MY FIRST YEAR AS A HAIRSTYLIST | First jobs, How Much Money I Make, Pros & Cons 

Idk if anyone has told you but as a cosmetologist, you can go to a Chiropractor and claim it as a tax write off! Your body is your tool... gotta adjust and maintain your tools if you want them to last a long time! A guest speaker told me that while in Cosmo school... never forgot it haha

U give me realistic hope and make me want to get off my ass when I'm unmotivated. I'm 19 6 months into beauty school . Thanks for the video!

I'm only 10 and I know it sounds super dumb but going to cosmetology school and being able to do stuff I love just makes me so happy~

I'm so thankful you give actual numbers. It helped me set my goals more realistic

I’m a licensed Cosmetologist as well. I graduated In 2017 and I just landed my first Job July 2019. I really like the salon I work at and I’m unsure why It took me this long to put myself out there . I guess the fear that i can’t be a Hairstylist full time because I didn’t have much clientele. I’m glade I finally took that step

I’m starting school in October and this has been very helpful! I love that you actually shared how the pay went and helped realized the realistics of cosmetology and has really motivated me! I definitely subscribed❤️

It's ridiculous how much needed this video was for me. I've been doing hair for about a year about to go into my 4th salon bc you really have to find a salon that feels like home to you. It was a nice refresher to hear "your first year is your worst" bc it really is.

i’m 19 and starting cosmetology school in august! you just made me even more excited to start! thank you for this video and i can’t wait to make people feel beautiful every day! 🤩

Words cannot describe the depth of my appreciation for your honesty in all your videos

Giirrrlll yes!! I feel you with the diversity!! I graduated cosmetology school and have my license, and I called a black-owned salon and already have a job set up and we’re all so excited!! I’m so proud of myself. Watching your video for tips :) 👑

Wow! Thank you for your detailed and honest description of your first year as a stylist. I too am coming from corporate America 9-to-5 desk job which I felt my soul was leaving my body every time I walked into the door. Thing was 10 years ago, I was a make up artist for Sephora and Mac. I shortly after became a freelance makeup artist and even done New York City fashion week. But then I got discouraged and felt like I wasn’t good enough so I stopped and got a “grown-up” job. I’ve been miserable ever since. So I quit my corporate job, move back home to my fathers house and going to apply to cosmetology school in February. I was nervous about the decision and thinking about going back to the corporate job until I found your video. Your video encourage me to follow my dreams and not be afraid of failure. Thank you so much for your video I followed your channel.

Thank you for this video! I am almost done with cosmo school and I am getting mentally prepared for the real world. I am looking forward to it and this opened my eyes a little more !! I’ve been feeling discouraged lately 😩 thank you again 💕

Thank you so much for making this video! I am starting cosmetology school next week and I am so nervous about it, but your video gave me hope! And also I appreciate that you talked about the rougher side of cosmetology!

The amount of truth in this video is absolutely commendable from one stylist to another... girl u spoke a mouth full...

I’m from PA as well and I’m starting cosmetology school next month! I needed to see this video! Thank you sooooooo much for posting this!❤️❤️❤️

Thankyou so so much for this video! Was so raw real & helpful! Congratulations on finally doing something you love & enjoying & succeeding in life😘

this is so realistic and gives such a good point of view, thank you for sharing this xx

omg, I am so thankful that I came across your channel! I discovered you last year, about the time I had just graduated High School. I started cosmetology school 2 weeks after graduation and found your videos so helpful! I love your personality and how you just get to the point and lay everything out the way it really is. Now fast forward to Dec. 2020 I started my first stylist job at an Aveda concept salon. I've only been there a few weeks now, but I've been feeling so overwhelmed with my services. I haven't taken a real client yet, I've just been doing the models, but timing has always been a huge struggle for me. It stresses me out and I feel so discouraged a lot of the times. When you said that you felt like you were an awful stylist and questioning whether this industry was for you, I'm kind of at that point. Especially since I don't have any clientele at all right now. I'm so stressed about how I take so long on services and worried that I won't be able to fill up my books. It's super nice to hear that you didn't get paid a whole bunch starting out and understanding that since I am at the same spot right now, that's what I should be expecting. Than seeing how much progress you made in just a year, gives me so much hope. I have that same ambition and drive that you do and you just helped me to stick with it. I just want you to know how proud I am of you and how far you've come. I look up to you as one of my role models as a stylist. Being a stylist isn't easy on top of being a RU-vidr, but if you can do it, than I can find my ways as well. Thank You for your channel and logging your cosmetology journey! Seriously, it helps me out so much and I know that it encourages so many others.

i really appreciate this video, i start school next month and cannot wait. this is a genuine and realistic view on this and i’m so motivated, just happy to have this opportunity

Amazing! I'm so glad you are loving being a stylist!

