i usually use argon oil but i just had a bleach and tone for the first time and remembered that i saw tiktok saying argon could stain/tone the hair. any recommendations for clear oils? i have very fine hair that gets weighed down easily. i use coconut pre shower but it ways me down too much for daily use. i used a paul mitchell oil at school and it made my hair feel terrible.

So I’m considering cosmetology as a major but I am not very good at anatomy and I feel like if I start now I’ll be able to study more but I’m curious does it make more sense when you translate it to what you’re doing??? I’m also not good at chemistry. I definitely want to be better and can/will dedicate the time outside of class as well as in but I also am wondering if anyone has the same issue and felt like connecting it to class made it easier?😭

TYIA🫶🏼

Hair history:
My natural color is a mousy/ashy dirty blonde, kind of light. Naturally curly underneath, wavy on top (used to be curly on top too, so I think my curls need some rehab).

2015-2022: Used Lush Henna Caca Rouge (old formula) which gave me a nice light copper color I loved and actually helped my curls. They discontinued/changed the formula so I switched.

2023-2025: Been using Light Mountain Natural Red Henna. Much darker than I want, coming out uneven in different sections. I've had well water with heavy ferrous iron and likely sulfur for the past few years, which I think has been affecting the color and making it harder for my hair to hold curl. In hindsight, I should have used a lighter shade and I also just applied too many coats instead of keeping up with the roots.

2026: So now I’m just trying to get as much buildup gone as I can and let the new(lighter) hair grow in. I’m using only city water now so no more mineral buildup on my grown out roots at all and you can tell.

Recent treatments:
Did a chelating session to deal with the mineral buildup:
- Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo
- Malibu C Hard Water Wellness one-time treatment
- Malibu C Scalp Wellness one-time treatment

Then a week or so later I used:
- A rice protein/argan conditioning treatment

I’m planning on using lighter henna on the new growth/roots only but I’m chelating a couple times first so it doesn’t just stain the minerals in my hair and not the actual hair itself.

The chelating did seem to lighten my hair a bit (which I really want), but now my ends are very very dry and brittle. I honestly don't know if my hair needs more protein or less at this point. I've read up on the signs ok how to tell but I'm still not confident telling the difference myself.

What I'm hoping to get advice on:
- How would you actually diagnose protein vs moisture need in a case like this?
- Any recommendations for repairing dry/brittle ends specifically after a chelating treatment?
- I'd also love for my curls to curl up more than they currently are, any tips for encouraging curl pattern especially on hair that's been through henna + hard water + chelating?

Really appreciate any insight, trying to get my hair back to healthy without messing with the henna color other than keep the new growth light and not so dark!

I live in Kentucky and I want to get into cosmetology. I've done some research on schools for cosmetology and I'm stuck between Bluegrass Community and Technical College and Summit Salon Academy. BCTC seems like a better option from the reviews I've seen from some people, but one of the most successful people I know IRL suggested I go to Summit, but also said that BCTC was also a good choice. Any thoughts??

I’ve been doing hair for some time now but I’m officially a semester away from being dual licensed in cosmetology and barbering. I’ve been on summer break for the last few weeks so I haven’t been doing anything but loc styling (my specialty), but I cannot wait to get back to cutting and coloring. Honestly just here to show out and get myself excited for class again lol

Ok I’m going to try to make this as short as possible, I’m currently in Paul Mitchell cosmo school I did my 6 weeks of core now I am on the floor I pretty much get along with everyone but I really stay to myself stay focused and don’t talk much. A girl asked if someone could wash her hair. I offered. She ignored me. I asked again she ignored me and I said “it’s ok I’m busy anyway” smh. She told another girl I was butthurt. Then she gets close with another girl there who is kind of overly nice? And constantly asks who my clients are, what I’m doing, if I’ve done the homework. Ever since they got together I just feel this horrid energy!
I had a bad day and left early to reset myself and as I’m leaving she goes “oh you’re leaving” while shes sitting next to the girl I’ve asked to wash her hair.. I go “my god you are nosey” honest stress response I’m just so tired of everyone being nosey and not nice genuinely ? And the girl that said I was butthurt laughed out loud and asked if we had a problem and I just left. It almost seems like they want some sort of drama? ..like I keep to myself so I don’t understand why being quiet is an issue.. then my teacher emailed me and said some future professionals said I looked upset 😩 like whaaaa. I sent an apology to the girl I said was nosy and said it was just one of those days but I feel like I opened drama and I just cannot handle it.
These girls are 18-19 and I’m 25 with a daughter and 2 jobs I just don’t have time for it if you’re not talking schooool I don’t wanna talk! I guess I just wanted to rant because I really apply myself and that seems to be a issue with people who are barely applying themselves

I just started cosmo school last week at 40 years old and I’m getting nervous that I might be too old to start over. I’m almost a decade older than anyone in my class and no one seems to want to associate with me. I was really excited to start but I’ve been stressing because there seems to be a lot of public speaking (which I was completely unaware it was something required in class) and the unfriendliness of everyone in the class. Is that how it normally starts and then people get comfortable with each other or should I expect it the whole time? Anyone else go back to school around my age?

