Newly Licensed Cosmetologist wanting to throw in the towel. Help!

I just got my California Cosmetology license June 13th 2011; I’m now starting to realize how it is starting out. My school didn’t teach me anything, it’s like starting at point A, I really thought that school was teaching me all the tools that I need to go out there into the big, big word of cosmetology. I don’t know how to cut hair for crap, they never taught us, standard 90, 180, & 0 degree cuts. So I started working at a salon (commission only) I knew I wasn’t going to be $$$, I was there hoping to learn. I sat there for two weeks doing nothing, no one taught me one thing not even going over the hair color line or product line. So I moved on and got a job working for fantastic Sam’s, thought now I’m going to get the training that I need. First day of work they taught me nothing, not even the computer system. I found out that I messed up this guys clipper cut, I told them from the get go that I need help and that I didn’t know how to cut men’s hair. I’m so discouraged, on top of that there like you need to loosen up (it’s hard to learn on your own and hold down a full on conversation at the same time). This big wonderful dream that I had is falling apart all around me, and I’m not a quitter but I really want to put my tail between my legs and run. What do I do Help!!!!!
P.S. I’m really angry with my school due to the fact of the lack of teaching us how to cut hair.
Where do I getting the training that I need to feel confident? Do I quit and try to do and internship? Do I quit and realize maybe this isn’t for me?

I would suggest applying to as many salons in your area for an Apprentice or Stylist Assistant position. Those are the only job titles that will give you on the job training as a hair stylist. However, most of these jobs are for people who do not have a license (since most people would except someone with a license to be skilled in the basics).

Besides that you can go on Youtube and watch as many tutorials as you can and practice daily. Read books, read magazines, you must live and breathe hair until you are great!

Shannon Cardenas in Temecula, California said: I just got my California Cosmetology license June 13th 2011; I’m now starting to realize how it is starting out. My school didn’t teach me anything, it’s like starting at point A, I really thought that school was teaching me all the tools that I need to go out there into the big, big word of cosmetology. I don’t know how to cut hair for crap, they never taught us, standard 90, 180, & 0 degree cuts. So I started working at a salon (commission only) I knew I wasn’t going to be $$$, I was there hoping to learn. I sat there for two weeks doing nothing, no one taught me one thing not even going over the hair color line or product line. So I moved on and got a job working for fantastic Sam’s, thought now I’m going to get the training that I need. First day of work they taught me nothing, not even the computer system. I found out that I messed up this guys clipper cut, I told them from the get go that I need help and that I didn’t know how to cut men’s hair. I’m so discouraged, on top of that there like you need to loosen up (it’s hard to learn on your own and hold down a full on conversation at the same time). This big wonderful dream that I had is falling apart all around me, and I’m not a quitter but I really want to put my tail between my legs and run. What do I do Help!!!!!
P.S. I’m really angry with my school due to the fact of the lack of teaching us how to cut hair.
Where do I getting the training that I need to feel confident? Do I quit and try to do and internship? Do I quit and realize maybe this isn’t for me?

I felt the same way when i got out of school, so i am an assistant now and after work i cut mannequins as i watch the vidal sassoon video abc of haircutting. That has helped me tremendously and i have learned so much that im so glad i didnt quit like i was going to.... you tube has the videos on the abc of haircutting....

Thanks for your help, I pretty sure I'm going to try to work an
Internship at a salon. I'm also going to order the core videos fro Paul mitchell.
I have been trying to watch videos on you-tube how it confuses me due to the fact that
Everyone does the same cuts but everyone has different methods so that throws me off.

Shannon Cardenas in Temecula, California said: Thanks for your help, I pretty sure I'm going to try to work an
Internship at a salon. I'm also going to order the core videos fro Paul mitchell.
I have been trying to watch videos on you-tube how it confuses me due to the fact that
Everyone does the same cuts but everyone has different methods so that throws me off.

