Meet the Artist: Sidney Ho
Ace hairstylist and beautician, Sidney Ho shines like a bright star in the Kolkata industry. Hard work, dedication, passion and knowledge, Sidney has it all. — By Kaushik Karmakar
Early Life: His dad was a seaman, while mom; sisters and aunts were all accomplished beauty and hair professionals. Sidney was brought up in an environment and culture of hairdressing from his early childhood days.
Sidney did his basic schooling till Class XII at St Josheph’s College, Kolkata. He gives the primary credence to his school and his family for his excellent communication skills, his confidence, discipline, cordiality and mannerisms which are the base for making a strong Industry expert.
Sidney had to work very hard to reach this level of accomplishment. He has been featured in numerous magazines and newspapers, and also been awarded the best hairdresser from the region twice at Professional Beauty in Kolkata.
Careergraph:
Phase 1: Bridgette Jones – Bridgette taught him the motto, “Work is my partner, and work is my worship”. It is with Bridgette with adulation he acknowledges learning the basics of beauty, getting exposed to International brands and quality training.
Phase 2: AN John – Raman is the kind of guru, Sidney feels, who can inject and instill that strong sense of love, passion, dedication, creativity and modern concepts for the profession.
Phase 3: Toni&Guy, Kolkata – Maiden venture of Toni&Guy. The British brand gave a boost to the perception and an outlook to the well off city dwellers to try out something branded and acclaimed internationally.
Current phase: Currently, Sidney is associated with Meraki Salon, a boutique beauty services destination at Kolkata’s posh Ballygunge Circular Road as a working partner. Owned by Tanuja Prasad, a salon entrepreneur. Tanuja has guided him to be an entrepreneur along with a professional.
Current scenario in Kolkata: There has been a radical change in the business of beauty in Kolkata much like other cities in India, Sidney feels. Multiple brands have infused newer learning, new training and better services resulting in better customer satisfaction. The brands with which he usually works are Schwarzkopf, TIGI, Biotop and L’Oréal.
Trends in hairstyling
Ladies Cut – Mid-length cut to variation of bobs haircut.
Ladies Colour – Tones of warm and cool browns and blondes.
Men’s Cut – Low faded haircut, disconnected undercuts, pompadour and swift side spikes.
Men’s Colour – Tones of brown.
Tips to the budding professionals
- Proper client consultation, careful listening and constant communication is the key to a great service and also to retain clients.
- Always maintain the correct posture of yourself as a hairdresser for safeguarding the health of your back, knee and neck.
- Hairdressing is all about creativity and it requires a lot of dedication.
- Proper self grooming and a special attention to personal and workplace.
- When the client consultation happens, write the points in the mirror with a marker pen.
