So I want to be a stylist...

[kwaniesiam]

Lately I've been reconsidering my goals for the future, and have decided I want to go to hair school. This Friday I'm checking out one of the schools in my area, and next week the other. One is Empire, and the other Bella Capelli, a Paul Mitchell Partner school. Are there any members here who have gone to or considered hair school in the past? What was your experience or what made you decide not to? Any input is greatly appreciated.

[bugeyedmonster2]

Yeah! Go you! And I would so totally go to your salon, especially if I knew you knew how to handle long hair.

If styling is what you want to do, go for it!

(^_^)/
BEM

[chelssix]

Hey there! I'm going to be a stylist too!

[Dragonfly78]

I've done basic intro training in hair & beauty - my only statements would be that being a stylist is very hard on your body - standing all day, hands in water all day, breathing in chemicals, hair splinters etc. The other thing to remember is that you need to be a salesperson as well as a stylist. Most salons get a large portion of their profit from selling products and you need to be confident & comfortable doing that. Having said this, I found it all very interesting & would probably be a stylist now if my health was better lol.

Good luck with all your future plans, I don't have a lot of experience but I thought I'd share my thoughts with you. :)

[enfys]

I've thought about it, but there's one thing I'd struggle with.

What if someone with amazing hair wanted you to cut it off? I'd hate to do it. If uni doesn't work out for me I'd still go for it as a next choice to graphics.

That said, I still think it's a great profession if you're good, and I'm sure you would be!

[Tabitha]

Kwanie, I believe Rymorg is a stylist. I think she has a superduper new job and less time to come on the boards now, you might consider PMing her if she doesn't see this thread.

This is a thread she started "What would you like to learn about?" (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=15721)

[Tap Dancer]

Sounds like fun! :thumbsup:

I thought about it off and on for years during and after high school. I finally decided not to go to cosmetology school because I'm not a people person. I don't think I could handle always being so physically close to people and having to chat with strangers is hard for me. But I love hair (obviously), so it would be perfect for me if I had the right personality for it.

[Tap Dancer]

I've thought about it, but there's one thing I'd struggle with.

What if someone with amazing hair wanted you to cut it off? I'd hate to do it.

Well, you could always work in a long hair salon. ;)

[ladylibra]

How ironic to see this post, as I just signed up to start cosmetology school at the end of June! :D

[enfys]

Well, you could always work in a long hair salon. ;)

I think there's only one in the UK, 250 miles away.

Maybe more need to be started up! :cheese:

[spidermom]

They try techniques on each other's hair so you won't be able to grow it out while you're in school - at least that's how it works around here.

[Fethenwen]

I also am thinking about studying to be a hairdresser, next year :) I study design at the moment, like interior design, furniture design etc. but somehow I would love to "design" other peoples hair instead.
I have started already with cutting me and my friends hair. A tip to you, I guess it would be a bit easier to get into a hair stylist school if you already have a tiny bit of experience, so they understand that you are serious about this.
I also am extremely interested in ecological natural hair care. Today eco-saloons are getting more and more popular, and I hope to be able to work as one in the future. And also specialise in braiding and etnic hair, long hair and doing dreadlocks etc.
I think by getting a good reputation as a hairdresser that handles lots of different hair types and all sorts of techniques, one would get the benefit of ...what's the word... having more to offer than other hair saloons.

[wintersun99]

..............

[Fethenwen]

Tabitha's Saloon Takeover, sounds like a very interesting show... *makes note*

[plainjanegirl]

I think I would love to take the cosmetology program, but I am afraid that business would be slow and hard to get a job due to the economy. And then also I need a job where I can work days and no nights due to children being in daycare/school .

[RancheroTheBee]

I was going to, but it's exceptionally hard to break into the haircare industry in this city without formal training, despite the fact that in this province, education is normally obtained by paid apprenticeship and working towards your Journeyman's certificate.

I'd still love to do it, but I can't afford the schooling at the moment.

[GlassEyes]

They try techniques on each other's hair so you won't be able to grow it out while you're in school - at least that's how it works around here.

Not here. My sister would KILL if one of the prissy girls in her cosmo class so much as TOUCHED her hip-length hair beyond cutting bangs, and even then, she wouldn't.