When I tell you I seriously needed this video... I am currently miserable at an office job, knowing it’s not what I am supposed to be doing in life. I’ve wanted to be a cosmetologist since I was a little girl and I feel like this was the push I needed to pursue my dreams and enroll in school. Thank you for being honest and sharing your experiences. You’re doing amazing!!! 💖

loved this video! currently assisting after graduating beauty school in October and I'm so nervous but excited to get my chair! this was nice to hear!

That was so helpful! Thank you so much! Listening to you and how happy you are with your career and how after one year you are already doing so well, you inspire me in every video!

thank you for posting all these videos! you inspired me to go to school last year and now i’m at 1418 hours and my state board is in may!

i found this video to be so helpful. im currently in school, graduate in February and idk ive just been having a lot of anxiety about building a clientele and finding the right salon. i see alot of myself in you so thank you 💖

Start my first day in a salon today! Your videos have inspired me so much; thank you!!!

I’m 4 months into my cosmo education and seeing this was so empowering. I was struggling for the first time when highlighting and I actually told myself I just wasn’t good enough. I’d worked on them for a week. I just figured I’d get it off the bat because I loved it so much but it’s truly hard work haha! I’m so obsessed with it and watching this just amplified my passion. It’s an amazing feeling.🌸🌼

This helped me so much, I have been so confused lately about choosing this career. I have my license and I’ve been out of school for about a year and I am assisting right now. But this honestly helped me SO much thank you and keep being amazing at what you do.

Thank you for being so honest about how much you make. It gives me an insight on how much I’ll realistically make out of school💗

You’re such a great career coach, teacher, and insightful person! I’m researching for my sister because I believe in her that she can do it and be successful and I think your videos can help me inspire to go for it! Thank you!

Dude we are in the same boat. You’re inspiring me to start a RU-vid all your topics are things I relate to! I am self employed doing hair & lashes. Best decision I’ve ever made. Being able to financially support myself at 19 while doing what I love is the greatest! So glad you’re having an amazing experience as well. Keep killing it ❤️

When I started cosmetology school in January I RU-vidd “cosmetology school” and your videos came up first! I love your videos! School has been amazing I’m 27 with 3 kids and I am so glad I started! We have 11 in our adult class and I couldn’t have started with a better group of ladies💜I hit our salon in april😱 I’m super nervous but excited! Thanks for the motivation!!

So happy I stumbled on this video today. I am graduating soon & this is what I needed to hear! Thank you!

Yay for you!!!. Really, keep taking advantage of your education inclined boss and I hope you harness the power of mornings (it's unbelievable the amount of women who need services at am) and exercise to continue moving forward :). Keep rocking.

Your videos make me happy!!!

I’ve been watching you since day one. As I am about to finish cosmo school and salon searching now. I’m getting so much pressured on whether I’ll be making a living or not. Thank you for your videos and feed back it means so much. If you have any tips on picking the right place to work at or how to grow yourself more please tell! Thanks girl!!😭😭❤️

I love how open you are with us. Thanks for that :)

This video is amazing!! You are literally such a inspiration!! You make me want to shoot for my dreams!!

This video motivated me so much. I'm starting cosmetology classes in April! 💖

Thank you! I'm considering doing hair school and your perspective is super helpful :)

Omg I am only 5 minutes in so far and just wanted to thank you so much for doing this video! I'm almost half way through my first year training, I'm on the level 2 hairdressing course (UK lvl 1 is really basic stuff, lvl 2 you learn some colour, cutting and setting techniques, that's the minimum to get insurance and lvl 3 is more in depth and isn't required for insurance) and starting to think about things like building a client base and where I'm gonna work when I qualify and stuff. Gonna go find your playlist from while you were training now, and congratulations on your 1st year!

you are in such a better place than when I last saw you!!! so happy for you

I love your tattoos! lol i start cosmetology school in a month and the scariest part to me is thinking about getting a job and actually making some $$$$. I'm planning on busting my ass and have no problem doing that, so hopefully it goes well. ;) Thanks for sharing your experience!!

