To celebrate Women’s Day this year, we decided to catch up with some of our female hair stylists from across the country. The hairdressing industry has in recent years started to make waves with more male hairdressers in high street salons and more females taking up senior roles in the hairdressing industry. The spotlighting of female talent is definitely shifting for the better, but in honour of Women’s Day, we wanted to hear from our Regis girls themselves.
Telling us why they love the industry and why it’s important to continue to inspire the next generation of hairdressers, we listened to what they had to say.
Enya Cockcroft 
Art Team Member & Salon Stylist
Time at Regis: 5 years
How many years have you been in hairdressing?
I've been hairdressing now for 9 years - I started as an apprentice straight from school at the age of 16 and never looked back.
When did you first realise you wanted to be a hairdresser?
I realised I wanted to be a hairdresser from a really young age. My auntie was a mobile hair dresser and looked after me a lot when I was younger when my parents went to work. I used to go to clients’ houses with her and watch her work. Seeing how the hair changed so much after a subtle colour change/style and how happy her clients were after fascinated me and I wanted to do exactly that!
What do you think of the statistic: 88% of the UK hairdressing industry is female?
On the ground it actually feels a lot less than that now – but that’s not necessarily a bad thing! I'd say it’s probably more a 60% split as there’s a lot more male hairdressers taking up roles in hair salons. I think it’s increasingly more ‘socially acceptable’ for guys to embrace their inner stylist and show passion towards hair. On the contrary I think 'big name' male hairdressers are much more in the spotlight as supposed to females. It’s not that the talent isn’t there, and I think a lot of factors play a part. I think we (females) need to take advantage of opportunities more, get our names out there and join the big-name males at the top – we deserve it!
What’s your favourite fail-safe hair product?
My favourite product is Eimi Sugar Lift!! It's the best product I've used for hold and body and it’s not heavy on the hair so it doesn’t leave a sticky after feel. It makes hair feel light and bouncy with a well-needed strong hold. Perfect to prep the hair with for curly blow-dries or hair ups!
What’s your favourite professional tool and why?
My favourite professional tool is the ghd platinum+ styler!! I love all the ghd tongs and wands also but if I had to choose one it would be this! I love how it changes heat settings automatically as soon as it touches the hair, cooling down for damaged or fine hair and heating up for healthy or thick hair. You can create different waves, curls and of course smooth sleek styles.
Best part of the job?
In salon: The best part of my job is seeing the smile on my client’s face when they look in the mirror after their service. Making someone feel beautiful and receiving that thanks and praise is priceless!
On shoot/art team: The best part of art team life is being on shoot with our incredibly talented Creative Director Kieron Fowles and receiving the final images. Knowing all that hard work has paid off and that image will be in salon windows around the UK for the next few months is an amazing feeling and something I’m so proud to be a part of!
Top tip you can give to someone looking to get into hairdressing?
To anyone looking to get into hairdressing my advice would be, it’s all worth it in the end! When you first start off it can be frustrating as all you want to do is hair. But of course, you have to go through the not so glamorous health and safety/shampooing/tea making etc. Just keep at it and don't give up. Once you’re qualified, it’s a trade you can take anywhere in the world with you. And remember, there are so many opportunities to follow so keep going! You got this!
Catherine Jenkins 
Salon Manager
Time at Regis: 7 years
1. How many years have you been in hairdressing?
I started out as a Saturday girl at the age of 15, that’s almost 12 years ago! Not sure where the time has gone!
2. When did you first realise you wanted to be a hairdresser?
I was about 13 or 14 & my Mum took me to this new salon that had opened in our town centre, it all looked so beautiful and glamorous! What more could you want from a job?!
3. What do you think of the statistic: 88% of the UK hairdressing industry is female?
It’s always been interesting to me that not every salon has male stylists yet the most iconic hair stylists are male. It would be lovely to see more females in the spotlight showing the world their talent!
4. What does women’s day mean to you?
A day to be proud to be a woman, to feel blessed to have independence and the ability to be strong and courageous and know we can be anything we want to be! I also started my first day as a salon manager on Women's Day so it's always been one of my most favourite days!
5. Who is your ultimate celeb hair icon?
It has to be Blake Lively, every time I see a photo of her the first thing I think is how beautiful her hair is! Whatever colour or style it’s always perfect & effortless! If I could have the opportunity to do anyone’s hair it would definitely be hers.
