What really happens behind the chair isn’t glamorous—and it’s definitely not professional.

In this episode, we break down real salon horror stories including coworkers stealing supplies, toxic behavior in high-end salons, and clients who cross boundaries in ways most people wouldn’t believe. From stolen developer and quiet revenge, to creepy shampoo-bowl behavior, inappropriate oversharing, and power plays inside the beauty industry, this episode exposes what hairdressers, makeup artists, and salon owners actually deal with every day.

This raw, honest conversation pulls back the curtain on salon politics, workplace harassment, emotional labor, and why setting boundaries is essential for survival in the beauty industry. If you’ve ever worked behind the chair—or wondered why your stylist needs a drink after work—this episode explains everything.

Perfect for hairdressers, stylists, makeup artists, salon owners, and anyone curious about the reality of working in salons.

salon stories

hairdresser podcast

beauty industry reality

toxic coworkers

problem clients

salon drama

hairstylist life

behind the chair

Give a follow on instagram https://www.instagram.com/shititoldmyhairdresser/

If you would like to be on the show or share a story with visit our website and leave us a voicemail or email https://shititoldmyhairdresser.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anya joins Jack and Jason for a no-filter episode of Shit I Told My Hairdresser that hits everything from fake hair products and shady beauty education to the real reality of working behind the chair with a speech impediment. They talk stuttering in the salon, how clients and strangers react, and why confidence matters more than “perfect” speech—especially in an industry obsessed with image.

Then it gets wild: Anya breaks down the high-end Williamsburg Brooklyn salon scene—cash-only days, motorcycles in the salon, nonstop partying, strip club nights, and the toxic “rockstar stylist” lifestyle people glamorize but don’t understand. They also get into drug and alcohol culture in salons, including what really happens in “cool” luxury spaces, hair shows, and education programs that pay trash and sell lies.

And if you think that’s the peak… wait until Costa Rica: mud wrestling, heavy partying, a fight with locals, guns, and a Corona bottle to the face that left Anya stitched up—plus the dark truth about how these stories happened before everyone had a camera in their pocket. This one’s for every stylist who’s ever felt judged, underestimated, or told they “can’t” do it.

hairdresser podcast, stuttering, speech impediment, salon culture, fake hair products, beauty industry, hair education, toxic salon, Williamsburg Brooklyn salon, drugs in salons, hair show stories, celebrity stylist, hairstylist life.

Give a follow on instagram https://www.instagram.com/shititoldmyhairdresser/

If you would like to be on the show or share a story with visit our website and leave us a voicemail or email https://shititoldmyhairdresser.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when clients cross the line—and expect you to stay quiet because they’re “paying”?

In this episode, we break down the real reasons hairstylists fire clients and why bad behavior in the salon is no longer tolerated. From clients blasting phone calls on speaker, to entitlement, false accusations, boundary violations, and emotional manipulation, this conversation exposes the ugliest side of salon culture that no one prepares stylists for.

Our guest shares firsthand stories from behind the chair—being overstimulated by loud clients, dealing with disrespect during consultations, navigating false claims, and finally choosing self-respect over steady money. We talk about why “loyal” clients aren’t always good clients, how toxic behavior drains your energy and business, and what actually happens when stylists stop people-pleasing.

This episode is a must-listen for hairstylists, salon owners, and beauty professionals who are burned out, underpaid, and tired of being treated like servants instead of skilled professionals.

If you’ve ever asked yourself “Is this client worth it?”—this episode gives you the answer.

hairstylist podcast, bad clients, firing clients, toxic salon clients, salon boundaries, hairstylist burnout, beauty industry stories, salon etiquette, behind the chair

Give a follow on instagram https://www.instagram.com/shititoldmyhairdresser/

If you would like to be on the show or share a story with visit our website and leave us a voicemail or email https://shititoldmyhairdresser.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason sits down with his mother, Elizabeth Townsend—a Honduran immigrant and veteran hairdresser with 47 years behind the chair—to share the real, unfiltered truth about building a long-term career in the beauty industry.

