When it comes to booking a hair appointment, many wonder what the difference is between a barber and a hair stylist. Is there a difference, or are the terms interchangeable?
While both professions specialize in cutting and styling hair, there are differences between a barber and a hair stylist. Both terms exist because the job descriptions are slightly different.
Understanding these differences can help you choose the right professional for your hair needs.
In this article, we will explore the differences between hairdressers and hair stylists. At the end of this article, you will understand better which professional is suitable for your next salon appointment.
key points
- Both the barbers and the hair stylists require training and certification for certified cosmetology from institutions such as NACCAS.
- Both barbers and hair stylists need licenses to legally practice in the US.
- The books usually specialize in men’s grooming services, with a few exceptions. Hair stylists may serve both clients and customers.
- The average salary for a hairdresser in the US ranges from $26,000 to $40,000 per year. A hair stylist’s salary ranges from $23,000 to $24,000 per year.
- The books mainly provide services such as shampoo, conditioning, shaving, trimming, etc. using clippers. Hair stylists mainly provide services such as shampoo, conditioning, styling, trimming, coloring, perming and sometimes waxing.
Who is this book?
Barbers usually work in hair salons, although they can sometimes work in spas or salons. Barber primarily uses electric clippers to deliver styles and ends close to the scalp.
Barber also provides shaving services as well as facial hair maintenance such as trimming, moisturizing and styling. Because of these specialties, barbers tend to have more male than female clients, but barbers are not gender exclusive.
Barber services usually only last about half an hour to forty-five minutes, even if a client wants a shampoo, trim and shave. Speed and accuracy are the priorities of the barbers, and a great barber can work on all hair types.
Who is a hair stylist?
A hairstylist usually works in a salon or spa, which tend to be larger places than salons. This is because the services that hairstylists specialize in may take longer than those that a barber provides every day.
Because hairstylists have longer time slots for their clients, they are often more expensive. Many people with long hair go to hairdressers over barbers because the services they may want take longer and they may feel more comfortable in a larger space.
Hair stylists are trained to perform some of the same services as the barbers: shampooing, conditioning, cutting, trimming and sometimes even shaving facial hair. However, hairdressers also offer hair bleaching and coloring, perming and other chemical treatments.
The main differences between hairdressers and hair stylists
Below are some of the main differences between hairdressers and hair stylists.
Education
In most of the United States, both the barber and hairstylists must complete some form of certified cosmetology training and earn a certificate from that institution. The most common accrediting association is the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS).
A barber will need to complete high school or earn a GED, then they can find an accredited cosmetology program. However, hairdressers have the option of completing an accredited cosmetology/hairdressing program or completing an apprenticeship – both of which are accepted in most states.
skills
Both the barbers and the hairstylists require excellent interpersonal and communication skills to make their clients feel comfortable and so the professionals can interpret the services the client is requesting.
They need to be trained to offer services to people with all types of hair, but barbers mainly do services on short hair, while hairstylists have clients with more varied hair lengths.
dishes
Barbers’ most common tools are clippers and razors, while stylists often use styling shears, blow dryers, and chemical treatments.
wage
God average Salary of a book in the USA moves between $26,000 and $40,000 per year. God average Salary for a hair stylist in the USA moves between $23,000 and $24,000 per year.
Services provided
A hairstylist mainly provides shampoo, conditioning, styling, trimming, coloring, perming and sometimes waxing. A barber mainly shampoos, shaves, trims, and uses clippers to create the desired style of his clients.
Licensing
Both professionals need licenses to legally practice their trades in the US. Numbers do license in their countrywhich can be obtained by completing a certified cosmetology or hairdressing program, an apprenticeship in a hairdressing salon, or sometimes both if the state requires it.
Hair stylists also need a Cosmetics license for their country. They have to complete an accredited program and then pass a test that includes written, oral and practical components to receive their license.
Workspace
Barbers can work alone in their own shop or in a group setting with several other hairdressers. The books work long hours and see many customers every day. It can be exhausting but rewarding work.
Hair stylists also work long hours, but may see fewer customers per day than hairdressers, as customer service at the salon often takes longer.
clientele
Hairdressers are often smaller than most salons and spas, and are often a staple in their community. Customers with shorter hairstyles need to maintain them more frequently, so this helps make the community salon a close and safe place to update.
Barbershops can be small and intimate, but more often than not, there are more stylists and more chairs. There is a sense of community in both environments, and since hairdressers and barbers are generally good at communication, clients feel relaxed and comfortable in both environments.
Book in front of a hair stylist: comparison table
| differences | Book | Hairdresser |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Accredited program or apprenticeship | Cosmetics program |
| skills | Interpersonal, communication, specialization with short hairstyles and facial hair | Interpersonal, communication, learned in all hairstyles and textures, coloring, perming |
| dishes | Clippers, razor, shaving cream, scissors for styling | Styling scissors, clothes dryer, chemicals, hair dye, thin scissors, razor |
| wage | An average of $33,000 per year | An average of $28,000 per year |
| Workspace | Small, tight, busy | Busy and long hours |
| Services provided | Cut, cut, shave | Blending, coloring, shaping, new haircuts, trimming, waxing |
| clientele | Mainly men or those who keep their hair short | Mainly people with long hair, more women than men and people who want to dye. |
Are barbers for men and hair stylists for women?
In fact, many hairdressers now offer services for women, including haircuts, beard trimming and even coloring. Similarly, hair stylists can provide services for men, including haircuts, styling and coloring.
No. However, since most men keep their hair short and cropped, they usually go to a barbershop rather than a salon because it best suits their needs. Women can go to hairdressers as well – depending on what services you are looking for.
Hair stylists invite men and women. However, most of their customers are women as many women keep their hair long and prefer the salon environment. At the salon, they can also receive other services, such as conditioning, coloring and even waxing.
These professionals are for everyone, but the customers are arranged in such a way that a barber shop meets most of the men’s hair needs and a barber shop meets most of the women’s hair needs.
The idea that barbers are only for men and hair stylists are only for women is a common misconception. It is true that historically barbers served mainly men, and hairdressers mainly served women, but this is no longer the case.
Now you know the differences between hairdressers and hair stylists. Although when you look closely, the main differences arise from the needs of the client and not from the jobs and training themselves. Barbers and hair stylists are more alike than they are different; It just depends on what the customer needs.