Do You Feel Judged?

Nov 18, 2013

Antonia S.

Do you feel judged because you are a part of the cosmetic industry as opposed to what most consider "a real job?"
I am a senior in high school and whenever people ask me what my after high-school plans are and I tell them , they look at me dumbfounded. I've literally had people tell me I'm too smart to do that.
I'm bringing this up because my interior design teacher asked me last period if I'm pledging a sorority in college and whenI told her I will be enrolling in cosmetology school, her answer was "Schools like that are not for girls like you." WHAT?!

Nov 18, 2013

Naomi S.

Hey Antonia. I get where you're coming from. you have to go with your gut n do what works best for you.. I went to a technical school because I didn't think fashion design was a solid field to go into. I've shown my designs from 10yrs ago to ppl that have clothing lines n they say they're better than stuff they've done. I don't necessarily regret my decision but I always advise ppl to go for what you love first and adjust from there.. when you do.what you love you can always make it work for your good.. I feel like BL is an awesome site for women in fashion art whether its hair,nails,makeup etc. but I do understand the stigma that cosmotology school brings. unfortunately there are woman out there that keep the negative stereotypes going and if ppl like your teacher aren't exposed to artist like the ppl here on bl they will say things like that. she's trying to encourage you but its in poor taste. my parents are both artist, my father in music has done esp well n has a PhD in classical composition now but he dealt with the same things ure speaking of.
my mom actually went to cosmetology school and she dealt with the negative aspects you're describing. she was used to artist but ended up in a place where the ppl weren't as serious n weren't artist. they were just doing something they saw as easy. she coukdnt hang there. just make sure you choose a cosmotology school that fits you. other than that, ignore those ppl. take the positive from those that are coming from a good place with poor taste n leave the negative right where it is. if you want to go to college after. I can. do you.. always!

Nov 18, 2013

Naomi S.

*you can

Nov 18, 2013

Symone B.

Personally I can relate. My own mother is a cosmetologist and has been for 27 years(RN too.) She doesn't agree with me wanting to become a cosmetologist or beauty industry worker. Beauty is my passion. I grew up in a salon. But I'm going to school to be a doctor...she believes I need a real career. She thinks a cosmetologist is a slave job. So I'm going to be in school (I'm 17 with an AA degree) for medicinal school and do my beauty stuff on the side.

Nov 18, 2013

Symone B.

*for a medical career

Nov 18, 2013

Naomi S.

Symone. my father is the same way. eventho he followed his music thing he would always push me away from all things art.
cosmotology.
interior design.
fashion design.
lol. I finally started doing makeup on the side in my 20s because I was loosing my mind n wanted to quote "paint something" so I started painting my face to paint others. I'm prob going to go to cosmotology school after grad school.. but I've been out if school for over a decade.! Jeez...

Nov 18, 2013

Naomi S.

Antonia, are you going for hair or taking another program?.

Nov 18, 2013

Antonia S.

Thank you so much, Naomi. You were one of the first people to ever respond to my threads when I joined BL and I always find your advice so helpful :-)
I see what both of you are saying. I'm a very smart girl, but I didn't do as good as I could have in high school so far which is my BIGGEST regret. I have a 3.5 GPA and while most says that's good, it's not good enough for a competitive college. I've never had the desire to go to college until now, I've always loved law and recently have been thinking about law school and the idea of being a prosecuting attorney/DA... But cosmetology is my passion and to answer your question Naomi I will be attending Aveda for mostly hair, also touching upon makeup and nails. Hair has never been my interest, but I do want to learn and I think it would be a good skill to fall back on.
My parents are very similar to Symone's and wish I would go to a regular college (My mom didn't and enlisted in the army, my dad was also in the army but went to military college) but they support my decision in going to beauty school. Their only concern (which is also a big one of mine) is the money. I know a man that graduated from an Aveda school and got a job as a salon assistant but is only making minimum wage. I know I can't live off that even if only for a short period of time. Money is the main thing scaring me about the beauty industry.

Nov 18, 2013

Kody B.

Over here in Australia being in the cosmetic industry is considered a good job! Well payed depending on the location you work at!

Nov 18, 2013

Naomi S.

Hey Antonia, first I'm glad that you mind my insight helpful.. ;-)

from what you are telling us I agree with your parents.
what you should do is enroll in a junior college while you go to cosmo school and then after use cosmo to work your way through college and law school.
how long is this Aveda program?

in addition, I've heard the same as youre saying I don't go to many salons as I do most things myself but my constant treat is to get my eyebrow waxed when I can... I go to a high end chain downtown Chicago and I've heard the same thing from those ppl. you have to start very low on the pole and basically sweep floors for a yr or two... that's just how that one particular place works but I understand where they are coming from as a company, you can't have ppl learning on your clients. they expect a certain level of expertise. and I get that. a lot of ppl look at it as easy. its not an easy field. everything you do in life as a career you have to take it serious and you have to work at it, hard.. I'm not saying you're not. just making a point..

Nov 18, 2013

Naomi S.

^use junior college to get a Associates in criminal justice or something similar.