It's important to develop your hair braiding skills as a professional hair stylist; you'll have to know how to pull off several different braiding styles and use many different hair braiding techniques. From french braids to microbraids, everyone has different beauty desires and needs, which means you might work with a lot of different hair textures. Take at least a couple hair braiding classes while attending beauty school to prepare yourself, or even earn your professional hair braiding license if you'd like to focus on braiding full time.
Hair Braiding: Styles And Techniques
Braids fall into two categories: Short-term styles that last a day or two, and long-lasting styles worn for several weeks to months.
Every day and special occasion braids
Thanks in part to Instagram and Pinterest, braids have been a high point in popularity. But the intricate styles can be decidedly difficult to complete for most people. That’s why braid bars have popped up in salons as an additional service or as a standalone business. People will be coming to you for a quick fishtail, boxer braids, or milkmaid braids. Depending on your area, clients are willing to spend $15-50 dollars for the styles.
Braids are also a popular prom or wedding hairstyle—clients can choose waterfall braids, French braids, or tiara-style braids—and as a well-rounded hairdresser, you will need to know how to pull off the different styles for the bride-to-be.
Semi-permanent braids
There are many different types of styles at the disposal of natural hair braiders, including box braids, microbraids, cornrows, Havana twists, and so many others. These hairstyles can last for months. They are beautiful and often low maintenance.
As the stylist, it's important that you know how to perform all of the popular braiding techniques, as well as how to educate your customers on maintaining and taking care of their braids. Let your customers know what type of shampoo and conditioner to use, how to take care of the braids while sleeping, and what products to use to maintain an attractive look.
Earning A Hair Braider License
In order to work as a specialized hair braider, you may need to earn your cosmetology license: It will depend on what the cosmetology board in your state requires. In Georgia, for example, a cosmetology license is enough. Illinois requires 300 hours of natural hair braiding training. And in Washington, D.C. you don’t have to get any training or licensing. All states require a cosmetologist license if you start offering any standard service (shampooing, cutting, coloring), however.
Increase Your Skill Set
Hair braiding is an essential skill every hairdresser should have. As a stylist, you want to give your customers the best service possible, and that includes knowing how to twist and braid customers’ hair into styles they want. Find a school offering braid training near you.
