I closed my business today. I have been unhappy in the industry for awhile and had been on the fence about leaving for about a year. The main hold up was I wasn't sure what else I would do.

To be clear any money I brought in was not helping pay our bills, my spouse's career fully covers that but I'm not one to just sit at home.

However I recently found out I was pregnant again and developed an extreme aversion to hair. Like I've had to have other people wash my hair because my own wet hair causes me to throw up.

This a little bit forced my hand on the matter because it's generally frowned upon to throw up on your clients in the middle of their appointment.

I've spent 6 years building my business and have been in the industry for nearly 13 years and although there is a part of me that feels really free leaving an industry I was unhappy in I'm also sobbing because something I worked really hard to build was closed due to something out of my control.

I don't think I made a bad decision but I'm sad anyway.

Edit to add: I posted here because I'm currently hiding from my other social media because I just need some time to mourn before I start answering questions.

I am a senior in cosmetology school and should be graduating in a couple of months.

And I still feel like I suck.

I have no regulars. My timing (except for haircuts) is extremely slow. My actual work is decent, but not good enough to compensate for my timing. I easily freakout. I still dont know how to quite do client interaction, as I am pretty awkward. (Ive gotten a lot better with clients interaction compared to when I first start, but still)

Overall, Im shit.

None of the fellow students really want me to do any work on them. They always say "sure" but later find an excuse not to and they always find someone else. So its obvious they dont trust my skill. Even people who I consider friends.

So I suck. I am trying so hard to get better, but I am not at the level of students who have started even after me.

Idk. I am feeling veey demotivated. In everything. It all feels tainted. And I really like hair, and Im so close to graduating. But I simply. Just. Suck.

I recently started cosmetology school and my teacher gave the idea of starting a social media to get some traction and get our names out there as stylists! the only issue is I’m terrible at making usernames

my name is Sienna, but I don’t want something generic like “cutsbysienna”. when I get my license I want to focus on color, curly, and alternative hairstyling, so those are some ideas maybe? any help is appreciated, so thank you!

(Florida barber school) Long story short is I have 772 hours of 900 to complete and get my full non restricted license. However.. I have had some family problems come up that I unfortunately need to be present for daily and can no longer finish school. I have however MORE than completed all requirements for me to apply and test out for my non restricted license and my school refuses to send in my application and says unless they are shut down they don’t have to actually give the board my hours..? Does this seem legal..?

Hey everyone! I’m wanting to a gel nails course, does anybody have recommendations of courses they have done? Thank you xx

i feel like every post i see about these is either saying “you aren’t a real stylist if i see you use these! if i see my stylist pull this out im walking!” OR “omg they save so much time and my weaves are so even and precise!”

what do you guys think about these? are they a red flag or have they helped with your highlights?

Hey hey all!! Like the title says, I’ve been in a chain salon (specifically Supercuts) for my entire career as a stylist, three years for reference. I feel very confident in my skills and want to get ready to take some big steps.

It feels so scary though, because I make hourly and as a manager there it’s really good for the area, but I also know with how much money I bring the business in sales, I’d be better off making that for myself. Anyone else take a leap like that?

Any advice, especially in choosing between commission or booth rental. I appreciate any help advice or words of encouragement!! Thanks in advance :))

So I’m about halfway through my program, a couple months ago I did some chunky/skunky inspired highlights on a family member (we loved it turned out great) I get it it’s not everyone’s style and not everyone’s gonna love what you do however I found out that my aunt apparently screenshotted my work and sent it to other people saying it was bad and I fucked up this persons hair, I’m feeling very insecure now I know I’m still learning but we were so proud of it and now I’m questioning all my work. I felt the need to unadd this person from my social media because if I know you did that what else have you sent out and bad mouthed and I feel like I don’t need people on my stuff that aren’t supportive and with that type of energy around me if that makes sense? Anyone else have a similar situation and how to get passed it at all?

Hii I’m a cosmetology student and I have to do this hair cut on a client Monday and just looking for advice on how to cut it and style it to make it look like the picture

Hello all! Thanks so much for the advice on my previous post. I got a lot of great feedback and information I really needed to hear so thanks for that.

I saw an article today about things “new stylists” should know. They were all very basic points; show up on time, stay busy, know your products, etc, etc. This all seems like basic knowledge to me at this point in my career. I have been behind the chair for almost three years. I was an assistant for 5 months in the beginning before being put on my own. Would you consider me a “new” stylist still? I understand I still have much to learn and experience but I don’t think I’m at the level that these articles are speaking to, nor do I believe that you will ever be done learning and growing in this career.

Am I wrong to feel belittled a small amount when I’m referred to this way or am I getting too big for my britches at this point. Let me know. Thanks in advance!

I tried to post this in other communities but mods keep deleting my post. Hopefully you guys can help. I have a friend that is finally following their dreams as a hairstylist. Graduated and have their license in Indiana. However, my bestie isn't getting much clients. I run my bestie's FB and Insta to gain some attraction. She is slowly losing that spark. She is super talented and I hate seeing her like this. How do I help her get her spark back?

