top of page

How to Get Your Hair Work Featured in Magazines

Introduction: Why Magazine Features Matter


Being featured in a magazine is more than just recognition—it’s a career accelerator. Editorial exposure validates your skill, amplifies your creative identity, and attracts opportunities in fashion, beauty, and commercial projects. Magazines look for hairstylists who push boundaries, create visual stories, and produce high-quality, trend-forward work that translates into captivating photography.


Landing a feature requires more than skill alone. It’s about presentation, networking, and positioning your work as editorial-ready.



Building an Editorial-Ready Portfolio


Before pitching your work to magazines, ensure your portfolio is polished and professional:


  • High-Quality Photography: Capture your hairstyles in clear, well-lit images, showing texture, movement, and detail


  • Styled Concepts: Include fully styled editorial looks with cohesive hair, makeup, and wardrobe


  • Diverse Work: Show versatility across bridal, avant-garde, runway, and commercial styles


  • Presentation: Use professional platforms, PDF lookbooks, or online galleries for submissions


Magazines want to see work that tells a story, evokes emotion, and can inspire readers.



Networking With Editors and Creative Teams


Building relationships in the industry is essential:


  • Attend fashion shows, beauty expos, and networking events


  • Connect with photographers, stylists, models, and makeup artists for collaborative projects


  • Engage with magazine editors and creative directors on social media and professionally via email


  • Offer to style hair for photo shoots that align with editorial themes


Your network is your gateway to editorial opportunities. Collaborators often recommend talented stylists for shoots, giving you access to magazine features.



Creating Marketable Hair Concepts


Magazines look for originality and trends that will captivate their audience:


  • Experiment with textures, volume, colour, and sculptural elements


  • Develop cohesive looks that align with seasonal trends or feature themes


  • Push boundaries with avant-garde or conceptual hairstyles


  • Ensure the final hair complements the wardrobe and makeup for seamless editorial integration


The goal is to produce hair that reads beautifully in photographs and aligns with the magazine’s aesthetic.



Pitching Your Work to Magazines


When reaching out to publications:


  • Personalized Approach: Research the magazine and address your pitch to the appropriate editor


  • Include Portfolio Highlights: Showcase your best editorial-ready looks


  • Provide Context: Explain the concept, inspiration, and techniques behind your hairstyles


  • Follow Submission Guidelines: Many magazines have specific formats for stylist submissions


Persistence and professionalism increase your chances of getting noticed.



Leveraging Social Media for Editorial Attention


Social media acts as your portfolio in the digital age:


  • Tag magazines, photographers, and fashion teams when posting your work


  • Use relevant hashtags for visibility in the beauty and fashion community


  • Share behind-the-scenes content to demonstrate your process and professionalism


  • Engage with editors and creative professionals by commenting on relevant posts


Magazines often discover emerging talent on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, making social media a powerful tool for exposure.



Fun Fact


Hairstylists like Guido Palau and Chris McMillan began by styling friends and experimenting on mannequins before building editorial portfolios that led to high-profile magazine features. Creative persistence often outweighs early opportunities.


Which Editorial Hair Style Inspires You Most?

  • 0%Avant-garde

  • 0%Bridal

  • 0%Runway-inspired

  • 0%Trend-setting colour

What’s the most ambitious hairstyle you’ve created for a photoshoot?


Share how you documented it and what you learned from the process. 👇🏼

Comments


Join Our Hair Education Community!

Sign up to get exclusive tips, tutorials, and business strategies for hairstylists and barbers straight to your inbox. Grow your skills, attract clients, and turn your passion into a thriving career!

Sign up to get exclusive tips, tutorials, and business strategies for hairstylists and barbers straight to your inbox. Grow your skills, attract clients, and turn your passion into a thriving career!

Shop Now

bottom of page