I relate to you so much!!! I'm new & already a fan! 💓 I start cosmetology school next month and this video was perf!

Thank you for this. I’m thinking about switching my career path to something that I love... this inspired me. New subbie 💕

I wish someone like you would have been around when I went to beauty school 40+ yrs ago (well .....you tube wasn't even around!!! maybe computers weren't even around !!) I gave up because of my lack of confidence, and thought I was the only one that felt that way!! I know your experiences and honesty are helping so many people starting out in this career.

I'm changing careers and working on my checklist to get into cosmotology school. I was starting to get cold feet a little and pulled up your video randomly and I'm so glad i did.

I'm starting cosmetology school in April. you inspire me so much! i doubt myself sometimes but i know I'm going to work my butt off to be the best hair stylist i can be! ps. that color looks STUNNING on you xx

I just started cosmetology school in June and I’ve been so nervous and scared through the process everything is online due to the pandemic. It’s a lot of information to learn and remember. But this definitely helped me know what it will be like when I finally do graduate.

I really appreciate your honesty and hustle. I’m starting COS school on 3/25/19, and I am so grateful for finding your RU-vid channel as well as Instagram page. I’m definitely *inspired* by your insta page, but don’t worry - I’ll def give you the credit when I start posting! 😂

I love this video because you mentioned that this is hard work, but it is what you love, and making as much as you were at your desk job. That is what I want.

I can relate to this so much! I am going to be hitting my one year in the salon this summer and I am just getting burnt out. I like the salon I’m in but I don’t love it. I have been looking around and exploring other options but I’m so unsure of what type of salon I want to be in. Thank you for sharing your experience💗

Many blessings and keep doing what you do🔥💯

I graduate cosmetology school in two weeks and I’m so happy I found your channel I’m trying to prepare myself for the real world!

Starting Cosmo school in April I’m so freaking excited!!! Your videos have been so helpful 😊💜

New subscriber here! I've been watching a lot of cosmetology student videos (yours included) and thought yours was the best. Very well presented and very informative. Thanks! I hope to start Cosmetology school soon.

I recently got into cosmetology school and hair makes me nervous>.< but I know I will do great! I’m going to be so motivated!!!

Love this! I really really really want to be a hairstylist and go to cosmetology school, but right now my focus is on finishing my bachelors degree. (Partially for myself, but mostly for my parents, but I know I'll be proud of myself once I'm done.) I'm halfway done with school right now, 2 years to go. I hope that I can still make the dream a reality even if it will be 3 years from now.

Seriously love that ur from PA too and I love your honesty ! I was in corporate for 12 years and I’m over it yeah you need commission and your money can fluctuate with cosmetology my best friend is a hairdresser for 20 years and has her teaching license so she subs. Some days are hard but the money is worth it if you love what you do

You have no idea how much I needed to watch this video. Thanks for the encouragement! Glad to hear that I’m not the only stylist who thinks this way!

Love listening to your stories!!

Loved this video sis, very encouraging

I'm in public service (I am a case worker) so I am the furtherest thing from beauty industry, this is so inspiring! Anyone who hates their job needs to find their passion. Going to work wouldn't be a horrible affair. If you have the access, it's so important to find a job your passionate about. It will change your life. Also, for people wondering salary i work 40 hrs at least but usually anywhere from 45-60 hrs a week and i made 39k last year. So don't let money be the thing that stops you! Go Sam! I'm happy for you 😄😄😄

Ooooo 412 twins ! I’m thinking about going into cosmetology but I don’t know so thanks for the video !!

Your an amazing person! I'm so proud that you made it this far and I know for a fact you have way more to accomplish! I'm proud of you Sam! Even though I'm not a stylist nor want to become one, you inspired me. I hope one day I can meet you and maybe get a haircut from you because your amazing at doing hair!😊

OMG! I'm so happy for you! This gives me hope!! Ive been thinking lately that maybe hair isn't for me!!! Ive been at the same salon for almost 2 years and make no money!! Im gonna have to try to look for another salon too!! This is the video I needed :')

Hey Sam! You deserve more subscribers! I LOVE your transparency and humbleness. You have definitely motivated me. I love your videos can’t wait to see you grow more 😘😘😘 BTW I have been binge watching your videos for 3 days hahaha!

This video makes me so excited to go to cosmetology school!

I love this. I just made my own video about my experience in cosmetology school and life after school. It’s crazy because I was wondering how different it is for everyone else.

very interesting!! 😌 ps that color t shirt dress is everything !

ah! loved this video! i recently quit my paralegal career and moved back to my parents to do beauty school

Thank you for this video. It gave me a great idea of what to expect.

