Author: Beata Bratu

Is Barbering a Good Career?

15th September 2020

If you wish to become a barber make sure that you are well-aware of its benefits and figure out if this is a good career choice for you. Here are the top 4 facts that you should know about barbering:

  1. This career means being a social person

A lot of barbers can adjust their schedule and work however they like and per their preference. If you are a barber you will, most likely, always stay around dynamic people, and you will enjoy having small chats with others. If you are a social animal, you will enjoy this profession!

  1. You should be creative

Aside from knowing and mastering all the technical skills, a barber should also know how to step out of their comfort zone and embrace some new hairstyles! A creative & bold person will always have a fun time doing client’s cuts.

  1. Your profession is always in-demand

Did you know that your career is expected to grow at a rate of 13% by 2026? This is also a profession that will never go off the radar since people can’t cut their own hairs if they don’t have the right training.

  1. You will make great money

You will make a decent living whether you are a freelancer or a salon-owner. Barbers also get amazing tips and can expect to get around 10-20% tip per service! Also, you can increase your prices as you gain knowledge and as you get to a certain reputation level.

CPBA offers free employment advice and guidance to their barbering learners. They also offer free   barbering work placement

How Much Is a Barber Course?

10th September 2020

Each barber course is different when it comes to its price point, and you should look into its specifics before you commit to one. Always read its benefits, as well as what you’ll end up receiving at the end (a certificate, acknowledgment paper, etc). Most places will offer a 12-week training course at a cost of 2500 euros.

However, at CPBA, our course is £1,800! But you can be eligible for free barber course funding!

Why & how?

Well, if you are between the age of 19-23 and this is your first level 2 qualification, you can apply for free funding!

Aside from this, if you are 23 and unemployed or you earn less than £15,736.50 per year, you can apply!

If you do not meet these criteria you may still be eligible for government funding but you may have to pay a £100 registration fee.

You are required to pay an administration fee that will be deducted from your registration fee or kit fee once you start the course.

If you can’t get a fund you will pay £1,800, which is around 2,000 euros (and it is still a lot less than when compared to other places). Once you do the math, you will realize that you pay less than £5 per day for our course, yet the knowledge that you gain from it is eternal!

When you graduate, you’ll receive an internationally recognised VTCT Level 2 Diploma certificate, recognised by the UK’s leading barbering Association (BBA).

How Much Do Barbers Make a Week?

5th September 2020

Barbers can make a decent living, but their weekly salary can vary and it truly depends on themselves only. The harder you work, the better your reputation is, and the better your advertisement is – the pricier your services can be. However, here are some of the most common facts regarding barbers and their salaries in the UK.

Junior barbers, after completing their training, can expect to earn anywhere from £40-£60 per day. Usually, they will also have around £20 in tips. If you work a 6-day week you can expect to make around £360 per week.

However, senior barbers can earn double the amount!

Another great perk of working as a hairdresser or as a barber is that you can also make money by selling your hair-care products. Some shops will pay a £2 in commission for each pomade or wax sold. If you are a people person and you know how to convince someone into something, you can profit from this as well!

You can ask for an hourly salary, or you can ask for a split or commission. A shop could share your revenues with you, at say 60/40. This means that for every £10 that you make, you keep £6 and the shop keeps £4. This is great if you work at a busy hair salon where there is a lot of traffic.

CPBA offers free employment advice and guidance to their barbering learners. They also offer free   barbering work placement

How Much Do Barber Schools Cost?

31st August 2020

If you want to finish a barbering school just know that you have online & in-class options. Most schools will provide you with courses that take anywhere from 6-12 weeks to master.

Each school is different and you will pay a different price depending on the school that you choose.

You should know that private educational providers also offer longer and more intense courses.

On average, you can expect to pay between £2,000 and £6,000 to complete a barbering course. This may seem like a lot of money to some, but you are guaranteed to earn this money back once you start to work.

However and in some cases, you won’t have to pay for your school. At CPBA, the total cost of the barber course is £1,800 (which is cheaper than at some other academies) and you might be eligible for free funding! How?

Well, if you are between the age of 19-23rd and this is your first level 2 qualification, you can apply.

If you are 23 and unemployed or you earn less than £15,736.50 per year, you should apply.