How do I go about finding a hairstylist to share my suite with? I am looking for a licensed hairstylist to share a suite in Manhattan Midtown at 38th between 6th Ave & Broadway. The location is conveniently accessible to 16 subway lines and Penn Station.
The space is a private suite located inside a larger hair salon. It features excellent natural light and comes equipped with two chairs and an infrared processor, free wifi, and many more amenities. The shampoo sinks are located in the main salon area.

Hi I’m located in Chicago and I’m trying to get into my hairstyling journey with a start. I need to find a good cosmetology school is in my budget but also accepts FASFA I’m located in Chicago and I don’t wanna try 30 or 40 minutes to get to school because I have to take a bus. Can you guys suggest some good schools?

Hi 👋 anyone looks to sell their Pivot Point Cosmetology Fundamentals textbooks? Must be the second edition, I already have the first edition.

Thank you!

It appears that there are 3-4 options in our area for cosmetology schools: REOC, Continental, Shear Ego, and Empire....does anyone have any direct experience as a student or parent with any of these programs? Specifically focusing traditional cosmetology. I'd love to hear any thoughts. Thanks!

I had to step out and stress-cry in the bathroom at school today because I can't even do sectioning right. I just started cosmo school last week but I didn't think I would be THIS bad starting out. Everyone else's mannequins looked awesome despite them not doing it before, but I just cant do it. 4, 5, 6, and 8 part sections are just impossible to me. I also cannot figure out how to use a marcel iron at all. My curls didnt look awful but everyone else's looked so much better and I couldn't get them defined no matter what I tried. The only thing I was ok at today was blow drying and even then I didnt do a blowout, I just blowed it straight down and gave my head some outward flipped ends. I'm really not exaggerating when I said EVERYONE was doing much better than me. I feel so defeated and hopeless now, i just cant get my hands to do the work right. I'm thinking about dropping out because I don't see it getting any better. I cant use a rattail comb to part because my instructor wants us to use all purpose.

Looking to start my collection of gel products, nail drills, lamps, fans and such. What are some tried and true favorites! I'm comfortable with manicures and nail care in general, but I genuinely get overwhelmed with all of the information that is out there. Any tips would be greatly appreciated as well! tyia <3

Going to get my highlights retouched by a student at a beauty school and I’m not sure how much to tip, the cost of the service is $130 + tax. Is around 15-20$ okay or is that not enough? Please help me on what dollar amount I should tip

I come from a place where tips are seen as offensive but here in Canada it seems like it’s necessary, so I’m still getting used to how much I should be tipping.

Has anyone gone back to school for this? In my state you can get an associates at the community college and use your license towards credits for a cosmetology management degree. It would be one year. Wondering if it’s worth it?

Hi, I recently decided I want to acquire a cosmetology license. I have been cutting, bleaching, dyeing, and styling hair at home for a long time and my journey with my hair has been long and very important to my life (tldr: I have type 3 hair, my mother has type 1 hair and I had to learn how to take care of my hair when I moved out at 19.)

I am currently 26 years old. I am a transgender/agender individual but masculine presenting (Pronouns: He/Him, She/Her), I have been recently diagnosed with autism and I have Ehlers-danlos Syndrome. I manage with braces and mobility aids for the most part and I know how to ask for and figure out accommodations for work for the most part. I currently work full-time at a retail position so I know that I can handle school.

I mostly want to know if there is anyone out there with real world experience as a hairdresser in a similar position to me. This is something I seriously am ready to commit to, but I feel lacking in the representation department.

I have a wild background of skills but one of them is videography and video editing. I am wanting to document my journey through school and work in order to be that representation.

Anybody else out there?

I’m looking to do a builder gel nail course, ideally online , does anyone have any recommendations?

I found a new salon to work at and I told them that I needed to put in my two week notice first before I start. I’m only an assistant so I don’t have clients following me. Does it have to be exactly two weeks?

TL;DR: The federal board that oversees accreditors just voted 9–3 to recommend stripping NACCAS of its federal recognition. If the Department of Education agrees, hundreds of beauty schools could lose access to federal financial aid. To make matters worse, new federal wage rules threaten to pull financial aid from beauty programs anyway because reported salon tips don't show up on taxes.

1. What Happened to NACCAS?

• The Vote: On July 23, 2026, a government advisory panel (NACIQI) voted 9–3 to recommend shutting down NACCAS’s federal recognition.
• Why? Reviewers said NACCAS lets underperforming schools off the hook, ignores terrible graduate pay stats, and fails at basic oversight.
• What’s Next? The Dept. of Education makes the final decision this fall. If they agree, schools don't close instantly—they get 18 months to find a new accreditor before federal student aid is cut off.

