If stylist go to school, then why are so many clueless?

[gymfreak336]

I just got the thinking. I was reading the thread about the stylist not wanting to change relaxers and it just reminded me of more stylist issues we have all had. Alot of the ladies here that have acheived their long hair goals have all done it with methods that most stylist would deem ineffective and pointless but every time I leave my hair in the hands of "professionals", it gets worse and worse in condition. I'm not trying to say that all stylist are clueless; some actually do a very good job and educate as well as take really good care of hair but that percentage seems to be very small relative to all the "professional" stylist out there. What do they learn as school that makes them "so" much more qualified than us to take care of hair. Why don't the good stylist open up a school to reeducate all the bad one floating around.

 

[Mizani_Mrs]

I feel your pain girl. But keep in mind that what they learn in school is mostly hair STYLING, and not hair CARE. They do learn a small percent of haircare. The truth is that according to their belief, most women go to a salon for the latest and greatest style/cut/color, as opposed to going for someone to baby their hair. I wonder if this is still true? hmmm. Anyways, also I purchased the Malady cosmo handbook a while ago...you ladies would be verrrrry surprised at how general and how non-detailed it is (is that a word? ) So this tells me that the majority of the info that a stylist learns is not from a textbook, but from the instructor. Now this is where the 'miseducation' comes from. Whatever miseducation that instructor has....he will pass on this to all the new stylists...this is why you will get different responses depending on which stylist you ask. So not all stylists were created equal... thats why u have to find one good one and stick with her...or learn to do erthang yourself...

 

[PaperClip]

It's time for some tough love and personal accountability/responsibility here. Some of these stories are AMAZING about what people will put themselves through for some hair. In the case of these hairdressers, why do people continue to go back and suffer poor service at extremely high prices and not raise a stink about it or take control of their hair care?

I'll keep it real: growing up in a household with a hairdresser, I NEVER learned how to do my own hair. During my days of going to hairdressers, I didn't just walk up on a hairdresser sight unseen. I got referrals. I watched them work on other heads. I checked their licensing and any potential reports against them. The main reason I switched hairdressers over the years was because of poor service (disrespect of my time, lack of hair health, price increase). My most recent stylist has spoiled me for all other stylists. She treated me like a QUEEEEEENNNNN.... Some days she cared about me more than I cared about myself.... And I would recommend her to (almost) anybody on the planet. I say almost because I wouldn't send trifling people to her.

Bottom line, we need to be informed customers and avoid service providers of any kind who do not respect our money, our bodies, our children, our communities.

 

[Crackers Phinn]

The chicks I grew up with who ended up going to school 'to do hurr' weren't necessarily the sharpest knives in the drawer. If you combine that with the color by numbers approach to teaching employed by fly by night cosmetology schools, then you have your answer - (at least in Detroit) Not to mention the many more chicks who didn't pass the exams but do hair under the table anyway.

Obviously this doesn't apply to all hairdressers, in every profession there are people who are good/bad/average. I'm just sharing my experience.

 

[PaperClip]

The chicks I grew up with who ended up going to school 'to do hurr' weren't necessarily the sharpest knives in the drawer. If you combine that with the color by numbers approach to teaching employed by fly by night cosmetology schools, then you have your answer - (at least in Detroit) Not to mention the many more chicks who didn't pass the exams but do hair under the table anyway.

Obviously this doesn't apply to all hairdressers, in every profession there are people who are good/bad/average. I'm just sharing my experience.

Here is a graphical view of my response to this thread:


I'm in the Big D.... My mom is an old school hairdresser in the Big D.... She was doing hair LONG before she went to school (my dad paid for her to go! They will be married 40 years in January 2007!). So I accept your next to last sentence on you post....

Your post raises a good point: is your hairdresser continuing to educate him/herself on the new things that are taking place in cosmotology? That's one thing I always appreciated about my most recent hairdresser.

 

[LAYDEE]

Many stylist are clueless because they go into these cosmotology schools knowing nothing and they graduate nothing just alittle bit more of nothing. The majority of these schools teach you 1800 hours worth of basic techniques and skills--these hours take you a full year or more to complete and its expensive as hell! IMO-a true stylist has a love for hair, has experimented, read books, and learned new techniques before attending any schools. Then after he/she attends the school (to receive a piece of paper) he/she continues to experiment, read and learn new things. My stylist has been doing hair for 15+ years and she still loves her profession. She goes deep and she is always willing to learn new things. Many stylist nowadays are in it for the money not the passion for doing hair. Take all the ladies on LHCF-none of us are getting paid to do our own hair-we all have a love and passion for our hair to become healthier and longer. And in many ways we have this same passion for each other's hair. When you find a stylist that is that dedicated to his/her art(because that's what it is)-hold on to her/him. leave the others alone. ** One more thing-you can tell alot about your stylist by the way he/she keeps their own hair. So if he/she has ruff ends, damage, hair falling out, scaly scalp or just plain ole messed up hair--then sit back and relax because that's how your hair will look in the near future.