I m 30, pregnant with baby number 3 and I plan on going to beauty school in september 2022. Even though I looove hair, love knowing about techniques, doing hair... I m super scared to make mistakes and ruin people s hair...but I m trying to get motivated by watching videos like yours!

I'm a licensed cosmetologist in PA too !! Got my license last February as well.

For sure going to look into Behind the Chair! My school has only showed us the basics😭

Your videos influence me so much! I just got accepted into cosmetology school and I'm only going on 16 years old in May and the school starts in August of this year. It's a program through my highschool that I can get a license from. I'm so nervous and excited at the same time because this is my biggest passion and knowing I have the opportunity to do it at such a young age is amazing. On top of that, it's a free program. (the only thing I have to pay for is a uniform and sheers) Your videos make me feel more confident about going!!.♡:)

Great video!! Finally someone that gives out real numbers. You give me hope to continue this journey to become a hair stylist. Thank you!

This makes me so motivated! I graduate cosmetology school in September, can’t wait🤩

Thank you for sharing. You really inspire me do more.

Sam, thank you for being one of my biggest encouragements and support systems in going to beauty school. please continue to make these videos!! also, there is no doubt in my mind that you are going to become a six figure or even more stylist. you inspire all of us so much. love u!

I’ve made the decision to go to school and I’m in PA as well!! I start late January 2020 I’m so glad I found your channel 🥰

Yeah Groupon is such a killer for any hair stylist, esthetician or nail tech 😳

Just subscribed! Can’t wait to see more videos!

Thank you 😊 I'm about to start a hairdressing course after years working in health care x

Love this video. I wish you nothing but success!

As a cosmetology student this has helped me so much

My sweet dear first year pro--in my opinion, you are on the fast-track to big success. Concentrate your efforts on getting the best continuing education you can afford and look for chances to move up to higher-scale salons as soon as you know you are good enough. It's great that you have some negative thinking questioning your talent, because it is young women like you and like me 28 years ago that worry that they need to improve and thus do improve, while our competitors think they are good enough. Let me also suggest that you learn how to be a "Thairapist." I am not just a cosmetologist and master barber. I also have certifications in hypnosis and NLP. Clients come to me sometimes just to have me give them a relaxing, massaging shampoo, conditioning, and blowout just for the 30 minutes of thairapy I give them. Oh, I make over 250K a year and have cut back to about 25-28 hours a week.

Thank you for sharing your valuable experience through the video!

Thank you so much for posting!!

I have been following u from the beginning and omg I never seen u so happy and so grown up lol 😂 it’s my mommy self talking but I’m so happy for u hopefully one day I’ll make the drive and get my hair done bc I live in NY 💖

I may be late for this but I feel like this may help me I love to do hair and I feel like this will help me through the process of it

Can you do an update video??? As a recent grad trying to pick a salon, this is so helpful!!

I’m currently finishing up my bachelors degree, one more year left, but I love your videos! I’ve always loved doing hair but people have pushed me away from it because it’s a job that has no benefits, “you won’t make as much money” etc. instill want to get my License once I get my college degree. I do get afraid of the money aspect tho.

I know a lot of people say commission is terrible but it just depends how good you are at your timing. I make more money commission than a lot of my friend who are salon managers and I make about the same as a lot of booth renters especially in my area because booth rent is high in my city. So it’s al about how you work how fast/efficient you work and what you want your schedule to look like.

New cosmetologists here this video really spoke to me!💯🙏

I actually was just featured as a hair model on behind the chair for Salon Centric! It should be out around August ❤️

Love this video! Super helpful thanks!

thank you for the video 💞btw, love this color on you ❣

Your video truly inspired me I'm new in this country I've been working behind the chair for many years. I just began working in a salon, part time. But I am renting a chair and the salon doesn't have too many walkings. The owner keeps pushing me to pay the rent, you inspired me just to walk away from that place. The salon needs to undust and clean, sometimes I clean, because I'm just sitting around and I want to do something but of course I don't get paid for any of that. Thank you 😊 You might say how come I've not walked away a long ago, this is not my country and sometimes I have a hard time to explaining myself, you know the language barrier! I am concerned that people might turn me down. But I know that I have something about it. I love making people look beautiful ☺️

Thank you for bringing up the bias in schools and the industry when it comes to ethnic hair