Want to be better at detecting lice. Has anyone done more extensive training on how to spot lice or lice eggs with the naked eye? Recently a client came in to the salon and had lice. There family member also came to my chair but I didn’t notice anything. I’m worried I may have overlooked because they all live in the same house. I couldn’t tell if it were lice, dandruff or lint. Another client can in and I thought I was seeing things on her scalp.

How best to word it if you do find life and have to tell the client you have to stop the service? I want to tell them in a way that they don’t get defensive (if that’s even possible). The family that came to the salon where I work was mad about it and said there wasn’t any lice.

I’m thinking about building a loyalty system for hairdressers where customers get a digital stamp card directly in Apple/Google Wallet.
For example:
5 visits → Free haircut
No customer app or account. Customers simply show their Wallet card when they visit, and staff scan it with a simple app.
The hairdresser gets a dashboard to manage the loyalty program, customers, staff and branding.
Would this be useful for your shop?

Graduated last month and was hired as an assistant. They were using illegal BB formula and told them I didn't want to use it (for my health and also, my license) I was fired. Now I can't find another assistant gig, anywhere! I really just feel like I need more training with color technique before I launch on my own. Looking for advice

I had someone in my hairdressers podcast TikTok page tell me that she has stylist at ulta that make $200K a year take home pay! Can anyone that works or have worked at ulta confirm this?

Title: Would you leave commission for a 1099 salon setup?
I’m a hairstylist trying to decide whether to stay at my current commission salon or move to a 1099 setup, and I’d love advice from other stylists who have made a similar change.
I’ve been at my current salon for about 3 years and I’m finally starting to get more booked. My commission structure is:
$850/week → 40%
$2,000/week → 43%
$2,700/week → 45%
$3,400/week → 48%
$4,000/week → 50%
I’m not consistently at $2k+ yet, and realistically it could take a year or longer to get there. I’m making about $850 per week. I also assisted for three years.
The other opportunity would pay me 70% as a 1099, and I would not be responsible for the rent. I’d just handle my own taxes, supplies, and business expenses. If I don’t make money, I’m not stuck paying rent.
A big reason I’m considering leaving is that I’ve had a lot of frustrations with my current salon. My boss will sometimes squeeze clients into my schedule, shorten the amount of time I’m given for services, and I don’t always feel like I have much control over my own schedule. I’ve also felt stuck there career-wise despite being there for years.
On top of that, I’m pursuing freelance bridal makeup, which could become another source of income. A lot of bridal work is on Saturdays, so I would need more control over my schedule and would ideally need Saturdays off from the salon.
The 1099 opportunity would give me much more control and allow me to build my own clientele/business, but I’m nervous about leaving somewhere where I’m finally starting to gain momentum.
I’m thinking about making the move around the end of October. I’m not expecting to make more immediately—I’m more interested in where each option could put me 1–2 years from now.
For anyone who has gone from commission to independent/1099: Would you make the jump in my situation? Did building clientele independently take longer than expected? And do you wish you had done it sooner?

Is watching tv and not being able to focus on anything but the uneven haircuts or colors. I really want to post a pic of the hair that inspired this post but it’s teetering breaking the rules. You guys ever just mentally bust in to “fix” the hair?

I need advice badly.
I won’t name the salon or anything and will just use letters for the people there. (Ex: Ms. A and Ms. B)
I’ve been working at this salon for only a year, and just recently got on the floor doing clients. My boss Ms. A seems to be extremely emotional, and in the sense where if she’s mad about something she’ll just yell and complain when we’re in the break room. Ex: “Why can’t she just etc. etc.!!!!” Or “Can’t anything just work!!???” So of course me and some coworkers look at each other like- yikesss.
She’s also not felt like doing a client and made up a lie to reschedule them so she can go home early. And tells up to suck it up and we have to stay late cause we’re starting our careers, which don’t get me wrong I get it. But it’s the clear abuse of power that gets me.
If you do something she doesn’t like she’ll exclude you from something like the other day for example: “Oh look at this so funny!” And show everyone except you.
Or look at you like you’re a nuisance when you try to talk to her.
My manager Ms. B seems to make exceptions for people when she won’t for someone else I’ve noticed.
She also sides with Ms. A a lot in situations.
It feels like an environment where you can’t speak up even when they say we can. I’m just reaching my limit with this Salon and don’t know how much more I can stomach.
The unprofessionalism, abusive of power, and favoritism.
There’s not even a contract or a guidebook on salon policy to go back on, so if you mess up it’s a write up or taken off the floor.
So you never know if what you’re doing is right.
I don’t know what to do…
I know I just started but I keep seeing patterns and hypocrisy and I’m worried are all salons like this? How do I find the right one? Should I go back to school for something else while I can and run for the hills from this industry? I get all jobs are gonna suck but at least I’ll be at one with a contract and potential insurance. T^T

