6 inspiring women share their top tips for International Women’s Day
The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is #EachForEqual, with all of us being urged to take action for equality.
In the spirit of this, we asked a selection of hair and beauty professionals to share their tips for how best to support each other in the industry. And they also reveal the one piece of advice they’d give themselves if they were just starting out now…
“Appreciate that we are all growing”
Sara Hill is a celebrity makeup artist whose clients include Rosie Huntington-Whitley and Kimberley Wyatt.
What is the one piece of advice you'd give yourself if you were just starting out in the hair and beauty business?“My advice is to take absolute pride in what you do, train hard and aim high. Keep pushing to be the best artist you can be: look at what you do as an art form.
“Love the connection to others and the joy you give. Work on having self-belief and know your worth.”
How can hair and beauty professionals best support each other?“We live in an image-driven social media world now, where the quality of your work, who we work with and our branding drives sales over all else... including the price.
“You and your business are completely unique. If you compare yourself to others based on cost alone, you are in trouble. Focus on building a network of positive connections with those around you in the same industry, offer advice to new up and coming artists, give your knowledge without fear.
“Don’t judge another’s work negatively, appreciate that we were all growing and all learning so cheer them on.”
Follow Sara on Instagram.
“We should all be there to lift each other up and not see it as a competition”
“Trust your gut”
Nikita Smith is a freelance hairdresser and educator.
What is the one piece of advice you'd give yourself if you were just starting out in the hair and beauty business?“Trust your gut and stay strong on your prices. Looking back on my early years as a hairdresser I didn’t always have the confidence in myself to charge what I was worth. Nowadays I always stand strong on my prices and don’t let clients dictate to me on what they think it should cost.
“Also I now always trust my gut and if I don’t feel confident in something, or I get a bad feeling about the client, I don’t take the job. Sometimes it’s best to leave the stressful jobs just to save your own mental health.”
How can hair and beauty professionals best support each other?“Joining organisations such as the FHA (freelance hairdressers association) or the hairdressers council can really help with support from fellow hairdressers. Being freelance can be quite lonely, so I always make sure I have a network of fellow hairdressers that I can turn to when I need advice or just to vent about clients!
“We should all be there to lift each other up and not see it as a competition and I’d like to see more of that in the industry.”
Follow Nikita on Instagram.
“Little comments make huge differences”
Suzy Clarke is an international freelance makeup artist.
What is the one piece of advice you'd give yourself if you were just starting out in the hair and beauty business?“The one piece of advice I’d give myself is, practise, practise and more practise! When you’re new to the industry it can be really nerve wracking and you can feel self-conscious about your abilities.
‘Practice certain looks or really familiarise yourself with products over and over again until you feel confident in knowing what you’re comfortable and capable of.”
How can hair and beauty professionals best support each other?“I feel like this industry is already so amazing for supporting each other. There are so many fellow makeup artists and hairstylists who I regularly chat and swap compliments with on Instagram who I’ve never even met before but feel like I’ve known for years.
“I would really love even more of this positivity towards each other because it’s so lovely to lift others up and make them feel appreciated in their profession. Little comments make huge differences and it’s nice to be nice, you don’t know whose day you could make.”
Follow Suzy on Instagram.
“Share the love, share the knowledge”
Carly Hobbs is a MUA, pro tanner and brand ambassador for Sienna X.
What is the one piece of advice you’d give yourself if you were just starting out in the hair and beauty business?“Do. Not. Give up. It’s the best industry in the world and if you work hard - and I mean really Hard - you will get out of it just what you have put in so long as you always look for opportunities and smile at everyone.”
How can hair and beauty professionals best support each other?“Share the like love! If you see a video, Instagram story, photo or tweet, like it, share it, comment on it. In this crazy world of algorithms, beauty professionals and their work isgetting lost while overly filtered ads reign supreme. Together we can beat it and shout about what real people are doing with real beauty.
“Plus if you get the chance to mentor someone or be a mentee again, do it. Share the love, share the knowledge, share the passion and never ever pull that career ladder up behind You!
Follow Carly on Instagram.
“Find your tribe
Metta Francis is an award-winning mobile nail technician,
What is the one piece of advice you’d give yourself if you were just starting out in the hair and beauty business?“Invest in the best training possible. Research the educators, brands and after-training support. Do they provide a support network or community once you have completed training? Are the products reputable? Do they also cover theory and basic sufficiently and provide business training?”
How can hair and beauty professionals best support each other?
“Find your tribe! The beauty industry is a growing industry and there's plenty of room for everyone. Don't be afraid to reach out to other beauty professionals to ask questions, or to ask for someone to mentor you.
“I've learnt so much from other nail technicians and enjoy meeting up face to face, to let off some steam and motivate and encourage one another. I'd love to see more educational seminars which give us the chance to develop our knowledge but also give us the ability to network and foster an "in real life" community.”
Follow Metta on Instagram.
“Trust yourself’
Kate Hughes is an MUA and educator.
What is the one piece of advice you’d give yourself if you were just starting out in the hair and beauty business?“Trust yourself. If you are passionate about your idea you can do more than you ever imagined. There is no secret to success; you simply start with a vision and then it is about problem solving, breaking everything down into smaller pieces, getting it done, and remaining tenacious even when the uphill pursuit becomes steeper. Nothing is more rewarding!”
How can hair and beauty professionals best support each other?
“I’d like to see a really good forum where professionals can share knowledge and give and gain support.”
Follow Kate on Instagram.
