2 answers
Chloe
Student
Hollister, Missouri
1
Question
Asked
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what have been your experiences been in Cosmetology ?
as in how are most of the costumers are the nice or rude are people in this work force okay if you don't know something.
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2 answers
Katherine Mullins
Laser Technician
14
Answers
Oviedo, Florida
Updated
Katherine’s Answer
Hey Chloe,
I’m Katie, a licensed cosmetologist in Florida for 2 years. My experience lies in esthetics and to answer your question, it completely depends on what you desire in a work environment. That’s a very broad term that applies to all industries, but it’s very true when it comes to the beauty industry.
For instance, stores like Ulta and Sephora are beauty distributors that have licensed professionals to perform services and unlicensed associates to maintain the store and customers. Stores like that are good introductory jobs to the industry because they build important skills that professionals in the field need. Licensed and unlicensed employees need customer service skills to help customers find the most appropriate product or service for their needs. These employees are also exposed to various products, which gets you familiar with product / ingredient knowledge. New or popular brands have ingredients that are patented to their formula, so it’s good to get familiar with them and how they affect the skin, hair, or nails. They’re also good for getting beginner experience with services once you’re licensed and they also offer education or classes for service techniques. In my experience, I would use this job as a stepping stone. They’re great places to start at. You can get lots of experience at these places, but it’s not worth staying long term as these stores have inconsistent customer management and low foot traffic relative to location / demographics. I know from experience as I worked at Ulta when I was in cosmetology school.
Now for salons and spas. I shadowed at these places when I was in school to get exposure to services and clientele. A very good unlicensed beginning position at these places are receptionists and assistants. They are the quarterbacks of these businesses. Receptionists know the services and the pricing and how to book clientele. They have great opportunities to market the business, which is vital in terms of getting clients and building a clientele booking. It’s a great position for business management. Assistants help hair stylists, makeup artists, estheticians, and nail techs with certain aspects of services. That’s how you get hands on experience. Both positions are very good at building work relationships. These businesses are teams, so you need to be a team player.
The last few things that I’ll touch on are your personal preferences:
I’ll first touch on toxicity in the workplace. Where I worked at Ulta and in salons / spas, I noticed that some people (not all) try to be better than everyone else. It’s one thing to be a specialist for a service because that’s what sets you apart and makes you stand out, but it’s another thing to act like they’re the best and use their authority / experience to belittle your confidence. Again, businesses are teams. You have specific roles and key players but that doesn’t mean that one is better than the other; all are important and need to work together. If you experience this behavior in the workplace, I’d suggest going somewhere else. Another characteristic is nosiness. Individuals in this industry can be very cliquy and gossip. They want to know everyone’s business, clients, services, etc. This is easily remedied by respect and politeness. If you show respect to them and tell them where your boundaries are in a tactful manner, they more than likely will respect you and won’t be nosy.
Secondly, business owners and their structure. Salons / spas that aren’t franchises and are mom and pop shops are 50/50. Some are very forgiving and are wonderful to work with while others are in it to make quick cash for other intentions.
For instance, if you get hired after an interview, make sure you sign a contract / application with your job title, description, hourly rate / commission / tips, and full / part time status. If they don’t have a document like that, leave. Run. That’s shady. Owners like that will fire you and let you go for any reason, it can be simply because they don’t like you or want to bring in someone else with more clientele so that they can make more money off of them.
Another thing to watch is if you’re commission or a booth renter. When you’re out of school, don’t rent. Do commission. And with that, make sure it’s around 60/40 which is the standard. Most owners will take the 60% but there are some that exist that allow you to keep 60%
Taxes is another thing. I would recommend starting out at a place that does W-2 or W-4. If you want to go with a 1099, keep track of all expenses and travel.
Lastly, figure out what type of salon / spa is your vibe. Do you like high tech devices, acrylic nails, wedding makeup, men’s cuts, blowouts, waxing, or even as simple as wearing uniforms. Go to places and see what’s around you. See the clientele they have, like young or old; trendy or classic to see where you would like to be.
I hope this doesn’t scare you, but I had a lot to say with my experience. There’s many places to start out at and will help you grow. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me.
I’m Katie, a licensed cosmetologist in Florida for 2 years. My experience lies in esthetics and to answer your question, it completely depends on what you desire in a work environment. That’s a very broad term that applies to all industries, but it’s very true when it comes to the beauty industry.
