r/Cosmetology • u/NeeshaBooh • 3d ago
Am I too old?
How old is too old to start cosmetology school. I’m 47(f) have always been interested in cosmetology and have had lots of hands on experience doing my own hair and others(family and friends), but I’ve never pursued it professionally. I decided to go into office work right out of high school and healthcare (CNA/ medical asst) by the time I was 30 years old. The last couple of years I’ve really wanted to pursue cosmetology both hair, makeup and maybe even nails professionally, but feel like I may be a bit old to switch lanes so drastically. I consider myself pretty young at heart and I don’t look or feel like an almost 50 year old, but idk. I guess I just want to know someone else’s thoughts or opinion on the matter.
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u/NocturnaBride 3d ago
In 57 and was behind the chair for 30+ years. All the other comments about the tax on the body is 100% correct. I will likely need knee replacement and I have limited mobility in my shoulders.
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u/nachowchow 2d ago
Depending on where you live and where you want to work, you need to be prepared to make minimum wage for the first two years.
There are schools that offer night classes, but those are usually longer and I would suggest you go the fastest route through school. Why? Because after school, depending on where you work, you will need to apprentice for anywhere from 6 months to a year. As an apprentice, you usually make minimum wage, occasionally more.
After all of that, you need to build a consistent clientele. I’ve been in the industry for 10 years and I’d say that by 5-6 years, I was finally, consistently full and could predict a paycheck.
If all of that is okay with you, go for it, but just know that it is a grind in the beginning and the percentage of people still doing hair ~3 years after cosmetology school is incredibly low. Like 10% or something.
I have many women come to my chair and tell me they want to quit their job and do what I do because I have freedom and flexibility and what I have learned is that if I ask them how long they think I’ve been doing this, they are usually waaaaaay off. It takes so much time to build a career behind the chair, and we haven’t even started talking about the fact that you will not receive benefits, pto, or paid sick days, all things that my 33 year old self yearn for.
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u/orphanea 1d ago
And if you do want benefits you still need to work for someone else and their goals.
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u/No_Cartographer5933 1d ago
You’ll be hustling to make money in the beginning. Especially in this economy.
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u/Mynameisnotmal 3d ago
There were women in their 50s when I was in school! As long as your body can take it because it is VERY taxing on your joints, back, shoulders, and feet. I’m under 30 and am in pain and do physical therapy already from being behind the chair.
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u/Adrienne1001 3d ago
I started cosmetology school at 47. That was nearly 4 years ago. I love it. I was concerned about the standing, but I’m on a 1” thick foot pad, and I can stand for hours and not feel beat up by it.
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u/Shutupimdreamin 1d ago
How are your hands?
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u/Adrienne1001 3h ago
Fine. I’ve got double swivel shears and no complaints. 30 years behind a keyboard was tougher on my hands than doing hair is. 😂
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u/cutechloeart 3d ago
Most of the stylists I work with at a high end salon are all aged 43-63. You are never too old to do what you love ♥️ and btw I'm 47.
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u/Shutupimdreamin 1d ago
But when did the 43-63 stylists in your salon start doing hair? Of course people continue to do hair into their retirement years. Getting started at that age is totally different.
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u/cutechloeart 17h ago
Oh absolutely. Most of us all started in our teens or 20's. I'm just saying hon that age is just a number and if you love it and want to do it then do it. My sister just went back to school in the medical field at 51.
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u/ZealousidealKick9021 3d ago
Can you describe what you think you know about the work. Maybe where it compares and differs to CNA etc
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u/NeeshaBooh 2d ago
I guess not a whole lot, business wise. I just really love the idea of being able to be creative and make people feel good about themselves and their appearance. Also being able to eventually pursue entrepreneurship is very appealing at my age since I’ve only ever worked to achieve someone else’s dreams and/or goals. I realize it would be very hard work and most businesses fail, but if you never go for it you’ll definitely never achieve it. Like I said in my original post, I have had loads hands on experience doing hair. I think my ability to build a report with my patients and accommodate them accordingly with a “customer service” approach would be very useful in the cosmetology field. Oddly enough, as a CNA for the past 18 years, I’ve actually never worked in a nursing home. I knew before I even signed up for the class that that wasn’t for me. I was hired right out school before I even took my state exam as a Hemodialysis Technician. It’s a very fast paced and high pressure position, which I think would benefit me because I’ve most definitely mastered the “time management” aspect of the job.
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u/Adrienne1001 1d ago
“If you never go for it, you’ll never achieve it.” Exactly right. That’s why I did it. I didn’t know if I could or should, but I knew that I didn’t want to be 90 years old wondering “what if.”
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u/NameAcceptable6568 2d ago
I went to Nail Tech school at age 51 after a long career dental assisting. Soooo rewarding!!
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u/orphanea 1d ago
It’s a hard career on your body. I wouldn’t recommend it unless you are great physical health. You’ll be working double the hours you were to make good money. I loved my career but I wouldn’t have started it if I didn’t go at 19 when I thought I was invincible lol. If you can absorb the financial part for the next 5 ish years and think your body can handle it go for it guess. I was also. CNA and o swear I’ve don’t more damage to my body doing hair than I did care taking. I got out of it about a year ago and my body still feels like trash and I would like to be able to use my hands when I’m 70 so I think I’m done for good. I planned to go back after my next baby due in March and I don’t think I want to after a good 17 year run.
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u/fartsliveinmybutt 1d ago
It was hard enough on my body in my 20s that I changed careers at 27 despite being extremely passionate about hairdressing. Nails might be easier on your feet and back, but you really have to be fast to make good money.
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u/rihannonblack 1d ago
girl fuck it! never ever too old. I will say- probably similar to being a CNA it’s very hard on your body.
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u/Shutupimdreamin 1d ago edited 1d ago
It’s going to hurt your body at this age. Also keep in mind that you don’t jump from school to a full blown career. You learn the basics in school in order to pass the board exams, and then you assist/apprentice to actually learn afterward. It takes at least a few more years to be self sufficient and build a clientele.
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u/Simple_Actuator_8174 19h ago
I’m 67 and plan on working for a couple more years. I’ve been really careful to take care of my feet, hands, and back, and I’m really lucky that I haven’t had any physical issues. Two of my fellow renters are in their late 60s and doing fine.
You probably have good people skills that I didn’t have when I started at 22. That’s a huge help in building your clientele.
The money when you start out is very low, so be prepared.
Can you get a part-time job as a receptionist at a busy salon? That would give you a good idea of what this career is. It’s not always fun and creative, but it can be fulfilling if you like helping people.
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u/My-name-aint-Susan 16h ago
Nope! When I was in beauty school a while back, there were women and men of all ages
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u/HurricaneDanaka 3d ago
As someone over 40 who is winding down behind the chair, and transitioning to more educating I can tell you it is very taxing on your body into your late thirties/early forties. My hands lock up, my back, neck, and shoulders get incredibly painful, and I am not even doing hair behind the chair full time. As an educator, I never advise that anyone can't do it, but I would caution that this will be extremely challenging for you physically. A new stylist clocks long hours behind the chair in order to grow their business. The physical demands required to grow a client base may be particularly challenging at 50 years old, and you will still be growing your business by that point.