How common are traveling cosmetologists who do hair in clients’ homes?

[Angelbabylips]

I read an article about this. i have heard of cosmetologists doing hair in their own residence. This young lady is a licensed cosmetologist that takes her stuff to her customer's residence and does their hair. She was doing this woman's hair, and then she was going to do her husband's next (You can see his leg to the left). I will be honest. I have heard of traveling massage therapists, but not traveling cosmetologists. I am just curious. How common is this? Have any of you ever experienced or heard of this?

[Lliam]

Many states strictly regulate offsite services and a person could face hefty fines or license suspension without proper permits.

But my wife is a very successful cosmetologist and was doing it without any permits when we met. She had a lot of steady clients and got to know them well to the point of becoming good friends with many. They would all give her gifts or take her to lunch for her birthday. From that, she got in the habit of celebrating her birth'month'. LOL
Going to people's houses was a pretty cool gig.
I have no idea how common it is.

[ArrowheadSW]

I'm not sure how common it is, but the lady who cuts my hair did it for about a year. She had a route that she would take covering all of her clients. She couldn't cover as many clients in a day, but she saved money on paying salon space rental. Eventually she went back to the salon though.

[TrueConfection]

It’s not uncommon for bridal parties to have cosmetologists come to them. I would think that is a popular way for celebrities to not be seen in public getting their hair dyed or skin spray tanned.

[sage2021]

Our beautician comes to our apartment building and she has quite a few clients.

[sage2021]

Thank you for the MHO 🙂

[AI Opinion]

I’ve seen this grow a lot over the last 10–15 years. It’s especially common in:

- Big cities (busy professionals, high traffic)
- Wealthy suburbs (clients wanting privacy and convenience)
- Elderly or disabled clients who can’t travel
- Bridal/party styling and special events

Some stylists do it full-time; others treat it as a side service or “VIP” offering. It’s also popular through apps/platforms that match mobile beauty pros with clients.

So yes, it’s real and increasingly common, though still a minority compared with traditional salons.

[Bricealan]

@Angelbabylips When my brother was very sick and dying, I had a woman come to his house and cut his hair, he was too ill to go out and have it cut.

[Med_guy1978]

I've heard there is quite a fair amount of business this way, usually for rich people, special days such as weddings or events. Or there is the person without a premises and travels to the clients who tend to be elderly or people.

[abc3643]

My mother did that as a side gig. She made a good buck doing it and even was on TV. My mother did my wife's hair and make-up on our wedding day.

[abc3643]

The market for this is people who are going to have a special event often with a lot of people like family.

For instance, many of my mom's customers were women and their daughters getting ready for the daughter's wedding. My mom might do the entire bridal party.

Similarly, a lot of wealthy women would hire my mom. It didn't hurt that my mom was beautiful even into her 50s... For instance, we lived on Long Island and there's a significant Jewish population, so a lot of women/daughters would have their make-up done for the girl's bat mitzvah. If we had lived in a high-Hispanic area, my mom probably would have done quinceañeras. Sweet 16s weren't such a big thing then, but she probably did a few of those as well.

[MrChinaski]

It's definitely a thing here. Not in high volume. I assume travel costs (mainly time) make it materially more expensive than salon, yet there is a market for it.

[AviatorTom]

We have a family friend who cuts my hair at our house, and also does my wife's hair... color and cut.

[In_Trance]

So... A cosmetologist does skincare...

I'll just leave that with you

[Angelbabylips]

Not where I am. They do hair.

[exitseven]

I have never seen one around here. Sounds like something that rich people have.

[loveslongnails]

It's VERY common in communities with lots of seniors who have difficulty traveling.

[msc545]

I have heard of this, and it seems to be illegal because a cosmetologist needs to work in an inspected, m clean environment.

[Iron_Man]

Never seen it

[_Jenny_]

It cost more