so hard about your job you just gossip all day” “I could do hairdressing it’s easy you just stand around looking at yourself all day” “I wanted to do hairdressing but my parents wouldn’t let me, they wanted me to have a good job”
This situation of Sarah’s took me back to when I was 16 explaining to my teachers that I was leaving school to continue hairdressing and start my apprenticeship. The remarks made from certain teachers as they put down this career path with such disgust still ring in my head all these years later.
Now personally, I don’t think it matters what career path or job you choose if you have work ethic, if you get up every day and you show up and you do your job and do it well you should be damn proud of yourself. However this is my job and my industry I am referring to when I say there is a massive black cloud over the beauty industry and we fight constantly every day to be recognised. Imagine working your little bum off for four years of an apprenticeship to not even be considered a trade but rather a retail professional. In a good 99.9% of professions a 4year apprenticeship leads to a trade qualification, doesn’t it? So who gets to decide that hairdressers aren’t worth that? I can tell you right now it sure as hell wasn’t a hairdresser.
I am going to say it and you can disagree with me all you want, but please if you do disagree feel free to take a seat elsewhere. Being a ‘Hairdresser’ is F***ING HARD (excuse my French) Emotionally, Physically and Mentally And until you stand in my shoes 12hours a day 45-70hours a week, you do not have any right to tell me it isn’t.
It's just hair - I was a part of your wedding.
It's just hair - I was your child's first haircut.
It's just hair - I was there for your first date.
It's just hair - I was there for their funeral.
It's just hair- I was there for your graduation.
It's just hair- I was there when you didn't like the way you looked.
It's just hair- when you got offered your dream job and nobody else knew but me and you!
It's just hair- when you met the person of your dreams and they told you they loved you for the very first time!
It's just hair- when all you wanted in the whole world is a hug from your hair stylist because you knew they'd give it to you with open arms!
It's just hair- when you lost your job and didn't know what you were going to do.
It's just hair- when you were getting a divorce and just needed to feel better about yourself.
It's just hair- when you had a terrible day and looked forward to being able to vent without being judged.
It's just hair- when you are about to go on vacation and can't wait to tell me all about it on your next visit.
It's just hair - when you were expecting your first child. And I was a safe person to be able to tell.
It's not "just hair" to us. It never has been and it never will be!
