Every new job changes you a little bit. A friend of mine got gnarly forearms and wrist strength from scooping ice cream at Cold Stone. When I was a barista, I started getting pickier with what coffee I drank. This summer I was changed by another job.

These are the memoirs of a front desk person at a high-end salon and spa.

Now, I knew I'd learn more about hair and skin from just talking to people who work there and seeing what kind of services customers had done regularly but I walked away with more than I expected.

Here's what happens when you work at a place in the beauty industry.

1. Your customer service skills go through the roof.

There are two types of people that come into the salon.

There are definitely a lot of sweet, sweet people that come through. Some people are just chipper and giddy because they are about to get their hair done by a professional. It's something special for them and they're excited! They're ready for the whole experience. The water with lemon, the folded paper napkins, being escorted to the chair, and the whole shebang.

Then there are the filthy rich people, that come in and get a power trip from knowing they can spend their money wherever and on whatever they want. Their entitlement replaces their gratitude and they're the ones that prepare you to deal with anything. They're the ones that teach you to be professional no matter what comes your way.

2. You become a beauty product snob.

Forget buying drugstore shampoo and conditioner ever again.They don't make your hair anywhere near as soft as that new hair masque you just tried (You didn't know what a hair masque was before you started working there... but now you do!).

That St. Ives Peach Scrub you use every day as a daily exfoliating cleanser? Yeah, your favorite sassy skin care therapist looked at you like you grew 10-inch tusks before her eyes when you said you used that. "Throw it out. Now. And never use it again. Your skin needs this," she says. She'll hand you a cleanser they sell in the salon that costs $50, which you say you'll never buy, but eventually she'll convince you it lasts forever and the glycolic formula will save your life.

It all happens slowly... but then you are converted into worshiping brands that only designers and spa employees use. The quality and cutting edge technology and formulas become too good to resist.

3. You have this collection of goo that you never knew you needed.

Before you know it... you have just this collections of all different types of goo that you never even knew existed. Your average person needs some shampoo, conditioner, maybe a face lotion... or just soap.

But not you. Oh no, you'll get to a point where you have much, much more. Where did you paycheck go? It went into buying dry shampoo styling paste, firm hold gel, anti-frizz spray, a curl enhancing serum, a voluminous root touch-up spray, several types of hair masques for moisture, repair, and shine and countless other multipurpose, complimenting haircare lines.

The worst part is, your life wont be the same without your collection. It'll never be complete.

4. You will just look... different.

Do not think for a second, that you will enter the beauty industry... and you'll walk out looking the same. That's just not how it works.

You'll get a haircut because everyone needs haircuts. But then one day you'll be be curious what you would look like blonde, or red, or freakin' PURPLE. Why not? You could totally pull it off and the senior colorist totally thinks it would totally bring out your eyes. Before you know it you'll dye your hair 5 different colors before you quit because your paycheck just keeps getting eaten up by spending it on discounted products and services.

It doesn't go that extreme for everybody, but it is stupidly tempting.

5. Salon treatment and professional products are no longer a luxury, but a personal investment.

The salon is a place where you learn to treat yourself, because you really are worth it. And that's probably the most important thing I took away from my experience working where I did.