 

[InJesusName]

I have often wondered the same thing. I thought I had finally found a "good" hairdresser...one that respected my time, did not do "hard" styles, etc. I had to stop going to her because every time I asked for a deep conditioner, she would act like it was an act of congress. I was like what is the big deal? I am willing to pay for it. I even asked her to deep condition it on every visit (I went weekly), and she said that would damage my hair !! Then she would try to charge me and extra $20 for "labor" At that point I said forget it! I can sit under my own dryer for free. I am waiting a few more months, then I am going to visit her and show her just how much "damage" I am getting from more frequent conditioning.

 

[Harry]

I just wanted to add that knowledge is power. When I was younger I had a series of stylist that didn't (in my opinion) care about the health of my hair. I became discouraged and decided to take control of the situation. The internet, LHCF, books and trial and error have all contributed to the overall health of my hair. Now, I only visit the stylist for a touch-up. She is Korean and cares about the overall health of my hair. Also, since I am older I refuse to give my hard earned money to a scissor happy stylist. On a side note, I visited this day spa in my neighborhood and decided to book a facial. However, I didn't like get a warm fuzzy from the staff. I thought about it after I left and decided to cancel the appointment. I happened to wander around the strip mall and somehow ended up in a small nail salon. I struck up a conversation wth the staff, who were warm and cordial, told them what I wanted and ended up getting the works the same day. (facial/mani/pedi/wax). Also, the stylist have got to realize that they are losing customers/business.

 

[B_Phlyy]

A true hair care professional goes above and beyond just getting a license. I got a copy of a sample of a cosmetology licensing exam and I passed it just based on what I've learned on hair boards in the past 6 months, so I know it isn't that hard. Anyway, my current stylist has been doing hair for at least 20 years and has had a license for 25 years and she still takes the time to go to extra classes and seminars. She makes sure she is knowledgeable about new products and even tells clients why she might be thinking of using something different.

Other stylist in the shop however, will buy anything the distributor is pushing and put it on however is unfortunate enough to be the first client of the day without any knowledge of what the product is going to do to that persons hair. And then they wonder why they can't build a client base.

 

[PaperClip]

A true hair care professional goes above and beyond just getting a license. I got a copy of a sample of a cosmetology licensing exam and I passed it just based on what I've learned on hair boards in the past 6 months, so I know it isn't that hard. Anyway, my current stylist has been doing hair for at least 20 years and has had a license for 25 years and she still takes the time to go to extra classes and seminars. She makes sure she is knowledgeable about new products and even tells clients why she might be thinking of using something different.

Other stylist in the shop however, will buy anything the distributor is pushing and put it on however is unfortunate enough to be the first client of the day without any knowledge of what the product is going to do to that persons hair. And then they wonder why they can't build a client base.

There's also the practical part of the exam that is included in the overall licensure process. I add this to say that it does take more than book learnin' to become a cosmotologist, in defense of my mother's passion AND profession.

 

[LAYDEE]

There's also the practical part of the exam that is included in the overall licensure process. I add this to say that it does take more than book learnin' to become a cosmotologist, in defense of my mother's passion AND profession.

I applaud your mother, my stylist and the many stylist out there that do go above and beyond for their passion-their careers! the sad part is that there are alot more stylist that dont care, dont have the passion-and that makes it bad for the true stylist such as your mother. But on a better note, if it wasnt for these jacked up stylist we wouldnt have LHCF

 

[PaperClip]

I applaud your mother, my stylist and the many stylist out there that do go above and beyond for their passion-their careers! the sad part is that there are alot more stylist that dont care, dont have the passion-and that makes it bad for the true stylist such as your mother. But on a better note, if it wasnt for these jacked up stylist we wouldnt have LHCF

Thank you. The only other point I would make is that how many jacked up stylists does one have to go to before they begin to take ownership of their own hair care. And what this means is that one has to explore and do their homework on a stylist, just like one would do when buying a car, a house, deciding on a school, a doctor, etc. We have to be accountable for our own health.