[bakertwins2004]

I have my license to do hair. But I hated being IN a salon. Working with the type of ladies i did was to much for me. I am a very down to earth type and not cutting edge type. It was hard on me. I decided to be a stay at home mom instead.

[misstwist]

I have my license to do hair. But I hated being IN a salon. Working with the type of ladies i did was to much for me. I am a very down to earth type and not cutting edge type. It was hard on me. I decided to be a stay at home mom instead.

Oh, oh! Do you have a carport or a utility room you can convert into "Bakertwins' Hair Place?" Those are my favorite salons.

:D

[kwaniesiam]

They try techniques on each other's hair so you won't be able to grow it out while you're in school - at least that's how it works around here.

That is one of the issues I was concerned about, but I have thyroid problems that affect my hair as well as allergies to various products so I might be able to work my way around that.

Thanks for the input so far everyone! Tomorrow I'm going to check out one of the schools :)

[Exodus]

Slightly OT: Kwanie, what happened to your dreams about pushing needles through people's bodyparts?

[chelssix]

Originally Posted by spidermom
They try techniques on each other's hair so you won't be able to grow it out while you're in school - at least that's how it works around here.
That is one of the issues I was concerned about, but I have thyroid problems that affect my hair as well as allergies to various products so I might be able to work my way around that
I was really scared of the same, but I realized that I do not HAVE to do anything I don't want to. Just to make sure, ask about their policies on this- I know I will!

[chelssix]

I want to add that I also messaged MorningGlory as well as rymorg2. They both told me to stand firm, and not do anything that I was not comfortable with. I think that, if you need some advice/support, they would both be fabulous to talk to!

[Fethenwen]

Originally Posted by spidermom
I was really scared of the same, but I realized that I do not HAVE to do anything I don't want to. Just to make sure, ask about their policies on this- I know I will!
Yeah, that's what I thought also, they can't simply just force you to do all sorts of things with your hair if you don't want too. At least I know that around here they don't experiment that much on each other, so that's a relief.

[kwaniesiam]

Slightly OT: Kwanie, what happened to your dreams about pushing needles through people's bodyparts?

Its on hold for now unfortunately.

I just got back from visiting Empire, I really liked it! They said that any experimental hair procedures are all voluntary and I do not have to have my hair done there if I don't want to. The curriculum seems very thorough and a bit different from others, I still have another school to check out before I decide but I definitely got a positive vibe from this place.

The dress code is simple, plain black and/or white. We start off with a giant kit, including 5 different mannequins of different hair textures and types. I'd start in late August. 100% sure going to do this, its just a matter of deciding on a school now :)

[wintersun99]

........................

[chelssix]

I thought I would add- I called the school I am interested in, and I was assured that nothing at all is mandatory. All voluntary.

[kwaniesiam]

I thought I would add- I called the school I am interested in, and I was assured that nothing at all is mandatory. All voluntary.

Glad to hear that! So many people freaked me out saying I would be subjected to bleached, "trendy" styles if I went there :bigeyes:

[plainjanegirl]

Well good luck and keep us informed !

[chelssix]

Glad to hear that! So many people freaked me out saying I would be subjected to bleached, "trendy" styles if I went there :bigeyes:

I think it's pretty common that, once everyone starts doing work that looks professional, to sort of "trade" services. BUT it's not just for hair- I am down with possibly getting a facial or manicure.
Out of curiosity, do you know if other beauty schools have black/white type dress codes?

[Brat]

Ever see that reality show Tabitha's Salon Takeover? I learned a lot about the business side of the industry and training and sales, etc. Gives you a quick a dirty (she is a bit of a b_ _ _) look at running the business and/or profiting as a contract stylist.

The Show (http://www.bravotv.com/tabathas-salon-takeover)


Love that show! Hope there's a season 2 soon!

I love hair, but dislike dealing with people. I have no imagination either, when it comes to styling... so it's so not the career for me. Good luck!

[kwaniesiam]

I think it's pretty common that, once everyone starts doing work that looks professional, to sort of "trade" services. BUT it's not just for hair- I am down with possibly getting a facial or manicure.
Out of curiosity, do you know if other beauty schools have black/white type dress codes?

I have heard all black or black/white is pretty standard. There are other specifications, like no open toed shoes, no sleeveless shirts, etc. It seems pretty basic, and easy for me since most of my clothes are black anyway :lol: