Challenges and Experiences as a Hair Stylist: Personal Anecdotes

Working as a hairstylist can be both rewarding and challenging. In this article, I will share some of the experiences that would fall into the latter category, from dealing with recalcitrant clients to tragic tales in the salon.

My Worst Experience as a Hair Stylist

One of my most trying experiences involved a client with incredibly long hair who wanted to trim it down. I tried to voice my concerns, but the stylist was insistent that I should reconsider. This resulted in a frustrating back-and-forth between us, which culminated in her holding a piece of my hair and saying, “Are you sure you want me to cut it? Once it’s gone, it’s gone.” Despite my firm assent, she kept questioning my decision, telling me that I would not like the results. This repeated insistence was highly annoying, to the point where I cut her short by telling her that I had previously had a pixie cut and knew what I was doing.

Challenging Moments in the Hair Salon

Another instance of a challenging experience occurred during a visit to a hairdresser a few years back. The hairdresser, who I later found out was a hair stylist, asked if I had carried a lot of weight. I replied that my current look was the heaviest I had ever been. To my surprise, he proceeded to point out to a trainee that the shape of my head was more prevalent in heavier individuals. At this point, I let it go, attributing his behavior to being a ‘dick.’

Stories from a Hairstylist's Daughter

Although not a hairstylist myself, my mother, who is a hairstylist, has shared some amusing and concerning stories about her experiences in the salon. My mother recently decided to pursue further education in cosmetology after losing her job of many years. She managed to complete her schooling in free courses and found an excellent opportunity to work as an assistant to the top stylist in our area.

However, my mother quickly realized that her boss was not the person he appeared to be. He was very bipolar, but none of his clients ever knew this. My mother learned to recognize the signs of his moods the moment she walked into the salon. While most of his clients were wealthy older women because younger people simply could not afford his prices, he was very accommodating to them. A particular client insisting she loved her hair in the salon, with her hair actually looking green instead of black, was a clear sign that she was afraid to speak up for herself and decline his services, which cost around $3-400. This woman preferred to walk around looking ridiculous rather than complain about the quality of her hair or the unjust price she was forced to pay.

These experiences highlight the wide range of challenges that a hairstylist might face, including dealing with difficult clients, understanding and coping with the moods of coworkers, and managing the financial expectations of the clients they serve. While these experiences can be frustrating, they also serve as a reminder of the importance of communication, patience, and professionalism in the beauty industry.