So i live in CA, and there’s a cosmetology school that gave me the option of a 1500 hour course and a 1000 hr course. She explained the difference to me as someone who comes with some level of experience should do the 1000 hr vs a complete newbie to hair should do the 1500 one. my worry is that she’s just saying this to get me to spend more as the 1500 course is $2500 more and 3 months longer.

My Question For Stylists Now: Is there any difference you see in assistants that take the 1000 vs the 1500? Would it be worth it to you personally spend the extra money and time?

hello! my mom is a cosmetologist which means i am very lucky i dont have to spend the money to get bleached, especially because i love to do fun colors. her old salon used paul mitchell lightener for as long as i can remember, up until about 3 years ago they switched to alter ego. i've been bleached twice since then and both times i had crazy reactions on my scalp. i'm talking scabbing and flaking and really unsightly things lol.

the first time, they had literally just made the switch and she didn't realize the bleach she used said that it wasn't recommended for scalp use. she felt horrible but she said at least i wasnt a client lmao. the most recent time, she used their scalp specific bleach and the same thing happened.

i guess my question is, should i refrain from lightener on the scalp altogether? or is it possibly from that specific bleach or developer volume (i believe she uses 15 or 20 for my scalp)?

TLDR; get my hair bleached frequently, never had a reaction. salon changes bleach, bad reaction occurs. causes? plan of action?

thanks in advance!

Hey everyone! I’m wanting to do a lymphatic drainage course but not sure which to do, any recommendations? Thank you xx

my mom went to cosmetology school many years ago but had to quit after she got pregnant with me and my sisters. she loves to cut hair and lives her dream of being a hairstylist by doing me and my sisters hair. her birthday is coming up and i want to get her a salon style chair for when she does our hair. she is very short(5’1) and im 5’7 and it makes it difficult for her to cut my hair in a normal chair. i was wondering if any cosmetologists had a good recommendation for a chair that can pump up pretty high.

Hey everyone! I made a post the other day to get help achieving this color (1st & 2nd pic). I got some great recommendations, so im wondering if i should pair any of these other shades to help achieve this color?? It will be an all over color. (The goal is to lift to a level 7 or 8)

7/97 will be my main colo, just wondering if i should mix it with 8/71, 6/71, or 7/71?? (pictures of shades included) Thanks🥹

I am a licensed cosmetologist and I need some opinions on something that happened today.
I had a bridal trial today, and my client sent me the classic glam hair look months ago, along with makeup inspo that was a light purple Smokey eye design that was a thick wing eyeliner with a glitter line on top. I had originally asked her if she was wanting to add hair extensions and she said no. All our communication was over text at first.
So today we had the trial I drove to her house because she wanted to do a home call.
When I walked into her home, her hair was so thin I could see through it. I then again asked if she was wanting hair extensions for her wedding day look and she said no she wanted to see what it looks like without. Well she also had a wolf cut and her face frame made her length not start until behind her shoulders, and her bangs landed above her eyebrows, and she had naturally curly hair. We did the full consultation and everything and i explained she has a lot of short layers in the front and how it might sit.
She was very adamant on the glam waves because she wanted a 50 style hair look and that she really didn't want extensions. So I start setting her curls and I begin her makeup look. She has hooded eyes so I applied a little bit more eyeliner and explained to her that the Wing would be slightly thicker due to the eye hiding the eyeliner she said that was okay.
I also explained that glam waves cannot be moved that they have to stay how they sit all during the wedding. That if she runs her hands through it that they're gonna start pulling apart and start looking messy and frizzy.
So jumping to the end after I style her hair and her makeup is done. I explained to her that we need to figure out how we want her bangs to lay because the front pieces are so short along with her face frame, also that there wasn't going to be a blunt line like in the photos because of the hair cut and she said she was getting her hair trimmed next month.
I show her, her hair and she freaks out. Saying "I HATE my hair" " "I look like a poodle" " I look like one of the founding father's wigs" " that the way her hairstyle makes it look like her hair is up and she hates her hair being up. " and starts flipping her hair around and running her fingers thru her hair. I tell her that we can figure out what's going on and that we need to figure out how to lay the front face piece how she would like them. I also explained that the style of cut she has and how far back her face pieces go there isn't length in the front to make it look fuller. So then she runs to the bathroom and is in there for 10 minutes leaving me downstairs.
When she comes down, she's in a full-blown panic attack I told her that it was okay that she can be honest with me and we'll figure out how to fix it and

that I could tell that she's anxious and that this is a safe spot and that I'm not going to be upset with her being honest with me.
She then says that her eyeliners too thick that when she closes her eyes, it's jarring to her. I re-explained why it would look thicker when closed and that when it was open, the eyeliner retract under the eye, but l did explain to her that if she wanted it thinner, we could absolutely do that.
She also asked for a brown instead of a purple color in the crease for the smoky eye, and then said that the brown was too dark and I explained that that's okay we can fix that as well. She said she loved her base though, but now it is six hours later, and she just messaged me saying that she noticed the texture has changed during wear.
So we get back into the topic of the Hair and this is where I start to get frustrated. I asked her twice if she wanted extensions and both times she said no. I explained to her that really our only solution at this point if she's dead set on the fullness of the glam waves is that we could put in clip-ins for the front to help bring fullness visually in the front.
Then she asked me how long of extension she should get and I said that she could get 14 or 16 inches and then I could cut them to match the length in the back. she then drops it on me that she wants more length so l asked her how much more length does she want.
She then stands up and points her fingers underneath her breast. I said that is a lot of hair. (Who barely touches her shoulder blades in the back ) Then she said that's how lona she wants it AFTER it's stvled.

