We’ve all experienced the thrill of sitting in a salon chair, but only a handful of talented people experience the thrill of being a hairstylist. So what’s it like being on the other side? Emma Bosma was patient enough to let me pick her brain apart on the subject.
Emma and I got to talking during her professional photoshoot at Mirabella Salon in Okemos, MI. Aside from being honored to take those photos, I wanted the juicy details of what it’s like being the one standing next to the salon chair and not the one sitting in it. Persistent to get the inside scoop, I asked questions like “What’s the drama? What annoys hairstylists? Do you have any crazy stories?” and more. I found our conversation ran much deeper than my petty questionnaire.
Emma’s Education
The passion for hair styling didn’t start at cosmetology school as Emma’s been working in salons since she was 14. Her mom, owner and stylist at Mirabella Salon, is a large inspiration and
supporter of Emma’s career. Some people might cringe at the thought of working alongside their mother, but not this prodigy. Bosma gushed about being able to work in the salon her mother created and added, ”Not many people get to bring their mom with them on the first day of their career, but I’ve been able to have her with me every step of the way.”
Even though Emma developed a strong network and skillset early on in her career, that doesn’t mean everything was a piece of cake. “I think a lot of people expected me to know it all out of the gate with my mom being a hairdresser and working in salons since I was so young, but there was still a lot I had to learn,” said Bosma. Hairstyling isn’t contained to a pair of scissors. There are major technicalities of cutting and coloring hair, keeping up with emerging trends and techniques, and the science behind what each client’s unique hair can achieve. Through her hard work and passion for hairstyling, she graduated top of her class in cosmetology school. Even though a strong network and environment are important for her career, it’s her work ethic that was critical for her success.
The Truth Behind Hairstyling
“ …some of the smartest and most passionate people I know are hairdressers and [they] chose to be because they love it.”
Our conversation took another turn that personally opened my eyes to the profession. Regardless of the skill and creativity it takes to graduate cosmetology school, there’s an unfortunate stigma placed on hairstylists that we often overlook. An assumption hairstylists commonly run into is college not working out which brought them to the salon. This stigma couldn’t be further from the truth. Aside from the skill and knowledge hairstyling demands, Emma elaborated by saying, “ …some of the smartest and most passionate people I know are hairdressers and [they] chose to be because they love it.” This career path offers a sense of creative freedom and accomplishment that other careers can rarely compete with. On top of that triumph, a hairstylist’s network expands far beyond the salon doors as clients walk out with a fresh look.
The truth is, being a hairstylist is empowering. Emma elaborated on this by mentioning, “the best feeling is when you turn your client around in the chair and they have a huge smile on their face and love it. Making people happy and comfortable in their own skin (hair) is the best part of the job.” Hairstylists get to pour their artwork into a very special canvas – people! Emma is able to give people their dream hair at her fingertips – and we all know how important our hair is in determining our own style.
Emma’s Advice
If you are an aspiring hairstylist, fear not as I asked one of the questions you’re searching for: what is Emma’s biggest piece of advice for the next generation of artists? Bosma responded saying, ”The biggest piece of advice I can give to new hairstylists is never stop learning and always challenge yourself! Continued education is the best thing you can do for yourself and your career.” With this ever-evolving industry, make sure you’re always absorbing information and staying on top of your game. If your passion is there, success is also.
Aside from our deep chat, if you must know one juicy recommendation from my earlier petty questions, it would be to tread lightly with Pinterest inspiration pics. They are meant for inspiration, and inspiration alone. With everyone’s hair being so different, the result will be your own and wonderful. Be patient with what your own hair can achieve, and trust your stylist to lead you there.
Thank you, Emma, for letting me share this piece of your story!
A Thousand Words 