r/Cosmetology

we’re hiring a few new stylists and I’m running into issues with verification. some candidates are from different states and it’s not always clear if their licenses are active or just expired listings still floating online. i don’t want to rely only on screenshots they send because that doesn’t feel reliable enough.

it’s slowing down our hiring process because we keep having to double check everything manually with different boards.

Hi Everyone

i am building my social media platform with content that can be relatable to students that are in the hairstylist program and i am trying to gather some content and would like your help, what are some relatable ideas that student struggle with in class or outside of class?

Hello! I’m a student and I had my first client today. I am feeling very uneasy because- short version is we ran out of time bc she had to go somewhere at 1:00 and she had to leave with her hair wet. I know this is probably so silly but any reassurance would help greatly.

Basically she came in around 10:30 and wanted a root touch up to cover her grays and a toner to cool down her previously lightened hair. She was a level 4/5 closer to the roots with level 6/7 mid to ends and lots of shiny white grays coming in. We did a level 5.5 root color and pulled through with a lighter lower vol. formula.

She told me in the beginning she had to be out at one, sharp. I was horrified. I had no sense of how much time I was taking and I really wish I worked a bit faster on the root application but it being my first time doing it on a person I was trying to make sure it was all done well. I pulled the secondary color through much faster than the root application but it wasn’t done processing til one 😭

She also wanted a cut and blowout style and I just feel awful that I took so long and wasn’t able to give her everything she wanted. And I’m especially nervous that I couldn’t see the finished color and make sure she was happy with it. She literally had to run out.

In my defense there were a lot of things outside of my control that slowed us down too like not ever being able to find a teacher or having to wait for them to get me the color. But still I know i definitely need to move faster. She did say she will come back tomorrow for the cut and dry but what if she hates it or it came out wrong.

I’m basically here to ask if anyone has tips for time management or can relate to taking too long on their first color service. I’m so anxious.

I graduated cosmetology school in 2019 and took my Ohio state board in 2021 and received my license. Never actually used my license and now it is 2026 and my license has lapsed. All i truly remember learning in school is how to pass the board exam. I want to get back into cosmetology and start working in a salon but i feel like i don't remember much. All i need to do to reactivate my license is 4 hours of CE and pay a fee but i feel like its pointless if I'm not ready to be in a salon. Curious if anyone knows of any courses i could take to refresh my memory or learn some new and updated techniques on things? I don't know where to even start. Has anyone been in this situation or have any advice? Thanks!

Hi every one! I am 29 years old, and I’ve been a stay at home mom for the past 11 years. Lately I’ve been considering going to school to learn how to do hair. I have no experience, other than dying my hair in high school.. I’ve never even tried cutting hair. My question is, is 29 too late to start? Is it worth it? How hard is it to get started? What advice would you have? Thanks!

Edit to add- one thing I am very nervous about is the fact that I suck at starting and keeping conversations.. I definitely want to talk to clients and make them feel comfortable.. but what if I’m too boring?

hello everyone ! i recently got my license and i am taking the next step into finding a job at a salon. I am unsure of where to start, because i haven’t done anything salon based since i graduated in 2022. the only thing ive done in the meanwhile from when i graduated is root touch ups, a little bit of makeup and cutting hair. i do want to continue in learning new things and i want to get more into hair dying, and bridal hairstyling. would you guys recommend me to start off in a commission based salon or would you recommend for me to be an assistant?

Hello! I am looking into going to Paul Mitchell. Long story short, I've toured several beauty schools (various companies), and this one works the best specifically for my schedule and my family.

I understand that in the first 7 weeks is when you learn your foundational information, and they highly HIGHLY recommend that you do not miss. However, I am guesstimating, with the program start date I'm looking at, that I will miss 2-4 days in a row during these first 7 weeks. Other than that, this start date is PERFECT for my family and I.

I am trying to seeing how making up hours works. They said that instructors offer them with attendance is low and they say to not rely on them. I understand that, but I came to Reddit to see HOW BIG of a deal it would be if I missed up to 4 days during the first 7 weeks.

Looking for advice and help on what to do from people who have done the program! Thank you!

I’ve been licensed for a little over a year now. I started working at sport clips right out of high school but I recently quit after about a year of working there. I’m looking to branch out into women’s hair and color but idk anything about color bc my school didn’t really go into it. What should I do?

hey yall! Im a cosmetology student who's been in my program about 2 months and ive noticed when Im cutting hair im getting super choppy layers no matter what style. Im not sure what im doing wrong because when im cutting it seems like im following my guides and everything seems very even but its just not turning out even??

does anyone have any suggestions or video tutorials or anything id greatly appreciate it!!

Hi all! Just coming here to see what people’s opinions are on wella products or if I’m being too persnickety.

We currently use Wella at my cosmetology school, not allowed to use ANY other color. I personally have found they don’t last as long as other colors I or the hairdressers I know have used, they leave the hair feeling more damaged than other brands even with just using 20v, and their Color Fresh and Special Mix fashion colors are not true to color almost at all.

Am I doing something wrong with it? Does anyone here enjoy using Wella or use it religiously? We use the correlating developers with the color line it’s supposed to be used with, we use their ratios and processing times. I just want to make sure I’m letting my clients leave with their hair properly done that they’ll love, and will last them for longer than it does now.

hi! i’m a cosmo student and today was technically my second day working on a real client although i’ve been on the floor since last friday. (monday is theory day, tuesday i worked on a mannequin.) but today i was going to do a perm for the first time and it was on an older lady, unfortunately i did not get to finish the perm because the lady was upset with my pacing (i was slow with it and i had to keep readjusting her hair, the perm rods, and the papers.) and she told me “can you go find someone else to do my hair, i’m getting tired of this” although my teacher had asked her twice if she wants to reschedule for a daytime appointment. anyway, i guess i’m just looking for advice of how to not feel bad about not having the abilities or right pace to do perms yet 😭 i cried at school because of it which was a bit embarrassing. not because of the client herself, but because of being frustrated about my lack of ability to get the perm done and basically driving the client away :( also her son came to pick her up and he was mean to our receptionist and my teacher

Going in to tour a booth rent salon soon. Im a pretty new stylist thats only worked at a chain salon and i dont have experience with running my own buisness.(i know its risky, i dont want to hear it) but what are some questions i should i ask them? Any tips on how to stay knowledgeable for being an independent artist?