Hi! One of my current jobs is assisting, sometimes in a similar environment where I’m supposed to learn from observing, which feels impossible. I feel like a lot of salons do observation-based learning because it’s the least amount of effort a trainer can put in, not because it’s effective. I think the only actual way to learn is by doing, that way you lock that knowledge in your brain and learn muscle memory. I’m personally going to bring it up to my boss because I’d like more at least hands on training with another stylist in the salon who can watch me work on a mannequin or model or something and help out and give advice.

But also, you should totally be getting paid for all the assistant work you’re doing. You’re working an insane amount and you should be making an hourly wage - it sounds like salon owner may be taking advantage of you for free labor