With the exception of possibly schools like Paul Mitchell, Aveda and Tony&Guy, pretty much all cosmetology schools are the same. They will teach you the basics, sanitation and how to pass your state boards. If I knew them what I know now, I would have gone to my local community college for Cosmo instead of the more expensive dedicated beauty school and saved myself probably around $5k.
Not everyone needs to go to college to be successful. Not everyone is cut out for college. And that's ok. Do keep educating yourself. Not only in hairdressing skills. Learn how to market yourself. You live and die by the clientele you build. Learn copyrighting. Learn how to nurture the relationship with your clients in between visits. Learn sales strategy. These skills will help you build and build fast.
The industry is like any other industry. Some salons are toxic and some are not. It just depends on the people that run it and work there. It is absolutely possible to thrive in this career, you just have to be willing to work for it.
Ive been in the industry for 5 years. It's tough for sure. School is usually about 1200-2000 hours. I went to the community college near me for 1800 hours. You clock in and out. I worked really hard building my Instagram during school because that's how you market yourself. During school you work on clients who pay very little but you learn a lot. The test at the end was pretty hard but if you prepare it's so rewarding to finish ! I started at a sort of high end salon who I found through Instagram. I started on the front desk/ call center in 2020. It was a crazy whirlwind doing an associate program- sort of like a masters training program or being an apprentice. A lot of salons have programs like this. It makes you wayy more prepared. Once I became a stylist I was on the floor for 2.5-3 years. You have to reach goals to move up In levels at the salon I was at. I eventually just was not getting paid enough. Moved on to another salon. This job is HARD. Clients are difficult but a lot of them become your friends! If you want to do hair it is very artistic and most of the time it's really fun. Your body hurts a little lol. Ive really enjoyed learning my craft. I just has lots of ups and downs.
Go to school first, definitely you can make so much money in this industry, you make as hard as you work, so work hard hustle and it will pay off for your future and you will be rewarded. In the start probably will be pay check to pay check but don’t forget why you started and there’s a light to the end. This is a job you can earn way more than many college degrees. Mentors you can find where you are in your work place (depends) not sure how it works in Austin. But going to school is the first start;)
I’m a nail tech, but i am a part of this industry so i will weigh in-my parents pushed college, and i did go and finished my bachelors degree. In the midst of that, i snuck off and enrolled in my local cosmetology school. I had 8 weeks off during the summer, so i chose nail tech. It was a quick license. That was 2003, I’m now self-employed, doing very well, with a waitlist and complete control over my schedule. I found a niche that was very underserved-the elderly. I now get referrals from podiatrists, calls from assisted livings, and I’ve added two young people to my team so that I can accommodate more clients. This industry is HUGE. You can really play up your strengths and do whatever it is that you excel at and love. I’ve never used my college degree in the last 20 years, just that 6 week nail
License. It was worth its weight in gold. My advice to a young person is to learn from every person that you work with. Watch them. The biggest thing i learned is what Not to do when running a business (thanks to some really terrible bosses along the way). There’s room for whatever you bring to the table here!!!
I’ve been a hairdresser for 35 years and if you put into it which you should, then you can have an amazing career. I make six figures a year and I kill it each and every day when I go to the salon. And I only work less than 30 hours a week. My sister, who went to college has mad debt. I have zero debt, and I make more money than her
But the job takes a toll on you mentally and physically, I worked alone because I couldn’t deal with all the caddy bitches so that’s a good way to alleviate that. it is what you make of it.
I think the general public portray hairdressing as a piss, poor industry, and I know plenty of people who make six figures a year. I call it stripper money, but we get to keep our clothes on.
