licensing for extensions

Jenny_RR wrote: I'm not going to comment on this drama, except to say that personally, I have no interest in doing anyone's extensions (maybe I'll write a book on it--LOL!--but I truly have no interest in doing them for a living). That said, this thread is making me wonder whether there are any grants available to those who want to go to beauty school, especially for women who have children. I do think standard Pell Grants and such do apply to beauty school; I think I read it somewhere. Perhaps I'm just wishful thinking, but it seems like there are state-sponsored programs for other kinds of continuing education. So why not for beauty school? It's a good profession, and something I think the government should encourage more people to look into. I, for one, heard plenty of rhetoric during the campaigns about careers for the 21st century and all that. Perhaps it's time to write to the Governator! By the way, there was a girl on the GoingBlonde board who was posting for months and months and became very knowlegable about color (after having some disasters and successes with her own hair in the process). And now she's enrolled in beauty school. Anyway, this is just a thought, but if anyone knows about any grants or loans or anything, that would be great information to have here. There have been several people posting who would jump at the opportunity, I think. :)

Not speaking from experience, but only second hand information....single mothers' have it made when it comes to opportunities for school assistance. Again, don't quote me on that, just know what I have seen with family and friends in that position.

metalgirl wrote: I have heard of that provision of the CA state law, but I'm telling you guys, my friend still did get in trouble.

I am sure the others' believe you, I know I don't have any reason to think you are lying. The important part in this particular thread though, is whether she got it because she was operating a business without a license, OR because she was performing extensions without a license. It is actually two different things :)

The law says that you can do this without a licence,

So then you know it is legal, at least, in your state...

and in fact that part is true because there is a lady in my area who works in a wig store and does weft bonding. She doen't cut the hair (she tells them she can't) so they leave looking like cousin It from the Munsters.

And you know for a fact it IS legal to do. But I love the way you throw in that slam against those who can't cut. but, whatever.

To me that's totally unprofessional, but then again, she's not a professional!

I have read account after account of people on here who have been f*ed over by so called "professionals" And then, today, I call my salon, and inquire into their new "safe" extensions.....and realize I know more than this "professional" does, and I have only been on these forums for 3 days. Difference is, I have a quest for the actual knowledge and the truth. Dont' give me that professional crap. Many of the people who come into you peoples' salons do fall for that, unfortunately, but not all of us do.

Don't get me wrong.

I know I am better off with a knowledgeable extensionist.

But I know that the two words are not inclusive.

Anyway, what my friend got in trouble for was working out of her home, which is not a licenced establishment. Now if your not licenced, it's hard to get a job in a salon.

I am not sure what you thought of my initial post, but I wasn't anticipating some long term career in a hot salon without a cosmetology license. I was simply wondering if doing extensions was a possiblity for assisting my way for financing school.

Most salons will not hire you without a licence, regardless of that provision of the state law. There are too many stylists out there with licences that they would hire before they'd choose to hire some one without one who has extreme limits on what services they can perform.

Well, I would hope they would hire who was best for each particular job. When and If I have my own salon, I guess I can be that judgemental...till then :)

Perhaps some day that will change, but I as a professional who has spent good time and a lot of money on my education hopes that the State Board continues to 'crack down'.

AHHH I get it now (lol) are you bitter when you think that people would get more business than you because they don't have the "proper licensing" I am not being a *****, or being sarcastic, I am seriously asking.

You seem bitter.

Really.

I do understand, REALLY, if someone with the proper licensiing, and dedication is brushed under the rug by someone who isnt' as good as them, but in this situation.....The so called "professionals" aren't that. And many of them are very pricey and a long drive. If someone is a reasonable alternative, the customer has a right to choose them.

Now if someone wants to do her girlfriend's hair extensions for no charge and doesn't pass herself off as a professional, that's fine with me.

Well, what if someone said, "you know what chickie, my hobby has given me more experience in this than that "professional" up the street who doesn't have a clue how to do anything that what she was "trained" to do. And, since I have already had enough practice, I charge a small amount of compensation.

OH, and, BTW, I don't have contracts that say A)you can't sue me
or

B)I won't refund you beyond the cost of supplies.


Is that wrong? No, I didn't think so.


I am SO not bashing *every* extensionist. I am just really kinda annoyed at the ones who abuse others' pocketbooks. And someone like you who thinks that everyone with a license is automatically "entitled" to the career, but god forbid someone like Jenny RR who seems to know more than and dozen extensionists randomly picked from any state wouldn't.

Hope I am not misunderstanding your attitude, and if so, I do apologize.

Many times when you are doing extensions, you would need a sink to wash customer's hair. You need to wash with a clarifiying shampoo before you put them in, and that would be especially important before reapplication to wash the hair if you used any kind of oily substance to remove them.

I believe the work environment needs to meet State Board of Cosmetology standards. For example, here in CA, if the salon is in your home, you need to have a separate entrance other than your front door and you need to have a separate bathroom facility, separate from your family's bathroom. It also needs to be handicapped accessable. There are other details, which your State Board can provide you if you ask them.

You would also need a business licence for your city/county.

sherrie, let me know what you find out about the natural stylist license.

also, I know if you're working out of your home (or any environment for that matter) it needs to be approved by the state.

Oh and so now I am thinking of learning myself just so I can do maintenence on my self.

Also, I think you run a higher risk of getting in trouble if you work out of home no matter what business you are in . My mom was a licensed manicurist that worked out of our home for a short time and had some problems until she moved to her shop.

I have heard of that provision of the CA state law, but I'm telling you guys, my friend still did get in trouble. I think that this is the 'catch 22':

The law says that you can do this without a licence, and in fact that part is true because there is a lady in my area who works in a wig store and does weft bonding. She doen't cut the hair (she tells them she can't) so they leave looking like cousin It from the Munsters. To me that's totally unprofessional, but then again, she's not a professional!

Anyway, what my friend got in trouble for was working out of her home, which is not a licenced establishment. Now if your not licenced, it's hard to get a job in a salon. Most salons will not hire you without a licence, regardless of that provision of the state law. There are too many stylists out there with licences that they would hire before they'd choose to hire some one without one who has extreme limits on what services they can perform.

Perhaps some day that will change, but I as a professional who has spent good time and a lot of money on my education hopes that the State Board continues to 'crack down'.

Now if someone wants to do her girlfriend's hair extensions for no charge and doesn't pass herself off as a professional, that's fine with me.

Thanks, Saucy. That's interesting. So if you're not licensed in CA, you can apply a full head of fusion, but you can't trim off the ends? Insane! :)

By the way, pinchbraids are not the same as open-ended braids--two different things. I think I have the links to the tutorials on the Extensions 101 thread. Again, good luck! :)

Well, you can use smooth needle-nose pliers to apply them and ridged ones to remove them; beyond that, you may want to purchase the needle, or you can simply use a template and wire. Either way, you should be able to work it out.

As far as the hair, silky straight Bohyme is a good choice--probably the best place to get it is ebonyline.com. Just keep in mind that it is fairly fine, silky hair; if you think it will blend OK, then try it. The good thing is that the hair does have some wave after washing, so you can wear it like that or straighten it via blowdrying or flaitron.

I'm not sure exactly what you're planning to do on top, though? Weaving or braiding? I'm still a little unclear on that part.

:)

Shaman,

You'll be better off ordering the kit from hairpiece.com, not drlocks.net. The "extendtubes" (what they're called on hairpiece.com) hold up better than Doc's version (although Doc is the one to order from if you want shrinkies).

Good luck! :)