Barbering courses are a bit cheaper than hairdressing courses since they are not as intense + they are easier to master.

Do Barbers Make Good Money?

25th August 2020

You can expect to make a decent living if you are a barber. However, you can always raise your price as time goes on and you master your skills. The higher your education level is and the older you are – the more respect you get and you can bill your expertise! Here are some basic facts regarding the barber’s salary.

Top 4 facts about barbers

  1. Did you know that over 90% of barbers charge their services per hour? Most of them prefer this billing method over a typical monthly salary. You might actually profit better this way.
  2. Barbers are in higher demand than they have been in the last 10 years due to a hotter market, which is great news for all the newbies! Also, a barber is a profession that will never die off since it is needed worldwide and it is a service that men & boys need.
  3. A barber will have some amazing benefits, it doesn’t matter if he is working at a salon or if he is self-employed. You will get discounts on top-notch products, hair-care items, as well as styling tools. This will be quite cost-efficient in the long run.
  4. An average annual salary for a barber, in the UK, is around £24,135. You can always make more or less than this, but your place of living can and will play a huge role. For instance, barbers in London make more money than others elsewhere in the UK.

How Do I Become a Barber in the UK?

20th August 2020

Becoming a barber can be a fun experience. However, it can also be pricey. Determine the path that you wish to take, and consider all of your options that are available in the UK.

  1. Private course

A private course will take 1-3 months for you to master. You will get your NVQ qualification, but you will also pay a significant amount of money for these courses. You can expect to pay around £2,000 for your barbering course.

Some providers offer fast track, free, funded barbering courses !

  1. School of barbering

There are several different schools in London that have amazing barbering courses. These are great for people who want to work 1:1 with their teacher and their clients. Prices can vary in these schools, so it is not certain how much you might end up paying for your education.

  1. Apprenticeship

This is the best solution for younger teens and people who are 16-18 years old. An apprenticeship will take 2-3 years to master. You will need to find yourself a hair salon that is willing to educate you and train you every week. A lot of people prefer this option since it is the most affordable one (you don’t have to pay any money).

  1. College

There are different colleges all around the UK that you can choose from. A college education will take 1-2 years for you to complete. Usually, they are free and you will get your NVQ qualification.

Can I Cut Hair Without a License?

15th August 2020

A lot of barbers and hairdressers start to cut hair at an early stage and while they’re still in school, at training, or when doing their apprenticeship. This is because they’ve gained the needed knowledge, and they already feel quite comfortable with cutting hair, even without their qualification, or L2 accreditation.

Luckily, barbers & hairdressers do not need a license to cut hair in the UK. This means that you can continue to work on your clients, even if you’re still mastering your course.

However, if you are a business owner and are looking to open hairdressing, hair salon, or barbering business of any kind, then you may need to register your business with the local council. This is in the form of a Hairdresser Licence. If you plan on starting business any time soon, make sure that you look into this and ask your local council for advice.

Lastly, if you are a freelancing artist (hairdresser, barber) and you cut hair at home, you still won’t need a license. You can continue to work at your own pace and not worry a thing about any inconvenience.

Is There a Demand for Barbers?

10th August 2020

If you want to become a barber you are in luck since it is one of the best professions at the moment! In fact, did you know that the employment of barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2018 to 2028?! Keep on reading and find out why is the demand so high!

Why is the demand for barbers high?

You will have a lot more customers and regulars in the upcoming years due to over-population. This means that, as time passes by, you will have more & more new faces at your salon. Also, social norms are changing, which will contribute to the growth and development of your business. Gray hairs are no longer in fashion, and everyone will care about their appearance a lot more than they used to. Youthful appearances are in, and both men and women will care about their looks. You can also thank social platforms for this impeccable growth. No one wants to look miss-represented on social media, and everyone wants to tag themselves at the best barbershop in town!

Also, barbers will be high on demand since nowadays more people are reading & paying close attention to the newspaper, music videos, and beauty blogs. People will want to stay trendy and fashionable, which means that you will always have a business to run! As long as you pay close attention to details and you are good with advertisements, your business will flourish!

CPBA offers free employment advice and guidance to their barbering learners. They also offer free   barbering courses and work placement

Can Anyone Learn to Cut Hair?

