Entering the world of hair is often seen through a lens of glamor For most, it’s a dream job; becoming a barber, specialized hairstylist, educator, or even a content creator. But what we often don’t talk about are the things no one prepares you for.
Yes, there are moments of artistic fulfillment, but there are also times when you find yourself as an unlicensed therapist, dealing with relationships, navigating long hours, juggling apprenticeships, and investing in constant education. It’s a journey filled with passion and growth but let’s be honest, some challenges might make you wonder, Is it just me?
To shed light on the ups and downs, some seasoned pros shared their experiences of what they didn’t expect when they first entered into the world of hair.
Paige McNiel (@pinkdagger), Studio Owner and Pravana Creator
The Tease: What’s something you didn’t expect from the hair world?
Paige McNiel: The good that I didn’t expect from the hair world is the overwhelming support from fellow stylists. This industry can totally go the other way but in my experience, I’ve had nothing but support from other stylists. I make an effort to give that love back every single day. When we all feel seen we all win!
The bad I didn’t expect from the hair world is burn out. I think most stylists can relate. You are constantly needed. Even while on vacation you feel that demand. It’s really important to set boundaries and prioritize your mental and physical health.
Something unexpected about the hair world is the sheer amount of ways you can exist in it! You don’t have to be a stylist behind the chair every day. You can be an educator, a salon owner, a brand ambassador! Don’t box yourself in! The possibilities are endless!
Matthew Williams, @matthewwhair, Hair Stylist, Educator, and Creator
The Tease: What’s something you didn’t expect from the hair world?
Matthew Williams: Something I didn’t expect from the hair world was the value and amount of money people spend to look their best. Coming from a small town in the southwest, the most I’ve paid for a haircut was $12 at my local Great Clips. So getting accustomed to knowing my worth and charging accordingly has come with some challenges on its own.
Another thing I’ve observed is how highly favored men, gay men at that, are in such a female dominated industry. For example if I were to give a half-a**ed haircut, my client wouldn’t blink twice to say her hair looks amazing and tip me 30%. Disappointedly, my female colleagues would get the short end of the stick. As I’ve heard and seen some clients get upset to the extent of threatening the stylist with legal action or violence.
I’m extremely grateful and blessed to be where I am in the industry. In the future. I’d love to see women that have taught me everything I know get the recognition and respect they well deserve.
Jordan Yanatos (@pinupjordan), Salon Owner, Educator, and Creator of The Rainbow Convention
The Tease: What’s something you didn’t expect from the hair world?
Jordan Yanatos: When I first got into doing hair, we didn’t really have Instagram, Pinterest kind of existed, but really people were Googling photos of hair and literally printing out the pictures and bringing them into the salon. And those were the inspo photos. I didn’t expect there to be such a huge uptick in popularity of hair stylists, these content creator hair stylists. I didn’t expect the little level of fame that content creators can get by just doing hair. Like we were always, “just hair stylists”, because it was a trade, it was a blue-collar thing. Social media spun it all in a way different way that made it more complicated, more sophisticated and demanded way more education for us. It changed the game completely.
On the flip side, another thing I didn’t expect was truly the money that came from that change in the industry, I think social media did that. I went to school to be an attorney before I went to school to do hair. And I make more money as a hairstylist and salon owner, then I would have been doing law probably. I think people used to ask me all the time, do you think you’ll ever go back to law school? And no one’s asked me that in a really freaking long time and I love that.
On a really positive note, the last thing I did not expect was the connections I was gonna have with clients, being able to rely on them like family. I know there’s a lot of stylists that insist on a very professional relationship with their clients and there are certain people that I have that relationship with but I’m very lucky to be able to curate my clientele in a way that everybody I deal with I love and I can count on them if I needed any information while we’re you know, talking in the chair. If they’re a scientist and I have a question about something I can ask them or if they’re a mechanic I can ask them. It’s just a really wonderful community I feel like I’ve built and I wasn’t expecting that.
Matthew Narvaez (@hair.by.matthew), Salon Owner and Sustainable Hair Color Specialist
The Tease: What’s something you didn’t expect from the hair world?
Matthew Narvaez: I came into the hair world with the simple desire to create beautiful hair. What I didn’t expect was how deeply rewarding it would be to support people on their life journeys. Through their hair and our conversations, I’ve found myself becoming more open-hearted, realizing in profound ways that we’re all walking around with challenges, struggles, and pain—often unspoken until someone runs their hands through our hair.
I never imagined how much women, especially, confide in their hairstylist. I’ve lost count of how many times a client has shared life-changing news with me before telling anyone else. Whether it’s the joy and nerves of being newly pregnant, the fear and uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis, or the grief of losing a loved one, these moments often unfold in my chair.
Being a hairstylist isn’t just about creating a look—it’s about holding space for people during their most vulnerable moments. I didn’t expect to find myself in a role that’s part artist, part therapist, and part trusted confidant. It’s one of the most humbling and meaningful parts of my work.
Marisa Strazza (@strazza_beatdown), Salon Owner and Educator
The Tease: What’s something you didn’t expect from the hair world?
Marisa Strazza: I would say I didn’t expect how little support stylists get to actually learn how to do hair, like you don’t learn it in hair school at all. You have such little knowledge about what you’re actually doing. There’s zero support for the soft skills and emotional support of doing hair and many people don’t even realize there is such an emotional side of doing hair. We see so many different people with so many different personalities and they’re trauma dumping on us. There are always jokes online, “Oh, I’m a therapist, I’m a chemist…” We are all of this stuff, but have they thought about what that does to someone.
It takes a toll on you, by the end of the day I’m silent. In those moments, I’m so numb to everything, I’m so tapped out. My energy is at zero, and I have no room for anyone else to take from me in my life. I come home to my husband, and he is also telling me about his day. I’m just silent and I’m barely taking it in. These days I learned how to guard myself better from that, but nobody teaches you that. You don’t even expect that is coming, that’s something that just happens to you and you’re just supposed to figure it out on your own. Some people can’t, they end up leaving the industry for something like that. The medical industry and hair run parallel in that, no one talks about bedside manner.
Another thing that surprised me on the other end of that is how much I feel for my clients, and how much I love them. I didn’t realize I had a strong connection to this many people and I think about them all the time. I will be thinking, ‘Melanie is going on a trip, I wonder how her trip is…” They are a big part of my life, whether it’s good or bad. Sometimes it’s bad, I’m seeing this person and I have knots in my stomach about their appointment next week. The ones I don’t see anymore, I miss them. I wonder what they are doing and where they are. For me the unexpected thing is the emotional side of it. I think it’s a double edged sword, it can be a very beautiful thing and it can be really difficult.
The Unseen Side of Hair
While the creative and emotional rewards of the beauty industry are undeniable, the emotional challenges and unheard struggles are ever present. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in the industry for years, it’s clear that the hair world is full of surprises.
For those passionate about the craft, the connections formed with clients and colleagues, and the endless opportunities to grow, make it all worth it.
