Juan Alvarez, Alfaparf Artisan, stays current and lets the world around him inspire his teaching, and that’s why we’ve selected him as Premier Beauty’s Educator of the Month!

How’d you get your start in education?

I’ve been doing hair for 20 years and have been lucky enough to work in salons that truly value education. I’ve met a lot of great educators throughout the years and when I was approached by Alfaparf about becoming an educator, it felt like the right time for me to take that step.

What’s your favorite product from Alfaparf Milano?

I love Evolution of Color³. It's something I use every day; it has a huge impact and lets me be creative through my work.

What's the newest, freshest approach you're bringing to education?

I always try to stay fresh and open to let the world around me inspire my teaching. I think about how I learn best and try to get students involved so they learn more and have fun in the process.

What are the common problems faced by stylists today?

I think a lot of stylists struggle with an imbalance of skills when it comes to their work and social media. Many younger stylists lack the industry experience they need but know how to promote their work on social really well, so they focus on that. Some of the more seasoned stylists have the industry experience but don’t know where to start with social media, so they stick with what they know. It’s sometimes hard for stylists to find a good balance between the two skills, especially when we live in such an age of information overload.

To me, it’s important to get as much experience as possible and really hone your craft when you’re at the beginning of your career. You can learn social media later by taking classes or picking up tips from other stylists.

What do you want stylists to know about education?

It’s tempting just to watch YouTube videos or learn things on the internet, but there is no replacement for the one-on-one interaction you get with an educator. Educators have dedicated themselves to learning their craft, and stylists should take advantage of the knowledge that they bring to the table.

What are your educator goals?

I’m pretty new as an educator, so I’m still learning what works for me in terms of teaching style and being comfortable. I try to be open to new ways of teaching and sharing my experience as much as possible. Every time I see a lightbulb go off in people’s eyes, I gain a little more confidence.

Being an educator is really rewarding for me because I love to meet my peers and learn what makes them passionate about what we’re doing.

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