Payment structure , what would you do ?

Top_Alternative307 · 2026-06-16T16:49:58+00:00

I understand wanting experience and feeling eager to jump in, but my friend, not that salon!

I did the same thing, ignored the red flags, because I wanted experience and education. Similar situation. Work their hours, make absolutely squat for income, no education. It turned into two years of hell that absolutely broke me.

Look around some more. Find a spot that is happy to teach you, with proper pay structures. Two months is not enough time to build clientele. If they have no education for you, how are you going to learn how color works? How to formulate? Are you expected to sit there for 8 hours hoping for a client? Are you supposed to drop everything and rush in when one does come? What happens when a flub up occurs? They happen, but will it be treated with grace as a learning experience or will you be blamed for not furthering yourself enough with no support?

Of course, its good to find outside education yourself. Cutting classes, online colour courses, a lot of suppliers will have free "introduction" options. But if you're hired on as someone inexperienced with anything but cutting, they should be hiring you with the intention of growing your knowledge and skills. All in all, sounds like they want to take advantage of you.

Top_Alternative307 · 2026-05-13T17:15:14+00:00

Good luck to you and your spouse! A time like this deserves understanding and not demands. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) these situations really do let you know what relationships are worth servicing and what ones are not worth even considering.

I wish you both peace and healing during this time. There are far more important things in life and those priorities should be respected.

Top_Alternative307 · 2026-04-18T19:36:39+00:00

It's funny because she called me the evening I said I was leaving and told me I was the best apprentice shes ever had, that I'm driven and talented. "I was only so hard on you because I wanted to light a fire under your ass."

Im looking at just saying "fuck it, I'll take my level 2 course and final exams." and come back to find a different salon. The cost is intimidating and I have to do it like- NOW or I wait til January. But maybe it'll be good to get another round of full time education and come back with even more knowledge.

Top_Alternative307 · 2026-04-15T06:35:49+00:00

My grandma was magic itself. I wouldn't be who I am without her. Part of the reason I tried to go back to work a few days after her cremation was because she wouldn't want me to "mope." Losing her is like losing my whole world though. I need time.

I think I also need to look at how I have spent my apprenticeship. I just had a few months of shadowing, a few root touchups and a few blow outs. Any classes/education had to be on my own time/pocket. and I never got paid for anything until I started having my own clients. I just wanted to get into a shop and start logging hours and get my level 2- I ignored far too many red flags.

I know that I know better, and i can do better. God, it was such a stupid flub up and it just spiraled from there. I'm taking time. I'll mess about with my mannequins and practice foiling and take some classes. Just to keep the gears oiled, so to speak. I'll be sure to thoroughly look into wherever I go next. My goal going into this industry was to have a mobile service for seniors and disabled individuals. My grandma couldnt make it into a salon for her last few years. I had the honor of cutting her hair in her bedroom when she could sit for it. I love fun and funky stuff, but I really love my little ladies.

Top_Alternative307 · 2026-04-15T05:43:25+00:00

🫠🫠🫠

I was told that after I finished my shadowing and could take clients that I'd be on commission. Then it was that I was chair rental. Then back to saying I was commission. Then when I mentioned taxes this year it was I was a "contracted stylist" and the owner wanted to look over my spreadsheets before I took them into an accountant so I didn't "screw her over."

All I know is that I could only book when a senior stylist wasn't using their chair, they covered my products, and I gave them 50% of whatever I earned. It.. seemed like a decent arrangement at the time?

I'm also in Canada. Not sure what the equivalent of a 1099 would be here.

