The Five Hairdresser Archetypes — And My Journey Through Them All

By Vivienne Mackinder

Have you ever noticed how your scissors sometimes feel like an extension of your soul? How the way you cut, style, or even speak to your clients reveals a deeper part of who you are?
I’ve come to believe that every hairdresser carries a mix of archetypes — patterns of behavior that shape not only how we work, but how we see ourselves behind the chair.

When I first entered this industry, I was shy, timid, and clung to my technical training like a life raft. I found comfort in precision. Technique became my identity. I could disappear into it and feel safe.

But no one had taught me about suitability.

At 22, I had a moment that changed everything. I took Polaroid photos of every single client and laid them out on the salon floor.
To my horror, I realized I had given every client the same haircut.
One woman looked fantastic. The others… not so much.

That day I realized: “I had a problem”

I was technically strong, even creatively adventurous — but I hadn’t learned how to design for who was sitting in my chair.

I was cutting hair, not designing people.

The Five Archetypes Behind the Chair

Every hairdresser carries different versions of themselves — the eager student, the perfectionist technician, the fearless artist, the storyteller behind the chair, and the mentor who guides others. I didn’t realize it back then, but I was moving through these archetypes long before I had names for them. Each one taught me something essential — about creativity, fear, confidence, and human connection.

In this blog, we are going to explore the five creative archetypes that shape your journey behind the chair:

• The Technician – The Comfort Zone of Control The Artist
• The artist- The Fine Line Between Genius and “What Was I Thinking?”
• The Puppet – When Everyone Else Pulls the Strings The Pedestal
• The Pedestal – The Endless Climb of Reinvention
• Coaching Through the Archetypes: Finding Balance Behind the Chair

Maybe you’ll see yourself in one of them. Maybe you’ll see a bit of all five.

The Technician – The Comfort Zone of Control

I began my career as a pure technician. My cuts were precise, structured, and safe. I built confidence through repetition and control. But I didn’t yet understand what style meant — or how to adapt it to suit a client’s face, lifestyle, or personality. I was following fashion, not leading it.
And truthfully, I became a bit of a fashion victim.

Later, I started exploring more creative ideas, pushing the envelope. My work began to get noticed — I found myself on stage, in magazines, surrounded by incredible talent. But then came a new lesson…

This might be you if...

Signature Move: Precision, structure, systems. You could cut a bob in your sleep.
Strength: Consistency. Mastery. Excellence in every snip.
Challenge: You get so wrapped up in the details, you forget the person in the chair. Sometimes, your art lacks soul.
Clue: If you’ve ever delivered a flawless haircut that somehow didn’t fit the client — this might be your dominant archetype.

The Artist – The Fine Line Between Genius and “What Was I Thinking?”

I created a collection for Trevor Sorbie that I thought was visionary. He reviewed it and said,
“Vivienne, there’s a fine line between creativity and bad taste.”
I asked nervously, “Which side am I on?”
He answered, “Bad taste.”
I was gutted. But it was the best advice I ever received. He told me my work was too busy, too overdone—my artistry needed an edit button.

That lesson shaped my career: Never compromise beauty for the sake of wild ideas.

This might be you if…

Signature Move: You don’t do hair—you create masterpieces. You break rules, invent trends, and never copy.
Strength: Visionary, unpredictable, imaginative. Clients leave transformed.
Downside: When inspiration fades, so do you. No structure, no discipline, hard to recreate the magic twice.
Warning Sign: Salon owners love your talent—but dread your inconsistency.

The Puppet – When Everyone Else Pulls the Strings

When I started working in photographic studios, I hit another wall. Suddenly, art directors, stylists, and photographers were all pulling my strings. I felt like a puppet—doubting myself, losing my voice. But over time, I reframed it.
They weren’t controlling me—they were coaching me. Once I made that mindset shift, I grew.

Today, in the salon, I rarely feel like a puppet. I have strong creative and technical skills, and more importantly, I know how to design to the soul of the client—not just the surface. That only came with time, experience, and learning to collaborate instead of control or submit.

This might be you if…

Signature Move: The client calls the shots. You nod and hope for the best.
Strength: Empathy, desire to please, incredible collaborator.
Downside: You lose your voice, your power, and your paycheck.
Sound familiar? If you find yourself panicking when someone says “Do whatever you think,” you might be a Puppet in disguise.

The Pedestal – The Endless Climb of Reinvention

From the outside, it may look like I live on a pedestal. But from where I stand, I’m always pushing myself to stay fresh, relevant, and inspired. I get bored quickly. Reinvention is my drug.