4th August 2020

If you are thinking about becoming a barber or a hairdresser make sure that you are well-aware of the job position itself. You should have some basic skills and a specific skill set to master the barbering itself. Almost anyone can cut hair, it just takes time, practice & patience to get to the right level. Here’s what you should know:

  1. It is important to train

Ongoing training at your school, academy, or through some online courses is key. You should be patient and willing to learn. No one can learn overnight, but you can make constant trials and errors. As long as you are persistent and you have time to spare & invest in your program, you can become an amazing barber.

  1. You need to be a fashionable & trendy person

Your business will flourish and you will gain knowledge by teaching yourself new haircuts. Make sure that you are willing to experiment and dive into new cuts! A trendy barber follows fashion, he is always in trend, and he is willing to learn new cutting tricks.

  1. Make sure you can stand on your feet the entire day

Almost anyone can become a hairdresser, as long as they are comfortable (literally) with standing on their feet for the entire day. You should have a strong back, good posture, as well as no problem with walking around for the entire day.

 

 

 

Is It Hard to Learn How Do You Cut Hair?

30th July 2020

If you wish to cut someone’s hair, make sure that you are well-equipped. Aside from knowledge, a barber should have all the needed professional tools that will help with the maintenance and the upkeep of a specific hairstyle. Here’s how hard it is to learn to cut hair!

Cutting hair is a lot easier nowadays than it was before. This is because there are loads of different platforms where you can teach yourself the needed skills. Nowadays, you can choose to go to a hair-care school, college, you can have the apprenticeship done, or you can go to some at-salon courses. There are also online barbering courses, along with some amazing tutorials on YouTube that go quite in-depth to explain the process. Everyone can learn how to cut hair, but each course is different when it comes to its price and difficulty level.

Aside from its easy accessibility, cutting hair is not a time-consuming task or skill that will take way too much of your spare time. Most barber schools will take 1-6 months to finish. You will learn how to cut hair by working with other professional hairdressers, barbers, and by working on human hair. The process itself is not difficult as long as you have a steady hand and a clear vision!

CPBA offers free employment advice and guidance to their barbering learners. They also offer free   barbering courses and work placement

Where Can I Learn Barbering?

27th July 2020

You can become a professional barber by following one out of four different courses/options. Here are the top four ways:

  1. A private course (can take you anywhere from 1-3 months)

These can be anywhere from 6-12 weeks. You should invest a significant sum of money, but you will end up with a lot of knowledge and your skill set level will be high. You can pay your courses in installment payments (usually) and you can expect to work with hair-dressers and professionals at your own pace.

  1. A barber/hairdressing school

Some schools in London will provide you with 150 models for real-life haircuts. This way, you will develop as a barber. The school itself works in smaller groups and it provides an amazing 1:1 training experience. You can expect to finish this school in 3-4 years.

  1. Apprenticeship (2 to 3 years)

An apprenticeship is for people who are 16-18 years old. You will need to find a barbershop that is willing to take an apprentice and they should train you once a week. You will spend your first 6 to 12 months washing towels, sweeping floors, shampooing hair, and doing smaller tasks. Although it is a slower-paced program, you do not have to pay for it.

  1. College

You can go to college and spend around 1-2 years while mastering your skills. Your college education will cost a lot less than private training, but it is quite time-consuming + there are not a lot of colleges to choose from.

CPBA offers free employment advice and guidance to their barbering learners. They also offer free   barbering courses and work placement

How Long Does It take to Do a Barber Course?

25th July 2020

A barber is a creative person who likes to do different hairstyles on others, and who is familiar with cutting shorter men hairstyles. Wondering what does it take to become one, or how time-consuming it is? Here’s what you should know about barbering courses!

How long does it take to become a barber?

At CPBA, our barber course takes 16 weeks to master! All you have to do is attend one full day and a half day per week at our salon to master all the skills! In most cases and even in some other salons and in other courses, you could end up with your barbering certificate in 2-4 months. Each course is different and it will have its own pace & intensity level. You should be at least 16 years old and you should have a passion for hair!

What will you learn after mastering a barber course?

At the end of your 16-week practice, you will figure out how to cut, style, and shape different hairstyles. You will easily create gradual and uniform layers, fades, and other famous men hairdos.

