Males as hairdressers.

I don`t know how much this has been discussed on this board, but I thought I would throw this out there and see what you all have to say about it.

As a male who wants to be a hairdresser (and will hopefully be starting his training in the Summer); what do you all think. I have some people that I know that are vary supportive about it, and want to know how it works out. On the other hand there are some people I know I do not bring it up with them because they come from a different way of thinking than all the supportive, positive people. They seem to have that stereotype that male hairdressers are the limp wristed varity and generally want no part of that. I generally do not disclose my future plans to those sorts of people.

Another thing that has come to my mind is what do women think when they have a male hairedresser? I have a friend that would much rather have a male hairedresser than a female one. Is she an exception or a rule?

Thanks for taking the time to read this and hopefully answer.
Ed Azner

BTW: Where did this stereotype of all male hairedressers being Gay come from?

[quote] BTW: Where did this stereotype of all male hairdressers being Gay come from? [/quote]

Because there are many gay men in the hairdressing/beauty industry. While there are male hairdressers that aren`t gay, they may as well get used to the idea that many will question their sexual preferences. Most will figure out that you`re not gay.

Plus, it`s another stereotype to put all gay men in the limp-wrist category. There are many more who aren`t than are of the limp-wrist type.

Anyway, to answer your questions ... Men do very well as hairdressers. If you have good people skills and learn to fine tune the art of hairdressing, you will most likely do better than most women in the industry. It`s not that men hairdressers are better than women hairdressers, it`s because they are men servicing women and women believe everything their male hairdresser tells them ... or at least they want to believe it.

I`m probably going to get some flack for that comment but it has been my observation for the past 38 years in the industry. I`m not saying women haven`t been just as successful but if you weigh the numbers, men are typically more successful if they stay in the industry.

There are women who will not let a man touch their hair but that is also true for others not letting a women hairdresser touch their hair. For the most part it comes down to personalities and level of skill.

Having said all of the above, your level of success is entirely up to you.

Hey! Don`t put too much stock in what they say, both the good and the bad. Take heart in the good, of course, and ignore the bad. If being a hairstylist is what you want to do, then you go right ahead and do it. Yeah, there is that sort of stereotype that all male stylists are gay, but there`s stereotypes about a lot of things and they mostly come from ignorant people who don`t want to understand or who want the world to exist only as they define it...these things are meaningless. Follow your heart & pursue your dream.
Personally, I would have no problem at all going to a male stylist (I have a couple times before). Quite a few of the world`s most renowned stylists and pioneers in the world of hair have been men (anybody hear of a guy named Vidal Sassoon?). Does it mean that you are maybe sensitive and have an eye for beauty and a desire to create beauty? Sure. Does having these things mean that you must be gay? Not at all! To let you in on a little secret.... a lot of girls want a guy with a sensitivity toward beauty and creativity. We don`t all want beefed-up chest beaters! Anyway, maybe I`m guilty of stereotyping a bit here....
Look, in the end, there`s only you and God to answer to about what you`ve done with yourself. What`s between you and God is between you and God, but what`s between you and yourself is simply this; have you done what you wanted to do? It would be a pity to look back and realize that you`ve denied yourself your own ambitions because of what someone else thought. If any of these people truly care for you, and wish you the best, then they will come to understand, sooner or later. If they can`t understand, its their problem, not yours.
Anway, all the best of luck & many blessing to you in making your decision & in your future. :)

Love,
Ingrid

Life becomes very difficult when one consume themselves with what others think. Always be aware that all action, big and small have consiquences, good and bad. But worring about what people will think of your career choice? When your at the top of your game and getting 60 bucks per 1/2 hour appointment you will not care what anyone thinks!

If it inspires you - than make it your destiny.
Do not allow the opinions of others to chain you.
Go for it.

How do I feel about male hairdressers?
Well, being a hot-blodded female, I feel pretty good about letting a man wash and condition my hair and fiddle with it for an hour or so.
Seriously - I have decided not to cut my hair ever again and the one negative aspect of this is not having that talented young man at Visage hairdressers "do his thang" on me. That man is a god of hair art with his magic sissors!!!
I have had 3 male hairdressers and 3 female. The guys in my experience are more focused, less chatty and very attentive.
I can honestly say (IMHO) that I really appreciate male hairdressers.
The good ones are miracle-workers.
Hope you go be one

Gloria, Ingrid, Hal and Uzma

Thanks for all your kind words. I`ve pretty much made my choice and there`s not a whole lot that can happen to de-rail those plans.

I just threw this out there because it was something that was on my mind and I knew I could get some type of good response from you all.

Now for those of you who have read my post but have not posted; what`s holding you back? I`d love to have some more thoughts on this.

Thanks again,
Ed Azner

I enjoy cutting hair and have done my wife`s for many years. I too thought about becoming a hairdresser. I enjoy the artistry involved and think I do a good job on my wife`s hair (sorry, I hate bragging!) I do not enjoy my current job very much and would like a change - unfortunately my wife has a problem with me being a hairdresser (guys in general) I think it is the perception that they must be gay (I guess)... Since I adore my wife I do not want to put her in a situation that she is embarrassed by me. I tried to bring it up before but the look and answer told me that it is not a good idea. Oh well, I can still enjoy cutting her hair.

Hi!
Just wanted to share my experience. My favorite hairdresser, who did my hair during my most self conscious days of high school and college was my friend`s dad. He was and is the absolute best stylist I ever had. He had his own salon, but still did cuts and color. What I admired the most about him was that he made my hair the complete and total focus. He knew so much about hair and taught me a lot about mine. I have had all types since then and none have come close to the same experience. What I guess I am saying is, if you love what you do, share your knowledge with your client and focus on their hair as the topic of conversation ( a little personal chatting doesn`t hurt either) you will do great!

