Hairdresser of the Month- Meet Michael D Gilberto

Hair and make up artist Michael D Gilberto has spent 21 years nurturing his talent and sharpening his skills. Cutting, coloring, event hair, make-up, international hair educator, judges, Michael does it all. His work can be described as crisp, clean and classically elegant.  Just ask his enviable client list such as Jennifer Hawkins, Kelly Landry of Getaway fame amongst others. When his not in the salon you’ll find him behind the scenes on photo shoots working his magic.

Style Street: How long have you been a hairstylist?

Michael Gilberto: I have been hairdressing 21 year and been a makeup artist now for 16 years.

SS: How did you get your start in hairdressing?

Michael: I have wanted to be a hairdresser since i was 10 years old, I was lucky to get a position at the end of year 11.

SS: And where did you start?

Michael: Started in a country salon called iorannis in Shepparton Victoria, which is 200km north of Melbourne.

SS: Cool, then you moved to the big smoke that is Melbourne?

Michael: Yeah, after my apprenticeship.

SS: So tell me how you got into the make up side of things…how did that come about?

Michael: I used to read fashion magazines and look to see who the hairdresser was that did the hair, then so someone mentioned i should do makeup as well, if that was the sort of thing I wanted to get into. So just before i moved to Melbourne i did a make up course.

SS: Is that where you see yourself in a few years…moving away from the salon and doing more editorial work?

Michael: Yes, but i also think I’ve starting to develop a desire to move into film and TV.

SS:  Where are you currently working?

Michael:  I am currently working for Oxhey and Bushey in st.Kilda.

SS: Top five hairdressing products/tools in your kit and why?

Michael:  Brains, creativity, my hands, GHD Stylers and Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion.

SS: What are the biggest problems facing hairdressers/salons today?

Michael:  The industry has lost the ability to work together to improve our industry. There is not enough youth that really truly love the craft. They all want it now and don’t want to put the hard yards in, to get there. There are not enough that stay on in the industry, which leaves salon owners, constantly looking to rebuild some to a standard we believe in.

SS: How do you recruit new staff?

Michael: I recruit most of my staff either through seek.com or Boutique Recruiters.com.au, which seemed pricey for the staff they had to offer.

SS: Did you find this online recruitment method effective?

Michael: It is always hard to find staff, I find myself sifting through the international students who are trying to get visa into the country.

SS: Any advice for apprentices?

Michael: I think training is very important, it can seem boring and a monotonous, but there is value in it.

SS: What is your opinion on a shorter years of training i.e. 4 year apprenticeship to 3year…do you think the industry has/will suffer?

Michael: Yes I believe it already has, there isn’t enough well trained and committed hairdressers. I blame society today, the kids just want it all yesterday.

SS: In regards to wages, which has been low for hairdressers traditionally, do you think that our wages don’t welcome young people to the industry and …what can we do about it?

Michael: Yes, that’s very true, I guess increasing our prices are the only way to get around it, we have to want to work to earn the big dollars.

Interview was conducted by Jean-Paul Rosette

Author of Heads Will Roll

http://whathappensinthechairstaysinthechair.blogspot.com/

Links

Micheal Gilberto   aspirehair@hotmail.com

Oxhey & Bushey Hairdressing      http://oxheyandbushey.com.au/

035433144            email: booking@oxheyandbushey.com.au

GHD http://www.ghdhair.com/au/

Aveda http://www.aveda.com/

Aveda Pure Abundance Potion http://www.aveda.com/templates/products/sp.tmpl?ngextredir=1&CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY11541&PRODUCT_ID=PROD10351

Seek.com http://www.seek.com.au/

Boutique Recruiters.com.au http://www.boutiquerecruiters.com.au/

Hairworks Chevron Island – 3 Positions Vacant

Posted 11 March

Salon Name	hairworks
Email	hairworksonchevron@hotmail.com
Positions	Hairdresser Nail technician Chair for Rent
Location	Chevron Island Gold Coast