You will also learn how to blow dry different lengths and textures. For instance, a proper barber will know how to work with curly and frizzy hair.

You will also figure out how to shape & maintain a specific beard & mustache hairstyle with your clients!

What Skills Do Barbers Need?

22nd July 2020

If you are a barber you’ve probably mastered all of your skills by now and you know how to work with males and their textured cuts. If not, here are the top 4 skills that you should learn and embrace before you start working with your clients:

  1. Haircare

Learn how to cut, trim, style, and shape male hair. You should know how to cut & shape any length while still keeping their preferred outcome in mind. Try to be creative & step outside the box from time to time, people love creativity.

  1. Grooming

Since you are constantly working with guys you should also figure out how to shape beards. It is important to groom their beards, give them a clean shave, and help them achieve longer facial hair with the right set of products (that you’re going to recommend and sell from the shop).

  1. Business part

Some barbers will work at a salon, others will be freelancers, and some will operate their own salon. If you end up starting your own business, you should have a strong business plan to obtain a loan from a bank, choose a location and purchase supplies and equipment. Make sure that you talk with someone and that you get their professional advice & help with this part.

  1. Customer service

Lastly, stay chatty and friendly! A lot of clients will want to make a bond with you, and they will prefer small talk over silence. Figure out how to approach a client and read their body language.

CPBA offers free employment advice and guidance to their barbering learners. They also offer free   barbering courses and work placement

Is Becoming a Barber Hard?

18th July 2020

If you wish to become the best barber, make sure that you are prepped and willing to learn some new skills! Although the job itself isn’t as challenging, you still need to invest some time in figuring it all out. Here’s all that you should know about becoming a barber!

How much time will it take me to become a barber?

It can take you anywhere from 3 months and up to 3 years. This depends whether you’re doing online classes, some at-salon classes, or if you are still in school, college etc.

What is the hardest part about being a barber?

The learning process isn’t as hard. However, what you might struggle with is self-employment. It is vital to market yourself through social media, and always work extra and overtime (at the beginning) to get noticed! You should also be creative since the job itself is perfect for people who can ”think outside the box”.

Is barbering for you?

If you feel like you’re a people person and you love talking with others, why not give barbering a chance? You should also have passion for hair & beards! Barbers should know how to cut any texture, length, as well as any style. If you are not the best with women’s haircuts, highlights, or formal hairstyles, dive into the barbering world and give it a chance!

CPBA offers free employment advice and guidance to their barbering learners. They also offer free barbering courses and work placement

Is Barbering Easy?

14th July 2020

Being a barber is not a challenging task, although it may take some time for you to figure out all the skills. Becoming an excellent barber will take years while mastering the basics can take you anywhere from 3 months to 3 years! This depends on your chosen program/school as well as your skillset. As long as you are persistent, you will easily understand the business, and it won’t be hard for you!

What does a barber do and is it challenging?

A barber is a person who works with men & kids. Their job is not as difficult as the job of a hair colourist, but it still demands the right approach! Every barber should learn the following:

  • The basics regarding human hair and its upkeep, as well as any hair-related allergies
  • Every type of a men’s haircut there is and how to shape it (especially the trendiest cuts)
  • to talk with clients and read their body language
  • Should know how to set boundaries between their clients regarding their personal life
  • You should know about each ingredient that you use in your everyday products and products that are in your salon
  • You should tell all of your tools apart
  • You should be quick and efficient while providing your clients with phenomenal results

CPBA offers free employment advice and guidance to their barbering learners. They also offer free   barbering courses and work placement

What Qualifications Do You Need to Be a Barber?

10th July 2020

If you want to become a barber you have to go to either a hairstyling school or you can finish different online & at-salon courses.

To become a barber you will need at least a level 2 qualification in National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in Barbering accredited by the Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) in the UK.

There are three different paths and ways that you can follow to become a barber, and those are:

  • You can become a barber by going to private courses that take anywhere from 1-3 months to finish. These courses typically last between 9-12 weeks. With a level 3 certificate, you will be a work-ready Barber, however, with an NVQ Level 2 certificate, you will receive an internationally recognised barbering qualification as well as be a work-ready barber.