Elizabeth recounts immigrating from Honduras to California as a teenager, starting her hairdressing career in the late 1960s, and building a loyal clientele without social media, influencers, or modern marketing. She shares how consistent work ethic, saving money, and smart decisions allowed her to turn hairdressing into long-term financial stability and real estate wealth.

The conversation also exposes the hidden health risks of hairdressing, including long-term exposure to hair color chemicals and the link to cancer—an issue rarely discussed openly in the salon industry. Elizabeth shares her personal experience battling cancer multiple times and why today’s stylists need to take chemical safety seriously.

From old-school salon culture and unforgettable client stories to lessons on resilience, money, and longevity, this episode is a must-listen for hairdressers, beauty professionals, immigrants, and anyone building a career from the ground up.

Give a follow on instagram https://www.instagram.com/shititoldmyhairdresser/

If you would like to be on the show or share a story with visit our website and leave us a voicemail or email https://shititoldmyhairdresser.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beauty school didn’t fail you by accident — it failed you by design.

In this episode of Sh!t I Told My Hairdresser, we break down the biggest lie sold to aspiring hairstylists: the promise that you’ll graduate “salon ready” and make six figures right out of school.

Spoiler alert: you won’t.

This honest, no-fluff conversation pulls back the curtain on what beauty school actually prepares you for (passing state board) — and what it completely ignores (real-world salon life, income reality, client management, and career longevity).

We talk about:

• Why most new stylists start as assistants making far less than expected

• How beauty schools oversell income potential to boost enrollment

• Why real education starts after graduation

• The emotional and financial shock new stylists aren’t warned about

• Why mentorship matters more than talent

• The gap between Instagram fantasy and salon reality

• What actually builds a sustainable, profitable hair career

This episode isn’t anti-education — it’s pro-truth.

If you’re a beauty student, new stylist, salon owner, or educator, this episode will either validate what you already know… or explain why the industry felt so hard so fast.

No motivation posters.

No fake numbers.

Just the truth about how hairstylist careers are really built.

beauty school myth

hairstylist career advice

salon ready lie

beauty school reality

hairdresser salary truth

new hairstylist struggles

salon assistant life

beauty industry education

Give a follow on instagram https://www.instagram.com/shititoldmyhairdresser/

If you would like to be on the show or share a story with visit our website and leave us a voicemail or email https://shititoldmyhairdresser.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hairdressers aren’t just cutting hair anymore — we’re absorbing everyone else’s trauma, one appointment at a time.

In this episode of Sh!t I Told My Hairdresser, Jason and Jack sit down with licensed therapist and salon consultant Tom Hintelmann, LCSW, to talk about the emotional side of salon life no one prepares you for: trauma dumping.

From clients unloading divorces, addiction, family chaos, and life disasters…

to stylists burning out because they don’t know how to set boundaries…

this episode breaks down why salons have quietly become the front line of mental health — without the training or support.

Tom Hintelmann brings real clinical insight to the conversation, drawing from his work with:

– hairstylists

– salon owners

– teams dealing with toxic culture, jealousy, and burnout

– individuals navigating stress, anxiety, and emotional overload

We cover:

• Why hairdressers are treated like “first-line therapists”

• How trauma dumping leads to emotional exhaustion and quitting the industry

• The difference between listening, empathizing, and over-involving yourself

• How to shut down trauma dumping without being rude

• Why baby stylists are hit the hardest

• How toxic salon culture starts — and how leadership can fix it

• When it’s time to refer a client to real mental-health care

• Why self-care isn’t selfish (and burnout is real)

Plus, the episode goes fully off the rails with:

– wild salon stories

– mean-girl culture

– ego, jealousy, money fights

– and a jaw-dropping New York barbershop story that absolutely did not end how you expect

Tom Hintelmann

Licensed Therapist | Salon & Team-Dynamics Consultant

Psychology Today Profile:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/tom-hintelmann-tinton-falls-nj/1211790

Instagram: @performnce_mental_health

Working with salons nationwide to improve leadership, communication, culture, and emotional sustainability.