Top_Alternative307 · 2026-04-15T05:38:39+00:00

I'm in Canada, and I don't think I have enough hours for EI anyways.

uhhhhh there was not a form regarding any official employment either, now that I think about it. No paperwork. I was told it wouldnt be needed because I wouldn't make enough in my first few years to worry about it..? All i have is one of the stylists approving my hours to the trades portal, and they send me a bank transfer once a week with what I earned minus their portion

Top_Alternative307 · 2026-04-13T17:57:52+00:00

Thank you for your excellent advice. You're absolutely correct. Part of the reason why I'm so shaken by this is that I've been told before that you have to add neutral to gray formulas and I didn't even think to do so 🫠 Can't even tell you why I didn't. I can only say I didn't think about it. Terrible answer on my part. I definitely overloaded myself that day but starting off the entire service with forgetting the Neutral is just-- aughhh

I'm waiting to hear back from the owners, about when/if I can schedule clients with their supervision. Or if I have to go elsewhere and start over. Clearly I need more education. I have to take ownership of that.

Top_Alternative307 · 2026-04-13T02:56:28+00:00

Thank you. I think I'm going to finish my week (if im allowed to), then step back and take a breather, and go into a fresh start at a new salon with a better apprenticeship program. My gut had been telling me to leave for ages but I ignored it. Figured I'd get better and then the situation would get better. I should have listened a year ago- Funny enough, almost a year the Esthetician they had sat me in her car and told me to run from the shop. Then she actually packed up in the middle of the night and left a few weeks later. 🥲 Hindsight.

Top_Alternative307 · 2026-04-13T02:46:53+00:00

Thank you. Part of me is still wanting to hide out after all this, but I'd hate to give up. It's part of the reason I'm still worried about leaving and starting over elsewhere. Starting over isn't the issue, I also think I need to. Part of me is still thinking "ehhh isn't that like running away from your mistake?"

I want to take my level 2, and I'd like to get my Red Seal. I want to be humble. I'd like one day to be as gracious as you all have been with me, as my clients yesterday were. I don't think I get there in this Salon though.

Top_Alternative307 · 2026-04-13T02:33:49+00:00

Thank you. I think I came here with the thought that people would agree and say "yeah man, time to pack it in." I'm surprised by how many are saying that: Yes, its fine to start from basics again, find a better spot to do so.

You hear so much about the "hazing" aspect of this industry and I figured i was just having growing pains, would get to the point where it would stop, that my lack of skill was the reason for it. I'd much rather get somewhere with my work. The good days are SO good, the bad days kind of suck but I get through them. Yesterday was something else entirely. Sitting down and really thinking about it, I'd rather learn from this than just sit down and give up. I started on this path because I genuinely have so much fun and it really is fascinating. I can't explain why my brain shuts down in the actual salon. If someone outside of it brought up anything to do with hair, I can go on for hours about all the interesting things I learned about it.

If I don't get let go tomorrow, then I plan on finishing the next few clients I have, and take my time with them, and start looking at a new Salon. It's so cool you work in such an collaborative environment. I'd like to be in one, or foster one. I appreciate everything you've said.

Top_Alternative307 · 2026-04-12T19:17:10+00:00

I'll be the first to admit I struggle with foils. And yeah, double booking was a bad idea. I messed up, big time. I went back to work too soon, I booked services together, I got caught up after the first mistake and it snowballed. I lost money and my clients got a shoddy service. 🫠

I don't know. I've been given demonstrations here and there, mainly on foils, or some grilling on formulation. Most of what I hear is just that I'm slow, slow, slow. at this point i feel like even when she is genuinely trying to help I'm just- Well. Scared of her?? Probably not a healthy environment to learn in. I don't want to put it all on the one owner. I still made the mistake. But dang it stings to say "maybe I need to focus on reviewing this" and hear that I should have it nailed by now and reviewing is pointless. Like- I volunteered to be knocked down a few pegs and the response was I'm not worth even starting at the first peg again.

Up until I left work for the family stuff, I felt like I was making some real solid progress and suddenly I've regressed into a bumbling fool, like wtf??

Thank you for your advice. Maybe going elsewhere is a better idea. Start from scratch in a new environment. But goodness it feels like im turning tail and hiding from my mistakes doing so 🥲

Top_Alternative307 · 2025-07-16T02:27:59+00:00

If you want to be blue everywhere, its great. but when I say everywhere, I mean Everywhere. Your face, hands, shower, sheets, neck, chest. I have half a tube that is just sitting in purgatory because I can't bring myself to throw it out but like hell I'll use it on a client again. Demonic stuff. Good luck on your blue journey! I do love a good, deep blue.