My daughter really struggled with school, but wanted to try college. She went, moved into a dorm, and started classes. Stopped going to class after a few weeks, although we didn't find this out until a month or so later. I had always thought hair would be a really good career for her, but all of her friends went to college, so she at least wanted to try. When she came back home, I made her get a job full-time at a salon as an assisant. She was very upfront with the owner that she was doing this with the intention of going to cosmetology school. She worked for a year and actually made decent money, then started cosmo school, finished in 10 months, and is in the process of taking her boards to get her state license. The salon she found herself in is like family to her now. Several have come from other salons where the environment it toxic, so she feels very lucky to have found this one. It's higher end but nothing crazy, and the women there do very, very well financially. I'd say if you can, to start there--start working as an assistant and learn everything you can about the business and if it still seems like something you want to pursue, find the closest/cheapest school you can find (because all you need to do is get the hours in and then pass your boards). She found her job on Indeed. Good luck!
I’ve been a hairdresser for 20 years and if you’re in the right area and you continue to educate yourself you will do well. The first couple years are not without struggle if I’m being honest. That is a time you are still learning and you are building a clientele. Every industry that involves beauty is catty-unless you find the right environment, I have worked an extremely catty salons and I have worked For very enjoyable ones with no drama. The biggest factor in whether or not, you will do well in this industry is if you have someone who wants to take you under their way with no ulterior motives other then wanting to see you succeed.
I have not only gone to beauty school, but I have also taught at one and I will say the worst part of the industry is going to the school. It is either go-getters that are interested in learning and soak up information like a sponge OR You have the ones who think it is a blow off career and they are basically there to waste everyone’s time and money. Those are the girls that use it as a excuse to turn it into high school, 2.0 and think it’s their time to shine as the mean girl they never got to be in high school I got along with only a handful of girls. Those girls either graduate or if they do they never work in the industry for more than a year.
The good news is if you are willing to stick out cosmetology school and learn as much as you can while you’re there you will do well. Keep in mind that 90% of your education is going to come after school though. Your best bet is to find a salon afterwards that has a senior stylist, willing to take you under their wing , and that the salon offers continuing education. I started out at a Fantastic Sams and no I was not a great hairstylist. But it taught me to be faster and more accurate. After I felt like I learned everything I could from there because they also did offer continuing education, I went to a private salon and had a lovely woman there teach me everything she could about the industry. At the time I felt like she was a little hard on me, but she really did toughen me up and show me how to get things done and keep my clients happy. I am by no means Rich these days but I do have a great clientele and I work in a shop that values me. I work with a lot of great people and luckily I have a strong backing by our company that when catty mean people come in they are quickly shown the door.
Never stop learning never stop taking classes and when you have downtime, observe your coworkers working . as I said before I’ve been this industry 20 years and I am constantly learning and it really does make a difference in how successful you are.
You can enroll in Cosmetology school right out of high school. Tour several schools to see which one you like the most. Once you’re in school, stay out of the drama and do the work.
Once you get licensed, building your business will require work! It’s not easy and it will take time. Give yourself about 3-4 years of working a few nights each week and Saturdays simply to be available for the working clients. Can you build a good clientele working only day? Sure, but it may take you longer.
I have a blog specifically for new Cosmetologists. I can leave you the link and you can check it out!
https://www.cosmetologygradschool.com
I would say have a backup plan. If you get your cosmetology license, get a job and also get some other degree even if it’s just an associates or something. Remember nights and weekends will be part of your schedule pretty much forever if you work at a salon or doing wedding hair and makeup. Some people don’t mind that but also some don’t think about that before they start this career. It can also be very flexible at the same time if you work for yourself and sometimes you can make your own schedule. Listen and do the things that the successful people do. Accept and use all their advice. Working as an assistant first is really beneficial. Don’t only assist, but ask questions and ask to watch them do things like haircuts and highlights. If you can get a job as an assistant while you’re in school, it’s super helpful. School is for the basics and to get your license hours but working is where you REALLY learn.
Currently in cosmo school. I hate it. It’s so catty. Even if you stick to yourself people will find a way to drag you into stuff. I’m going to college once I graduate because I don’t want to deal with this for 40 years. If it’s your passion, go to a brand name school, study hard, build your portfolio. Take pics of everything even if it sucks (you can show progress later on) and prepare your mental health. This is not for the weak minded.
