Had the worst week of my career last August and it actually changed how I work

I was booked solid for 5 days straight at my little studio outside Austin. Tuesday a new client came in with super sensitive skin and I used a product I thought was gentle enough. She left with red patches all over her cheeks. She didn't complain but I felt awful. Wednesday my extractor tool broke mid-facial on a regular. Thursday two people no-showed. Friday I found out the product I ordered online was a counterfeit version of my usual brand. I was ready to quit by Saturday morning. But that week made me start testing every new product on myself first and I switched to only buying from local distributors I can verify. Has anyone else had a stretch of bad luck that pushed you to change your whole routine?

3 comments

3 Comments

caseywalker14d ago

Sounds like August really said "hold my beer.

ben_fisher8d ago

Ngl I feel like this is a bit dramatic. One bad week with some product issues and suddenly you're changing your whole sourcing strategy? @taylor.brooke I get the notebook thing but batch numbers seems extra unless you're running a med spa or something. Like yeah counterfeit products suck but couldn't you just return it and move on instead of revamping your entire workflow over one dumb mistake?

taylor.brooke14d ago

Oh man, your August sounds like a nightmare. Last spring I had a streak where I messed up three haircolor formulas in one week - one turned green, one was way too dark, and the third just didn't take at all. I ended up spending like two hours at the supply store testing every single developer and toner combo on old hair swatches before I'd use anything on clients again. That week made me keep a whole notebook of exact measurements and timing for each product now, plus I verify every batch number from the distributor before I even open it.