There is no denying that shorter styles are becoming more popular, from shoulder grazing bobs to cute little pixie cuts – are you ready for the increased demand from your clients?
We spoke to Akin Konizi, creative director of HOB Academy and four times British Hairdresser of the winner, to learn the very best tips for creating shorter looks…
“I may be optimistic, but it seems that the popularity of short hair has been bubbling away for the past year, especially on catwalks, and we are now beginning to see an emergence of clients asking for something different. Whilst long hair has dominated the high street for the last few years, there is now a growing number of clients wanting something shorter, versatile and more personal to their own tribe. During the age of lockdowns and working from home, it was easy to pull long hair into a top knot. However, now the world is back open, it’s time for hair to take on a new chapter of beautiful, well-executed and luxurious styling.”
- Don’t Panic. Shorter hair doesn’t have to mean scary. You have all the skills; you just haven’t used them for a while. Practise makes perfect, so enrol yourself on a cutting course, practise on family and friends, and build up your confidence. Remember, hair is a canvas, and you are in control of what you create.
- Do your research. Keep an eye on emerging trends. What celebrities have today, your clients will want tomorrow. There are some beautiful jaw-length styles trending at the moment.
- Don’t go from long to short in one go. It’s too dangerous for you and too dramatic for the client! Get to know the hair before you take the risk of cutting it all off. Gradually make the transition from creating a bob, to a layered bob, to adding a fringe.
- Shorter hair doesn’t always mean precision cuts. A blunt bob can look dramatic, but so can graduated layers and a point-cut pixie. Similarly, short doesn’t have to mean cropped; replacing long layers with something more structured round the shoulder is the perfect introduction to something new and exciting.
- Be responsible. Ultimately, you will be to blame if the client does not like the finished look. There is nothing more rewarding for you then to reinvent a client’s character into someone who feels beautiful and reenergised – aim for their complete adoration for the style you create!
