We aren’t “just hairdressers.”
And honestly, I’m sick and tired of us being treated like thats a second rate career.
But if I’m being really honest we are partly to blame for the perception that exists around our industry too.
People see the final result on Instagram. The transformation. To them its Magic.
But they don’t see the science, pressure, exhaustion, education, or responsibility behind it.
They don’t see the years of training.
The thousands of dollars spent on education, colour courses, scissors, tools, stock, rent, insurance and products.
The constant learning because trends, product technology and techniques are always changing.
They don’t see us skipping lunch because we’re running behind trying to make everyone happy.
Holding our bladder for hours because one client running late throws the whole day out.n Not drinking water so we don’t have the urgency to go because we know we can’t.
Then the next client waiting frustrated because we’re running behind.
Little do they know it’s often because, the appointment wasn’t booked correctly by them online for what was actually wanted , the previous client arrived late, the hair history of that box colour that they swear black and blue never happened, medications or chemical services weren’t disclosed honestly when asked in the consultation.
When we ask questions about hair history, it’s not to be difficult. It’s because we are trying to protect the hair and the achieve best possible result with the canvas given to us.
People don’t appreciate that we stand on our feet for 10+ hours a day while still expected to smile through all of it.
And hair colour? That’s science.
Before we even mix a formula we are assessing:
Hair history. Chemical damage. Elasticity. Scalp health. Undertones.
Previous colour build up. Medications. Home care. Skin tone. Face shape.
Expectations vs reality. Whether the hair can physically survive what they’re asking for.
One wrong decision can destroy someone’s hair and our reputation.
That’s not “just doing hair.”
That’s skill, education, knowledge, experience and responsibility.
And when we get sick? (We’re human. It happens.)
But somehow some clients think it’s acceptable to get angry because we need to reschedule.
Meanwhile they would never allow their own employer or workplace to treat them the way some people treat us their hairdresser, they would be on the phone lodging a Fair Work complaint immediately.
We are
Artists. Scientists. Therapists. Small business owners.
Now expected to be social media content creators and experts.
And most often underpaid and undervalued for the amount of pressure we carry daily.
So no… I won’t accept:
“Oh you’re just a hairdresser.”
Or
“It’s JUST bubbles in a bottle, you’re not solving the world’s problems.”
You know what this is “More than JUST bubbles in a bottle, its our way of life”
This career has kept food on the table for my family.
This industry I love so very dearly is built on passion, skill, creativity, education and relentless hard work.
And it’s time the industry and we, the people in it, realise that we have subconsciously been accepting what we believe we deserve and it's gone on for far too long.
It’s up to us to change this.
To stop downplaying your worth.
To stop apologising for charging appropriately.
Stop telling me you can’t justify charging that because people won’t pay it. I will turn around and ask you “do you know your numbers”. Because the ones that do charge their worth do.
To stop acting like our careers are “less than.”
YOU deserve better. And so does our industry.