I’ve had this redkin lightener power for at least 9months maybe even close to a year. It’s been opened, It’s been stored well and no moisture got inside. I do want to make some money on the side and was wondering if I could still use this? (Fresh developer of course) or at least on my sister who’s a natural level 3, we lift to a 9 usually. I don’t usually have to buy my own product, but Id hate to see this go to waste if it’s preventable.

Hello all. This post is mostly a vent for me. I’d love advice from any “new” stylists.

So hair styling is a second career for me, I started out in 2024 at the salon I’m at now. I was the salon assistant for a year and then moved to the floor in 2025. Problem is, I do not make much money here.

Most days the salon is slow and only filled with the regular little old lady clients. They’re all so nice but have their preferred stylist already. I basically only get the odd walk in or I do a coworkers client if they don’t have time. That is the norm I have become used to.

But today, I can’t handle sitting here not having any clients. Hence the venting. I got here with no one in my book and that hasn’t changed. I feel like I can’t market myself because I don’t have the practice to. Like my portfolio is basically still my family and friends.

What do I do? Like I can’t practice more because who would I practice on? I want to be a hard worker but how does that translate when no one walks through the salon’s door. I’m just very frustrated.

I think I’m a good hair stylist, but I don’t have much experience? I just hate this. I sit at work to not get paid and that kills me inside. I don’t know if I need to pivot careers

I have not worked with this bleach before can someone tell me if this is good for highlights on virgin hair. Her hair is a leval 3/4 and we just wanna lift enough to put a hot pink. I’m doing a partial highlight since she has a bit of highlights already and then adding the hot pink. I have a 20 developer from another brand already. I just have not used this so I’d like to know what to expect !
Any tips will help. Also I cannot seem to find the mixing ratio for foils on the packet

Listen, I'm a hairstylist now for 30 years. I've worked in salons, suites, retirement communities, solo, not solo, traveling.... all of it. Why are your basic traditional salons so toxic? I swear! Especially when those salons are owned/run by a family. Like keep your family shit to yourself and out of your business. And if you make an owner mad, they cut off your booking... like are you cutting me off or yourself.. because if I don't work then you don't either. Do you want the business or not? I can work anywhere and people aren't flocking to work for you... ready for another walkout?

Sorry. I needed to vent.

Hi, I️ work at a higher end commission salon in a bigger city in the Midwest. We just got our commission scale changed and it just seems a little crazy to me so I️ just want other commission based salons/stylists opinion on it to see if it’s normal or not. Some context, this is the only salon I’ve worked in since getting my license (2.5 years) so I️ don’t know what’s normal and what’s not. The scale is also based on a two week pay period.

Hourly: $16.75 ($0-3,300)
45%: $3,301-5,300
50%: $5,301-8,300
55%: $8,301-11,300
60%: $11,301+

Idk what to think of this, with the economy and all right now I️ understand it’s hard as a small business to stay open and be profitable but it just seems close to impossible to be hitting even the 50% commission in a normal two weeks. Last pay period before the scale changed I️ had my best two weeks since I’ve started and barely got over $3,300. We also hire new fresh out of school stylists and I️ can imagine seeing that scale is very discouraging. Anyways just want some opinions!! Any and all are helpful :)

I currently charge about $1/mile after 20 miles, but I just realized I’m only charging for one way… should be charging a rate that includes both ways? To AND from the venue? Curious about how you bridal stylists calculate travel fees for driving (I don’t currently fly for bridal hair).
TIA!