📸 Instagram: @jazzmeupsalon

hairdresser mental health

trauma dumping salon

salon burnout

hairstylist stress

beauty industry burnout

hairdresser podcast

salon culture problems

stylist emotional exhaustion

mental health for hairstylists

Give a follow on instagram https://www.instagram.com/shititoldmyhairdresser/

If you would like to be on the show or share a story with visit our website and leave us a voicemail or email https://shititoldmyhairdresser.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jack cut his hair. Now he’s running for Congress.

In this episode of Sh!t I Told My Hairdresser, we expose the real-life chaos of the ShamWow guy—racism, mugshots, hookers, infomercials, and all. Hairdressers see the truth first… and this one is unhinged.

What happens when one of your most unhinged salon clients resurfaces… running for Congress?

In this episode of Sh!t I Told My Hairdresser, we break down the unbelievable true story of the ShamWow guy—yes, thatinfomercial lunatic—and how a former salon client with a history of racism, violence, drugs, hookers, and public meltdowns suddenly thinks he’s qualified for public office.

From cutting his hair to watching him spiral into anti-woke propaganda, misogyny, and political cosplay, we unpack what hairstylists see before the rest of the world catches on.

We also dive into:

When clients cross the line—bashing other hairstylists, fishing for validation, and trying to turn your appointment into a gossip session. We break down why that’s a hard no, how it backfires, and what it says about them.

• Why hair salons hear the real stories first
• The unspoken rule about clients trash-talking other stylists
• How attention seekers escalate when fame fades
• And why some people confuse loud, hateful chaos with leadership
• When clients trash other stylists — and how to shut it down

This episode is raw, unfiltered, hilarious, and deeply uncomfortable—because it’s all true.

🎙️ If you love salon stories, dark humor, political absurdity, celebrity chaos, and hairstylist confessions, this one’s for you.

👉 Listen now.

👉 Rate & review if you dare.

👉 And remember: if you hate us, tell 20 people.

Give a follow on instagram https://www.instagram.com/shititoldmyhairdresser/

If you would like to be on the show or share a story with visit our website and leave us a voicemail or email https://shititoldmyhairdresser.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The beauty industry has officially entered its no loyalty era — and hairdressers everywhere are DONE staying quiet.

In this explosive episode, Jason and Jack sit down with TikTok creator Jer Bear to expose what’s really happening behind the scenes with SalonCentric, Cosmoprof, Ulta Beauty, L’Oréal, and the distributors that claim to “support” stylists while pricing them out of their own careers.

From disappearing pro discounts… to diverted products… to Costco shampoo scams… to clients bringing in oxidized Amazon fakes — this is the real tea the beauty industry doesn’t want you sharing.

But that’s not all. This episode also goes full chaos with:

💥 nightmare client refund demands

💥 fake reviews from people who’ve never sat in the chair

💥 influencers expecting free services

💥 beauty schools selling false dreams

💥 stylists being pitted against each other

💥 how to kill trolls with “nice-nasty” positivity

💥 and the emotional toll of giving 9-hour services for pennies

If you’ve ever worked behind the chair, loved a stylist, or bought shampoo anywhere other than your salon — this episode will make you laugh, scream, and rethink everything.

Hit follow, rate the show, and send this to the stylist who refuses to raise their prices.

The hair world has changed — and loyalty is officially dead.

Also follow Jer Bear @ IG hairbyjerbear_ youtube hairbyjerbear facebook hair by jer bear and tiktok@hairbyjerbear

Give a follow on instagram https://www.instagram.com/shititoldmyhairdresser/

If you would like to be on the show or share a story with visit our website and leave us a voicemail or email https://shititoldmyhairdresser.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.