Yan Yan cuts hair for a customer at a salon in Beijing on Dec 26. [Photo by ZHOU HONG/FOR CHINA DAILY]

The buzz of clippers, the fragrance of hair products, and the chatter of eager customers: A week before Spring Festival — the biggest traditional Chinese holiday — a hair salon nestled in the heart of Beijing's vibrant Sanlitun neighborhood is a hive of activity.

Known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and eclectic mix of shops, restaurants and nightlife, Sanlitun is the go-to place for people wanting to look their best ahead of the festivities.

Among the hairdressers, one young woman stands out. Her movements swift and purposeful, she works tirelessly in front of the mirrors. Whether giving stylish trims to young professionals or classic cuts to elderly clients, her hands are always in motion, creating that perfect look.

"The pressure is on, with everyone hoping to leave with a fresh, new look just in time for the festival," said Yan Yan, the 32-year-old hairdresser. She works at least 10 hours a day, with some of her customers even having to line up outside the salon due to the heavy rush. "I want to give my customers the haircut they expect, but I also offer suggestions that go beyond their expectations. It's a rewarding experience when they leave looking and feeling great," she added.

One of the first things you notice about Yan Yan is her platinum blonde hair — sleek and short, complementing her sharp features and effortlessly chic sense of fashion. Her look exudes a modern, edgy aesthetic that's hard to miss.

Yan Yan isn't just another salon employee; she's one of the most sought-after hairdressers in the area. Every day, she carefully selects a wardrobe that includes tailored trousers, oversized skirts, and unique accessories, each piece reflecting her bold and stylish personality.

Inside the salon, her workstation is always immaculate, with her tools — clippers, razors, and combs — arranged with precision. But it's not just her look that draws people in; it's her magnetic personality and the relaxed yet professional atmosphere she creates for her customers. Whether performing an elaborate haircut or a simple trim, every visit feels like an experience, not just a service.

Her clientele ranges from young professionals and fashion-forward trendsetters to older clients who return not only for her skills but also her warmth and attentiveness. She doesn't just cut hair; she listens. Many customers are surprised by how much they enjoy the conversation, whether it's about fashion trends, local events, or personal stories. Yan Yan has the natural ability to make people feel at ease, as though they have been friends for years.

"I often use the method of elimination to understand what my customers want," she says, explaining her step-by-step process of narrowing down choices by asking targeted questions and eliminating options based on their preferences. "'What kind of look are you going for today? How do you usually like your hair cut?' These questions help me understand my clients' general preferences."

After the initial response, she narrows it further by asking more specific questions such as, "Are you looking for a sharp style or a more natural look?" and "Would you like a trim, or are you looking for something new?"

"If clients indicate they don't like certain styles, textures, or lengths, or give me clear instructions, I always confirm with them to ensure I'm on the right track," Yan Yan adds. "I want to deliver the look they desire, avoiding confusion or miscommunication."

Yan Yan's real name is Guo Yanyan, but to her customers, she's simply known as Yan Yan. Born and raised in Hebei province, she discovered her passion for cutting hair in her late teens while attending beauty school.

Her initial attraction to the profession was purely aesthetic; she admired the precision and artistry involved in shaping someone's appearance. But she quickly realized that her interest went beyond just styling hair. Hairdressing, she discovered, was about connection. It was about creating an experience — a space where customers felt heard, valued and respected.

"What really sets her apart is her ability to win the hearts of her customers. From the moment someone sits in her chair, there's an unspoken understanding that they'll leave not just with a great haircut, but with a sense of connection and personal attention," says one of Yan Yan's regular customers, 26-year-old Lu Wei, who has been visiting her for nearly two years.

Lu shares her previous disappointing experience before she met Yan Yan.

It was a hot summer afternoon when Lu, on a day off in Beijing, decided to get a haircut. Although it wasn't planned, she felt ready for a new look and confidently strolled into a nearby hair salon. "I wanted a chic, butterfly cut that ended just below the chin — something that says, 'she's effortlessly stylish,'" Lu explains. "I was excited, expecting to leave with a haircut that would make me selfie-ready."

But things quickly went downhill. The young male barber assigned to her seemed confused about what a butterfly cut was and didn't ask any questions about how she usually styled her hair. Instead, he reassured her, "I got this, don't worry. You're going to love it," with a confidence that made Lu feel uneasy.

"Despite my doubts, I went along with it. I reiterated the length and style I wanted. As the minutes passed, an uncomfortable silence settled in," she recalls. "When he said, 'I think we're done,' I was in shock. The result? A haircut that was nothing like what I had envisioned."

Trying to mask her surprise with a tight smile, Lu paid and left the shop, avoiding eye contact with anyone. "I passed a storefront window and had a brief existential crisis. Who was this woman? My hair was much shorter than I expected, and there was no butterfly cut at all," she laughs. By the time she got home, she seriously contemplated putting on a hat and crying.

"I shared my experience with my friends, and they totally understood how frustrating it was," Lu says. "Sometimes hairdressers get stuck in their own groove, cutting hair the way they think looks best, without fully listening to what the customer wants."

