Thanks for the clarification. :(
The many guides I have read online (Stride, Behindthechair.com, etc.) don't make it clear that most of the rules and guides they reference are only for self-employed / contractor stylists, even though in the case of BTC they show how to differentiate between employee and independent contractor/ owner.
BTC does in fact state that W2 employees may deduct workplace expenses, but that the total itemized deductions must exceed the std deduction and meet the "2% floor", i.e. be greater than 2 % of AGI.
