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Succeeding at Cosmetology School: Aptitude or Attitude?

Published: August 29, 2009
by Rosanne Ullman

If you’re passionate about beauty and fashion, you belong in beauty school. You owe it to yourself to get educated in what you love doing. And you’ll do well in your cosmetology school courses—your passion likely results in part from people complimenting you on your style so you probably have talent for this work, plus you also probably have a thirst for this knowledge. In other words, you have the aptitude to quickly pick up the techniques, and you have a positive attitude and an openness to the instruction process.

But what if you fall just short of super-passionate? How can you tell whether you’ll be good at doing hair, painting nails or nourishing skin? If I had to choose either aptitude or attitude, I’d go with attitude. Let’s try the reverse first and say that you find the work easy to learn but your attitude is impatient, negative or superior to others. You may end up being the best hair designer, nail tech or esthetician in the world, but you won’t have many clients because this is so much of a “people” business.

However, if you have a positive attitude, you’re patient and you love making people look and feel great, your instructors will work with you until you get the techniques down. You may have to practice more than other students, but you’ll love every minute so it’s no big deal. You’ll succeed not only in beauty school but in your career for years to come.

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Competition Open to Nail Technology School Students

Published: August 25, 2009
by Rosanne Ullman

Last time I wrote about nail techs, so as long as I’m on the topic of nail technology school students I will help BeautyTech announce its online contest set to be held throughout the month of October. Students are eligible, so you can enter if by October you’re in a nails school or a nails program at a cosmetology school.

To enter, just take photos of your nail art or tips work, scan the images and submit them electronically. Called, “Strut Your Stuff Nail Art and Enhancement 2009,” the competition is split into two categories: Enhancement, and Mixed-Media Nail Art. Each category will award first, second and third place prizes, plus two honorable mentions, in both junior and senior nail tech divisions. The judges’ panel includes past contest winners along with other respected nail professionals.

Winners will receive products representing some of the most popular nail and nail art brands, including Backscratchers, OPI, That's It? Instant Nail Art, Nailite Inc, Young Nails, Smockers, Star Nail International, Ultronics, NSI, Belava, Tammy Taylor Nails, Odyssey Nail Syetems, Snails Italian Jewelry and Ultronics. NAILS Magazine and Nailpro Magazine are additional sponsors. For an entry form and further information, go to http://beautytech.com/contest, email debbie@beautytech.com entrants, and feel free to send us your entry photos after the contest “wraps” up!

Photo is courtesy of China Nails.

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Nail Technology School Students Have Special Day of Education

Published: August 21, 2009
by Rosanne Ullman

I was really happy to see two nail technology schools bringing 20 students to participate in a day of hands-on nail education earlier this month. Along with nearly 60 licensed nail technicians and 11 nail educators, the nail technology school students from New York and Connecticut attended the 7th Annual Long Island Network Day sponsored by beautytech.com. I always think it’s great when students are encouraged to experience as much additional, outside education as possible. For one thing, they see that education is a career-long activity because you should never stop learning what’s new and fashionable in nail services. Also, this type of thing is great for networking.

The morning of the event was devoted to a session reviewing the basics, while the afternoon switched to a “Bling it if you brung it” session of nail art application techniques. A “Going Green” presentation rounded out the schedule. BeautyTech’s Debbie Doerrlamm, who hosted the day of education, reports a good reception for this year’s program, which was more highly structured than in past years. While most attendees hailed from the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, educators came from as far away as California and Sweden.

Nail brands represented included Backscratchers, CND, OPI, LCN USA, imaginailtion Young Nails, Dashing Diva, HRTE, Vicki Peters Nail Products and Akzentz. Each participant took home a nearly 10-pound goodie bag! If you’re in nail technology school next August, or if you’re a licensed technician by then, look into the beautytech.com event.

Photo is courtesy of beautytech.com.

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Product Lines Provide Makeup Artist School Students With a “Cheat Sheet”

Published: August 17, 2009
by Rosanne Ullman

If you’re planning to study makeup techniques at a makeup artist school or general cosmetology school, you’ll have one advantage over your peers studying hair coloring. Let me explain.

When a colorist formulates hair color, she must start from scratch, choosing one shade to mix with another in order to pinpoint the color she’s targeting. Hair colorists are experts at the color wheel, which is a circular diagram that gives a visual on how colors relate to each other. While hair color manufacturers may issue trend releases showing the season’s fashionable shades with mixing instructions to achieve them, really every head is different and the colorist must customize each formula according to the client’s hair color and texture.