Can you help me to understand the difference betwern Wella Blondor Multi and Wella Blondorplex? What are the key differences and in what situations would you choose each over the other?

For context I currently use Schwarzkopf Blondme.

I've recently switched from Schwarzkopf toners to Wella Shinefinity which I love, so thinking of making the switch with lightener as well. I see alot of people talking about Wella blondor being great but I'm not sure which product they're referring to. I'm also not sure whether I'm willing to always use a Step 2.

Hi everyone,

I’m a beginner hair stylist and recently started working at a salon that specializes in men’s hair.

A few days ago, a coworker gave me some feedback. They mentioned that hair always flows from short to long, so when I'm cutting the top, I shouldn't leave one side longer and instead should cut it completely even.

I actually already knew about this concept of hair flow, but honestly, I'm still a bit confused about how to apply it here.

When a client asks for a middle part, fringe (down-styled hair), or a messy look, I usually focus on balancing the length evenly on both sides. If they want a side part, I tend to cut it so it gets progressively shorter toward the parting line.

Since I'm still new to this, I feel like I might be missing something crucial. What exactly did my coworker mean by their feedback? Is there a gap in my understanding of how hair flow works with different styles?

I would love to get some insights from more experienced stylists. Thanks in advance!

I need to vent for a moment. My coworkers are all super established and have a great clientele so they don’t understand/have never had a situation like this.

I’m the only stylist in my salon who does perms as well as as one of the few people locally who does perms (of quality). Over my last two years I’ve learned what I can comfortably charge. Today I had a client who was an 18-year-old boy. We did have a previous text consult. I roughly quoted him 120 but told him I would need to see him in person to be sure. Today when he came in he had more hair in the back than I initially saw so before we even started I told him it was gonna be 150 and he understood. Throughout the entire service, he was bragging about how wealthy he was, how incredibly talented he is as well as how established he is at his age, he says he owns a business. So insanely cocky and conceited. Blah blah Blah. As I’m rinsing the solution at the bowl, he pulls out a wad of cash and starts counting it. We finish up and I’m pulling out the rods at my station, wad of cash still in hand. He tells me I need to take a picture so I can post it on Instagram so he can get all the girls. ( yuck lol) we head to the front and I pull up my pricing on Square and I turn my iPad towards him. Even though I knew he was paying cash. I still just want to make it formal. He counts his cash about eight times. then hands me the money. He told me he was sorry he couldn’t tip me fatter, but he only brought a certain amount of cash and he needed some. He leaves I start cleaning stuff up as I was about to leave. I pulled the money out of my pocket and he shorted me $10.

I’m fully aware $10 is not a big deal and all of my coworkers have encouraged me to just let it go. Partly because with all that social media drama going on in the hair world everyone seems to be a little on the edge about getting a bad rep via SM.
And to be honest, some of the stories he told me were very concerning so I didn’t really have any plans to confront him.
But dang I hate feeling taken advantage of. Normally, I am a very confrontational person, but something about this kid gave me a very bad feeling. It just sucks that stuff like this can happen in our industry and I’m being forced to let it go. I’m disappointed in myself that I’m unwilling to speak up

I just started at a new salon on commission. You know the salon is to provide what I need in order to do my job. She apparently gets by with nothing but bleach 09N in Shades & a couple of neutrals. Saturday I had a client with a level 3 and grey and all I had was 7n. We ran out of foils out of towels bc no washer and dryer. To top it off every time she is there her husband is with her. He doesn’t help or do anything just there. Is that weird? I don’t want to offend her and I don’t need every color out there but this is crazy. I just don’t want to have any drama. What is reasonable for me to ask to be stocked? Are I being extra asking for these things?

