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California Caché Comes to New Jersey Beauty School

Published: November 05, 2009
by

California Cache Comes to New Jersey Beauty School

As you pursue your education at beauty school, you’ll begin to hear names of more industry icons than just Vidal Sassoon. One of those names will likely be “the Doves.” Sonya and Christopher Dove, owners of The Doves Studio in Santa Monica, California, and creative directors for Wella North America, have been considered among the industry’s top educators for 30 years. So how did they wind up giving a presentation for cosmetology department students at Somerset County Vocational & Technical Schools (SCTI) in Somerset, New Jersey?

The coordinator of the cosmetology program at SCTI is Marcia Bird, a highly respected educator who was recently named 2009 Cosmetology Teacher of the Year by the Cosmetology Educators of America (CEA) and Milady Corporation. When Marcia heard that the Doves were planning to be in nearby New York City, she leveraged her “Teacher of the Year” title to ask whether they had time to speak to her students. Imagine how delighted Marcia was when the Doves graciously accommodated her request!

It’s not unusual to bring guest speakers into cosmetology schools, but this was a real coup for Marcia, her students and the school. You get so inspired by hearing passionate, successful hairdressers talk about their work. The Doves shared their exciting experiences and world travels, which motivated the students to try even harder to do their best at this early stage in their own careers.

Photo: Sonya and Christopher Dove help a student in Marcia Bird’s class.

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Federal “Stimulus Money” Video Discusses Oklahoma Beauty Schools

Published: November 01, 2009
by Rosanne Ullman

A TV station in Tulsa, Oklahoma, ran a story recently on how the federal government’s stimulus money is benefiting students at Oklahoma beauty schools. “Essentially the stimulus is just increasing the amount of money each student can get through Pell grants,” the reporter explained. “Before, the most a student could qualify for was $4,850. Now, they can get up to $5,350....There will be another jump in available Pell monies in July of 2010, bringing the total up to $6,980 per student.”

I’m posting the video of the report because I thought you might be interested in watching the entire three-minute piece to hear real students talk about how much they appreciate the opportunity to pursue their cosmetology career dreams. The increase in Pell grant funding has received some attention, but typically the articles focus on four-year universities, liberal arts programs at community colleges or schools in technical fields like computer programming. It’s cool that this station’s news program covered the topic through the eyes of beauty school students.

This is a great time to enroll in cosmetology school, not only because of the additional Pell grant money but because salons are still hiring even in this dreary job market. As a financial aid officer in the video notes, the appreciated money “will open up a lot of doors for people who never had the opportunity to come to college because they had to go straight to work.”

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Giving Back, Part II: Maryland and Louisville Beauty Schools

Published: October 28, 2009
by Rosanne Ullman

In my last post, I introduced you to the Paul Mitchell The School newsletter, which offers a variety of information that will interest you if you’re considering attending not just that company’s facilities, but any cosmetology school. I called your attention to the newsletter’s recaps of various altruistic, “giving back” efforts that Paul Mitchell students participate in and even organize, because these endeavors very much represent the spirit of the beauty industry.

To raise money for the American Red Cross, this past summer students at The Temple—A Paul Mitchell Partner School in Frederick, Maryland, staged a gala fashion show. Called “Cross Your Heart and Hope to Dye,” the open-house event featured not only a runway fashion show but also a live deejay and hairdressing tool demos. Nearby schools were invited to attend.

Meanwhile in Louisville, Kentucky, Paul Mitchell The School—Louisville partnered with the Pure Image/Raindogs Focus Salon to hold a Black and White Ball that raised more than $1,500 for the Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation. Both the students from the school and the professionals from the salon presented looks in a platform show. Costs were kept to a minimum because local businesses donated products and services, including the venue, silent auction items, food and drink. So while you’re attending beauty school, don’t be surprised if you become involved in charities. For some people, these early experiences ignite a spark resulting in a lifelong commitment to a particular cause or to giving back in general. That’s a good thing!

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Giving Back, Part I: San Francisco and Michigan Beauty Schools

Published: October 24, 2009
by Rosanne Ullman

If there’s a Paul Mitchell The School in your area, it may be on your short list of cosmetology schools you’re considering attending. Even if it’s not, the corporate headquarters issues a newsletter for its “future professionals” that offers a nice glimpse into the cosmetology world.

Like many beauty schools, Paul Mitchell emphasizes the role of giving back to the community. For example, the Paul Mitchell schools this year marked October 14 as Free Hugs Day, and students were out there in our nation’s downtowns to offer hugs to anyone who accepted. In August, students at the San Franciso Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology, a Paul Mitchell partner school, hired a pink limousine to pick up a group of young female cancer patients from a local hospital and brought them back to the school for a day of free pampering. Still earlier in the summer, Paul Mitchell students in Sterling Heights and Port Huron, Michigan, held a fundraiser for the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

Like the one in Michigan, a lot of this industry’s fundraisers are cut-a-thons, typically offering cuts at a discounted price with all proceeds going to a selected charity. Do you think you could cut hair quickly and expertly in order to raise, for a good cause, as much money as possible in an all-day cut-a-thon? Typically, the stylists have a ball, and the clients feel great about the salon’s donation. Check back next time for more on beauty schools and giving back.

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New Video Captures Students In Their Own Words

Published: October 20, 2009
by Rosanne Ullman

The best way to decide whether cosmetology school is for you is to hear what current beauty school students have to say about their experiences. So I think you'll enjoy “Your Beautiful Career," a new, 3-minute video created by the American Association of Cosmetology Schools.

The students who appear in the video talk about their goals, and you’ll see that everyone wants something different out of this amazingly varied profession. One young woman enjoys the opportunity to “make people feel good about themselves,” another wants to teach esthetics, a third hopes to work backstage in film and TV and a guy shares his ultimate goal of owning a salon. You know what? All of these goals are achievable. I’ve seen dreams comes true over and over.

It’s also fun to hear what ignites the passion for a career in beauty. The girl who wants to teach esthetics grew interested in the topic because of her own skin problems. For another, working as a receptionist in a salon made her eager to join in on the fun that the hairdressers were having every single day. The guy who’s interviewed also mentions that his school’s financial advisor helped him secure financing. If you’re already leaning toward pursuing a lifetime in hair, nails, skin or make-up, I think when you view the video you’ll get even more excited about enrolling in beauty school. Then come back to beautyschooladvisor and find a great school!