Ren Mingwei, the owner of My Hair — a chain of about 100 hair salons nationwide — says the hair industry has long been dominated by men, but a quiet revolution is taking place behind the barber's chair. The number of female hairdressers is on the rise, not just for their skill with clippers, but for their refreshing, communicative approach to the art of grooming.

"No longer confined to beauty or salon industries, women are stepping into the male-dominated world of barbering, transforming it along the way," Ren explains. "They are redefining what it means to sit in the barber's chair. They offer more than just a haircut. They create an environment where customers not only leave looking good but also feeling heard and understood."

Ren, 37, moved to Beijing in 2006 from his hometown in Shanxi province and started as a barber's assistant. After gaining hands-on experience, he opened his own outlet in 2010.

"Since 2018, the number of female hairdressers has been growing. As much as 85 percent of our customers are women. The unique approach of female hairdressers — often based on empathy and effective communication — has allowed them to make a significant impact in the industry," Ren says. "Today, 40 percent of the hairdressers working under my label are women."

He also notes that barbershops are evolving. "They're no longer just places for a quick trim. They're becoming spaces where men can relax, open up, and engage in meaningful conversations with their barbers."

The rise of female hairdressers highlights an often-overlooked aspect of the trade: the power of communication.

"Women tend to possess high emotional intelligence, which allows them to connect with clients on a deeper level, making the experience more personal and fulfilling," says Ren. "At the same time, their skills are just as good as male barbers'. Their ability to create a space where clients feel seen and heard provides an extra benefit.

"The rise of women hairdressers has raised the bar in the industry, making the competition fiercer, and that's a good thing."

Growing tribe

Despite their growing presence, women hairdressers still face challenges and even bias in a male-dominated industry. From overcoming skepticism to proving their worth, women in the hair trade must often go the extra mile.

Yan Yan recalls how she faced resistance when she first entered the industry. Some even doubted her professionalism and questioned her skills, simply assuming that the profession was reserved for men.

"At first, some clients would be unsure when they were assigned to me. They'd see me, a woman with a razor, and wonder if I could handle it. But I didn't let that discourage me. I kept working on my craft, and now, my clients trust me for both my skills and the environment I create," she says.

The trend is expanding beyond Beijing. In 2024, a female hairdresser from Huaihua, Hunan province, named "Hairstylist Xiaohua", went viral for her exceptional skills and humble, attentive approach. Her meticulous attention to detail and ability to perfectly fulfill client requests have made her a favorite among netizens. During her livestreams, Xiaohua regularly attracts over 100,000 viewers, including professional barbers eager to learn from her technique.

What makes her stand out? It's not just her technique but her deep understanding of client needs, her ability to listen attentively, and her remarkable attention to detail.

Xiaohua's rise to fame began with a viral video that showed her giving a client a haircut while carefully adhering to every specific request. Dressed simply and professionally, she communicates with her customers with patience, asking them exactly what they want and carefully following their instructions. For example, when a client asked for bangs to sit "just above the eyes, but a little below the eyebrows," she executed the request flawlessly, a testament to her precision.

What truly sets her apart is her ability to handle both very specific and more abstract requests. A client might say, "Don't cut it too short," and Xiaohua knows exactly what that means, without needing further clarification. Her skill in reading and interpreting these nuances has led her to be affectionately dubbed as "The People's Hairstylist" by netizens, with many expressing admiration for her dedication to delivering exactly what the customer asks for, no more and no less.

During peak times, her live broadcasts have 100,000 viewers tuning in. But it isn't just everyday people watching-professional barbers from all over the country started joining her live sessions in groups to "steal skills" and learn from her technique.

Dai Zhaolei traveled to Huaihua to visit Xiaohua last December. Owning a barbershop in Kunming, Yunnan province, 35-year-old Dai let Xiahua give him a haircut, which cost him 30 yuan. He was overwhelmed by the crowds waiting in front of Xiaohua's shop for their turn.

"Compared to bigger cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, the price is very reasonable and just like Xiaohua's humble and down-to-earth style," says Dai, who trained to become a barber in 2007 and later worked in barbershops in Shanghai and Beijing before launching his own barbershop in Kunming in May 2024.

"In the fashion world dominated by flashy trends and over-the-top personalities, Xiaohua's simplicity, attention to detail, and commitment to her clients stand out as a refreshing reminder of what it means to truly listen and serve," says Dai.

"I also worked with some women hairdressers in Beijing and Shanghai, who combine skills with emotional intelligence and keen attention to detail."

Thanks to social media platforms, female hairdressers have been gaining a wide fan base by posting their works and sharing their ideas about fashion, Dai notes.

"Some customers come to hair salons just for the experience of getting a cut by a female hairdresser," he says. "As far as I know, the women are better at their work than the men."

As an owner of a barber shop, Dai also looks for female hairdressers to join him. He says that traditional barbershops often have a masculine vibe, while female hairdressers help the hair salons feel more inclusive and genteel.

"As more clients seek personalized experiences, the role of the female hairdressers will continue to grow, offering a refreshing, customer-centered alternative to the traditional barbershop experience," he says.