Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Barry.
Erin, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I went to hair school directly after high school. I instantly fell in love with doing hair. I was always around a lot of hairdressers growing up and that’s what gave me the inspiration to go to hair school.
I started working for a salon in Brookline and was trained by very talented stylists from Lebanon. From there, I worked at Vidal Sassoon and partook the cutting training for a year and half. I was only 21 at the time and decided to move to Los Angeles.
I worked as personal assistant to an A-list celebrity hairstylist in Beverly Hills. I learned lots of great styling and color techniques. Although, this was an amazing opportunity and experience, I decided to go back to Boston and pick up where I left off.
I started up another apprenticeship at Bradley & Diegel Salon, where I would complete my Vidal Sassoon training. Both of the owners have a strong Sassoon background and decided to open their own place at the time I came back to Boston. I completed the training program and worked as a stylist there for eight years. I recently relocated to Pini Swissa Salon which is a smaller boutique salon.
It was a long road to become established but I have no regrets because I was able to learn so many different techniques from very talented stylists. In the end, it all came together. I’m still always looking to take classes and continue education. It keeps things fresh and exciting. After doing hair for 15 years, I still love what I do. I love to create and make people look and feel amazing!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Going through the apprenticeships were very challenging. You get paid minimum wage and have a tough job. At times, it seemed never ending! In return, you get great training and it definitely pays off. After all you have to pay your dos, nothing great comes easy, it was so worth it!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Erin Barry Hair – what should we know?
I am well rounded in cutting, color and styling. I have a wide variety of clients. I do men and women’s cuts and styling. Most of my female clients come to me for both color and cut. I really don’t know if I could ever specialize in one because I have so much training in both and I truly love doing both. I honestly love it all. Lately, I’ve been doing more drycuts and balayage but I appreciate precision cutting as well. For color, I have a lot of single processes, reds and blondes.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Listening to your clients and understanding what they want. I never end a consultation until I truly understand what they want.
Contact Info:
- Address: Pini Swissa Salon
18 Newbury St. 3rd floor
Boston, MA 02116 - Phone: 6176692462
- Email: erinbarryhair@gmail.com
- Instagram: @erinbarryhair
- Facebook: Erin Barry/ Hairstylist
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