For instance, stores like Ulta and Sephora are beauty distributors that have licensed professionals to perform services and unlicensed associates to maintain the store and customers. Stores like that are good introductory jobs to the industry because they build important skills that professionals in the field need. Licensed and unlicensed employees need customer service skills to help customers find the most appropriate product or service for their needs. These employees are also exposed to various products, which gets you familiar with product / ingredient knowledge. New or popular brands have ingredients that are patented to their formula, so it’s good to get familiar with them and how they affect the skin, hair, or nails. They’re also good for getting beginner experience with services once you’re licensed and they also offer education or classes for service techniques. In my experience, I would use this job as a stepping stone. They’re great places to start at. You can get lots of experience at these places, but it’s not worth staying long term as these stores have inconsistent customer management and low foot traffic relative to location / demographics. I know from experience as I worked at Ulta when I was in cosmetology school.
Now for salons and spas. I shadowed at these places when I was in school to get exposure to services and clientele. A very good unlicensed beginning position at these places are receptionists and assistants. They are the quarterbacks of these businesses. Receptionists know the services and the pricing and how to book clientele. They have great opportunities to market the business, which is vital in terms of getting clients and building a clientele booking. It’s a great position for business management. Assistants help hair stylists, makeup artists, estheticians, and nail techs with certain aspects of services. That’s how you get hands on experience. Both positions are very good at building work relationships. These businesses are teams, so you need to be a team player.
The last few things that I’ll touch on are your personal preferences:
I’ll first touch on toxicity in the workplace. Where I worked at Ulta and in salons / spas, I noticed that some people (not all) try to be better than everyone else. It’s one thing to be a specialist for a service because that’s what sets you apart and makes you stand out, but it’s another thing to act like they’re the best and use their authority / experience to belittle your confidence. Again, businesses are teams. You have specific roles and key players but that doesn’t mean that one is better than the other; all are important and need to work together. If you experience this behavior in the workplace, I’d suggest going somewhere else. Another characteristic is nosiness. Individuals in this industry can be very cliquy and gossip. They want to know everyone’s business, clients, services, etc. This is easily remedied by respect and politeness. If you show respect to them and tell them where your boundaries are in a tactful manner, they more than likely will respect you and won’t be nosy.
Secondly, business owners and their structure. Salons / spas that aren’t franchises and are mom and pop shops are 50/50. Some are very forgiving and are wonderful to work with while others are in it to make quick cash for other intentions.
Katherine recommends the following next steps:
Jacob Taylor
Production Manager
523
Answers
Stafford, Virginia
Updated
Jacob’s Answer
In my experience in the field of cosmetology, I've encountered a wide range of customers and colleagues, and it's been quite a journey.
**Customer Interactions:** Most of my customers have been kind and appreciative. They trust you with their appearance, which often leads to positive and friendly interactions. However, occasionally, you may come across customers who have unrealistic expectations or who are difficult to please. Patience and good communication skills are essential in such situations.
**Colleague Relationships:** Cosmetology can be a collaborative field. Colleagues are generally supportive, and there's a sense of camaraderie. They understand that learning is an ongoing process, and it's okay not to know everything. There's often a willingness to share knowledge and help each other grow.
**Continuous Learning:** Cosmetology is an ever-evolving field. New techniques, trends, and products emerge regularly. It's perfectly acceptable not to know something, but it's crucial to be open to learning. Colleagues, mentors, and even customers can be valuable sources of knowledge.
**Customer Service Skills:** Exceptional customer service is a cornerstone of success in cosmetology. Being a good listener and ensuring that clients leave satisfied is essential. If you're unsure about something, it's better to admit it and seek guidance rather than attempting something you're not confident in.
Overall, my experiences in cosmetology have been positive. The key is to approach every day as an opportunity to learn and improve, whether in technical skills or in customer service. The relationships you build with customers and colleagues can be incredibly rewarding, making cosmetology a fulfilling and dynamic career choice.
**Customer Interactions:** Most of my customers have been kind and appreciative. They trust you with their appearance, which often leads to positive and friendly interactions. However, occasionally, you may come across customers who have unrealistic expectations or who are difficult to please. Patience and good communication skills are essential in such situations.
**Colleague Relationships:** Cosmetology can be a collaborative field. Colleagues are generally supportive, and there's a sense of camaraderie. They understand that learning is an ongoing process, and it's okay not to know everything. There's often a willingness to share knowledge and help each other grow.
**Continuous Learning:** Cosmetology is an ever-evolving field. New techniques, trends, and products emerge regularly. It's perfectly acceptable not to know something, but it's crucial to be open to learning. Colleagues, mentors, and even customers can be valuable sources of knowledge.
**Customer Service Skills:** Exceptional customer service is a cornerstone of success in cosmetology. Being a good listener and ensuring that clients leave satisfied is essential. If you're unsure about something, it's better to admit it and seek guidance rather than attempting something you're not confident in.
Overall, my experiences in cosmetology have been positive. The key is to approach every day as an opportunity to learn and improve, whether in technical skills or in customer service. The relationships you build with customers and colleagues can be incredibly rewarding, making cosmetology a fulfilling and dynamic career choice.
Thank you so much this really helped me understand more
Chloe