Issue link: https://www.ahpindiestylist.com/i/1298824
30 indie stylist Volume 1 Issue 3 People trying to build their books should know that sometimes it's trial and error. The unfortunate truth is that it only takes one player in the game to be bad for the whole photo shoot to be bad. So, if you have a great photographer and a great hairdresser, but the makeup is just terrible, you just try to get the best out of the shoot. When you're starting out, and you don't have a team, it's more about, "How can I hone my skills? How do I make sure—even if this photo isn't something I want published—that the client is impressed with the hair?" That way, it's never a waste. It's good practice time. Finally, build a team where you help each other build a better portfolio. In the editorial world, if you don't have work to show, you can't get clients to book. You have to do the blood, sweat, and tears—and free work—to get the images to sell yourself. ANY PREDICTIONS FOR HOT LOOKS IN 2021? In color, chunky highlights are coming back. At first, I was like, "No way, I'm not buying into this," but they're done in a new, fresh way. Same approach when it comes to back-to-back foils that are done almost railroad-track style on the top, but they're done with a root shadow now. You'll see a lot of that. And then, coming back to accessories, I feel like more is better right now. People are over-accessorizing. Instead of just using a barrette to hold a piece of hair back, the entire side is loaded up with barrettes in an artistic design. It's accessories on steroids! I think it's cool because people are really having fun with it. With cuts, I'm seeing a comeback of the longer shag with curtain fringe and a textured top—Brigitte Bardot style. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR SOLO STYLISTS WORKING TO SURVIVE COVID-19? Working for a well-capitalized company that can weather the storm is a huge perk right now. I see solo salon owners having to close their doors and wondering if they'll reopen. I want to say this—and I hope people understand. Ulta Beauty is not the home for everybody, but it's certainly home for a lot of stylists who might not have considered it before because it's not the same old Ulta it used to be. So, if they're in a place where job security or fear of having a place to work and a place to take care of their clients is something that's starting to slip away, explore the option of working for a larger retailer like Ulta. For those who are happy where they are, I respect that. If you're a stylist who loves to attack things all on your own, I would just make sure you're doing what you can to keep your clients engaged. Let them see that you're taking a personal—and very careful—approach to the way you're thinking about them. Stay diligent about showing that you're following protocols. I encourage people to post, "We're opening soon, and these are the precautions we're setting in place . . . ," so that your clients feel safe. It's really important to tell them what you're going to do—and then stand by it. huMANE Beauty for Change huMANE Beauty for Change started with three hairdressers and me in a salon where I worked in New York. We were able to gather and give back by using our hands and our hearts and our skills to make change in places all over the world. Just the small group of us, in one salon, were able to do some amazing things for kids living in the streets of Mumbai. We were able to raise $25,000 just by rallying my "hairdressery" friends to donate a percentage of their sales for one day. Plus, brands would give us stuff, so we were able to provide toothbrushes, school supplies, and other stuff for these kids when they came in for a haircut. It was such an amazing experience. Beauty can actually transform communities! For more information on huMANE Beauty for Change, visit humanebeauty.org.