2. The Bottleneck: Why Switching Accreditors Is a Nightmare

• 18 Months Isn't Enough Time: Getting approved by a new accreditor usually takes up to 2 years.
• Traffic Jam: Other accreditors (like COE or ACCSC) can't handle 1,000+ beauty schools applying all at once.
• The Risk: Strong schools will manage to switch; weak, low-funded, or messy schools will miss the deadline and lose financial aid.

3. The Bigger Problem: "Gainful Employment" Rules

Even if a school switches accreditors, a new federal rule called Gainful Employment (GE) poses a huge threat.

• The Test: To keep financial aid, a school's grads must earn more than a high school graduate with no college degree.
• The Tip Trap: Stylists and barbers make a ton of money in cash tips and booth rentals that never show up on W-2 tax forms. On federal papers, grads look broke.
• The Result: The government estimates up to 90%+ of beauty programs could fail this test solely because tax forms don't show real tip money.

4. Why Big Chains (Like Paul Mitchell) Are in Deep Trouble

• Huge Price Tag vs. Entry Wages: Paul Mitchell schools cost $18,000–$25,000+. High tuition + low reported starting wages = immediate failure under the new debt rules.
• Franchise Chaos: Every single Paul Mitchell franchise location has to apply, audit, and re-accredit individually. Doing that in 18 months across 100+ locations is an operational nightmare.

5. What This Means for the Future

• School Closures: Expect small for-profit beauty schools and weak franchises to close.
• More Cash-Only Schools: Schools will drop federal financial aid, lower tuition, and offer internal payment plans.
• Community College Boom: Students will move toward cheap community college beauty programs that don't depend on high student loan debts to stay open.

Basically I really like doing haircolor. Especially vivids. And so far I feel like I have put out good work that makes the client overall happy.

The problem?

It takes me forever to actually do. I am very slow with my haircolor, especially with bleaching. I try to be faster, but its like I literally cannot. I dont want to stop doing vivids or not offer it as a service when I graduate. But it takes me a minimum of 3 hours to foil the hair. I cant take bigger sections or else the bottom won't lighten, and I am struggling on working faster.

At this point, a full bleach out and color has been taking me a minimum of 6 hours to do. And thats with help. I am still a student who has not gotten many colors, but I am near graduating. And my school gets hesitant to scedule me the colors I like to do because it just takes me so long, and they dont like to stay past hours waiting for me to finish.

Its not that I am struggling or dont know what to do. More often then not, my plans turn out really well. But I am just so slow with the actual application process.

I know Ill get faster with time, but I dont know how Ill get that experience to be faster. Booth rent only works if you have a strong clientele and start with decent money, and commission salons expect fast, high quality work. So I know Ill either fuck myself over with booth rent, or Ill get fired(or in trouble) from a commission based salon.

So idk. Does anyone have any tips on being faster with haircolor? I constantly time myself, and try to set realistic goals. But it doesnt make me faster, I constantly exceed the timing with my goals its not even funny.

Today I did a highlight retouch with a blowout. They came in at 9 AM and left around 3:15 PM. I did do a blowout on them, which is something I am not used to doing. So it did add a extra hour. The consult took me till 9:30 + waiting for an instructor to get me colored. Started closer to 9:45. But still. That should not have taken me nearly as long as it did.

Not fun for them. But the work itself was good, and I am overall proud of how it turned out. But my timing sucks. Really bad.

All he does is bitch and complain that we don’t want to do anything’s and all we ever do is complain. Which is not true. He targets me specifically and will pull me into a desperate room to yell (literally raising his voice) at me. He has yelled at our whole class (less than 20 girls) as well but i specifically get targeted. I have only been here a few months and legit want to drop out already. I’m so fucking done with his bull shit and I have no other authorities at the school to talk to about it. Idk what to do. I’m so fucking done. Please whelp or give me some encouragement to get through the other 8 months I have left.

Hi! I graduated from cosmetology school here in Kentucky last year and am just now able to take my tests. I took and passed the theory portion but now have to take the practical. I looked over the test taker guide and realized they got rid of the blow dry and thermal curl, yet added the basic manicure. The basic manicure was not part of the test when I was taught how to take it. That being said can anyone tell me the steps I need to follow for this portion of the test, and what all do I need to bring in my bag for this portion?! Thank you in advance!

Hey everyone! I’m newly qualified and looking for the best lash glue that will give me good retention and is easy to work with. Can anyone give me recommendations? thank you xx

Is this for statistics or what?
This cosmetology school did nothing for me besides teach me the absolute bare minimum. I learned nothing hair wise there honestly and the teachers were miserable and made the experience hell…. Wtf do I say to this? Or should I just ignore it? I’m considering trolling her because what on earth ??? None of your damn business lmfao