From an anonymous hairstylist: "A client wanted to have very long extensions applied to her hair. We have been doing [hair extensions] for over 20 years, we went over everything [regarding how to care for extensions], such as brushing hair, keeping it very clean and the correct brush, shampoo and conditioner. She got the extensions and, three weeks later, returned to the salon with an ungodly mess of matted hair, wanting us to redo it all at no cost. When we asked her what happened, the answer was, 'I did everything you told me to. I went to the Bahamas and scuba dived, wind surfed and hang glided. Had a wonderful time, but forgot all my hair products at home. Now what are you going to do with this mess you gave me?' All I can say is, as stylists and artists, we can only try."
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Nightmare Client: Creepy Husband Alert!
From an anonymous esthetician: "Back in '97, I was one of the only estheticians doing Brazilian bikini waxes in the Twin Cities. As everyone knows, this is quite an invasive procedure and not for the meek. I remember one client telling me that she was a bit nervous and wondered if her husband could tag along and be in the waxing room with her. I told her I didn't mind.
"At first, I asked him to remain sitting down. He kept fidgeting in his seat and wanted to come to the table and watch. Then, his questions and comments got to be more and more intimate and suggestive -- saying how 'hot' it was to watch and asking me if clients got turned on during their waxes. I finally booted him when he asked if I ever got turned on."
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Nightmare Client: Acting a Fool
From an anonymous former makeup artist: "There was an actor I worked with on a short film. By the time he had 10 to 20 minutes to settle in his trailer, I make my way to knock on his door and greet him. Instead of a nice greeting back, he cracks his door open and tells me that he's not ready for me and slams his door. That was my cue to make a career change!"
Anyone who's worked in customer service knows that abuse is inevitable, but boundaries are even more easily breached when you work in the beauty industry. It's ironic that the people who treat some of our most delicate private parts -- heck, there are places on your body that only God and your waxer will ever see -- sometimes get brutal treatment in return. We asked beauty industry professionals -- facialists, waxers, hairstylists, massage therapists, makeup artists -- to spill some of their worst and most hilarious client experiences. Read on for the "WTF?" moments they shared.
