Menu
A Typical Week of a Freelancer in Lockdown - With L'Oréal Professionnel
With lockdown still without a specified end, we spoke to L’Oréal Professionnel Education Manager Nicola Chamberlain about how to make the most of your days and make sure your ready for reopening.
"Life as a stylist may look a little different these days, but that’s no reason to fall behind on productivity... But first - let me introduce myself and give you an insight into my career as an Education Manager for L’Oréal Professionnel.
My obsession for doing hair started in the early ‘80s, where I cut and styled fellow students’ hair. I loved it so much that I quit school and started working in a salon. At the age of just 17, I had the opportunity to buy the salon I was training in. Unqualified and seeing myself as a young entrepreneur, there was no way I would let this chance pass me by. I was successful in my goal and had this business for 18 years. 5 years in, I was hungry to get a second salon and bought one close to where I lived. I ran both salons side by side for 13 years and loved every minute.
During my time as a salon owner, I was approached by a product company to freelance for them. This led me to start educating like-minded stylists on understanding and using the products I used (and loved) for years. I enjoyed this role so much that I then enhanced my skills to the point the company approached me to go full-time. I decided to take on the challenge and after selling both of my businesses, I accepted the job role and continued my career at L’Oréal. My passion in Hairdressing Education for the freelance indirect market has led me to become the Education Manager for L’Oréal Professionnel that I am today.
Now that you’ve got to know me a little more, I’m going to share some tips on how you can structure your week during lockdown. It’s a difficult time for our industry, but if you are savvy and utilise the time wisely, you’ll be more than ready for re-opening.
MONDAY
Start the week on a positive note and connect with your clients to let them know that you are still thinking about them. Communication remains key and now, more than ever, clients are looking to social media for updates and connection - not to mention inspo for a post-lockdown hair appointment!
Virtual Consultations: maintaining a professional relationship with your clients may seem difficult in these times, but it’s not impossible. The best way to do that during lockdown? Virtual consultations. Prepare your questions ahead of your consultation to get an idea of how you can help your clients. Here are some questions you could ask:
- What do you love about your hair?
- What do you want to change?
- Could you please send me photos of the front and back of your hair?
- These questions are sure to provide you plenty of opportunities to exercise your expertise and get your clients excited to see you again.
Go Live: take to Instagram or Facebook and stream tutorials/how-to videos for your clients, asking them what you should cover next and keeping them engaged. This is a great way to tailor your content to what clients are personally seeking advice on.
Keeping Connected: keep updating your clients on your reopening date, how they can pre-book and reminding them of all the care measures you have in place to prioritise hygiene and safety. And for your best clients, send them a DM to see how they (and their hair) are doing, and remind them to come see you when they can!
TUESDAY
Revamp Your Workspace: is there anything you could do to improve it? Perhaps a fresh new coat of paint or new chairs would make your working environment more inviting to clients when you re-open. Even the addition of a house plant can upgrade the ambiance.
Update Your Menu & Inform Your Clients: use this time to create new service packages and enhance your menu so that you are organised for when lockdown measures are eased, and your clients are back in the chair. Keep your clients updated on any new services, perhaps express services that reduce the amount of time they need to spend in the salon if you are open, or any special offers you have coming up. You might want to encourage clients to book a package of services, such as multiple haircuts for a special price/added value or a ‘Welcome Back’ package.
Trends: tell your clients about the latest looks for the season. You can do this by sending bespoke hair colour ideas that you think they would crush- clients love a personalised recommendation!
WEDNESDAY
Take “A Day Off”: remember, it’s okay to take time out for yourself so you don’t have to work every day of the week if you don’t want to. It’s important to look after your mental health during these uncertain times when you are out of work, so make sure you do this by exercising, taking a luxurious bubble bath or talking to your loved ones regularly.
THURSDAY
Admin Day: no one likes doing admin, but the books don’t do themselves! Use this time to do admin tasks that you normally wouldn’t be able to easily fit into your busy schedule… or perhaps you even avoid! Organise your accounts so that they are up to date and you are prepared for when you can re-open again. You could even browse different payment platforms to find the most user-friendly or best value - will you ever have time to do this again? Take advantage!
FRIDAY
It’s nearly the weekend! Take this time to brush up on new skills, from social media to learning a new hair technique and work on your digital strategy. Here are our 5 top tips for staying digitally relevant:
- Make sure you have your Instagram account set up as a business account. This unlocks different features on Instagram and reassures clients that you are a professional;
- Use at least 10 hashtags in your Instagram feed posts to increase your visibility (using local hashtags will attract more local followers). Disguise your hashtags by doing them in the comment section- this makes for a more aesthetically pleasing IG feed;
- Try to use Instagram Stories every day or as often as you can to remain consistent and present. You will remind clients to get in touch/book in and build stronger connections;
- Write captions that give value, are emotive or informative - encourage engagement by asking questions and starting conversations;
- Use the Instagram Highlights sections to showcase your work. The best way to impress future clients is by showing off your biggest hair transformations!
I hope that these tips have provided you with some areas to focus on so that you can structure your days and form a weekly routine for yourself. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and it won’t be long until you can get back to work and do what you love once again.
Wishing you all the best x"
For more tips on how to survive during these difficult times, take a look at our other blogs. Unwind and manage anxiety with these apps designed to look after your mental health. Or learn from the best in the business how to thrive with your business in 2021. We also have advice for financial support here.
Freelance Focus
Freelance Focus, is a one stop resource for anyone working as a freelancer or thinking of going freelance in the hair & beauty industry, which includes a FREE downloadable guide filled with advice, useful insights, experiences and tips (from experienced freelancers) to help you understand the steps needed to make the right choices for you.