 

  • You can finish the apprenticeship which usually takes between 2 to 3 years to complete and is most common among 16-18-year-olds who have just completed their GCSEs.
  • Lastly, some people can go to a college that is in their hometown that is strictly hair-based and great for teaching you the basics. This college education can take you 1-2 years to complete. All students should be older than the age of 16 and should only go to a university if they have a lot of time to spare, as well as true passion for hair. Why? Because college education will take most of your time & money to complete.

CPBA offers free employment advice and guidance to their barbering learners. They also offer free   barbering courses and work placement

How Do I Start a Barber Apprenticeship?

6th July 2020

If you want to start an apprenticeship since you feel like it is a lot more practical than starting your own business, make sure that you look into it. It is definitely a money-saving solution that may interest people who are on a budget. Here’s all that you should know about this program:

It is time-consuming

If you don’t need a quick & easy solution and you have time to spare, you might like the program. An apprenticeship will take 2-3 years to complete and it is for people who are 16-18 years old. You should find a barbershop that is willing to accept you and work with you for the upcoming period.

You will start with smaller tasks at first

Don’t be surprised if you only get some basic tasks at first. In most cases, you will sweep the floors, shampoo hair, and answer phone calls. It will stay like this for 6-12 months. You will cut hair, as earliest in 6 months.

You don’t have to pay for it

A lot of young teens prefer apprenticeship since it is free and you don’t have to pay for the training. In the end, you will still get the NVQ qualification! which is the most important part for starting your own barbering business.

Can a Barber Make 100k?

3rd July 2020

A lot of people wonder if earning 100k per year is realistic for barbers or hairstylist, as well as hair colourists. An average salary for a barber in the United Kingdom is around £25,000 per year! However, your salary and your monthly pay checks will depend, a lot, on your place of living, as well as the amount of hard work that you put in. Here’s what you should know if you wish to triple your earnings!

Can you do anything to triple your earnings?

Well, you can always charge higher prices and spend a lot more time when at the salon (work overtime). You should work 5-6 days per week and up to 10-12 hours per day in order to reach your 100k goal. Try to stand out when working at the salon, and always work harder than your colleagues.

Another trick that can help you double your earnings is if you end up getting a tip. Did you know that the standard tip amount in the service industry is 15 – 20%? In general, clients will tip 10% even if they thought that the service was bad. You should invest a lot of time, care, thought & process when working with your clients. Stay sweet, nice & chatty since you might end up getting a decent tip, which will further help you reach your 100k goal.

Top 7 Interesting Facts About Hair Which Every Hairdresser Should Know

5th March 2020

Every hair type is unique in its own way. A lot of times women stick to one hair-care regimen, although it may be completely wrong for their cuticles, hair length, and their hair type. If you are wondering what are some of the most common misconceptions regarding hair, you’ve come to the right place! Here are the top 7 facts that every hairdresser should know, and here are the top 7 facts that every hairdresser wishes their clients knew beforehand!

  1. Everyone Has A Lot Of Hair

grayscale photography of woman

https://unsplash.com/photos/ImNZeI444ts

What we mean by this is that both men & women have the same amount of hair follicles on their scalp. Everyone’s head shape is pretty much the same in size, which means that men, women & kids will have the same number of hair strands. This number is around 100,000 – 150,000 hairs!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. But Your Hair Sheds

A lot of clients come to the salon panicking that their hair is thinning, shedding, and falling out. However, always remember to take a breather, and observe the situation! According to many scientists, we tend to lose around 50-100 hairs per day! This is a natural process that shouldn’t worry you. Only if you lose more strands than this, consider visiting your dermatologist.

  1. Black Is Super Common, While Red Is Rare

woman holding pink rose

https://unsplash.com/photos/e3yBLD7-6Po

The most common hair color worldwide is, shockingly enough, black! This is the most common natural color for men & women, and brown follows it right after. The rarest color in the world is red, where you can find only 1.5% of gingers on the entire globe.

 

  1. It Technically Grows Super Fast

As you probably know it by now, your hair is made out of keratin. This is a protein that is found in the outer layer of our skin, as well as in our fingernails. The better you eat and incorporate biotin and protein-enriched foods to your diet – the healthier, stronger & longer your hair will grow! Also, hair is the second-fastest-growing tissue in our body, right after the bone marrow!