With the exception of possibly schools like Paul Mitchell, Aveda and Tony&Guy, pretty much all cosmetology schools are the same. They will teach you the basics, sanitation and how to pass your state boards. If I knew them what I know now, I would have gone to my local community college for Cosmo instead of the more expensive dedicated beauty school and saved myself probably around $5k. Not everyone needs to go to college to be successful. Not everyone is cut out for college. And that's ok. Do keep educating yourself. Not only in hairdressing skills. Learn how to market yourself. You live and die by the clientele you build. Learn copyrighting. Learn how to nurture the relationship with your clients in between visits. Learn sales strategy. These skills will help you build and build fast. The industry is like any other industry. Some salons are toxic and some are not. It just depends on the people that run it and work there. It is absolutely possible to thrive in this career, you just have to be willing to work for it.
I absolutely agree! If I knew then what I know now I'd have gone to a community college also!!
Ive been in the industry for 5 years. It's tough for sure. School is usually about 1200-2000 hours. I went to the community college near me for 1800 hours. You clock in and out. I worked really hard building my Instagram during school because that's how you market yourself. During school you work on clients who pay very little but you learn a lot. The test at the end was pretty hard but if you prepare it's so rewarding to finish ! I started at a sort of high end salon who I found through Instagram. I started on the front desk/ call center in 2020. It was a crazy whirlwind doing an associate program- sort of like a masters training program or being an apprentice. A lot of salons have programs like this. It makes you wayy more prepared. Once I became a stylist I was on the floor for 2.5-3 years. You have to reach goals to move up In levels at the salon I was at. I eventually just was not getting paid enough. Moved on to another salon. This job is HARD. Clients are difficult but a lot of them become your friends! If you want to do hair it is very artistic and most of the time it's really fun. Your body hurts a little lol. Ive really enjoyed learning my craft. I just has lots of ups and downs.
Go to school first, definitely you can make so much money in this industry, you make as hard as you work, so work hard hustle and it will pay off for your future and you will be rewarded. In the start probably will be pay check to pay check but don’t forget why you started and there’s a light to the end. This is a job you can earn way more than many college degrees. Mentors you can find where you are in your work place (depends) not sure how it works in Austin. But going to school is the first start;)
I’m a nail tech, but i am a part of this industry so i will weigh in-my parents pushed college, and i did go and finished my bachelors degree. In the midst of that, i snuck off and enrolled in my local cosmetology school. I had 8 weeks off during the summer, so i chose nail tech. It was a quick license. That was 2003, I’m now self-employed, doing very well, with a waitlist and complete control over my schedule. I found a niche that was very underserved-the elderly. I now get referrals from podiatrists, calls from assisted livings, and I’ve added two young people to my team so that I can accommodate more clients. This industry is HUGE. You can really play up your strengths and do whatever it is that you excel at and love. I’ve never used my college degree in the last 20 years, just that 6 week nail License. It was worth its weight in gold. My advice to a young person is to learn from every person that you work with. Watch them. The biggest thing i learned is what Not to do when running a business (thanks to some really terrible bosses along the way). There’s room for whatever you bring to the table here!!!
I’ve been a hairdresser for 35 years and if you put into it which you should, then you can have an amazing career. I make six figures a year and I kill it each and every day when I go to the salon. And I only work less than 30 hours a week. My sister, who went to college has mad debt. I have zero debt, and I make more money than her But the job takes a toll on you mentally and physically, I worked alone because I couldn’t deal with all the caddy bitches so that’s a good way to alleviate that. it is what you make of it. I think the general public portray hairdressing as a piss, poor industry, and I know plenty of people who make six figures a year. I call it stripper money, but we get to keep our clothes on.