I know, thats why i feel the vidal sassoon videos are better because they teach you the basics, and after going over them and watching them over and over it quickly just clicks and you really start to understand... I got it off ebay for less than buying it direct from vidal sassoon from someone who was selling their videos... Trust me you wont regret it.

Ok I'll look into buy there videos

FIRST AM FOR MOST YOU HAVE SALE YOURSELF YOUR FRESH AS A ROOT IN THE SOIL...AN IN ORDER TO BLOSSOM YOU MUST GROW U MUST NURISH IT WATER IT AN TAKE CARE OF IT..ANY DEAD LEAVES PICK THEM UP AN THROW THEM AWAU DONT CRY ABOUT IT, IT REALLY DOES YOU NO GOOD...IN OTHER WORDS YOU MUST EDUCATE YOURSELF YOU MUST SALE YOURSELF LIKE YOUVE NEVER SOLD YOUR SELF BEFORE AS IN ADVERTISING...TRULY UNDERSTAND I WOULD BE UPSET TO BUT ALL OF WHAT IVE GONE THRU TO GET MY LICENSE AN IM REAL FRESH JUST GOT IT FRIDAY THE 28TH...I WOULD NOT JUST GIVE UP..THERES TO MANY SOURCES OUT THERE THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF...TAKE UP A CUTTING CLASS OR A FEW COURSE'S..WHAT EVET YOU DO JUST DONT GET DISCOURAGED...YOU SEEM AS IF YOU WANT IT JUST AS BAD AS I DO!!! TAKE CARE AN GOD BLESS!!

Shannon Cardenas in Temecula, California said: Thanks for your help, I pretty sure I'm going to try to work an
Internship at a salon. I'm also going to order the core videos fro Paul mitchell.
I have been trying to watch videos on you-tube how it confuses me due to the fact that
Everyone does the same cuts but everyone has different methods so that throws me off.

Shannon, I know you have tried Fantastic Sams but go for Supercuts. They will teach you clipper cuts (you need to get this down for most low cost cuts chain salons... they're mostly male clientele) and how to do different elevations. I cannot believe that they didnt teach you those basics in beauty school!

A lot of working in a salon is really selling yourself. You can't make a living on commission only unless you are in a busy busy salon. I've been where you are (a long time ago) and the only place where I got real training was Supercuts. They have 2 weeks of workshop (paid) where you get to practice on clients. THEN when you get to your salon its more training and review of both customer service and watching training videos. You cut on doll heads before you go out on the floor. Your manager will watch you cut and correct you if you make mistakes.

Shannon Cardenas in Temecula, California said: I just got my California Cosmetology license June 13th 2011; I’m now starting to realize how it is starting out. My school didn’t teach me anything, it’s like starting at point A, I really thought that school was teaching me all the tools that I need to go out there into the big, big word of cosmetology. I don’t know how to cut hair for crap, they never taught us, standard 90, 180, & 0 degree cuts. So I started working at a salon (commission only) I knew I wasn’t going to be $$$, I was there hoping to learn. I sat there for two weeks doing nothing, no one taught me one thing not even going over the hair color line or product line. So I moved on and got a job working for fantastic Sam’s, thought now I’m going to get the training that I need. First day of work they taught me nothing, not even the computer system. I found out that I messed up this guys clipper cut, I told them from the get go that I need help and that I didn’t know how to cut men’s hair. I’m so discouraged, on top of that there like you need to loosen up (it’s hard to learn on your own and hold down a full on conversation at the same time). This big wonderful dream that I had is falling apart all around me, and I’m not a quitter but I really want to put my tail between my legs and run. What do I do Help!!!!!
P.S. I’m really angry with my school due to the fact of the lack of teaching us how to cut hair.
Where do I getting the training that I need to feel confident? Do I quit and try to do and internship? Do I quit and realize maybe this isn’t for me?

