Meet the Hairstylist: Lynsey Hemstreet

Lynsey Hemstreet is a hairstylist who left the corporate world to pursue a more creative career in cosmetology. Now she's 3 years into her hairstyling career in San Francisco, and she talks to Online-Education.net about her beauty school experience and making a living doing what she loves.

The Creative Calling and Hair Styling Schools

Q. You had a bachelor's degree and were working in the corporate world when you decided to become a cosmetologist. What inspired you to make this change?

A. I had gone to college and was working a "real job," but I just wasn't happy. I needed to find a job that was more creative and allowed me to talk to more people and have more face time. When I decided to go to cosmetology school, the owner of my shop told me to come back when I was done with school and she would give me a job--I got really lucky in that situation!

Q. How did you motivate yourself to start from scratch and prepare for a cosmetology license?

A. I already had a bachelor's degree, so it wasn't difficult for me to grasp the theory at cosmetology school. I decided to practice and practice in order to be the best in my class. One of the biggest challenges was just showing up every day and doing the work--you have to be dedicated and want it a lot.

Q. What did you study at cosmetology school, and how did it lead to your current career?

A. At beauty school you learn to do skin, hair, and nails, so you choose your specialty after you graduate. I always knew I would go into hair, but I discovered enjoyment in doing facials and waxings. The good thing about school is it lets you try lots of different things that you can do under the umbrella of a cosmetologist, so when you finish there are a lot of different paths you can take. It was a steep learning curve, but there's a lot of personal pride that comes from figuring something out from the ground up.

Putting Your Cosmetology License to Work

Q. What are the biggest rewards and challenges in your work as a hairstylist?

A. I have a special relationship with lots of my clients, and that's super rewarding to me. My work has also enabled me to feel free about my personal appearance. There is a lot less artifice, and I can wear jeans and a t-shirt, because the quality of my work is what matters. That's one thing I've found the most refreshing. I also like being active and running around the salon--I'm not sitting at a desk all day. The hardest part is realizing that you can't please everybody, and sometimes, someone's just not going to like your work.

Q. What does your day-to-day schedule look like?

A. I usually work from 10 to 8, which is nice because I don't have to sit in traffic during commute time. I work Tuesday through Saturday, so working weekends is definitely part of my job. I like that every day is different, and it's taught me to be a lot more flexible. What I used to dislike about having such a rigid schedule is different now, and you never know exactly what your day is going to be like.

Q. Has your business been affected by the recent recession?

A. Enough of my business is new business so I haven't personally been very affected by the economy. It's true that some of my clients would rather do their color at home, but as far as haircuts are concerned, people still need to look polished for job interviews or volunteer work. Going home with tips also helps, and it's great to know that you always have money to eat or go out.

Q. What advice would you give to those considering a career in cosmetology?

A. Figure out where your passions are and concentrate on those--that's what's going to make you happy. Initially when you come out of school you're really frightened, but you learn something new every day. Don't be afraid to try new things on clients and try new methods, because that's the only way to get better at something.