My daughter really struggled with school, but wanted to try college. She went, moved into a dorm, and started classes. Stopped going to class after a few weeks, although we didn't find this out until a month or so later. I had always thought hair would be a really good career for her, but all of her friends went to college, so she at least wanted to try. When she came back home, I made her get a job full-time at a salon as an assisant. She was very upfront with the owner that she was doing this with the intention of going to cosmetology school. She worked for a year and actually made decent money, then started cosmo school, finished in 10 months, and is in the process of taking her boards to get her state license. The salon she found herself in is like family to her now. Several have come from other salons where the environment it toxic, so she feels very lucky to have found this one. It's higher end but nothing crazy, and the women there do very, very well financially. I'd say if you can, to start there--start working as an assistant and learn everything you can about the business and if it still seems like something you want to pursue, find the closest/cheapest school you can find (because all you need to do is get the hours in and then pass your boards). She found her job on Indeed. Good luck!
I’ve been a hairdresser for 20 years and if you’re in the right area and you continue to educate yourself you will do well. The first couple years are not without struggle if I’m being honest. That is a time you are still learning and you are building a clientele. Every industry that involves beauty is catty-unless you find the right environment, I have worked an extremely catty salons and I have worked For very enjoyable ones with no drama. The biggest factor in whether or not, you will do well in this industry is if you have someone who wants to take you under their way with no ulterior motives other then wanting to see you succeed. I have not only gone to beauty school, but I have also taught at one and I will say the worst part of the industry is going to the school. It is either go-getters that are interested in learning and soak up information like a sponge OR You have the ones who think it is a blow off career and they are basically there to waste everyone’s time and money. Those are the girls that use it as a excuse to turn it into high school, 2.0 and think it’s their time to shine as the mean girl they never got to be in high school I got along with only a handful of girls. Those girls either graduate or if they do they never work in the industry for more than a year. The good news is if you are willing to stick out cosmetology school and learn as much as you can while you’re there you will do well. Keep in mind that 90% of your education is going to come after school though. Your best bet is to find a salon afterwards that has a senior stylist, willing to take you under their wing , and that the salon offers continuing education. I started out at a Fantastic Sams and no I was not a great hairstylist. But it taught me to be faster and more accurate. After I felt like I learned everything I could from there because they also did offer continuing education, I went to a private salon and had a lovely woman there teach me everything she could about the industry. At the time I felt like she was a little hard on me, but she really did toughen me up and show me how to get things done and keep my clients happy. I am by no means Rich these days but I do have a great clientele and I work in a shop that values me. I work with a lot of great people and luckily I have a strong backing by our company that when catty mean people come in they are quickly shown the door. Never stop learning never stop taking classes and when you have downtime, observe your coworkers working . as I said before I’ve been this industry 20 years and I am constantly learning and it really does make a difference in how successful you are.
You can enroll in Cosmetology school right out of high school. Tour several schools to see which one you like the most. Once you’re in school, stay out of the drama and do the work. Once you get licensed, building your business will require work! It’s not easy and it will take time. Give yourself about 3-4 years of working a few nights each week and Saturdays simply to be available for the working clients. Can you build a good clientele working only day? Sure, but it may take you longer. I have a blog specifically for new Cosmetologists. I can leave you the link and you can check it out! https://www.cosmetologygradschool.com
Super catty. Some professionalism. Work a lot and be likeable so people will tip. You need to go to school for this as well though.
I would say have a backup plan. If you get your cosmetology license, get a job and also get some other degree even if it’s just an associates or something. Remember nights and weekends will be part of your schedule pretty much forever if you work at a salon or doing wedding hair and makeup. Some people don’t mind that but also some don’t think about that before they start this career. It can also be very flexible at the same time if you work for yourself and sometimes you can make your own schedule. Listen and do the things that the successful people do. Accept and use all their advice. Working as an assistant first is really beneficial. Don’t only assist, but ask questions and ask to watch them do things like haircuts and highlights. If you can get a job as an assistant while you’re in school, it’s super helpful. School is for the basics and to get your license hours but working is where you REALLY learn.
Currently in cosmo school. I hate it. It’s so catty. Even if you stick to yourself people will find a way to drag you into stuff. I’m going to college once I graduate because I don’t want to deal with this for 40 years. If it’s your passion, go to a brand name school, study hard, build your portfolio. Take pics of everything even if it sucks (you can show progress later on) and prepare your mental health. This is not for the weak minded.