When you’re truly passionate about a career, you’ll do whatever it takes to grow in it: whether that means attending classes, practicing for hours, or learning from seasoned pros. From nail artists to hairdressers, so many people hustle hard to gain real-world experience. But sometimes, surprisingly, people turn down golden opportunities in favor of cold hard cash.
That’s exactly what happened to one generous salon owner who offered to train a friend’s daughter completely free of charge. Instead of being grateful, the mom asked for money instead, saying she’d rather use it to enroll her daughter in a salon that was “closer to home.” The offer, made with good intentions, was rejected, leaving the hairdresser completely taken aback. Keep reading to dive into the full story and the wild reactions it stirred up.
Hairdressers need to constantly stay updated with the latest trends, tools, and techniques
Image credits: Brooke Cagle / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
One person was shocked when a mother turned down their offer to provide free professional training
Image credits: Mikhail Nilov / Pexels (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Cencal88
Hairdressers dedicate countless hours to perfecting their skills through practice and training
There’s something powerful about a good hair day. You catch yourself in the mirror and suddenly feel like a movie star. Strut level: high. But when your hair rebels? Chaos. Confidence dips, hoodies go up, and everything feels just a little off. Hair really does make or break the vibe.
It’s not just a style statement, it’s identity, attitude, and mood control rolled into one. And while we do our best with masks, oils, and prayers to the hair gods, there’s one person who holds true magic. The hairdresser. With a snip and a smile, they shape our strands and our confidence.
To understand the grind better, we chatted with Chetan Rao. He’s a popular Mumbai-based stylist and educator who’s seen it all. His words? “People who think our job is easy need to think twice.” And honestly, we believe him. There’s a lot more behind that stylish salon chair than most of us know.
Chetan shared that it’s not about randomly chopping hair. “We’re creating shapes, sculpting styles, framing faces,” he explained. It takes precision, timing, and technique. A quick cut can take hours of practice to master. What looks effortless is actually the result of years of effort. And it doesn’t stop at cutting.
Hairdressers train like athletes in their own field. “We spend months learning the basics, then years perfecting them,” said Chetan. Workshops, classes, trend-spotting: it’s all part of the journey. And there’s always something new. From shag cuts to pixie layers, the industry keeps them on their toes. Constantly.
Let’s not forget the tools of the trade. There’s more than just scissors—razors, diffusers, straighteners, curling irons, clippers. The list goes on. Each one has a purpose, a learning curve, and a technique. Mastering them all takes dedication. Not to mention a bit of wrist strength and a lot of patience.
Then comes coloring, don’t even get us started. “Color isn’t just about picking a shade,” Chetan laughed. It’s about chemistry, timing, layering. From bleach to balayage, it’s a science and an art. Get one step wrong, and boom, your ash blonde becomes orange panic.
A great hairdresser is also a great listener, someone who truly understands a client’s needs
Aside from all the technical stuff, there’s emotional labor too. “You’ve got to really listen to what people want,” Chetan shared. But clients don’t always say it directly. So you decode descriptions, Pinterest screenshots, and vibes.
Communication skills? Also critical. Clients need to get what you’re doing. Why certain cuts don’t work, why that photo isn’t realistic for their hair type. A good hairdresser explains, suggests, and reassures.
Their learning never stops either. Hairdressers constantly study new textures, tools, and treatments. They learn about hair health, scalp science, and product chemistry. They evolve with trends but stay grounded in the basics. It’s a lifelong learning path. And one that’s often taken for granted.
Hairdressing is a beautiful, artistic, ever-evolving profession. It blends science, creativity, empathy, and hustle. So when someone offers that skill, especially for free, treat it with the respect it deserves.
So tell us, what would you have done in the stylist’s shoes? Would you insist? Withdraw? Laugh it off? We’re curious. Drop your thoughts below. And next time you sit in that chair, remember, you’re in the hands of a true artist. Give them a thank you. They’ve earned it.
Follow Us