Yes, I’ve won awards, trained under icons like Sassoon and Sorbie, but my greatest teacher?
My phone.
Every day I photo journal my work. I study what I see. The camera doesn’t lie—and it teaches me more than any stage or trophy.

This might be you if…

Signature Move: You’re known, respected, trusted. You’ve earned your crown.
Strength: Mastery across all avatars. You consult like a boss, cut like a god, entertain like a star.
Downside: Ego. Fear of change. Coasting on past glory. The danger of falling from grace.
Lesson: Staying at the top takes humility, curiosity, and constant reinvention.

Coaching Through the Archetypes: Finding Balance Behind the Chair

When I look back at my journey through these five archetypes, I’ve learned something essential—

there’s no “better” or “worse” one. Each archetype has gifts and shadows.

The key is awareness and balance—to know when to lead, when to listen, when to play, and when to pause.

We all shift between them depending on the season of our career, the client in front of us, or even how we’re feeling that day.

So rather than judging where you are, celebrate it. Then, grow from it.

Here are some insights to help you stay balanced in your craft and connected to your purpose.

The Puppet: From People-Pleaser to Confident Creator

“You want to please—but it’s time to lead.”

Strengths: Warm, kind, collaborative, eager to make others happy. Clients trust you because you’re gentle and accommodating.

Out of Balance: You shrink under pressure, struggle to say no, and doubt your own expertise. You hand the scissors to the client—metaphorically and literally.

Coaching Tips:

• Confidence isn’t arrogance—it’s service with certainty.
• Practice saying, “Here’s what I recommend for your face shape and lifestyle.”
• Remember: People pay professionals for leadership, not just compliance.
• Take advanced education to strengthen your decision-making power behind the chair.

Mantra: The client sits in my chair for guidance—not just for agreement.

The Entertainer: You Don’t Need to Win Them—Just Wow Them

“You light up the room—but don’t dim your focus.”

Strengths: Magnetic personality, makes clients feel like family. Loyalty and referrals come naturally.

Out of Balance: So focused on the person, you forget the hair. You chat through consultations, miss technical steps, or default to the same haircut on everyone.

Coaching Tips:

• Give your hands the spotlight, not just your voice.
• Try silent consultations—listen more, speak less.
• Turn your attention toward observing structure: hairline, cheekbones, fashion sense.
• Clients love your vibe—but they stay for your results.

Mantra: My charisma is the door, but my craft is what keeps them coming back.

The Artist: Dancing Between Vision and Discipline

“You’re a visionary—but don’t lose your anchor.”

Strengths: Inventive, intuitive, imaginative. You never copy. You bring soul and originality to your work.

Out of Balance: When inspiration fades, you fade too. Inconsistent, hard to replicate your brilliance, and sometimes miss structure or timing.

Coaching Tips:

• Ground your inspiration in strong technical habits.
• Develop a “signature system” so your magic is repeatable.
• Set creative boundaries (time, shape, technique) to challenge yourself.
• Keep a photo journal of your work—it will sharpen your eye.

Mantra: Inspiration + discipline = unstoppable artistry.

The Pedestal: Reinventing the Master Within

“You’ve earned the crown—but don’t let it turn to stone.”

Strengths: Mastery, leadership, trust, legacy. You command respect. You know how to dip into each avatar as needed.

Out of Balance: You resist change. You fear reinvention. You’re sitting on past success but not building the next chapter.

Coaching Tips:

• Stay curious. Sign up for a class that intimidates you.
• Mentor someone fresh—new energy will reignite your own.
• Don’t coast on old trends. Reinvent. Relearn. Reignite.
• Remember: true masters are also forever students.

Mantra: My legacy is only as strong as my next evolution.

Who’s Really BehindYour the Chair?

Behind every great haircut lives a pattern—an instinct—a story in motion. This quiz isn’t just fun. It’s a mirror. A map. A mindset reset.

Why It Matters?
Whether you’re:
-A coach wanting to decode your team’s creative rhythm
-A teacher who wants to nurture each student’s natural strengths
-A salon owner ready to build a culture of growth and artistry
-Or a stylist who wants to understand what’s working—and what’s holding you back

You’ll discover your dominant avatar, your blind spots, and the path to becoming the most joyful, inspired, and well-paid version of yourself.

Take the Quiz. Find Yourself. Change Everything. You might be a Technician craving freedom to play like an Artist. An Entertainer who needs focus to refine their craft. A Puppet ready to cut the strings and rise as a Pedestal.

Whatever your result, you’ll get:
-A full percentage breakdown of your avatar mix
- A personalized coaching map to rebalance your traits
-Actionable insights to align your artistry with your income

Ready to meet the mind behind your scissors?
TAKE THE HAIRDRESSER AVATAR QUIZ NOW