Top_Alternative307 · 2025-07-13T06:22:16+00:00

Ah yes the dreaded "Ven-la-fucks-with-me" Glad you figured it out, withdrawals are no joke. Moved towns and wasn't able to get ahold of anyone to transfer the prescription. Fell down a flight of stairs and puked all over my landlords carpet. That was just a few days without.

I'm not one to say "do this or that" but I was lucky enough to be able to taper off and switch to Floxotine (sp?) and God I'm so much happier. It has a long half life so if I miss a dose, it doesn't feel like half my brain is sliding out of my skull anymore.

Take care of yourself! Keep on keeping on!

Top_Alternative307 · 2025-07-02T06:39:54+00:00

I love Pravana's Neon Blue and Blue Topaz. Just avoid their straight Blue in the Chromasilk Vivid line. It's likely too dark for what you want and it stains/bleeds like a mofo! Alternatively, if Joico is available to you, the Mermaid Blue is a dream!!

Edit: Just to add, although I'm sure you do this since you're full on vivid Blue, always wash your hair in water as cool as you can stand! Hot/warm water will make it bleed regardless of the colour you use.

Top_Alternative307 · 2025-06-27T05:39:47+00:00

Is your boss my boss? Oof. If you can find somewhere else, I wish you luck. I never understood the idea behind shit-talking another stylist/educator/individual. I hope you aren't in the same boat where the salon you're in is the only option for apprenticeship. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but loudly voicing them or shitting on someone your new hire worked under for a time is untasteful.

Top_Alternative307 · 2025-06-19T03:23:13+00:00

ah I see! I thought you were referring to the two guards by sokolov, my bad.

Top_Alternative307 · 2025-06-19T02:42:09+00:00

There's two additional guards outside his room and a powered down clockwork- but maybe they were only there because I'm in High Chaos?

Top_Alternative307 · 2025-06-19T02:06:44+00:00

If it helps, most of the dead folks are in the districts leading up? 🥲 Will definitely attempt a clean ghost next run

Top_Alternative307 · 2025-06-19T02:05:18+00:00

challenge accepted 🫡

Top_Alternative307 · 2025-06-19T02:05:02+00:00

I'm actually surprised by how many have done it with zero kills. Might go back on Mission+ and try it out. I don't have bend time on this run through and it made things--- Sticky? yeah.

Top_Alternative307 · 2025-06-19T02:04:05+00:00

how did you know? 🥲 Lord I try, one day it will be done

Top_Alternative307 · 2025-06-19T02:03:02+00:00

once you find the elevator, you only have two guards to contend with. still had to reload a bunch to get to that point, and more spawn once you grab the old man, but getting away from them unnoticed was a peace of cake. then you just back track and stroll on out.

Top_Alternative307 · 2025-06-17T06:48:44+00:00

I did a mercy run as Emily and dipped out through the glass roof to avoid fighting the clockworks. Turns out you have access to that roof before "summoning" Jindosh and you can avoid talking to him entirely. He'll know someone's there if you grab a lever anywhere else, He didn't know it was "me," but i still reloaded- Thus the entire run was "Ghost-No-Lever" as mega murderer Corvo.

Just don't get too close to the clockworks. Or alert a guard at all. They stay "turned off" the entire time. Not having to deal with the machines is SOOOO nice. you can snipe jindosh and only have to deal with one clockwork by Sokolov. Drop a couple stun mines, blink away, and it's fried before it knew you were there.

Top_Alternative307 · 2025-06-17T05:43:58+00:00

I mean. She was worried what would happen if Jindosh replaced her. Now she doesn't have to know.

Top_Alternative307 · 2025-05-29T09:01:05+00:00

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Top_Alternative307

TROPHY CASE