6. Describe your go-to cutting and colouring style…
For me I am all about classic cutting & colouring, I love to be able to give my guests something that is easy for them to style at home and is low maintenance but still gives that wow factor. Classic cutting techniques along with babylights or a colour melt all to compliment their skin tone and natural hair colour is what I’m all about at the moment. The most simplest of techniques can give the most amazing results.
7. What’s your favourite fail-safe hair product?
Anything System Professional! The whole range is beautiful but Luxe Oil is standout. With its ability to smooth, protect and strengthen hair it’s a girl’s best friend. It comes in a large bottle for your dressing table and a small bottle for your hand bag - every woman should own it! It’s the only Oil to protect your hair from heat styling and it also smells absolutely divine!
8. What’s your favourite professional tool and why?
ghd Platinum + I actually love these to curl hair with, the shape of the styler & the barrel creates the most beautiful soft curl that when combed out with the ghd wide tooth comb gives effortless bouncy waves. And of course the straightening results are simply the best.
9. Best part of the job?
For me as a salon manager I feel like I get to have double the amount of joy! Not only do I get to make my guests look and feel amazing but I also get to see my team grow and succeed in their career. From greeting one of my most loyal guests with a big hug and a ‘how are you?’ to celebrating the success of a team member's journey with Regis, my days can be filled with so many positive and uplifting moments. The smallest of things can make the biggest of differences to both guests and stylists and to be a part of that is truly wonderful!
10. Top tip you can give to someone looking to get into hairdressing?
The hairdressing industry has allowed me to grow in more ways than I could ever imagine, so if you want to see your true potential whilst working in one of the greatest industries that allows you to make people look and feel amazing about themselves then enroll in an apprenticeship and find a salon that is willing to invest their time in you like Regis and watch you shine.
Dana Hoek 
Art Team Member and Style Director
Time at Regis: 2 years
1. How many years have you been in hairdressing?
Since I left school at 16 years old so 10 years and counting.
2. When did you first realise you wanted to be a hairdresser?
I think it's always been destined in the stars for me to be a hairdresser. I used to cut my own hair constantly when I was a child and spent most of my childhood without a fringe as I would chop it off! My mum would always hide the scissors, but I always managed to find them and cut either my dolls hair or my own. I was obsessed with colouring my dolls hair whether that meant pouring nail varnish to colour my barbie's hair or resorting to pens… I would find a way! I always thought Barbie was always so edgy and cool, but as long as she belonged to me, she needed some realness and sassiness too! So when it was time for me to go to college I knew straight away what I wanted to do as it felt like I had been doing it for years anyway.
3. What do you think of the statistic: 88% of the UK hairdressing industry is female?
I think there are some great women in the industry for sure who are making their mark individually – of course we could do with more – never enough powerful women.
4. What does women’s day mean to you?
It’s a day of girl power. I think it’s more common nowadays to find women who support other women and I think that has been the biggest shift in the last 50 years for sure. We have gained confidence, individuality, strength but most importantly independence and made sure that if we want it, we get it, in every sense possible.
5. Who is your ultimate hair icon?
It’s so hard to choose! If I consider who’s hair I would love to do it would have to be the Kardashians – any of them! Not because I think their hair is nice – but because it never seems that great even with all that money - I would love to sort them out! 
Small Talk by Bedhead – it’s a magic potion in a bottle that’s suitable for everyone! All you need to do is apply 2-3 pumps then blow dry hair for gorgeously voluminous and texturized hair that’s frizz free. I use this on photoshoots too and it’s fab!
8. What’s your favourite professional tool and why?
It has to be the ghd platinum styler + as it’s a great all-rounder and can achieve so many versatile looks. It’s not just for straight hair!
9. Best part of the job?
This is a hard one as my job has so many perks but I must say you can make someone feel on top of the world in the space of an hour and that is something truly special. You can completely change how someone feels (for the better hopefully!) and really give guests a boost of self-love and confidence and that makes me love what I do.
10. Top tip you can give to someone looking to get into hairdressing?
Stick at it however hard it may feel. The rewards are great and there are so many levels of hairdressing you can take up. I started off in an independent salon and I have worked hard and progressed into more creative work such as working on photoshoots, education and doing hair shows thanks to the support of Regis and my enthusiasm to take my career further. There are so, so many different routes and opportunities you can take so the world really is your oyster. I can honestly say I believe I have one of the most amazing jobs on earth and would love to see the next generation of female hairdressers join me!
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