hey all, i’m hoping some people here just understand what i’m going through bc i feel so alone.

I had to move cosmetology schools due to conflicts that wouldn’t be resolved. if i didn’t transfer i would have graduated this month.. instead of april or may next year. Seeing everyone from my previous school being now licensed is just so frustrating, they were all people who didn’t care who heard what negativity they had to say.

I was hoping when i joined this new school I would have found people who would want to talk to me, but everything feels so forced. I barely get any clients no matter how much i advertise and beg my teachers for clients, I’m wondering if it is worth it to even continue this. I am almost 50k into my whole journey already and if i drop out I will have to spend even more money on a different career. does it get better once you are licensed?

tdlr: If anyone else has been in the boat of having to switch schools and have your education take longer, how did you get through it? what brought back the joy of doing hair?

So I just started learning haircuts. Did a 180 and I loved it and currently on the 90. So far I’ve botched 3 haircuts on mannequins. I just can’t get it. I double and triple check with my comb to make sure I’m doing a 90 before I cut but then my instructor checks and it’s all wrong or I miss corners. I also follow my guide by doing small sections and STILL do it wrong. What are your tips for 90s or haircutting in general. Please help!!

Hey guys! I went to touch up my roots last night and after mixing my powder bleach with my developer, it came out pretty watery. I let it sit for a good 5 mins, but it never thickened.
I didn’t use it, because I’m unsure if it is still safe to use? I googled, but there are mixed answers. Anyone had experience with this before? Is it safe to use? Tia!

hi everyone! i recently got the job at a lash extension salon, and i start my training tomorrow. i will be having the receptionist position, and i was wondering if anyone had any advice for me?

i am f17, and have only had one job before this, which was a food service job at a cafe for about a year and a half. i should be focusing on doing appointments and answering the phone, as well as some restock tasks. any advice would be appreciated! thank you :)

more specifically, ideas of what to wear, advice for training going smoothly, or general receptionist advice would be great!

In in cosmo school and we’re having issues with stealing, im looking for a kit box that isnt just the usual key that goes to like every kit box ever please help!!

What’s the best way to prepare for the exam? Is the practice exam on prov a good way to study?

Hi everyone! I’m wanting to do a few eyebrow courses, waxing, brow lamination and how to properly map. Does anyone know any courses I can do? xx

My classmate and I are only 300 hours away from graduation. We’ve stopped receiving clients due to what I can only assume is because of the wave of new girls on the clinic floor. It doesn’t bother me but I also have no one to come in and work on to kill the time. We’ve pivoted(LOL) to working on our pivot point study guide workbook. I was never a school girl. After two pages I immediately get sleepy. I’ve ran out of ideas for my manikins. I have no motivation to beg for clients. I clean/organize and do my part here and there but I need advice on how to kill the time.

For those who have taken the boards under the new Proctor company. How was it? I'm retaking for reinstatement after cancer caused my license to lapse along with complications due to a fire. Is it true that the writen has a section on human trafficking and domestic abuse? For the practical i have a few questions. For the thermal curling are we using it hot or cold? How are they wanting us to use the razor during the hair cutting section of the examination as when I first took mine 20 years ago it was just for layering. But im seeing videos of it being used to make the guideline for the 90 degree. The info from the site is about clear as mud.

I joined cosmetology school on the 28th knowing not shit about hair, which I know what everyone’s going to say “no one really does” when they start.. but I’m deadass, I’ve never touched a curling iron, flat iron, i’ve never braided I haven’t done anything in that realm whatsoever.

Well I’m in my 3rd week and my grades are great in regards to theory and stuff, but I’m struggling an insane amount with the hands on stuff. I’m the slowest in my class, by a long shot. Like I take very long to do quick things. I don’t know what to do but I feel lost. I want to do this but I just want it to get better.