 

[LAYDEE]

RelaxerRehab
I agree with you 150%. But at the same time there are some women who dont know if something is doing more harm than good to their hair. and it may take them a while to see that. I admit, I was one--during high school i would go to this beauty salon and get my hair permed every 4-6weeks. my hair was growing-slowly-and it was very thin. I was popping ponytails in and out of my hair everyday, just damaging my little growth. Luckily i happened to go to my stylist i have now and she sat me down and explained to me all the damage i was doing.

 

[sareca]

I'm gonna turn this back on us too. I do not consider my DR ultimately responsible for my health. He's not there everyday. By the same token, I've never considered a stylist ultimately responsible for my hair. They can do a lot of damage true, but I think most people do most of that damage at home. Repeated heat styling, no moisture, no protein, rough handling. The stylists isn't helping, but we are doing the worse of it. Knowledge is power, most people don't even know they (and their stylist) are mishandling their hair.

 

[chiprecious]

HEY HEY HEY!!! I AM A STYLIST!!!
However we are professionals the same reason others are. We put the time to learn the fundamentals, risks, and chemistry behind the trade. Just think how many plain dumb doctors, accountants, and lawyers, etc. there are. However someone else said, they do not teach about the true care of OUR hair. Even today, most of the teachings are not for women with textured hair.

Now saying all that, I don't trust most of them myself to even shampoo yet alone detangle my hair. I do mine and my family's hair completely. BTW, my sister's hair is bra strap length. But, yes, we can be scissor happy because i literally begged her to cut a few inches, but see, I did ask first and she refused. A hair health conscious is a true diamond in the rough. But then again, it's all about the money, meaning the latest styles full of gel instead of growing a beautfiul head of hair.

 

[Shalilac]

When I went to cosmetology school, I was the only sista that wanted to be a hair care specialist. They joked on me for not knowing how to do weaves and things, but they had no idea how to properly apply a relaxer! So it just depends. And WE DO learn how to care for hair. Some folks just don't give a damn. For instance, we learned that you are NOT supposed to use marcels on the hair after a relaxer. But I had clients that would get up out my chair if I told them that I didn't want to use marcels on their hair after a relaxer!
edited to add: you wouldn't believe how many students have to retake the written part of the exam, but pass the hands on stuff with flying colors. To me that's kinda scary! LOL

 

[caribeandiva]

why are so many clueless? i ask myself that everyday. i think it's cause they don't know junk about their own hair. if they did they're treat your hair like gold. that's why you shouldn't go to a stylist that has jacked-up hair (no matter how nice she styles it).

 

[hairmaster]

Some are stylist some are not they can't do anything else so their family sends them to beauty school, who teaches them how to pass the exam.
The schools are fulfilling the state requirements only and the need to keep the school open, If a student messes up a clients hair chemicaly or with cutting then don't call the students together and say look at what we do to correct it they just do the corection and hope the client comes back they are required to post signs saying work is done by students.

 

[Southernbella.]

When I went to cosmetology school, I was the only sista that wanted to be a hair care specialist. They joked on me for not knowing how to do weaves and things, but they had no idea how to properly apply a relaxer! So it just depends. And WE DO learn how to care for hair. Some folks just don't give a damn. For instance, we learned that you are NOT supposed to use marcels on the hair after a relaxer. But I had clients that would get up out my chair if I told them that I didn't want to use marcels on their hair after a relaxer!

I was going to make a comment along these lines.

Many of the practices that are better for hair health (not using marcels, for one) are the ones that make the hair look "done". If a customer is paying to get her hair done, she is going to want that fresh from the salon look (including swinging hair and straight roots even if it means relaxing every 4 weeks). I think most stylists are giving the clients what they want.

Healthy hair takes patience, and many of the women who go to the salon don't have it. They want to look fly RIGHT NOW, and not make the sacrifice of, say, stretching, less heat, and washing/conditioning more often.

I

 

[Shalilac]

Healthy hair takes patience, and many of the women who go to the salon don't have it. They want to look fly RIGHT NOW, and not make the sacrifice of, say, stretching, less heat, and washing/conditioning more often.

This is exactly my point. Most of the folks I know (even my momma) won't listen to me when I tell them what to do with their hair. She still religiously relaxes her hair every 4 wks! I tell her all the time that that's too much.

HOWEVER... there are still MANY, MANY, MANY stylists who are just that. Stylists. Hair care is not their priority.

 

[MizAvalon]

This is the million dollar question! Here's a link to a thread I started last year asking the exact same question.