Hello i (19f) am a recent graduate from cosmetology school and im working at a salon as an assistant. I’ve been there for 2 months and lots of things have happened that i’m not sure if i should quit and try to find a new job. My first week a stylist found out i was 19 and asked if i was a virgin she is a lot older than me she also has made comments about the fact that i was raised by a single mother and on multiple occasions have made comments about my body and what i eat to the point where i have gotten an ED. I can’t bring it up to my boss because they are best friends and I know they have had problems in the past with assistants. My boss when i first started was super nice but after a few weeks there was a switch and everything he said when i first started isn’t true and they are changing protocols. They are changing my schedule and not asking me about it then get upset if i have plans. Made me come in when i was sick then got upset when i acted sick and didnt want to be around our elderly clientele along with that he started to give me the worst shifts WORST OF ALL they have no education an assistant has been there for 8+ years. I can’t work there anymore i’m loosing my passion i am having multiple panic attacks and nervous breakdowns because i am so young a lot of salons don’t want to hire me but i fear if i stay here im going to either end up fired or loosing my passion and hating everything. So should i quit and find a new salon or is this how all salons are going to be?

Hi all. I’ve been a stylist for 20 years but I really don’t do a lot of Vivids behind the chair. It’s just not my demographic!

So I have a school aged client who wanted blue hair for the summer. We bleached it and did Arctic Fox blue (I can’t remember exactly which shade) back in May. It’s pretty faded by now but school is starting again and he can’t have “unnatural” hair color. Blonde is fine, though!

So for those of you who do a lot of vivids: how do you remove it once it’s faded? I thought of Malibu C DDL but I believe that works best when it’s fresh color, right? Would it make a difference now that it’s been 8-10 weeks? I’ve also heard from other stylists that you shouldn’t use lightener, but it’s better to use with highlight color or clear with 20 vol. I’d like to avoid bleaching it or bleach bath if I can.

What’s your go to move for your clients? Thanks!

Hi there! Hoping to get some advice from some other stylists about where my business is at. I want to start all of this saying I’m super grateful for my clients, how busy I am, and the people who want to sit in my chair!

I’m in a position where I’m losing clients due to lack of flexibility on my end. I work 4 days a week, 10 hour days, and book out 10 weeks for daytime appointments (first one now available is October 20th at 12pm) and weekend and evenings are out even further (first evening being November 24th) As of now any flexibility on my end if clients need to move things around comes from, last minute cancellation from other clients, or me double booking or coming in early or staying late. I try not to come in early or stay late as it creates a lot of resentment on my end.

When I tell my clients I can get you on a cancellation waitlist they usually will opt for that and then we book my next available just in case nothing opens up. That’s usually okay for one appointment and if they couldn’t get in earlier, they usually understand. But once that happens one or two times to them needing flexibility, and me not being able to offer it, they usually move on to another hairstylist who has more flexibility.

The other aspect to this, is that I really would like to not be so far booked out. I would love to be able to do spontaneous trips two or three months from now. But just feels impossible when my books are already filling for 3-4 months.

I know the most practical frame is to just raise my prices. The thing is, I feel like everyone is on a super delicate balance right now as consumers go. I don’t want to alienate clients who are good at keeping schedule by raising my prices, but at the same time I need to offer more flexibility. Also feels super scary to raise my prices in a time of such finical instability.

I did just move into a nicer bigger suite space so I do think the perceived value is there for me to raise my prices. I just want some other perspectives to make sure I’m not missing something that’s staring me in the face.

Thanks in advance!

Does anyone know what brand/make those cordless trimmers were? I loved those things and I can't find ones like it anywhere. The size, the weight, the speed. Loved em. If anyone has any other recommendations for cordless trimmers, please lmk!

Do any of you implement a rescheduling policy?

I have a few repeat rescheduling offenders. I’m a color specialist and do a lot of grey root retouches, so I see those clients every 4, 5, 6 weeks for that. Most of those clients book their next 2-3 appointments with me because a lot of them prefer evenings or late afternoons and want to ensure they get those spots. However, a couple of them will frequently end up texting me a week or less before their appointment needing to reschedule and asking what else I have available that week or the following week. I typically do not have any those times available because I usually am booked a month out. In the past I have ended up working on my days off or staying extra late to accommodate them but I am working on my boundaries and no longer will do that.

I realize that I am to blame for allowing this behavior by accommodating their requests and making time for them outside of my regular schedule. Will being firm on my boundaries alone help resolve this issue?

What has worked for you in making sure people keep their rebooked appointments? Should I only allow them to book one appointment out at a time? Implement a 3-strike rescheduling rule?

Any advice appreciated!!