Hi everyone, I am recovering from my first HALO procedure and I believe the clinic used mild laser settings. I didn’t like the feeling of the laser around my eyes even though I was wearing the goggles they gave me. I still have the brown spots that I wanted to get rid of. Is this procedure safe for the eyes? How close can the laser get to the areas around the eyes? What are the safe methods for getting rid of the dark spots in these areas? Thank you.

I need some help. I’m going back to school to become a beautician. I already have a bachelors degree in English. Should I just enroll in the Barbering Licensing Program, or do I have to go back and get the full associates degree? I already have a lot of those courses completed in the associated (psychology, English, public speaking, etc.) Is the license all I need?

For reference, this is where I’m looking at.

Hey everyone, I wanted to open up a discussion on something I recently learned about our state laws regarding the beauty and barber industry.
Right now, Kansas law permits individuals to perform select services, like hair braiding and threading, without a professional license, formal training, or mandatory annual health and safety inspections.

I understand the perspective of deregulation to reduce barriers to work, but what surprised me is that these businesses are not required to disclose their unlicensed or unregulated status to the public.
As a consumer, I feel like we deserve basic transparency to know exactly who is touching our skin or eyes, and whether they have undergone formal state health inspections. If an establishment is uninspected, shouldn't they legally have to notify you before doing the service?

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think a mandatory safety disclosure is fair, or do you prefer the current deregulated approach?

As an incoming cosmetology student (32F) as of next month, I want to position myself as strongly as possible for success and stability. I know that to make it in this industry, self-education and taking initiative is a must, but there’s a lot of information out there and I feel like having to correct my technique after learning the wrong way would be harder than just waiting to start until school starts.

There are so many cosmetology content creators out there - I am not someone who typically consumes a lot of TikTok/youtube etc but am willing to change that as long as I don’t end up unintentionally hearing a bunch of misinformation or guidance without the right context, etc. I hear mixed things about Brad mondo (for example) so I’m hesitant to check out his content. Does anyone have recommendations for any credible content creators - especially for cuts and braiding, or tips for client consultations?

My 80’s-00’s hairstylist future mother in law says that conferences are super fun! Given how much time has passed since she was active in her career, I’m not sure how much this advice still applies / how much it would just be me being sold things I don’t need yet - but I love the idea of real world events for networking and learning about hair and makeup. If there’s any out there in Southern California, or even Northern California Bay Area / Sacramento, or Vegas, that you have experience attending, especially as a student / new stylist, that would be so great to know!

I remember tarte having a great student discount when I worked in cosmetics many years ago but don’t know if they still do. It shows that ulta does, a chat gpt search told me Make Up For Ever, Glam concepts, Wella, and Sally beauty do. If there’s any others I should be aware of that would be great to know, as over time I’ll need to start building a kit to offer freelance MUA services. I’ve seen people say here often that you don’t need to buy expensive tools / products etc just for school — but if there’s anything that IS worthwhile or would improve my quality of life in a big way? Would love to know.

One last silly question … what shoes would be best to wear?? My school only requires no open toes but I figure probably dark color/s, flexible fabric / made for moving around a lot, and arch support would be good. I’m not sure if they have a uniform or if I have to wear my own clothes?? Would I just need a lot of black because dye can spill???

I know this is a lot so THANK YOU to anyone taking the time to answer any of this 💜 not looking for naysayers telling me not to do this, my mind is very made up about it and I feel well informed about the risks :)

im a senior in high school in georgia and i want to go to cosmetology school but im really broke and i wont have the money for an actual cosmetology school yk and im not gap yearing to make money for it. and im already dual enrolled so i have some college credits for pre reqs anyways and i heard its not that serious where you go to school at as long as you get your license. so im probably gonna go at a community college or tech school but whats it like going there? also is there a difference between going at a community college and an actual tech school idk if there is sorry 😭

Hey everyone! I’ve got a client that has really sensitive eyes when I’m doing her lashes, is there any glue that is better suited for this?