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=48545

 

[crlsweetie912]

I think you ladies have hit the nail on the head. Most of cosmetology school teaches you to PASS THE EXAM. Who in the heck wants to pay 2-3 thousand dollars for school and not pass the exam. Most ladies want a bangin style whatever the cost is to their hair. Women are just now realizing that any style, no matter how elaborate, looks much better on a healthy head of hair. It really depends on why you go into the business? To make money? Or to learn and teach people how to care for their hair. If you have clients that come in every two weeks, or sometimes monthly, and they have the exact same style in their hair as when they left, won't take your advice on caring for their hair, won't purchase products with the proper ingredients in them, whose fault is it?

 

[pink_n_green_iz_me]

I am a licensed sytlist (not practicing) and I agree with all the posts. When I went to beauty school, I already knew how to do hair I just wanted to learn the fundamentals. I went to a school in a predominately black neighborhood so I only knew how to care for African Americn hair. After I graduated, I took it upon myself to take additional classes like Coloring, cutting....ect for other ethnic backgrounds so I could be well rounded. I also have to take so many credit hours to keep my license current and send my information to the State to let them know I completed my CE credits. When I'd go to hair shows I would make a point to study the new techniques as well as focus on healty haircare and make a point to "look" at the ingredients in the products they were selling. Having said all that, it's basically up to the stylist to research and learn how to care for the hair and not only know how to make it look "cute" for a few days.

It's sad to say but alot of stylist are in it for the money.erplexed

 

[PaperClip]

It's sad to say but alot of stylist are in it for the money.erplexed

You're right and I've seen my mom work really hard down through the years. She steered me away from the profession (she didn't have to do much to convince me that I did NOT want to be a hairdresser). That's way too much hard work for some money after dealing with "the public" Having to cater to (some) trifling customers.... Don't get me wrong: a client deserves proper service, but I've witnessed abuse and manipulation that some hairdressers go through.... sometimes it goes too far....

 

[taraglam2]

I have often wondered the same thing. I thought I had finally found a "good" hairdresser...one that respected my time, did not do "hard" styles, etc. I had to stop going to her because every time I asked for a deep conditioner, she would act like it was an act of congress. I was like what is the big deal? I am willing to pay for it. I even asked her to deep condition it on every visit (I went weekly), and she said that would damage my hair !! Then she would try to charge me and extra $20 for "labor" At that point I said forget it! I can sit under my own dryer for free. I am waiting a few more months, then I am going to visit her and show her just how much "damage" I am getting from more frequent conditioning.

This same thing happened to me. I had to basically demand a deep conditioner and she would say, oh you really don't need one, or I would say my hair is dry and I need a deep conditioning treatment and she would say "Oh this rinse off conditioner will work just fine ! That "hairdresser" broke my hair off sooooooo bad. In the 15 months I went to her I only got like 2 deep conditioners that I had to demand!!!!! When the other stylists in her shop see me with my hair down and out they are amazed and wanting to touch it and asking other customers that know me what am I using and doing and who is doing my hair for it to have grown sooo much.

 

[NeeSee]

Because they are not being taught properly. A lot of the info they receive are targeting and instructed for/by whites.

 

[balisi]

You're right and I've seen my mom work really hard down through the years. She steered me away from the profession (she didn't have to do much to convince me that I did NOT want to be a hairdresser). That's way too much hard work for some money after dealing with "the public" Having to cater to (some) trifling customers.... Don't get me wrong: a client deserves proper service, but I've witnessed abuse and manipulation that some hairdressers go through.... sometimes it goes too far....

Girl, your mama ain't never lied! I can tell you all some trifling customer stories of my own and I haven't been practicing very long. And believe me, it was nothing negative on my part. Some customers come in with their own mess and some with the intention of starting some sort of drama. Still, I'm always professional and courteous. Stylists develop thick skins pretty quickly. Thankfully, the good customers far outweigh the bad.

And crlsweetie912, I only WISH it cost me as little as 2-3K to attend cosmetology school. The costs have really gone up, especially in the private schools.

 

[crlsweetie912]

Girl, your mama ain't never lied! I can tell you all some trifling customer stories of my own and I haven't been practicing very long. And believe me, it was nothing negative on my part. Some customers come in with their own mess and some with the intention of starting some sort of drama. Still, I'm always professional and courteous. Stylists develop thick skins pretty quickly. Thankfully, the good customers far outweigh the bad.

And crlsweetie912, I only WISH it cost me as little as 2-3K to attend cosmetology school. The costs have really gone up, especially in the private schools.

Well balisi, that was 13+ years ago, but I agree with everything you said!