As a junior hairdresser, you'll:

• welcome customers
• shampoo and condition hair
• cut simple styles
• make sure towels and hair products are well stocked
• keep the salon clean and tidy
• make appointments

As a more senior hairdresser, you'll:

• talk to clients about what they want
• suggest style ideas
• cut and style hair
• colour, curl or straighten hair
• give advice on minor hair and scalp problems
• take payments
• order stock and promote products to customers
• keep up to date with new trends, techniques and hair products

You could work in a salon, at a client's home, at a health spa, at a store, at an adult care home or on a cruise ship.

Your working environment may be physically demanding.

With experience you could become a senior stylist or salon manager. With further qualifications, you could also move into training or assessing student hairdressers.

You could also open your own salon.

Other options include wig making, training in make-up techniques and working in the theatre, film and television industries.