I really want to get into the buisness.

Hi ladies I am considering some of the local beauty colleges but, I don't think that my choices are all that great. I always assume that the people who work in the nicer salons have gone to a good beauty school, but if they are from New Orleans than I guess they went to the same ones that I am looking at now. My question is, does the school matter to salon owners or is the fact that a stylist has their license enough for them?

How long did you go to school? What kind of money can be made in this buisness? And, what is it like to work in the beauty industry? Do you get a lot of moody (to put it nicely) clients? What can I expect from a career in this field? Thanks, I know that I asked a lot of questions.

LileBeach and Sophie who write here are beauticians, maybe they can help you. There are a few other beauticians who write here too.

Hi,

Being a hairstylist is the greatest profession in the world. You meet so many interesting people and live so many of there ups and downs in there lives.

As far as schools, it depends on the state you live in. Some states require 1500 hours of beauty school while others are as much as 3000 hours. Beauty school to alot of stylist are just where they earned their license. Most of your craft is learned after school in advanced schooling and seminars. You are as good of a stylist as you are enthusiastic about learning. When a stylist thinks "they have learned it all", they start to decline as a good stylist. Its an ever changing profession and you have to keep on top of everything coming out or you will get left behind.

As far as 'picky' people and clients, when you gain confidence in what you do these people do not effect you. When you are working with seasoned hair pros you will learn alot from them on how to deal with difficult people. I always evesdrop on my newer stylist and if I here a problem person arising I can step in in a way that does not make the stylist look bad. I usually encourage the client on how they are in such great hands with this stylist.

As far as money, I have always heard you can make what you want in this profession. That is somewhat true. If you are very enthusiastic about the profession and building a clientele, you will go very far. The average stylist is the US makes about 28,000 a year. I've known stylist on the upper end and on the lower end. I've known them to make as much as 100,000 a year and as little as 5,000 a year. Hard work and client dedicatiion really pays off. If you work all day saturdays and several evenings a week you will build very quickly. In society today most women work and they need appointment times convient for there scedules. Even stay at home moms have to have evening appointments because dad has to come home first to watch the kids. Don't go into this profession thinking you will work "bankers hours" or you will be one of the lower end payees.

I hope I have helped you some on your thought process of this profession. You will really love it!!! I can't imagine doing anything else.

Hi Guy's: I work Bankers hours (except Sat Mornings....I like working Sat Mornings)....But it took me 16-17years to build a very strong Clientele, that is willing to work with my Schedule.

I started at one of those mediocre beauty schools. Got my license and was so lucky to start working in a big Salon with some of the best Stylists in my area. My Boss believed in extra education...and by god he expected me to follow him around like a puppy dog. And I did....it was sooo hard to hang in there...but I learned sooo much. Anyway You can get into this business this way or...find one of those top (There are some great ones out there) schools pay more and come out of school better prepared to hit the real world.

I have a Stylist friend who grosses over $400,000 a year.
But he WORKS his A$$ off. He works with 2 assistants and charges top dollar in our market. I love doing hair but I'm not willing to put that many hours in.

Anyway I know many successful Stylists and by the same token I know many who didn't make it.....Tenacity and a hunger for more is what got me through the beginning and the rest is awesome.

New Orleans, keep asking those questions. It's a good sign. I agree with Lili...good listening, communication and confidence and any client is yours. Go to school and find yourself a great mentor...like Lili.

Thank you Sophie, you are so sweet!

http://www.braidsbybreslin.com/dvd.html check out this website it may help you learn to do weaves micros and etc.

Hey, NewOrleans, I'm from there and I went to Stevenson's Academy. I studied hard, did my practical work, got good grades and got out. School is to get the basics and pass State Boards. Period. Wish it weren't like that but, you will never have enough time or money to learn what you need in the real world, so don't even bank on it. A lot of skills come with time and experience. 

I also attended Stevenson's Academy back in 98 but I didn't completed I'm  back in school I'll be done in Feb 2007... Marlene20072006-11-30 23:23:59

Ok, this is lengthy...I apologize in advanced. amirasmami2007-01-06 23:39:24

hello.  i am considering going to comsetology school.  i have a passion for haircoloring.  i am in my early 40's and scared.  i live in wichita ks, that is where eric fisher has his salons.  rated one of the 30 top salons in the country.  he just opened his academy.  there are alot of schools here.  xenon is a pivot point school.  don't know what pivot point means however.  xenon has part time hrs and eric fisher's doesn't....i have a 14 year old son and a high maintenance (but good guy) husband.  i am worried if i could do full time.  his school has been said to be world class.  anyone ever been stuck between a rock and a hard place?  or am i making too big a deal out of this?

hi neworleanslady to add to the answer already given which are all great advice my advice would be have a passion, find a mentor, and continue to learn. the highest paying sectors in the industry  are hair-colorist, weave extension specialist (that's my sector) if your looking to make a lot of money plan to get extending learning and work smarter not harder learn to sell retail to your clients.Also add to that people skills ive seen people who are not that great of a stylist but who have excellent people skills make a good amount of money!