Hairdressers and Stylists
Official O*NET title: Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (39-5012.00)
Also called: beautician, beauty specialist, cosmetologist, hair artist, hair dresser
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Analyze patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing hairdressers and stylists work
2 of 14 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Green (little AI use yet) — 14%.
This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Analyze patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Develop new styles and techniques (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Schedule client appointments (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers' instructions, hair type, and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and razors (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Shampoo, rinse, condition, and dry hair and scalp or hairpieces with water, liquid soap, or other solutions (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Update and maintain customer information records (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Massage and treat scalp for hygienic and remedial purposes, using hands, fingers, or vibrating equipment (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Apply water or setting, straightening or waving solutions to hair, and use curlers, rollers, hot combs and curling irons to press and curl hair (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Shave, trim, and shape beards and moustaches (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Comb, brush, and spray hair or wigs to set style (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Demonstrate and sell hair care products and cosmetics (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Order, display, and maintain supplies (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Recommend and explain the use of cosmetics, lotions, and creams to soften and lubricate skin and enhance and restore natural appearance — some recorded AI use
- Operate cash registers to receive payments from patrons — no recorded AI use
- Shape eyebrows and remove facial hair, using depilatory cream, tweezers, electrolysis or wax — no recorded AI use
- Administer therapeutic medication and advise patron to seek medical treatment for chronic or contagious scalp conditions — no recorded AI use
- Train or supervise other hairstylists, hairdressers, and assistants — no recorded AI use
- Attach wigs or hairpieces to model heads and dress wigs and hairpieces according to instructions, samples, sketches or photographs — no recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Develop new styles and techniques”. Try the prompt for: “Recommend and explain the use of cosmetics, lotions, and creams to soften and lubricate skin and enhance and restore natural appearance”.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and hairdressers and stylists
Will AI replace hairdressers and stylists?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 2 of the 14 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Green rating (little AI use yet). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 17 of the 20 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which hairdresser tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: recommend and explain the use of cosmetics, lotions, and creams to soften and lubricate skin and enhance and restore natural appearance; analyze patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles; develop new styles and techniques.
Which hairdresser tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: keep work stations clean and sanitize tools; schedule client appointments; bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 19% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a hairdresser start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.
See how this job ranks
Hairdressers and Stylists ranks #411 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #11 of 23 in Personal Care & Services.
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