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NORMAN WELLS - For Irene Theriault, cutting hair is more than a profession or a skill: it's an art.

"You have to have an artistic background because it's not just sitting somebody in a chair," said Theriault.

Irene Theriault practises the art of hairstyling at Town Square Hair in Norman Wells. Theriault has been cutting hair since she was 14 and said the job requires an artist's touch. - Brodie Thomas/NNSL photo

Working out of Town Square Hair in Norman Wells and being the only hairdresser running a full-time shop means she gets a lot of clients.

Theriault started cutting her friend's hair at the age of 14 and by 15 she was working in a hair salon, learning the basics.

Every head is a new canvas for Theriault, and no two people can be treated the same way. There are many factors to take into consideration before she makes the first cut.

The shape of the face, skin tone, and how much time the client has in the morning make a big difference with what Theriault will do.

"If a client doesn't have the time for a high-maintenance style, that changes how I'm going to cut their hair," she said.

Notice that none of those three factors have anything to do with the person's hair itself. Theriault is a hair connoisseur - she notices the difference between fine, coarse and curly.

Besides knowing what style fits the customer, Theriault must also find out what the customer wants.

Striking a balance is not always easy.

"Consultation with the customer is the most important thing," she said.

She said men are more likely to sit down and tell her what they want.

Women are more likely to come in asking for advice. Women are often looking for something new.

She has worked on the East Coast and in Yellowknife, but says she likes working in smaller communities more.

"I love working in the North because there's so much work and people seem to appreciate it," said Theriault.

Theriault said she gets many women travelling through the Wells who pop in between flights.

She said the women especially appreciate getting a new style.

"It's nice to work with someone who really appreciates what you're doing," she said.

Working in the North gives Theriault the chance to travel around and see other communities. She has even been hired to fly into oil camps to cut workers' hair.

She said she loves the small-town feel of the Sahtu communities.

"As soon as you land people know who you are and they want their hair cut," she said.

The most important rule of thumb she uses when cutting anyone's hair is to leave it a bit longer rather than cut it short.

"You can't put it back," she said.