Breaking into Session Styling

The Reality of Assisting

Getting Paid as an Assistant

Defining Session Stylists

The Importance of Communication

Challenges for Women in the Industry

The Competitive Landscape

The Path to Success

The Importance of Apprenticeships

The Role of Social Media

How to Become an Assistant

Want to become a session stylist? This episode with Anna Chapman is the practical route in — not the fantasy.

I’m back in the HTCI PodShed with Anna Chapman, a leading session hair stylist with an instinctive understanding of hair and over a decade in top salons before moving into the session world. Todaywe’re to have real catch-up since we last spoke in 2020 podcast episode. Anna breaks down the actual steps to get into session work today: how to position yourself if you’re coming from salon, why session styling is a different job entirely, and what you need to do first to get on set.

We get into the assisting ladder (what assistants really do, how to reach out, how to follow up, and how to get yourself rebooked), plus the skills that matter when the pressure’s on for major brands. Anna also shares what to post on Instagram if you want work—how to show range, not just “glam”—and why persistence, visibility and standards are the long game.

If you’re serious about building a career in session hair, start here.

CHAPTERS
1:25: Breaking into Session Styling
6:47: The Reality of Assisting
12:21: Getting Paid as an Assistant
15:04: Defining Session Stylists
19:35: The Importance of Communication
23:11: Challenges for Women in the Industry
27:20: The Competitive Landscape
34:33: The Path to Success
37:49: The Importance of Apprenticeships
43:09: The Role of Social Media
50:26: How to Become an Assistant

RESOURCES FROM TODAYS EPISODE
FOLLOW ANNA CHAPMAN ON INSTAGRAM @ANNACHAPMANHAIR
FOR EVERYTHING SESSION KIT CLICK HERE 
CONNECT WITH SESSION KIT ON INSTAGRAM @SESSIONKIT
GET TICKETS FOR HAIRCON VISIT HERE : (USE CODE HTCI10 FOR 10% DISCOUNT)
CONNECT WITH HAIRCON ON INSTAGRAM @HAIRCONSHOW
FOLLOW HOW TO CUT IT ACROSS SOCIALS @HOWTOCUTIT

Want to become a&nbsp;<a href="https://howtocutit.com/ep063-anna-cofone-what-it-really-takes-to-become-a-session-stylist/">session stylist</a>? This episode with Anna Chapman is the practical route in &mdash; not the fantasy.
I&rsquo;m back in the&nbsp;HTCI PodShed&nbsp;with&nbsp;Anna Chapman, a leading session hair stylist with an instinctive understanding of hair and over a decade in top salons before moving into the&nbsp;<a href="https://howtocutit.com/the-eugene-souleiman-story-podcast-special-bonus-episode/">session world</a>. Todaywe&rsquo;re to have real catch-up since we last spoke in&nbsp;<a href="https://howtocutit.com/ep180-anna-chapman-from-salon-hairdresser-to-international-session-stylist/">2020 podcast episode</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://instagram.com/annachapmanhair">Anna&nbsp;</a>breaks down the&nbsp;actual&nbsp;steps to get into&nbsp;<a href="https://howtocutit.com/rachael-gibson-hair-historian/">session work</a>&nbsp;today: how to position yourself if you&rsquo;re coming from salon, why&nbsp;<a href="https://sessionkit.com/">session styling</a>&nbsp;is a different job entirely, and what you need to do first to get on set.
We get into the assisting ladder (what assistants really do, how to reach out, how to follow up, and how to get yourself rebooked), plus the skills that matter when the pressure&rsquo;s on for major brands. Anna also shares what to post on&nbsp;<a href="https://instagram.com/annachapmanhair">Instagram</a>&nbsp;if you want work&mdash;how to show range, not just &ldquo;glam&rdquo;&mdash;and why persistence, visibility and standards are the long game.
If you&rsquo;re serious about building a career in<a href="https://howtocutit.com/being-session-stylist-anna-chapman/">&nbsp;session hair</a>, start here.
<hr>
CHAPTERS
<ul>
<li><a>1:25: </a>Breaking into Session Styling</li>
<li><a>6:47: </a>The Reality of Assisting</li>
<li><a>12:21: </a>Getting Paid as an Assistant</li>
<li><a>15:04: </a>Defining Session Stylists</li>
<li><a>19:35: </a>The Importance of Communication</li>
<li><a>23:11: </a>Challenges for Women in the Industry</li>
<li><a>27:20: </a>The Competitive Landscape</li>
<li><a>34:33: </a>The Path to Success</li>
<li><a>37:49: </a>The Importance of Apprenticeships</li>
<li><a>43:09: </a>The Role of Social Media</li>
<li><a>50:26: </a>How to Become an Assistant</li>
</ul>
<hr>
RESOURCES FROM TODAYS EPISODE
<ul>
<li>FOLLOW&nbsp;ANNA CHAPMAN ON INSTAGRAM&nbsp;<a href="https://instagram.com/annachapmanhair">@ANNACHAPMANHAIR</a></li>
<li>FOR EVERYTHING&nbsp;SESSION KIT&nbsp;CLICK&nbsp;<a href="https://sessionkit.com/">HERE&nbsp;</a></li>
<li>CONNECT WITH&nbsp;SESSION KIT ON INSTAGRAM<a href="https://instagram.com/sessionkit">&nbsp;@SESSIONKIT</a></li>
<li>GET&nbsp;TICKETS FOR HAIRCON&nbsp;VISIT&nbsp;<a href="https://haircon.co.uk/">HERE :&nbsp;</a>(USE CODE HTCI10 FOR 10% DISCOUNT)</li>
<li>CONNECT WITH&nbsp;HAIRCON ON INSTAGRAM&nbsp;<a href="https://instagram.com/hairconshow">@HAIRCONSHOW</a></li>
<li>FOLLOW&nbsp;HOW TO CUT IT ACROSS SOCIALS<a href="https://instagram.com/howtocutit">&nbsp;@HOWTOCUTIT</a></li>
</ul>

The ultimate resource and training guide for the hair industry, this is your one-stop shop for all things related to a successful career in hairdressing and barbering. 

Show host, Dom Lehane, interviews special guests from across the hair, fashion, beauty and creative occupations, educating you with their insights, inspirations and information to take your hairdressing and barbering careers to the next level. Whether you're considering a career in the hair industry, a trainee hairdresser, highly skilled hairstylist, ambitious barber or a salon owner there is something definitely here for you in this Podcast.

The ultimate resource and training guide for the hair industry, this is your one-stop shop for all things related to a successful career in hairdressing and barbering. 
Show host, Dom Lehane, interviews special guests from across the hair, fashion, beauty and creative occupations, educating you with their insights, inspirations and information to take your hairdressing and barbering careers to the next level. Whether you're considering a career in the hair industry, a trainee hairdresser, highly skilled hairstylist, ambitious barber or a salon owner there is something definitely here for you in this Podcast.

The UK and Irelands No 1 podcast show for the hair and barbering industry – giving the insights, inspirations and information to take your hairdressing and barbering careers to the next level.