Whether you fell in love with hairdressing while you were braiding a friend's hair in elementary school, or you felt inspired at your very first salon visit, chances are you remember the exact moment you realized your passion for the craft.
But what made you stick around? Though I'm sure most hairstylists could write on a novel on their passion, we talked with some of our industry favorites and asked them to sum up why they love their job so much in as few words as possible. Here's what they had to say:
My favorite thing about hairdressing is making people feel beautiful. Early in my career I started using the hashtag #iseeyourbeauty and I truly feel privileged to bring out the beauty in everyone I get to work with—Nick Stenson, Matrix artistic director and celebrity stylist
When I think about what I do as a hairstylist, my favorite opportunity is to create beautiful hair transformations that allow a person's inner beauty to shine through—Rebecca Hiele, Goldwell US artistic director
The endless opportunities of creativity, inspiration, entrepreneurship, innovation, education, business, art and happiness. It truly feeds my soul.—Missy Croquart, Sexy Hair senior education artistic training manager
The relationships that form between hairdressers, clients and the beauty community.—Caroline Kim, Kadus Professional global director
My absolute favorite thing is that I get to impact the way a person presents them self by enhancing their outer beauty, thus boosting their confidence and exposing their inner beauty—Michelle O'Connor, Matrix artistic director
When someone looks in the mirror after you have done your job and you get to see them light up inside and experience self love, because with that they are limitless and the world is better.—Chelsea James, L'Oréal Professionel international artist
Hairdressing is one of the most rewarding jobs that there is because you not only get to have people feel empowered by the way they look and feel, you get to connect and build true friendships with your co workers and clients.—Jenny Strebe, The Confessions of a Hairstylist
Hairdressing for me is one of the best careers in the world because you can do anything. From working in a salon or owning a salon, to editorial work in magazines, to working on fashion shows in Paris, London, Milan and New York, or traveling the world with a manufacturer teaching and educating and specializing in celebrities, the opportunities are endless.—Sonya Dove, Wella global artist