Imagine, you could ask questions to any hairdresser if you had the chance. Well I have, I know sometimes people know me from the industry but may not know I too am a hairdresser; I just did not experience my best creativity with my hands in hair. But I do know one thing, my curiosity is my most artistic feature and my ability to communicate is the truth behind my creativity, whether that curiosity and truth is when I am speaking, training, on the stage presenting or creating programs that involve others to think about themselves, what stops them, and with some of the most notable talent about how they can be more connected with us. So when I had the chance to meet and work with Sharon Blain. I already knew my curiosity was in overdrive.
Sharon is celebrating 50 years as a hairdresser this year so you have to believe she has had some awesome success but also her willpower to continue for so long when so many leave the industry must have meant some struggles too. Struggles and inspiration that led her to master the incredible list of awards and accolades that she has achieved(click here to see a sprinkle of this) and that all of it comes in a petite package of an inspiring, patience, compassionate and beautiful soul named Sharon Blain.
BB. Celebrating 50 years in beauty incredible, what is your secret to staying in beauty for 50 years?
SB. Continual learning and goal setting is the key to my longevity and to keep the passion and love for hair alive. I discovered very early in my career that by attending regular classes, be it cutting, colour or styling, learning new techniques was vital for my self-motivation and career development. It was essential to growing a client base and also retaining them.
Early every year I set a host of career goals that challenges me to achieve. This includes; entering various hair competitions, attend three creative classes per year, create shoot 2-3 collections including making DVDs. Work on a fashion week show. I also set financial budget to achieve. Not to achieve these goals: is not an option.
BB. What was the hardest thing you had to learn to be a great hairdresser?
SB. How long it takes to be good at what you do. I learned very early in my career, that attending classes was not enough. It was the additional time spent practicing to perfect my skills that were my greatest lesson. Even today I'm still working on my personal “self-perfecting “skills of my craft.
BB. You seem like you have mastered it all…So what kind of education do you still attend to enhance your craft?
SB.I love going to Salon International in London each year. They have Sassoon, Toni & Guy and a variety of session stylists that present. It's the little things that I take away these days. It might be a better way to balance a hair piece etc. I recently did a 2 day photography class with Shane Henning, I wanted to see how other stylist get inspired and where they draw their inspiration from. The classes I like to attend now are generally around getting a deeper understanding of creativity and exploring beyond the actual style.
BB. What do you think is the hardest thing that others struggle with in learning to be great at hairdressing?
SB. Having self-confidence. For older stylist, it’s breaking old habits.
BB. I know self-confidence was my weakness at least in doing hair, but I found my passion in producing events like NAHA where I had the chance to meet and learn new ideas and creativity from great hairdressers. What is your style that has you be a successful teacher to others?
SB.I believe my success is due to my depth of knowledge gather over five decades. Never before as long hair styling been formatted in such a concise, simplistic way. I have created simple styling formulas that ensure it works every time providing you follow the rules. This I what I think sets my teaching style apart from others.
BB. Yes, I understand the old habits too…whether they work or not, what do you think is the biggest resistance you face in your teachings that once others get you feel good about it?
SB. How important is to spend time preparing the hair. Most stylists try to skip the most basic steps and struggle trying to achieve an outcome. 60% of any design is spent in the preparation stage, be it direction blow drying, curling and product 'layering' the other 40% is creating the finished master piece. I love the point in my class when the stylist have a Ah ha moment and realize if they master and perfect the foundational skills, it immediately opens up a complete new styling possibility.
BB. What do you want others to know about you that make you feel vulnerable?
SB. My goal for each and every class is for every student to leave being a raving fan.
If I sense some students are struggling I feel a desperate need to work even harder to help them achieve the tasks. I do stress internally until I can see all the students are gaining confidence and understanding the skills. I'm acutely aware that each student has invested a huge amount financially to attend my class and I'm desperate for them to leave with greater than expected expectations.
BB. I will never forget when you taught me the perfect Pony Tail, I was so excited I went 
home and did it on my sister, I know I could have been a much better hairdresser with training from you, So let’s just say it… why should someone attend a class with you?
SB. Students will leave my class with a 'box set' of styling skills that will open up a world of styling opportunity. The class is designed to be mentored, nurtured and encouraging so students can reach their full potential. This class respects that stylist need to leave a class with skills and styles they can immediately apply in a commercial salon environment. Every tip and trick is salon friendly. But with a passport to a creative future they only could ever dream of having prior to attending my class.
B.B. Wow, I love that a passport to a creative future. What will other hairdressers get out of experiencing you and one of your classes that they may not have right now?
S.B. A huge self-confidence boast, remove the stigma and mystery around long hair styling.
A new simpler way to achieve even the most complicated looks. To break down long hair looks into steps that make the dressing of hair fun and stress free.
BB. We are excited to have your knowledge and 50 years of experience back in the USA and Canada this Summer/ Fall, what are you most excited about to be here again.
SB. I love the students in the states, and Canada they are so excited about learning, they steal my energy and more. But these are the type of students that make my job so enjoyable. They truly appreciate and value everything they learn and are determined to be the best at what they do. They have definite career goals and in search of the best vehicle to help them achieve them. I believe my classes deliver on this promise!
Join Sharon Blain on her North American Tour Summer-Fall 2015.
Click here for dates and locations to USA Tours Dates
Click here for Canada Tour Dates
Special Time Sensitive Offer!
Book now for one of her programs and receive Sharon's 50th Annivesary DVD
Use Coupon Code: SB50
Interested in a private training or event with Sharon Blain for your school, salon or show?
Contact bonnie@thebeautyagents.com for booking information
Bonnie Bonadeo
President & Founder, The Beauty Agents, Your Resource for Education and Educators.
bonnie@thebeautyagents.com 877.319.2403
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