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Editor's Blog

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!

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Recessionistas Flock to New York Cosmetology Schools

Published: October 16, 2009
by Rosanne Ullman

With fashionistas transforming into “recessionistas,” cosmetology schools particularly in fashion capitals like New York City are benefiting from increased business at the student salon, also called the “clinic floor.” In exploring this trend, a New York Times article reported that the number of new clients at Aveda Institute New York was up 15 percent over the 2008 figure. While a hair cut at New York beauty schools can run about $20, try getting anywhere near that price at a Manhattan salon. For women who are unemployed or married to someone who’s unemployed, being able to maintain their hair in a budget-friendly manner is a godsend.

At the Empire School location in Queens, NY, the year started with a 50 percent surge in clinic floor clientele over last year’s start, the article continues, with younger professional women more represented among the clientele. In skin care services, NYC’s Christine Valmy International School began noticing higher demand by late summer 2008 for its $27-$35 facials, perhaps serving as an early indicator that a recession was at hand.

This trend is showing up not only in New York cosmetology schools, but throughout the country as clients look for alternatives to their high-end urban salons. So consider enrolling in beauty school sooner rather than later. When the economy improves, many of these potentially high-ticket clients will follow their student hairdressers to salons. Schools love it when you take clients with you; it’s the highest form of compliment to the school!

Photo is courtesy of Empire Schools.

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Cosmetology School Education Funding on Agenda for “Welcome to Our World” Event

Published: October 12, 2009
by Rosanne Ullman

If you’re in Washington, DC, this Wednesday, October 14, you’ll find more than 100 beauty industry professionals, including representatives from Washington, DC, cosmetology schools and other beauty schools participating in the 10th annual “Welcome to Our World” event. Sponsored by the Professional Beauty Federation (PBF), the popular event offers members of Congress and their staffs complimentary haircuts, mini-manicures, makeup applications and neck-and-shoulder massages. In return, the salon industry gets the ear of Congress for important issues. One matter the group will bring up at this year’s event concerns beauty education.

“The PBF supports recent Congressional efforts to promote and expand access to postsecondary education and enhance students’ ability to choose the type of educational program that best meets their own individual, professional career and employment goals,” according to a PBF spokesperson. “In a $60 billion a year industry where job market demand for qualified applicants exceeds supply by more than three to one, it is vitally important that Congress preserve a student’s ability to enroll in a cosmetology institution of higher education, receive the benefits of a quality postsecondary education, and be prepared to enter the ranks of our professional workforce.”

Isn’t it great to be in an industry that organizes efforts to make sure your cosmetology school education is funded as aggressively as other higher education? This is a wonderful career choice for you, and this is just one example of how those who have gone before you are out there fighting for your rights!

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Economy Drives Students and Clients to Pennsylvania Beauty Schools

Published: October 08, 2009
by Rosanne Ullman

As in other states I’ve been gathering information on, Pennsylvania beauty schools are experiencing an increase in enrollment, especially of older students, now that people are being laid off or looking for work that is considered relatively recession-proof. “Anytime the economy is poor we seem to thrive a little bit more,” says Altoona Beauty School owner Linzi Biesinger in Altoona, PA. “Our enrollment has picked up in all of our programs. I just read an essay by an applicant who wrote, ‘When I lost my job, I told my husband that now I can do what I’ve always wanted to do—I can be a hairdresser!’”

Unlike in industries where jobs are drying up, salons continue to hire. “We’ve seen no difference in placement rates,” Biesinger tells me. “Now that we have more graduates, maybe there won’t be as large a gap between the number we graduate and the jobs available, but there have always been more job positions then graduates to fill them.”

The other result of a tight economy is that students have more clients than ever to practice on as bargain-hunters are turning more and more to beauty schools for their hairdressing needs. “We see clients coming to us for their big-ticket services like color and perms and going to their salon for cuts,” Biesinger reports. “We use high-end product lines like Paul Mitchell Color and OPI Nails, so people understand that they’re not taking a big risk coming to us. They will still get quality beauty care.”

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New Jersey Beauty Schools Reflect National Growth Trend

Published: October 04, 2009
by Rosanne Ullman

I’m continuing on my roundup from areas of the country to see how the tough economy is affecting enrollment rates at cosmetology schools. Many, including some New Jersey beauty schools, report a noticeable rise in enrollment and, especially, an increase in students crossing over from other professions. They’ve either been laid off from other jobs or, with employment generally so shaky currently, just feel this is the right time to make a change.

Shore Beauty School in Pleasantville, NJ, is one such school. Owner Kameron Rabenou was quoted as saying, “People are tired of bouncing around, and they want skills they can take with [them] throughout their working life.” According to a recent New York Daily News article, this reflects a national trend: “Many beauty schools say they’re seeing a rise in applications from 9-to-5ers; some want a second career for additional income, others want a backup plan because of the weak economy.” The article quoted Steve Haines, executive director at Empire Schools: “I hear a lot of students say, ‘I’ve always wanted to do this.’ They’re using this economic climate as a catalyst to make that change.”

But will there be jobs for the increasing numbers of graduates? “Jobs in the personal appearance field will grow 14 percent from 2006 to 2016 — faster than most occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,” the Daily News article continues. Next time I’ll give you the perspective from a neighboring state of the New Jersey beauty schools.

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