  1. Hair Has A Life Span

You can’t really do wonders for your hair with vitamins and hair-boosting products. You only have a certain number of follicles that contain hair. Once your hair is plucked from the follicle (or once it sheds on its own) new hair will begin to grow. Time-wise & usually, a single hair has a lifespan of approximately 5 years.

  1. Hair Grows Quicker In The Summer

woman wearing pink spaghetti strap dress

https://unsplash.com/photos/_PYj9cbIpIw

You probably noticed that your hair sheds and dries out more in the winter than it does in the summer, right? This is because temperatures can have an impact on the way your hair looks. During the summer, high heat will stimulate the circulation in your body, and will encourage faster growth! This is also why your hair may appear a bit shinier, and it may look highlighted in the summer.

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Cutting It Won’t Speed Up Its Growing Process

The most common misconception that you hear often at the salon is this one. However, it is a false claim that does not make any sense. We’ve been told that our hairs will grow faster if we shave them (which is true) but cutting the ends and split ends won’t speed up the growing process. Your ends are already dead & dried out. The root of your problem is in your actual root! Make sure you eat right, be gentle to your scalp, and massage it to boost its blood flow, this is the only way that your hair can get long.

Why is Beauty Industry Booming? Top Four Reasons to Get into Beauty

24th February 2020

Figuring out your career path can be challenging, especially as time goes on, and as sectors evolve. Nowadays you can choose among many different beauty-related jobs, such as a lash esthetician, cosmetologist, makeup artist, massage therapist, or even an eyebrow stylist! Years before, all of these fields were manageable and operated by one person only. Nowadays men & women can improve their expertise, and can make a decent living just by focusing on one specific skill! Here are a bit more facts about the beauty industry, and why it should pique your interest!

three women faces

https://unsplash.com/photos/59Td06omPVc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Never Ending (Fun) Process Of Learning

woman wearing brown leather jacket

https://unsplash.com/photos/B8qIaoeKcfU

Usually, people who are good with drawing, coloring, or even cooking are ideal candidates for exploring in the beauty field! Are you someone who is drawn to fashion? Usually, all of these creative tasks and fields can help you become a hairdresser, makeup artist, or a nail specialist. If you are skilled in something similar to these activities, make sure you keep on learning and always push through! Nowadays almost anyone can become a beauty guru or a beauty specialist/influencer, you just have to be willing to learn every day, and try to be better than the day before!

  1. A Huge Variety

A huge variety, as previously said, allows you to experiment in many different beauty fields till you find the one which suits you completely! When working on other people, you get to play with so many different face shapes, skin types, as well as textures. This is why it is important to find your fortee! If one field fails and you dislike doing, let’s say, baby highlights on your clients, you can still go back to doing cuts, as well as blowouts! Nowadays beauty creators can choose their headed path, and can perform their magic without doing the ”full thing”. This rule usually applies to bigger salons where you can find 2-3 hairdressers that are all in charge of different things. The same rule applies to let’s say a therapist: where one can only do massages, while the other one works on paraffin waxes etc.

  1. You’re Always With People

Woman Curling Another Woman's Hair

https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-curling-another-woman-s-hair-3268732/

If you are a people person, you will definitely enjoy working in beauty sectors! No matter the position that you play, you will meet new people daily. Constantly meeting people and working with different age groups, skin types, genders, as well as on different tasks will allow you to learn new skills, and to develop a better skillset! Also, this will help you keep things fresh, exciting, but at the same time – challenging. Nothing is worse than being stuck at your job office with the same group of people that you already know, as well as going to business meetings and losing your temper while discussing tricky subjects. This also applies to typing on your computer, replying to emails etc.

 

 

 

  1. Freedom

Lastly, if you are a freelancer, you will have all the freedom in the world! You can choose your preferred work location, and you can control your day! You are in charge of your holidays and vacation, as well as your overtime work! You will also choose your working hours. Are you someone who wants to work from 9-5? Or maybe you want to work on the weekends? The choice is entirely up to you!

PS: Those who end up working at a beauty salon may work the typical shift, but they will have their weekends off! Unfortunately, you might not have your Christmas or other holidays off, but you will get a bonus due to heavy traffic during these special days and special events!