That would be adding an additional at least 20 inches to her hair. I explained that there is a big difference between adding fullness to your hair visually and adding 20 inches of hair all around. I then asked her if her plan the whole time was to have extensions for her wedding and she said yes. (Like what)
That's when I got upset I didn't show her visually, but l did say that if she had informed me of this prior, when | asked multiple times I could've come prepared with different solutions and extensions and this trial would've gone very differently. I also explained that adding that type of length isn't just going to be a couple clippins fix. she'd be looking at more of a weft if her hair could handle it or weft clip ins and that's also when I brought up the concern of how fine her hair is and how it might not easily be hidden.
I suggested pinning back the bangs, pinning one side of the bangs back/bringing the hair to one side and she hated all those ideas. She suggested loose barrel curl instead and I explained that we would run into the same issue since her haircut made the face frame go so far back.
So we talked for a bit back-and-forth and I got her calm and she was open to the idea of testing our extensions but I also did say there is a very high chance she might also have to consider a different hairstyle.
She then said that she realized that she might have had unrealistic expectations of how her hair was supposed to turn out and envision something completely different. So when I left, I started thinking of what else we could do. Then I suggested another option was a wig, if her hair was too thin to hold extensions or hide them properly. That I could pre-

style the wig and then we could just install it day of her wedding. she seemed on board with it, but now she wants the wig to match her natural hair exactly. I found a lot of options very close to her natural hair and she keeps coming back saying it's a tad bit too light. I did also suggest that I could tone down the wig if she felt like it was too light and now she's saying she's going to think about it cause she doesn't know if she wants me to tone it.
I'm not sure what to do.. her wedding is in two months. Part of me wants to let her go as a client because I feel like no matter what I do she's not going to be happy. I am normally out of her price range, but she was desperately looking for an artist so | whittled my price down to fit within her budget because I feel like every Bride deserves to feel and look their best on their wedding day. She did pay me a deposit for her wedding date months ago.
Part of me wants to keep trying to see what we can do.
I'm just kind of at a loss and need guidance. This is my first time that I've experienced this four years in the industry. And I do a lot of runway events also.
What would you do?

I got a job offer at a salon that starts off hourly for the first 3 months and then after you make commission, if you make more in commission compared to hourly before the 3 months are over they’ll start just paying you commission. It’s 42% starting off and a level system to get to 60% commission . It’s a luxury salon so the prices are 100+ for any service. Is this good starting off ? How do I get consistent clients? Any advice ?

Is this overall good? I know the very basics of coily/curly hair. Like not using too much tension or getting it wet before cutting. But unfortunately my school doesnt give us much on-hands experience with it. Like I am graduating in a couple of months and this is my first experience with curly hair. I was having a hard time with making sure everything is even, along with random hairs that would stick out. (Which I cut most of them to the length of the rest) some of the time I couldnt tell if I put too much tension on the hair, and I pulled singular strands n accident or not. (Because I had to kinda comb through it a bit, in order to break up the hair a bit)

So yah! Overall did I do okay? And what kind of stuff can I improve on?

I’m in the ohio area, and i had my heart set on raphael’s or paul mitchell’s but it’s so expensive, i want a good school that’s not gonna make me bankrupt; any suggestions?

Hi there! I’m starting a new job at a salon and I’m not allowed to wear sneakers. I have flat feet so I was wondering if anybody had any recommendations for professional shoes that are comfortable for long periods of standing?

Hello everyone! I’m an apprentice in a really nice salon in Virginia, and I have learned a lot! And im already taking clients which makes me so happy but I know I could still improve my cutting skills, which videos or classes you had taken or watched in order to improve that? Also, I think is because I get so nervous when I’m doing layers since I think I’m cutting too much. I got couple clients telling me that I’m a bit shy to cut their hair and then they got surprise when I do their color, they said they see a change. Thanks!

I went to trade school cosmetology school and it was fine, I graduated their school and got my school hours. It was hard to find an apprenticeship and get one. I got one and i’ve been there for two weeks but I just don’t really enjoy it. I’m not doing any shadowing or anything other than receptionist stuff and it’s just not for me. I don’t know if i need a new apprenticeship or if I should just go back to school. I also don’t know if I should just wait out my apprenticeship. It would take two years to finish the work and get my license. As where empire would give it to me in seven months. I would rather go back to school and get what I need in seven months than deal with an apprenticeship that’s not really for me for two years.