Staying educated as a freelance hairdresser can be far more challenging than people realise, especially for those who didn’t have the strongest start in the industry. When you’re no longer in a salon environment, you lose the built-in structure of training sessions, senior guidance and constant peer learning. As a freelancer – especially if you’re new to freelancing or new to hairdressing altogether – simply knowing where to find education can feel overwhelming…
The reality is, education doesn’t stop the moment you qualify and, in many ways, it matters more once you’re on your own. As a freelancer, your skill set is your brand. You don’t have a salon name behind you, so staying on top of your game isn’t optional; it’s essential. I often see hairdressing bios proudly stating, ‘20 years qualified’, but if no education has happened since that first certificate, those skills are usually frozen in time. Hair evolves. Trends change. Techniques improve. If we don’t actively challenge ourselves, we risk staying stuck in the era we trained in.
The good news is that education today comes in many forms, and freelancers absolutely have access to it – you just need to know where to look. As an educator myself, I’ve seen how valuable structured education programmes can be. Organisations like hair & beauty wholesalers, for example, offer a wide range of education that covers cutting, colouring and styling. What’s great is the diversity of educators involved: salon owners, freelancers, employed stylists, etc. That mix makes a huge difference. You don’t feel isolated, and you realise very quickly that everyone – no matter what stage they’re at in their career – is still learning.
Remember, not all education looks like a formal course. One of the most underrated ways to learn as a freelancer is assisting. It might not technically be an ‘education day’, but the knowledge you gain is priceless. Reaching out to people who inspire you and offering to assist, free of charge, can open doors you didn’t know existed. Assisting allows you to absorb information in real time – how someone works under pressure, how they communicate with clients, how they think creatively. These are things no manual can teach you.
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work alongside some of the most respected hairdressers in the industry: Errol Douglas MBE, Tim Scott-Wright (my former boss) and later, Gary and Michael from Hooker & Young when I was part of the FAME Team. The lessons I learnt from them weren’t always spoken; they were observed. That kind of education stays with you forever because it’s lived experience, not theory.
Then there are colour houses, which are an incredible resource no matter which brand you work with – whether that’s Wella, Schwarzkopf, Revlon or any another. Many freelancers underestimate how much education colour brands offer. From foundational refreshers to advanced degrees that allow you to become a senior colour technician, these programmes are deeply informative. Even if you think you know your colour brand inside out, there’s always more to learn.
Colour houses also run competitions and creative projects, which again keep you visible, engaged and learning alongside your peers. That sense of community is so important as a freelancer. Education isn’t just about improving technique; it’s about staying inspired, connected and relevant.
Ultimately, staying educated as a freelance hairdresser requires intention. You have to seek it out, invest time in it and, sometimes, step outside your comfort zone. But the reward is longevity, confidence and a career that continues to evolve rather than stagnate. Education keeps you sharp, curious and creatively fulfilled. In an industry that never stands still, that might be the most valuable skill of all.
