Guide To Becoming An Orlando Hair Braiding Technician

By Tamika Quinn


Hair braiding is an art in which locks are woven in intricate designs and patterns. Braided styles are often sought after for the versatility, durability and attractive appearance they provide. Many people learn how to braid from relatives or friends and provide the service to other friends and relatives for free. Other options for someone who wants to have their locks braided is to go to a salon, theme park or seek out a stylist that provides mobile service. Keep in mind a few things when embarking on a career as a Orlando hair braiding technician.

Follow the latest styles. Braided hairstyles fall out of favor over time. Sources for following trends include magazines, blogs and people watching at local malls. Even tough a style may have seemed to fall out of favor, people may still request it on occasion.

Practice your skills. Perfecting a few styles will pay off in the long run more so than minimally being able to offer a laundry list of styles. After practicing on a mannequin head, offer services to coworkers, friends and relatives for free or at a reduced price. Braiding is an area of the beauty industry where it is easy to get a poor reputation quickly.

Your portfolio should include pictures of the styles that you can perform with confidence. Include before and after photos of a styles as well a photos that show you completing a style in progress. Though it may be tempting, refrain from using photos of another stylist.

Figure out what type of setting you prefer to work in. Braiders can find work in several different settings. At theme parks an resorts, braiders mostly do threaded wraps, box braid and cornrows. This makes it a good environment for someone that does not want to do styles that take a long time to finish. Braiders also do not have to devote time to trying to build a loyal clientele. The downside to working at a theme park or resort is that the work is generally seasonal in nature.

Mobile braiders are those that go to several different places to provide service. This could mean braiding hair at weddings, figure skating or gymnastic competitions, birthday parties or at festivals. Renaissance-style and French braiding are often requested in these settings. Being a mobile braider often requires a great deal of networking. Check with state and local authorities to ascertain the requirements for working as a mobile braider.

A common place where braiders can find work is at a beauty salon. Braiders in salons may be paid a hourly wage, or work as independent contractors or booth renters. Further, even braiders that work on salary may be required to build a clientele.

To work in a beauty salon that caters to a primarily ethnic customer base, Orlando hair braiding technicians typically need to be able to do twisted styles, cornrows, box braids and micro braids. Also, several ethnic beauty salons prefer to hire braiders that can apply hair extensions, like a sewn-in weave. Braiders may be required braid the hair of children, women and men in an ethnic salon. At most other salons, braiders may do braided styles that are more typically done in ethnic beauty salons but most likely will be called on to install hair extensions or to French braid.




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