I FIRED MY HAIRSTYLIST. SHE'S TOO EXPENSIVE!

You've just got your hair cut, colored, styled the whole bit... it looks fabulous... You go to pay your stylist, she tells you the price, "You want me to pay WHAT?!"  You think to yourself.  You may even mutter it under your breathe, or make a snide comment about inflation or it being expensive.  The audacity of this stylist asking you to pay such a huge amount, and she wants a tip.. UGH..  In your head your thinking.... She charges that much because she has that fancy iPad, or that new car, and new clothes.  BITCH.  but at least you look fabulous!  Maybe you'll go somewhere "cheaper" next time because her prices are just ridiculous.

I am going to do my best to break this down for you.  You just spent 2 hours with your hairstylist.. Chatting about work, doting on your kids... talking about where you're vacationing next or your plans for the holidays while complaining about your husband.  After all he's your additional child, always acting like a dang fool.  Maybe your husband isn't the problem, perhaps you're going through a life event and you need someone to talk to.  You spill your problems, maybe shed a tear while (hopefully) your stylist is listening with an open heart and open mind.. there to add gentle advice if you need it and to be your advocate.

Time to pay... $100.00 are you kidding me?!  That's just outrageous!  Here's what you don't know... out of that $100 your hair stylist is only taking home approximately $44.50 give or take which breaks down to $22.25/ hour.  an honorable living if your're working 40hrs or more per week.

That is just hoopla you might be thinking... The girl behind this blog is full of shenanigans.

Chances are your hairstylist, though working inside a salon, is actually an independent contractor therefore being self employed.  Self employment tax is a whopping 30%.  Kinda blows your mind right there huh?   So that already takes your $100 down to $70.  

Your stylist most likely pays booth rent...  In case you haven't figured it out yet... I have been a hairstylist for almost 13 years.  The salon I work in has relatively low booth rent, I am blessed in that regard.  Say on average your stylist has 20 clients this week... which is a high estimate even with my years of experience.  Booth rent per client breaks down to $5.50 per person.  So now we are at $64.50.

You got your hair colored, she had to buy the product to color your hair.  That can't cost mush right?!  You've seen the box color at walmart... you've seen bottles at Sally beauty supply.. It's cheap.. If you could reach the back of your head you'd do it yourself.. It looks easy!  No matter what product line your hairstylist is using I assure you its A LOT better than the wally world special.  The product she's using probably add up to $20.  It's not just the color.  It's the shampoo, conditioner, various products she's used in the styling process.

I am in a different situation than most.  I am an organic hair stylist and all my products have to be FEDEX'd in.  It's a product made in the United Kingdom.. It recently got pulled out of the US.. So I will be having it shipped in from the UK soon.  Have you seen the cost of postage lately?!

The cost of shipping aside... Other business expenses I'm not adding in your stylist has:  Sheer sharpening, business cards, liscensing, continuing eductaion, blow dryer. flat irons, various combs, brushes etc.  all those things benefit you.  Plus being self employed if she doesn't have a spouse, she's probably buying health insurance out of pocket.  Mine is $370.00/month just to give you an idea and YES! That is just the cost for me.

Let's see where we are:
$100
Taxes:        $30
Booth rent $5.50
Products     $20
without mentioning any of the other expenses you can see how we get to $44.50.

So if all 20 clients are paying $100.00 she's still making $890.00 a week, That's really good.
What about all those people who just get hair cuts?  or just waxes etc.  It doesn't quite balance out, and the 20 clients/week was a high estimate anyhow.  Your hair stylist is probably making $30k or below every year which is actually considered poverty according to today's poles.

Not only does your hair stylist have business expenses but she has to have a roof over her head, food in her belly and a running vehicle.

I absolutely LOVE my job and ADORE my clients.  A few years back I had colored 2 sisters hair in the same appointment.  I overheard one say, "do you know how much money she's making off of us?"  I should have corrected them then, but my heart had sank into my stomach, I was so hurt my that comment.

When clients complain about price, to us stylist it's like your boss saying you make too much money.  You don't deserve raises, and even though the cost of living has gone up you're going to make the same amount of money you make now 15 years from now.

  This blog is not to shame anyone, rather it's to put the facts out there.  I promise your hairstylist isn't getting rich off your hair appointment.