Hi iam also a cosmetologist for step by step haircutting get milady's standared cosmetology haircutting from amazon for step by step haircoloring and chemical texture services also from milady's
also the haircutting school instruction book very on point make sure to follow the instruction carfully and hand positioning as well and with pratice only on mannequin head your will master all

eclassy in Montebello, California said: FIRST AM FOR MOST YOU HAVE SALE YOURSELF YOUR FRESH AS A ROOT IN THE SOIL...AN IN ORDER TO BLOSSOM YOU MUST GROW U MUST NURISH IT WATER IT AN TAKE CARE OF IT..ANY DEAD LEAVES PICK THEM UP AN THROW THEM AWAU DONT CRY ABOUT IT, IT REALLY DOES YOU NO GOOD...IN OTHER WORDS YOU MUST EDUCATE YOURSELF YOU MUST SALE YOURSELF LIKE YOUVE NEVER SOLD YOUR SELF BEFORE AS IN ADVERTISING...TRULY UNDERSTAND I WOULD BE UPSET TO BUT ALL OF WHAT IVE GONE THRU TO GET MY LICENSE AN IM REAL FRESH JUST GOT IT FRIDAY THE 28TH...I WOULD NOT JUST GIVE UP..THERES TO MANY SOURCES OUT THERE THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF...TAKE UP A CUTTING CLASS OR A FEW COURSE'S..WHAT EVET YOU DO JUST DONT GET DISCOURAGED...YOU SEEM AS IF YOU WANT IT JUST AS BAD AS I DO!!! TAKE CARE AN GOD BLESS!!

Your quote is impossible to read due to the "shouting" and spelling errors. Stylists have a bad reputation for being uneducated, it's your job as a licensed professional to prove that's not the case.

You have to practice! Cosmetology school is about teaching the basics. With those basics you can do anything. Where is your creativity??? How in the world did you get your license without not being taught those cuts??? How did you perform the uniform layered cut for state board?? You have to have learned something to become licensed, something is missing here...

Lyn in Lake City, South Carolina said: You have to practice! Cosmetology school is about teaching the basics. With those basics you can do anything. Where is your creativity??? How in the world did you get your license without not being taught those cuts??? How did you perform the uniform layered cut for state board?? You have to have learned something to become licensed, something is missing here...

In school they teach u stateboard and how to pass, the cutting part you do whatever cut
You want to do razor then sheer or sheer then razor. They don't check your cut, and it doesn't have to be layers it can be a zero degree cut. I have heard they have changes things at stateboard recently, like within the last month or two. I have learned some stuff just not cutting, but I am learning!

Janelle in Richmond, Virginia said: I would suggest applying to as many salons in your area for an Apprentice or Stylist Assistant position. Those are the only job titles that will give you on the job training as a hair stylist. However, most of these jobs are for people who do not have a license (since most people would except someone with a license to be skilled in the basics).

Besides that you can go on Youtube and watch as many tutorials as you can and practice daily. Read books, read magazines, you must live and breathe hair until you are great!

That sounds like great advice! Where can you take continuing education courses on coloring, skin care, etc., once you've become licensed, in order to become a Master Cosmetologist?

Lyn in Lake City, South Carolina said: You have to practice! Cosmetology school is about teaching the basics. With those basics you can do anything. Where is your creativity??? How in the world did you get your license without not being taught those cuts??? How did you perform the uniform layered cut for state board?? You have to have learned something to become licensed, something is missing here...

Im in Fl. with the SAME problem as Shannon. We Only take a 2 part multiple choice test on a computer, which I passed with amazing results. So if you study your exam book you get your license.

