How does the Hairstory affiliate program work for hairdressers?

When a hairdresser shares their unique Hairstory affiliate link and a client makes their first purchase through it, that client's account is permanently linked to that hairdresser. Every time the client reorders — even years later — the hairdresser earns a recurring commission, without the client needing to use the link again. This creates a compounding stream of passive income over time.

What is Hairstory's two-tier affiliate structure?

Hairstory's affiliate program has two tiers. In addition to earning commission on direct client sales, hairdressers can refer other hairdressers to Hairstory — for example, students in an education class — and earn a percentage of everything those stylists sell going forward. This means an educator can generate ongoing passive income from both their clients and the hairdressers they've introduced to the brand.

How much time does it take to manage social media as a hairdresser with a full client schedule?

Jane Matthews recommends treating social media as a dedicated block of time rather than squeezing it in around a full day of clients. Her suggestion is to replace the equivalent of one client appointment per day with focused social media work — posting, engaging, and sharing product links. When photographs were the primary content format, she spent about 15 to 20 minutes each morning. With video reels, the time commitment is closer to an hour a day.

What should hairdressers post on social media to drive product sales?

Jane Matthews advises posting only work you genuinely love and want to attract more of, and always including what products you used and how you styled the hair. She shares authentically in the moment rather than planning posts in advance, and consistently adds a link in Instagram Stories offering a discount on New Wash, Hair Balm, and Undressed — the three Hairstory products she recommends. She suggests making content roughly 90% educational and informational, and 10% personal.

Does New Wash work for fine, straight, or oily hair?

Yes — Jane Matthews shares that she initially assumed New Wash only worked for curly or dry hair, and spent years using it incorrectly. The key is using enough product: the amount of New Wash you'd use should equal the combined amount of shampoo and conditioner you'd normally use. When applied in sufficient quantity and worked through the hair for a few minutes before rinsing, New Wash cleans thoroughly, adds shine, and leaves the hair fluffy rather than heavy or dirty.

How can hairdressers use their affiliate link to try New Wash for free?

Hairstory offers a program where hairdressers can try a free bottle of New Wash by signing up through a hairdresser's affiliate link. Educators and stylists can place a 'try New Wash for free' button on their website or share the link directly. Once the hairdresser tries the product and signs up, they can begin selling it to their clients and earning commissions through the affiliate program.

Can hairdressers realistically earn as much from product commissions as from behind the chair?

Jane Matthews describes reaching a point where her Hairstory affiliate commissions matched what she earned behind the chair — something she describes as genuinely surprising. She emphasizes that the income grew slowly at first, then compounded as more clients and stylists were linked to her account. She notes that this level of income came not from having a massive following, but from consistently talking about what products she used and sharing her affiliate link.

Why does New Wash work especially well for shag haircuts?

Jane Matthews states she would not do a shag haircut without New Wash, noting that the amount of work required to achieve a great shag result using regular shampoo is significantly higher. Because New Wash leaves hair smoother, shinier, and free of product buildup without stripping the hair, it supports the natural texture and movement that defines the shag style — reducing the need for additional styling products to tame frizz or flatten volume.

GROWING YOUR PASSIVE INCOME AS A STYLIST

Name: Growing your Passive Income as a Stylist
Uploaded: 2025-12-17
Channel: Hairstory
Description: Hairstory hosts a conversation with Jane Matthews — San Francisco salon owner and hairdresser educator — about how stylists can build passive income through strategic social media use and the Hairstory affiliate program. Jane shares her firsthand experience growing product commission income to ma...

Spend an afternoon in conversation with Jayne Matthews about growing financially as a stylist beyond the chair. Being a stylist is hard work: it taxes our bodies, demands our energy, and we're pressured to be decent photographers and post meaningful content... to what end?! Jayne grew her business from the other side of the chair, and she is here to guide you through doing the same.

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Hairstory hosts a conversation with Jane Matthews — San Francisco salon owner and hairdresser educator — about how stylists can build passive income through strategic social media use and the Hairstory affiliate program. Jane shares her firsthand experience growing product commission income to match her behind-the-chair earnings, the mindset shift that made it possible, and practical advice on posting authentically, using Instagram Stories with an affiliate link, and leveraging Hairstory's two-tier referral structure. The session also addresses common misconceptions about New Wash, how to think about social media as a financial investment rather than an obligation, and why hairdressers should stop undercharging for their work.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Hairstory affiliate program work for hairdressers?

When a hairdresser shares their unique Hairstory affiliate link and a client makes their first purchase through it, that client's account is permanently linked to that hairdresser. Every time the client reorders — even years later — the hairdresser earns a recurring commission, without the client needing to use the link again. This creates a compounding stream of passive income over time.
What is Hairstory's two-tier affiliate structure?

Hairstory's affiliate program has two tiers. In addition to earning commission on direct client sales, hairdressers can refer other hairdressers to Hairstory — for example, students in an education class — and earn a percentage of everything those stylists sell going forward. This means an educator can generate ongoing passive income from both their clients and the hairdressers they've introduced to the brand.
How much time does it take to manage social media as a hairdresser with a full client schedule?

Jane Matthews recommends treating social media as a dedicated block of time rather than squeezing it in around a full day of clients. Her suggestion is to replace the equivalent of one client appointment per day with focused social media work — posting, engaging, and sharing product links. When photographs were the primary content format, she spent about 15 to 20 minutes each morning. With video reels, the time commitment is closer to an hour a day.
What should hairdressers post on social media to drive product sales?

Jane Matthews advises posting only work you genuinely love and want to attract more of, and always including what products you used and how you styled the hair. She shares authentically in the moment rather than planning posts in advance, and consistently adds a link in Instagram Stories offering a discount on New Wash, Hair Balm, and Undressed — the three Hairstory products she recommends. She suggests making content roughly 90% educational and informational, and 10% personal.
Does New Wash work for fine, straight, or oily hair?

Yes — Jane Matthews shares that she initially assumed New Wash only worked for curly or dry hair, and spent years using it incorrectly. The key is using enough product: the amount of New Wash you'd use should equal the combined amount of shampoo and conditioner you'd normally use. When applied in sufficient quantity and worked through the hair for a few minutes before rinsing, New Wash cleans thoroughly, adds shine, and leaves the hair fluffy rather than heavy or dirty.
How can hairdressers use their affiliate link to try New Wash for free?

Hairstory offers a program where hairdressers can try a free bottle of New Wash by signing up through a hairdresser's affiliate link. Educators and stylists can place a 'try New Wash for free' button on their website or share the link directly. Once the hairdresser tries the product and signs up, they can begin selling it to their clients and earning commissions through the affiliate program.
Can hairdressers realistically earn as much from product commissions as from behind the chair?

Jane Matthews describes reaching a point where her Hairstory affiliate commissions matched what she earned behind the chair — something she describes as genuinely surprising. She emphasizes that the income grew slowly at first, then compounded as more clients and stylists were linked to her account. She notes that this level of income came not from having a massive following, but from consistently talking about what products she used and sharing her affiliate link.
Why does New Wash work especially well for shag haircuts?

Jane Matthews states she would not do a shag haircut without New Wash, noting that the amount of work required to achieve a great shag result using regular shampoo is significantly higher. Because New Wash leaves hair smoother, shinier, and free of product buildup without stripping the hair, it supports the natural texture and movement that defines the shag style — reducing the need for additional styling products to tame frizz or flatten volume.