If you’ve always been proud of your luscious locks, then you may have considered becoming a hair model. What’s stopping you? Hair modelling jobs can be fun and lucrative, and it’s particularly great for people who like to experiment with their hair. Talent Management works with many different kinds of hair models and has put together this handy guide to help you figure out if you’ve got what it takes to become a hair model.
Look at Your Locks
The first thing to think about is perhaps the most obvious: your hair. It will need to be healthy and in good condition, especially if it is going to be used in editorial work. Many hair modelling jobs may require you to have long hair in a soft, natural colour. This is so that the hairstylist can start from scratch when creating new styles. You may also want to think about the thickness and texture of your hair. Although hair can be volumised, some hairstylists may be looking for fairly thick hair, so that quite literally have more hair with which to work with. With regards to texture, just about anything goes. Some clients look for straight hair whilst for others, curled locks are essential. Some may even seek grey hair.
It’s best to discuss your natural texture prior to any engagement and to determine whether you are to arrive at a job with your hair straightened or curled accordingly.
Help a Future Stylist
Even if your hair isn’t in great condition, you may still be able to do some hair modelling. Salons and colleges often advertise for hair models on whom trainees can practise. Your haircut or colour will usually be supervised by a professional or a teacher and although you are less likely to be paid for your time, you will often receive the haircut for free, or at least at a substantially discounted rate.
The condition of your hair is not usually an issue here, unless your stylist is applying harsh colour or perming / straightening treatments. Salons also advertise for hair models to take part in cut / colour / styling competitions and for models to appear in promotional materials for the company. In these situations, you do not have to be a professional model, but it is likely that the salon will take your looks and figure into consideration. They may ask to see your portfolio, or to take your picture.
Getting Competitive
It is worth bearing in mind that at some competitions, the judges will be looking for individuality and innovation. This means that your stylist may want to give you a fairly extreme or unusual style. They will discuss the style with you beforehand and if you feel uncomfortable with it, then you must let them know. The stylist may want to give you a short, directional cut, or to dye your hair an unusual colour.
Fun cuts and colours can be a great benefit of hair modelling, if you enjoy experimenting with your look. If you prefer to have natural and fairly plain looking hair, then hair modelling for salons is probably not for you. There are other types of hair modelling jobs are rather easier on your locks. For example, at wedding hair shoots, your hair may be twisted into an intricate updo, but in many cases your basic style will be left unchanged.
Modelling for salon competitions can be tiring; you will have to spend a lot of time backstage, being worked on by your stylist. You may get to walk down a catwalk to exhibit your hairstyle to the judges, but the days can be long and it isn’t always particularly well paid. The best money in hair modelling is to be found in editorial work; particularly magazines and advertising campaigns. In order to be successful in this area, it’s vital that your hair is your crowning glory. However, you will usually need to be a successful all-rounder because hair modelling clients will be looking at your ‘whole look’, and not just your tresses.
If you feel that hair modelling may be for you, there are a few ways in which you can get started. Check local advertising sites and look in salon windows, where you will often see signs asking for new hair models. It is also worth checking with local colleges or beauty training schools. If you wish to go professional, then you will need an agent, who will book you in for casting calls. Some salons and clients also hold open casting calls, where budding new models can try their luck. So throw on some conditioner, blow dry to perfection, and get out there to wow them with your luxurious locks.
