I've been out of school and working with my temporary permit for approximately four weeks. My first two weeks were much like a maid service ie; washing towels, filling the back bar, and shampooing other stylists clients. I was glad, as this gave me a chance to get the "feel" of the salon, and observe the other stylists and clients.

 THEN.... we had several stylists out, and I was booked every thirty minutes for two days. I was so rushed, and so OVERWHELMED that everything I did turned out wrong. Now things have slowed down, and I'm back to taking the walk ins, and the desperate clients, but I seem to have lost all my confidence. Nothing seems to be coming natural, and the tension must be noticeable to the clients because I've had several clients ask, "how long have you been doing hair?" I told them I had just graduated, and you can just about see the look of dread on their faces as I continue to work on their hair. How do you handle these "uncomfortable" questions, and how long does it take to begin to feel somewhat comfortable or confident in this business?

hey spaz, I think you get more comfortable in this business the longer your in it after about the first 100 heads your feeling fine, 500 much better 1000 fairly confident and so on,

xpressionista is right take classes and lots learn new cuts and color techniques. take at least 2 per year if you are on a tight budget. The only one that will make you a better stylist is you! figure out what you are weakest in and conquer it this will be less stress in a sometimes stressful business. Pray to the color Gods (it helps me) and when you bugger up it is actually OK because believe me if it is really bad you will always remember how to avoid that mistake next time. Breath, relax the speed will come with time. It sounds like you are exactly where you should be. Congratulate yourself when it turns out well, you have probably done more good jobs than bad ones, its just that the bad one have more impact on our confidence. Good luck to you (by the way you will continue to have days like that even after 20 years, just less of them!)

patience in one minute of anger can prevent one hundred days of sorrow!

amazungly enough, there are people who dont mind having their hair done by newer stylists. usually because you have te smaller price and the smaller ego.....

just keep your chin up, focus on your career and never get too bigheaded to take classes and advance your education.  You can learn more in two or three years than you think.... some stylists get their beauty academy certificate  and thats it.  then they are stuck in their own little time warp.  Keep your talent fresh and the time youve been licensed wont matter.