For many, a career in the beauty industry is truly a dream come true. It is one of those unique professions where practitioners are able to spend their days creating art while simultaneously making others—and themselves—happy.
But as with any job, professional and personal fulfillment and satisfaction depend upon more than the position; equally important is the quality of the workplace.
Whether you’re a new beauty school grad looking to land your first professional gig or an established professional seeking a change, it’s essential to ensure that the next position you accept is one which will be mutually beneficial for you and your employer.
To assist you in your search, we’ve compiled a list of some of the very best salons to work at in Dallas. The list covers a range from more affordable chains to exclusive high-end establishments. But despite the variance in price point, each of these salons has garnered a bevy of rave reviews from patrons and has established respectability for the quality of the workspace and talent of the workers.
One of Dallas’ finest, the Osgood O’Neil company is composed of a team of stylists, colorists and makeup artists who are as talented as they are dedicated.
Small luxuries like massage chairs at the shampoo stations add to the appeal for patrons, and other fine details like fresh flowers contribute to a refreshing ambiance both customers and employees can enjoy.
More importantly, Osgood O’Neil’s apprenticeship program is unparalleled, offering stylists in training the chance to observe some of the profession’s most lauded artists firsthand while gaining hands-on experience under their guidance.
The Songbird Society is renowned and beloved by hair connoisseurs, including Sea of Shoes’ Jane Aldridge.
The small but uber-successful salon was founded by Richard Hayler (former owner of Richard Hayler Colour Salon) and J.T. Osgood (formerly of Osgood O’Neil). It is so successful, in fact, that to book a personalized color session with Osgood requires more than a 50-week wait.
There is no shortage of talent among Osgood and Hayler’s team of stylists. Those who earn a spot in this society will be privy to the wealth of knowledge Osgood and Hayler have to impart from 50 years’ combined industry experience.
Though hourly earnings at Sport Clips won’t likely match those of Dallas’ higher-end establishments, it is a great spot to start for recent grads and those in the dawn of their careers.
And just because Sport Clips is more inclined to hire beginners doesn’t mean they aren’t selective. Like any other salon, the company prides itself on maintaining a skilled fleet of team members.
According to employer review website Glassdoor.com, the majority of employees have had positive experiences working for the company and would recommend a job here to a friend.
Since its inception 90 years ago, Regis has become one of the nation’s largest salon corporations, spanning over 10,000 locations across the United States and in the United Kingdom. This includes a number of other salons under the umbrella Regis Corporation, including Beauty Bar, MasterCuts, Mia & Maxx and TGF Hair Salons, some of which are included under the Regis Premium Salons brand.
Similar to Sport Clips, Regis Corporation has received a bevy of excellent reviews from current and former employees on Glassdoor.com, in addition to plenty of equally favorable reviews from customers elsewhere on the web.
Regis is a great place to seek employment, whether you’re fresh out of beauty school or are an established professional. Advancement and continuing education opportunities are plentiful, including the chance to open and operate a Regis franchise or become a salon manager.
Ogle School is one of Texas’ best beauty academies, with six campuses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
The school, which offers instruction in cosmetology and esthetics, is an eight-time Modern Salon Excellence in Education winner. The award is granted based on criteria such as placement, facilities, school culture, technology, community involvement and marketing innovation.
The school has openings for both instructors and admissions specialists—both of which positions require a passion for beauty and customer care.
It’s often said that to be the best, you’ve got to learn from the best. Hair by Charlie is owned and operated by famed stylist Charlie Price, and every aspect of the business is infused with his personal touch.
Price spent much of his career working editorial shoots in the bourgeois Manhattan area, and still regularly returns to bestow his blades upon the tresses of some of Fashion Week’s most famed models, working for designers like Billy Reid and Diane von Furstenberg.
Those lucky (and skilled) enough to land a coveted chair at this salon will gain the invaluable experience of learning from world-renowned yet down-to-earth Price. There’s also a good chance you’ll get to shake hands with a few celebrities—even Coolio recently stopped by for a trim at a Hair by Charlie pop-up barber shop.
The ambiance of the Dear Clark salon is as charming and inviting as its name suggests.
The salon was founded by Holly Dear and Kaycee Clark, who recognized each other’s potential and skill while embarking on their respective careers. The pair reunited in 2008 to form the salon, which effectively bridges the Dallas, Uptown and Texan community with everyone from oilmen to hippies and fashion divas to businesspeople frequenting its chairs.
The Dear Clark salon is as much a mixture of laid-back and upscale as its clientele. Stylists and colorists are carefully selected to compose a team as talented and skillful as they come. Expect a workplace that is both warm and invigorating.