Makeup artists also must take into account the palette they’re working with. The same shade of blush will look very different depending on how light or dark the person’s skin is. But think about eye shadows. You frequently purchase them in a little pack of two or three shades, right? The same will happen when you’re in makeup artist school. The product lines you’ll be using will supply kits with complementary eye, lip and cheek colors. You can rely on the manufacturer to put together great shades that work well with each other and blend seamlessly. Of course you can always combine whatever hues you want, and I know as an artist you’ll be experimenting with all sorts of color combinations. That’s part of the fun!

Photo is courtesy of beautyADDICTS: the Motivate Collection.

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6 Distinctions of Job Interviewing After Beauty School (Part 3)

Published: August 13, 2009
by Rosanne Ullman

In my two previous posts, I went over the first four points of why beauty school graduates should disregard some of the advice you see popping up all over the Internet during this time of high unemployment. Here are my final two suggestions for interviewing for a cosmetology career job:

5. Visuals are cool. You wouldn’t walk into most job interviews with a notebook full of random pictures, fabric swatches and crafts, but if you show a salon owner what you’ve collected that influence you as an artist, you’ll make a great impression. Include photos of clients you’ve styled!
6. Understand that you’re starting your own business. You don’t enter other occupations as the CEO of the business. But as a hair stylist, nail tech or esthetician, even when you’re employed by a salon you’re still really running your own little company. The salon owner interviewing you will like to see that you “get it”—you’re ready to hand out your business card, ask clients to refer friends and keep your look fresh so that you’re your own walking billboard.

A lot of the traditional tips on job interviewing do apply to people aiming for a cosmetology career. Arrive on time, be polite to everyone you encounter, be honest and open, research the business ahead of time so that you know a little about it and send a thank-you note. I just urge you to keep in mind that you’re interviewing to enter a work environment unlike any other.

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6 Distinctions of Job Interviewing After Beauty School (Part 2)

Published: August 09, 2009
by Rosanne Ullman

Check my previous post for the first two points that make job interviewing after beauty school different from interviewing for other types of work. So, continuing with the list regarding the first job in your cosmetology career:

3. Being really good at what you do won’t get you hired. You will be judged more on your attitude than on your skills. Salon owners look for a passion for learning, a good work ethic, a professional demeanor, a nice person and someone who has the enthusiasm to build a clientele. They’re usually willing to train you in what you may be lacking in technical skill. So even though you may be asked to cut a mannequin head, don’t be too nervous. The owner won’t necessarily hire the applicant who performs the best cut, but the one who is most open to improving.
4. “Dress for Success” has a different meaning here. You’re not interviewing to be a bank teller, so the normal advice about dressing conservatively doesn’t apply. You’re also not interviewing to be in a play about someone who just rolled out of bed! Show up wearing something that’s really “you” and demonstrates that you have an eye for fashion; a discreet tattoo or tasteful piercing is acceptable. As long as you’re well-groomed, feel free to express your unique sense of style.

When you’re interviewing to launch a cosmetology career, you must have not only the training behind you but the passion for the work. That’s what will get you hired.

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6 Distinctions of Job Interviewing After Beauty School (Part 1)

Published: August 05, 2009
by Rosanne Ullman

When you graduate from beauty school and get your cosmetology license, you’ll probably interview at several salons. Because so many people are out of work, there’s a ton of advice right now about how to ace the job interview, so read all you can on this topic as you approach your cosmetology school graduation date. But keep a few things in mind that distinguish your interviewing experience from that of your friends looking for some other types of work.

1. The salon job market is never tight. Good salons are always looking for talent, even now. The owner will give you a shot if you seem to fit into the culture and have something to contribute. You may not be able to start at the most upscale or popular salon in town, but you’ll find a salon to take you aboard if you present yourself to your best advantage.
2. Your resume? Not that important. Just out of school, you won’t have much to put on your resume, and you’ll probably be asked to fill out an employment application even if you do have a resume. Just be able to name a reference or two who can talk about you as a worker—such as a previous supervisor even if it was just for an after-school job at a local store or restaurant.

I’ll continue this list next time, but my point is that after cosmetology school you’ll journey out onto a professional terrain unlike any other on the planet.