I’ll turn 50 this July.

50 is not old – but to the young hairdressers—I’m OLD!

I’m still hot…Thank god above I haven’t lost my humor in my old age.

You know what, I take that back…I’m going to say, Thank God I’m not starting out in hairdressing in this day and age.

*hangs head* (Oh for Pete’s sake, I can’t believe I just said that old lady saying.)

Things OLD hairdressers don’t have to worry about.

 

     Cutting short hair

I’d bet a better half of the girls graduating from cosmetology school say.

“I won’t work on short hair.” Flips hair over her shoulder. “I hate it, old ladies get short haircuts. So that’s why I won’t dew short cuts – I don’t work on old ladies.”

AND do you want to know the real reason they say this? I’ll tell you, it’s because they don’t know HOW to cut hair! They think if you show em 1 time. They’ve got it, but it takes practice and patience 2 qualities most newbie hairdressers lack. I know better than most – you can watch, apprentice, and chop on a mannequin head so much until it comes down to a real situation. You know the one- the client with a tree stump neck, gnome ears and a cowlick that spans the entire back of the head to include the side. Now you’re sweating. You can see it- You know who’s not sweating? Old Gal.

Recap– Don’t worry you’ll get old and understand it later.

OR Find an OLD person to HELP you with it.

     Paying a shit ton for booth rent

If you are JUST starting out in hairdressing– chances are you won’t get the awesome booth prices we had long ago. I can remember booth rent being $75 a week. Now it’s a whopping $200 and up. The overhead causes a price dump onto the client so you can afford booth rent. Sucks for you young ones- more pressure to perform at top-notch levels when you get out of school.

Recap– Don’t worry you’ll get old and be able to afford it later.

OR  Find an OLD person who OWNS their own salon and will take you under their wing until you can afford it.

     WWWF on Instagram

The competition happening through media is CRAZY! These girls/guys graduating from school all have an, “I can do better than you can” page. Same pictures, ring light enhanced long hair –curls- and every model looking at the floor like they’ve just dropped a penny. Don’t get me wrong the hair is always pretty —but OH so BORING. *Yawns*

Recap– Don’t worry you’ll get old and learn diversity later.

OR Find an old person to make that color POP on the clients without the aid of lights or curling iron.

I’m happy jealous for the youth coming into the field of hairdressing, so much information is at your fingertips, how could you guys NOT become great in so little of time? We used to have to travel to see the changes happening around the world, but not you guys. No. You simply Youtube it. More power to you.

But as you can see- in every instance of your growth as a fresh hairdresser you will at some point and time need the help of people—-OLD LADIES like me!

Be honest with you I’m glad I’m not starting out these days. You young kids are cut throat.

     RECAP

I’m fine getting older in this field.  Just don’t say, “Hey You Old Lady! Help me with this cut!” I may prison shank you.

I write these blogs because if my fingers aren’t in hair they are tapping on the keyboard.

Salon Owner and UBER proud owner of BOOKPRESSED.COM

Heather Lea