BTW - I also have two personal friends who are male stylists who are happily married and hteir wives have no prob with what they do for a living.

jacqui

Thanks for the story about your friend in the military. That was very cool. And thanks for sharing about your amateur trimming!

I used to beg my ex husband to trim the back of my hair, pleading "just cut straight across the back! It's so easy. Please????????????" and he never would! I was growing it very long then, and only went for trims about once a year, so this would have been very helpful.

What a guy! Nice to hear from a man who doesn't fear the scizzors!

I've worked with 6 different Male Stylists through out my carreer, all straight, not that that matters to me...Just an interesting tid bit.

Our current Guy Stylist, Christopher John is married to a beautiful woman, 15 years his junior...and he knocks down some pretty damn good money doing hair on mostly women... who are his own personal FAN CLUB. They Adore Him!!
Its sickening really...TEE HEE just kidding.

Oh MELBAAAA....! The way you do go on, Girl. Tee Hee... They were all pretty cute.....But honestly, Noooo, I never did the Horizontal Sweaty with any of them, Haaaa.

I have had many, many male hairdressers and I would say it is about half and half gay to straight. Most all of them were wonderful, artistic, sensitive people and I enjoyed having them do my hair. I have also had many female hairdressers as well, some good and some not so good. I don't think it is the gender that matters so much as whether or not the person has what it takes to be really good. In addition to training and experience, I truly believe that some people are given the ability to do hair as a gift and either you have it or you don't. Those who don't won't ever be really good.

I wish you the best in your mission to become a hairstylist and I would not worry one bit what anyone says about any stereotypes they might have for the profession. I believe there is a real paradigm shift going on there anyway. Most good hairstylists make lots of money. What could be better than that? Just don't call yourself Mr. My first hairstylist in high school was Mr. Perry. He wasn't gay but what a silly name....

[QUOTE=Bill W] BTW are you still growing yours long or have you gave in to the pressures to cut off your long locks? I hope you keepingyour locks great.
[/QUOTE]

Bill, thanks for your nice reply. Wish I understood some of those military acronyms, but overall I get the picture. Thank you for your military service.

I trimmed my hair quite a bit, I've posted pictures in the "General Hair Talk" forum if you want to see the before and after photos.

Elissa

I love male hair-dressers. They are so cute when they're all artsy and delicate with our hair. I don't know why, I feel like a man would be more careful to do a woman's head right, being less prone to PMSing and all. I've never experienced a male hair-dresser who didn't listen to me or did as he would, or messed up my hair. (Unlike many female, ugh, long story). So yes, I look for males, most of the time.

Since it's on the subject of male hairdressers, I noticed the top hairdressers and color masters ARE men. Look at Vidal Sasson, Paul Mitchell, Robert Craig, to name a few. Those are men and are viewed as artiste extraordinaire in hairdressing industry.

For some reason, when it comes to beauty and hair industry, males tend to be more recognized and famous than women in similar positions, and women are more famous if they are models.

Correct me if I'm mistaken on this.

I agree with beachgerl, many of the top stylists are male.

I actually don't particularly care if my hairdresser is male or female, just as long as my hair is done well. However, I will say that my best hair experience was with a male hairdresser who highlighted my hair. He really listened to what I wanted, and we totally had a understanding of the coloring that I wanted.

* On this subject of Gay/Straight male hairdressers.

*I would hope it wouldn't matter if a hairdresser is a man or a woman, gay or straight.
*As a successful professional woman and a lesbian, I would hope society doesn't condemn or judge harshly gay, lesbian or bi-sexual people in the beauty business {or for that matter other occupations and professions.}
*Does it really matter as long as they are courteous and professional?


>We are all human and have something to contribute.<

Yep the streotype of hairdressers. Maybe the word hairdresser is girlish hairstylist to me is more politically correct for men and also women. I guess when you work with a lot of women and not flirting with any of them makes people think you're gay. Here in my country limp wrist people dominated the industry, although they're many straight married men succesfull in it. I wanted to become one but my mother was a little sceptical about me not turning into those limp wrist guys. I never asked my dad, he would probably tell me not walk over his dead body.

I very much desire to be a hairdresser. Hair is so interesting to me. But I don''t know where to start

I have known several men who were hairstylists, every one of them gay.
One of them had a reputation as being a great stylist, one of my girlfriends went to him, but the others I guess weren't that good. I go to a woman myself.

I think hair styling is a wide open field for men and women.As long as you have a good instructer,and hire onto a 1st class outfit With a knowledable staff it's a great way to make a liveing.
There is a satisfaction that comes with serving the public,and makeing a women look her best. If you are the type of person than the money will follow by default,and you will have a happy,and rewarding carer

..the only male that has done something to my hair are barbers. Otherwise - I stay away..

..but anyway, I would only let you do something with my hair if I knew you were straight..just make it clear that you are straight..

..there are many straight men who are in the hair industry, but there are also many crooked ones..but anyway, go with what you want to, I guess..

What's it matter if the guy doing your hair is gay or straight? Are you worried he might be attracted to you? In that case, do you make sure all your female hairdressers are gay before they do your hair, just in case they might be attracted to you?

[QUOTE=Kuroneko] What's it matter if the guy doing your hair is gay or straight? Are you worried it might be attracted to you? In that case, do you make sure all your female hairdressers are gay before they do your hair, just in case they might be attracted to you?
[/QUOTE]

..I'm afraid that I don't want sinful, unclean, dirty things in my hair..I'd rather pass..

So you screen all your hairdressers to make sure they've never done anything you consider "bad". . . must be a long, difficult interview process :-P . . . but if you've got that kind of time. . . *shrugs*