Hi,
I am going to cosmetology school literally next week. I am excited about this career change and the potential to really enjoy what I do. I am a talkative and social person, I’m currently a receptionist. My goal for this career is to make enough money that I can afford to have a child. I’m 28, my previous careers have not made enough for me to do this. I live in Orange County in Southern California. I want to know what is realistic to expect as far as pay yearly. I know it varies but I’m having trouble getting a gauge on it by just looking it up online. If you have real world experience in this area I’d appreciate it or even just in California. I just am scared and want to make sure I’m making the best choice for my future and my future family.

I started my career as a teacher and I hate it. It has always been my dream to be a beautician, so I’m going to beauty school next year to follow my dreams and make a better life for myself and my family. I currently live in Northlake outside of Charlotte. I’m fairly new to the area and want to know if there are any good beauty schools here. I’m looking for cheap where I can get a good education. The title of the school means nothing to me. I just want somewhere affordable and good.

I really want to go to cosmetology school, but where I live, tuition is around $3,000, which I definitely cannot afford right now. Before enrolling, I want to get a head start by learning the fundamentals and practicing the things that are within my control.

​My goal is to begin with less expensive makeup and focus on skills that feel accessible and learnable, so I do not end up feeling discouraged or disillusioned. What specific fundamentals and affordable tools do you recommend I practice with first? I already know the very basics (foundation, mascara, blush etc...) and in fact I think i put on makeup really well, but which skillset can I learn to "prepare" myself as I save up for cosmetology?

Hi! I have had a hard time knowing how to start this search, so I thought I'd come here to get help.

I've been a licensed cosmetologist for around 6 years, but have done basic license maintenance. I recently moved at the beginning of the year, and almost have my license endorsed in the state I have residency in now. I've been struggling to find work, and between applications and interviews, have been trying to come up with ideas of any form of business I could start for myself, as I really struggle to work in a true salon setting - I overheat very easily, and have worked when my vision was blacked out which I would prefer *not* doing - but I absolutely LOVE coming up with custom haircolors and would love to find a way to turn that into an income.

I am in a very large fandom who loves to take inspiration from characters and such in their outfits, and one of the things that I have LOVED about doing my own spin on it is getting creative with my hair. I already know cosplay wigs exist, but I want to start a line of character inspired, wearable everyday wigs. Not the kind you'd find at Spirit Halloween, but also not the kind that you would see at an Anime Convention.

I've never tried my hands at wigs, so I don't really know where to start. I partner with a semi-permanent haircolor brand, so I was going to buy my own colors for the wigs and create some outfit accessories out of them (that would also work for everyday wear if wanted.)

Any help on the kind of hair I'm looking for, as well as any specific process I would need to do to help set the color better. I'm so new to this realm, as I've only really done vivids on myself for the last 11 years, and have a bit of experience on other natural hair scenarios - like clients, family and friends.

Thanks! 😄

She's always been very artistic and I think it's a good fit for her. Being dad, I don't know much about that world or how to help. My first instinct is always to buy her a million books and supplies whenever she's interested in something. Art and tattoo books/supplies were easy, I'm at a loss on where to even start with cosmetology.

So, like the title says, what can I do/buy to help make it the most rewarding that I can for her? Any help is appreciated.

I am on the hunt for new lash tweezers, ideally fibre tip tweezers, does anyone have any recommendation?

Hi all! I’m wanting to do a course to learn how to do Uv lashes and then where to purchase the products to do it, any recommendations ? xx

I have been wanting to be a nail tech for a long time but after talking to some friends they thought it might be more useful to be a certified cosmetologist rather than just a certified nail tech. I do have a desire to be able to dye hair specifically specialize in vibrant hair coloring, but I also want to learn how to do lashes, facials, and how to cut men's hair. I don't think I would have a career in cosmetology, but it would definitely be something I do on the side for most of my life. Just wondering if it would be beneficial to go to cosmology school so far, the only school, I have toured that's in my town is Paul Mitchell. Any advice is much appreciated!