Top trending
VEGAN
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
VEGAN
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
OFFER
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
7 FOR 6
MORE OPTIONS
OFFER
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
BUY 3 FOR THE PRICE OF 2
OFFER
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
6 FOR 5
MORE OPTIONS
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
OFFER
VEGAN
Delivery
Collection
Please login to your account to check stock in your local store.
MULTI BUY
Back to Posts
Tags
- acne
- advice
- allergy
- apps
- autumn
- awards
- balayage
- barbering
- beauty industry
- blonde
- braids
- bridal
- brows
- business
- capital & i
- career
- christmas
- client loyalty
- color wow
- covid-19
- curls
- eyelash
- facial
- fanola
- festive
- finance
- freelance
- gellux
- hair
- hair care
- hair colour
- hair salon
- hair styles
- hair styling
- hair trends
- hairdressing
- hairstyle
- hairstyles
- halloween
- healthy
- how to
- hygiene
- ideas
- indola
- industry
- inspiration
- interview
- k18
- lashes
- lockdown
- loreal
- macadamia
- make up
- makeup
- manicure
- marketing
- mens
- mental health
- microblading
- nail art
- nail industry
- nail inspiration
- nail technician
- nail trends
- nails
- new years
- nioxin
- nxt
- olaplex
- opi
- party
- pedicure
- ponytail
- products
- professional
- professionals
- pulp riot
- redken
- reopening
- retail
- reviews
- revlon
- salon
- salon finance
- salon furniture
- salon management
- salon owner
- salon refit
- salon services
- salon system
- salons
- schwarzkopf
- self care
- self-care
- self-employed
- skills
- skincare
- skincare regime
- skincare steps
- social
- social media
- spa
- spring
- step by step
- style
- styling
- stylist
- summer
- sun damage
- suncream
- sustainable
- tanning
- technique
- the manicure company
- tigi
- tiktok
- time to improve
- tips
- toner
- toning
- top knot
- training
- treatment
- trending products
- trends
- tutorial
- updo
- upskills
- valentines
- vegan
- vegan beauty
- veganuary
- wahl
- waxing
- wedding
- wella
- wellbeing
- wellness
- winter
- winter nails
Latest Posts
- Chantelle: Capital & Me, my self-employed journey & the importance of networking
- Meet Sophie, owner of ‘Sophie’s Lashes & Beauty’ which she has been running now for over 7 years!
- K18 Biomimetic Hair Science vs. Bond Builders
- K18 & Your Salon Services - How to incorporate K18 Services for Ultimate Hair Restoration
- What is K18 and how does it work?
- From Money Worries to Family Drama: What's Stressing Your Skin & Hair the Most?
- Something Old - Something New
- Skin Cycling 101
- Vegan and Cruelty-Free Hair and Beauty: Simple Swaps and Recommendations for Veganuary
- The Greatest Night in British Hairdressing!
Related Posts
Vegan and Cruelty-Free Hair and Beauty: Simple Swaps and Recommendations for Veganuary
The new year often brings a sense of renewal, self-improvement and positive change. For many, this means reducing the consumption of animal products and embracing a more compassionate lifestyle. As hair and beauty professionals, we can support and promote this growing movement by embracing vegan and cruelty-free options. However, transitioning to fully vegan products may initially seem daunting. This is why, in this post, we will explore some simple swaps you can try in January that are still highly effective and recommendations for vegan styling products and treatments to expand your offerings this Veganuary. We aim to make embracing ethical beauty approachable and attainable so you can focus on what matters most - caring for your clients with confidence and care.
Simple swaps this Veganuary
Start Small: It can be overwhelming to transition to fully vegan products overnight. One simple swap you can make is changing your hair brushes and combs to those made from natural materials such as bamboo (link to bamboo page) or wood. Not only are these products sustainable and eco-friendly, but they also help reduce static hair and promote healthy shine. Another easy swap for your salon or personal use is choosing cruelty-free and vegan nail polishes from brands like The Manicure Company. Ethically made and with an unwavering commitment to being a vegan and cruelty-free brand, Zero Gel Polish is widely available at our stores and comes in a vast array of colours. These small changes can make a big difference
The Greatest Night in British Hairdressing!
The greatest night in British hairdressing!
Come with us to the Wella Trend Vision Awards.
With more than 700 guests in attendance, the Wella Trend Vision Awards were a feast for the eyes. Taking place along the banks of the Thames River, overlooking the stunning London skyline, the night was all about celebrating the best in British hairdressing.
An annual competition, the Wella TVA preparation started earlier this year with an online photographic entry and culminated with this prestigious evening where some truly iconic and creative looks were on display. Hosted by the legendary hair-up maestro Patrick Cameron, alongside Fergal Doyle (you can see more from Fergal on page 28 where he shares his ultimate social media tips), the night was packed with creative showcases from the likes of Wella artists such as Cheynes, Cobella, Francesco Hair Salons, Hob Academy, Lara Johnson Lifestyle, Nikki Clifford from NJUK, Simon Tuckwell and Stil.
The true cost of beauty - 80% of Brits admit to spending £1200 on beauty treatments per year
We did some digging to reveal the true cost of beauty, and what we found may shock you! A whopping 80% of Brits admit to spending £1200 a year.
How does my home’s water impact my hair and scalp?
What effect does water have on your hair's health?
Skinician Q & A | Your Salon Facial Peel Questions Answered
Introducing Skinician. Skinican offer a range of professional treatments, facial peels and more...
How do Brits feel about “cheating” on their regular hair and beauty professional?
Discover the results of a new survey on UK consumer loyalty to hair and beauty professionals. Nearly 7 million admit feeling more guilty about 'cheating' on their hairdresser than a romantic partner.