3 mins
A PIECE OF THE AMERICAN PIE
With many stylists splitting their time between the US and UK, we asked two stylists how the hairdressing markets compare
A career in hairdressing can lead to opportunities that take you outside the salon and even halfway across the world. Jack Howard, L’Oréal Professionnel Paris Artist, divides his time between the US and the UK, and notes that one of the biggest changes in the UK market has been the rise of the independent hairdresser. "The biggest difference between the UK and the US is the work structure – you can earn so much more money in the US and I regularly hear people talking about earning $75k-$100k. Stylists can be employed because there is no base rate, it’s all commission, so there is no holiday or sick pay, but they have the opportunity to make that money and save it," he explains. "They know if they work hard, they can make good money. They don't have salon owners potentially paying them the minimum wage. However in the UK if salons have the right packages I believe people will want to work in a salon environment – being on your own is hard and it’s not for everyone."
Retailing With Confidence
Jason Biggs, New York based Master Barber at Murdock London, Nordstrom finds there’s a huge difference in retailing stateside. Most barbershops and salons offer products ranging from skin to haircare, especially in large market areas, he notes. "Salons will put products in front of their clients and explain how to use them. They are very strong at selling, whereas in the UK there is still a feeling of being too pushy," he says. "The average price for a haircut in the US is about $30 with variation based on factors like location and quality. The average haircut can start at around $75 for your basic service," Jason says, adding that discounting doesn't have a place in the US industry. "This never happens in the US, whereas in the UK salons compete with the salon down the road. If you see a discount in a US salon, you know they are in trouble!”
Talking Trends
The rise of social media trends has seen both stylists and clients finding inspiration online, but Jack questions whether the inclination to target a younger market is right. "Our industry needs to be more age inclusive, because young people aren’t the ones that spend the money," he says. Jason also sees differences in UK and US hair trends. He adds: "You can appreciate the UK's mastery of shears and cropped hairstyles, compared to the clipper-heavy usage in the US."
When it comes to the future, Jack considers what we can learn from other markets. “We have to find new ways to attract new people. Older hairdressers can’t sit there and say that’s how it’s always been, we have to approach it in a fresh way," he adds. Jack also praises the high value the UK market places on a loyal stylist column. "Stateside, it’s a wild, fast-paced ride of networking and self-promotion,” he comments. “In the UK, it’s about building trust and strengthening long-term relationships. UK clients are more loyal; they would never cheat on their stylist.”
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L’ORÉAL PROFESSIONNEL RAISES MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
Continuing its commitment to raise awareness and act on hair pro’s mental health with global initiative, Head Up, L’Oréal Professionnel shares their latest news.
Since 1909, L’Oréal Professionnel has been the trusted partner of hair professionals by elevating, upskilling, and supporting the industry.This year, the brand launched Head Up to support and provide resources to the hairstylists’ community. On average, stylists spend 2,000 hours1 per year listening to their clients, and studies show that 75% 2 of clients consider going to their hairstylists as a form of self-care.These insights sparked Head Up, an initiative that was co-created by professionals, for professionals and is rooted in providing resources focused on hair pro’s mental health.
By the end of 2023, the ambition is to train 2000 hair pros thanks to Head Up Key’s first module co-developed by Hayley Jepson and Daniel Mason Jones. Head Up Keys is divided into four certifying and snackable modules of 8 minutes each and is available online, through the L’Oréal Professionnel website,YouTube and on the L’Oréal learning platform, ACCESS.
lorealprofessionnel.com/int/head-up
1 From Samaritans (2017)‘Crop,look and listen: hairdressers help Samaritans highlight the lifesaving power of listening’.
2 From a study conducted by L’Oréal Professionnel through the brand’s official Instagram account (March 2023) reaching up to 1.8M hair lovers.