It's more than just hair...

when asked about what I do for a living, I often get weird comments when I say I am a hairstylist. Some say, “oh that’s it?”, other, “that’s not a real career”, and of course, “it’s just hair. Why dont you get a real job”.

Now of ocurse, I do not get these comments often. But whenever I do, I often think to myself, well , this is not just hair.

I’ve been a hairstylist for 6 years now. In these past 6 years I’ve meet some great people; mainly women. And every time (except for just a few instances), I’ve got to be a theraphist for those women. I’ve been an ear when they need to vent their feelings about whatever it is going on in their lives. I’ve been able to see some of their kids grow and go to college. And for the most part, we’ve built some sort of friendship and we get to catch up all while I just do their hair.

When I do a hair consultation, these women (my clients), get a feeling of who I am and I get a feeling of what they’re looking for. Maybe a whole new look to feel something again. Or maybe they just want a trim. Whatever the case, my clients are in my chair for a reason. They want to FEEL. Feel pretty, confident, validated, wanted, happy, get out of a funk…but they want to feel. And I get to be that person who is lucky enough to give them maybe even just one of those feelings. But is it luck? is this a good thing for me? I could really fck it up and mess up their whole day, week, month or even an interview or date or wedding date!!! Jeez, the list goes on and on! But wait, Maybe I can do this and be lucky enough to do things right and make their day, their week…make them feel something good!

Whenever I get a text message or review from any client, I can’t even describe the feeling THEY are actually giving me. I feel like a million bucks! But isn’t that how I’m supposed to make them feel? Well, maybe the feeling is mutual. When I get that message, is almost like a validation and reminder to me that I am doing what I was supposed to do. I get to give a stranger a great feeling by “just doing their hair”. And in return, I get the satisfaction to know that, I was able to give them a good hair day.

So yes, this isnt your typical coorporate job or the job you dream of when you’re 7 years old. But this is my passion. I get to make money while I chatty up with a client who can drink some coffe or wine all while I get to make my own schedule to be able to spend time with my family. So, yes, this is more than just hair.