Shannon Cardenas in Temecula, California said: I just got my California Cosmetology license June 13th 2011; I’m now starting to realize how it is starting out. My school didn’t teach me anything, it’s like starting at point A, I really thought that school was teaching me all the tools that I need to go out there into the big, big word of cosmetology. I don’t know how to cut hair for crap, they never taught us, standard 90, 180, & 0 degree cuts. So I started working at a salon (commission only) I knew I wasn’t going to be $$$, I was there hoping to learn. I sat there for two weeks doing nothing, no one taught me one thing not even going over the hair color line or product line. So I moved on and got a job working for fantastic Sam’s, thought now I’m going to get the training that I need. First day of work they taught me nothing, not even the computer system. I found out that I messed up this guys clipper cut, I told them from the get go that I need help and that I didn’t know how to cut men’s hair. I’m so discouraged, on top of that there like you need to loosen up (it’s hard to learn on your own and hold down a full on conversation at the same time). This big wonderful dream that I had is falling apart all around me, and I’m not a quitter but I really want to put my tail between my legs and run. What do I do Help!!!!!
P.S. I’m really angry with my school due to the fact of the lack of teaching us how to cut hair.
Where do I getting the training that I need to feel confident? Do I quit and try to do and internship? Do I quit and realize maybe this isn’t for me?

Where did you go to cosmetology school?

Nessiewessie in Springvale, Maine said: Where did you go to cosmetology school?

Royal college of beauty

You must find intercoiffure america on line and see the 3 salons in your area and get hired and do an apprenticeship for atleast a year.

You know, I received my manicurist license last July. What I experienced for about 6 months after was sheer hell. My teacher had told me I did good work, but when I got "out there", I found out I don't do the best work-even with nails, there's lots to learn and it does take 3-5 years to build a full clientele. There's no such "thing" as a nail apprentice or assistant job, you're just thrown to the wolves and expected to rise up quickly. I was essentially eaten alive. I'm actually interviewing for salon receptionist jobs this week-I need a BREAK from it all (not to mention the pain in your neck, wrists, and lower back from doing nails gets pretty bad), going to do my darndest to get one of those jobs so that I can get a solid reference and "block" of experience-then I'm going to go work at a spa, once I have better references and a better resume-they're one of the very few that will actually "train" you. That being said-you need an apprentice/assistant job-it's the only way you'll learn!

oriental

school equals a license only.

Erin Myers in Reseda, California said: You know, I received my manicurist license last July. What I experienced for about 6 months after was sheer hell. My teacher had told me I did good work, but when I got "out there", I found out I don't do the best work-even with nails, there's lots to learn and it does take 3-5 years to build a full clientele. There's no such "thing" as a nail apprentice or assistant job, you're just thrown to the wolves and expected to rise up quickly. I was essentially eaten alive. I'm actually interviewing for salon receptionist jobs this week-I need a BREAK from it all (not to mention the pain in your neck, wrists, and lower back from doing nails gets pretty bad), going to do my darndest to get one of those jobs so that I can get a solid reference and "block" of experience-then I'm going to go work at a spa, once I have better references and a better resume-they're one of the very few that will actually "train" you. That being said-you need an apprentice/assistant job-it's the only way you'll learn!

Sorry to hear your going thru that, but also glad to hear someones experancing the same thing. I'm taking a break from it all for now, just got a bad taste in my mouth for the industy right now. There's alot of things that they don't explain to you.

I got my license in March 2011 and it was tough trying to find a job. Almost got a job with great clips but their 15 mins time limit didn't sound good so I didn't pursue the position there. I went to an advanced school and they require that you to bring in at least 15 new clients in 3 months, which wasn't as bad as others but was bad timing due to some eye surgery I needed. They didn't seem to understand I needed my vision to do hair (duh), so that didn't work. I ended up getting a job in a different field since my bills were piling up. Just got laid off from that job so now I'm back to looking for a job again. I'm hoping I can find something in cosmetology but it is so difficult when you don't have much skills. Most salons want experienced stylists only. I wish they had more salon assistant positions open but they don't, not here in MN :( If I can't find anything soon, I will have to settle for some other type of work instead like I did last year. Man this sucks but I felt better coming across this board, knowing I'm not the only one. I still wish you the best and hopefully a year or two from now we will all be happy doing hair instead of having wasted our time and money on getting our licenses :D

Shannon Cardenas in Murrieta, California said: Sorry to hear your going thru that, but also glad to hear someones experancing the same thing. I'm taking a break from it all for now, just got a bad taste in my mouth for the industy right now. There's alot of things that they don't explain to you.

I need a Haircut.