I have 2.5 jobs and I barely stay a float.  I don't live a lavish lifestyle of champagne and caviar, In fact I am grateful I don't eat meat because I couldn't afford it anyway!  I am single, no husband to counter the bills.  My house cost $80k which I bought in 2004.  I buy my clothes at Kohl's because I also work there and can get a sweet discount.  The most expensive thing I have is my vehicle, I needed a nicer car to be self sufficient due to having no family near by.  PLUS my old car was a 2001 and it literally blew up! LOL

I realize this does not apply to all hair stylists, but a decent amount I imagine.

Please share this blog with as many friends as possible,  I am hoping people gain some understanding to the price of beauty, and what really happens with the money you pay your hairstylist.  So now that you see how little we make, tips are not expected.. but ALWAYS greatly appreciated.

Coconut oil! My miracle from nature!!

I am way behind on getting ya'll this amazing information on coconut oil, I apologize greatly!  With school happening, I'm finding myself writing more for grades than for pleasure!

So.... In case you didn't already know.... Coconut oils is the bomb ya'll!  What does it do?!  More like what doesn't it do?!  Pretty much everything!  You know in the movie My big fat Greek wedding where the guy uses windex as a cure all for everything?  Yea that's me with coconut oil! 

First of all, It's edible!!  Just keep in mind, when melting it... a little goes a long way!  I had the clever idea to put it in the pan before cooking like I would with EVOO or real butter...Sooo... The first batch of eggs were a super greasy mess and ended up in the trash can...  Approximately 1/4 Tsp. should be sufficient for pan cooking!  Whoopsie!!  I also throw about a tablespoon in my morning smoothies!  Why?! You may be asking.... Coconut oil has a healthy amount of fatty acids that are great for brain development and brain function.  Coconut oil also does not contain saturated fats.

Coconut oil is a great metabolism booster, and in turn provides us with a great source of natural energy!  Who doesn't want more energy, right?!  An added bonus to the boost in metabolism and energy is burning more calories, resulting in weight loss!  

I could go on, and on about benefits of ingesting the stuff, such as it having anti fungle, anti-virus, and anti-bacterial properties, also lowering cholesterol and heart disease risk, but lets get to the topical properties!

I have been using coconut oil as a facial moisturizer for 2 years and I love it!  It doubles at a moisturizer as well as a sunscreen, anytime you replace something full of harsh chemicals with something actually nature made your body will thank you!   A gal I work with kept breaking out in hives on her neck no matter what brand of moisturizer she used.  I told her multiple times it was chemically related,  she didn't want to use the coconut oil due to it being "too greasy"  meanwhile she was suffering greatly.  Eventually she made the switch and the hives were discontinued!

Since I was a child, I have had an allergic reaction to "perfume soaps"  I can not use any lotions or soaps with fragrance.  I will spare the name of the soap that sent me to the Dr. with a rash.  We all know these are harsh chemicals doing a number on our skin and even worse soaking in to our bodies.... but is smells so good you say?  Smells good at what cost?... Get yourself some essential oils and you are set!  There is a number of other things I am allergic to because of the chemical content.... sooooo.... this is TMI.. HOWEVER, it helped me greatly and I would like to pass on that coconut oil is also a perfect personal lubricant.... Moving along gracefully....

So I'm an organic hair stylist, lets discuss the benefits of using coconut oil in your hair!    Deep conditioning. and detangling!!  Oh my gosh!  For deep conditioning make sure you have ample time.  Melt a small amount,  slightly over what you would use for regular conditioning.  apply all over hair especially on the ends as this is where hair tends to dry out the most.  Comb the coconut oil through your hair and cover it with a shower cap... or... plastic bag from the store!  Hey! It works in a pinch!  the longer you let it sit the  better it will work.  minimum time would be 1 hour, if you are able to sleep in it that would be best!

Massaging coconut oil into your scalp is great for dandruff and dry scalp, also doing this can promote hair growth if you are looking for long beautiful tresses give it a whirl!

Using a little coconut oil on you hair before brushing and combing will help ease the tangles out, and best of all you are not adding any harsh chemicals to your hair!!

I have only been writing this blog since February!  Happy to finally be getting it to you in September!  better late than never!  If you are located in the OKC area and wish to have an Organic Hairstylist please click  Organic Hair Care to visit my website!!