Tuesday, November 18, 2008
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With so many veterans ending their tour and coming home, there’s been a lot of buzz about what they’ll want to do next.
Cosmetology sch
ool can be a great next step for you if you’re a veteran and, if not, you might want to mention the opportunities
beauty school offers if you know a veteran who’s artistic and loves hair, skin or nails.
After serving in the armed forces, you certainly don’t lack for discipline! While other students may have a tough time tackling the school routine with homework and tests, I have a feeling you’ll be dedicated enough to spend whatever time is necessary. After putting your life on hold to perform such noble service for our country, you deserve the chance to study something as creative as hair styling, as fun as nail technology or as rewarding as skin care or massage.
Tuition may be easier for you to handle as well. Perhaps you’ve been able to stash away some of your income from being in the service. There’s also a possibility you could obtain funding from the new GI Bill set to go into effect in 2009. To do that, you would have to choose a school that grants an associate’s degree for completion of a cosmetology program. But even many cosmetology schools that do not offer AA degrees work with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to provide funding. Thank you for your service to the country. Any
beauty school would be lucky to have you!
Friday, November 14, 2008
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I don't have a problem with nail techs who studied at a general
cosmetology school and, therefore, have a cosmetologist's license that permits them to do hair, nails and skin care. But when some of them do your nails, you can tell that th
ey'd rather be doing your hair. People who go to a
nail technology school attend fewer hours of class and receive a more limited license that permits them to do nails only. Because nails are their passion, often they create a very special experience for the client.
I don't know where my nail tech went to school, but she has a dedication to getting my nails perfect—not good enough, but perfect. I don't have to tell her if a little polish creeps onto the skin, because by the time I notice it she's already correcting the problem. She's also helpful when I choose a color, because she knows which polishes are sheer and which are opaque. The hand and arm massage she gives me is amazing, too. I can see the skill and care that go into her movements.
I tip her very well; it's worth it to me. I type a lot and use my fingers constantly! A lesser manicure would have my nails chipping within days, but a week later my manicure is still in good shape. If you love doing nails, attend either a
nail technology school or a regular
cosmetology school, and then share your gift with people who will appreciate it!
Photo courtesy of Academy of Nail Technology.
Monday, November 10, 2008
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No sooner had Kris
sy Simmons graduated from
cosmetology school (scroll back to read earlier posts about her school experience) than she had to begin preparing to take her state board exams. “In Michigan, you must pass the practical portion of your state boards before you can schedule your theory portion,” Krissy reports. She paid for the exams through her school,
CHIC University of Cosmetology an Empire School. The exam cost $140, and she also was required to pay for her license, which as she recalls cost $48. Working part-time in retail, Krissy didn’t have enough money and borrowed what she needed to cover the fees.
Krissy was so eager to take the boards. “You just want to get in as soon as possible!” she says. But in Michigan they take only eight applicants at a time for the practical portion, which requires you to demonstrate hairdressing procedures on a mannequin head. The soonest Krissy could get scheduled was more than two weeks away. “I did all of my scheduling online at
PSIExams.com,” she reports. “They walk you through almost everything, so it’s pretty convenient.”
She chose the closest location, Grand Rapids, although she says she would have traveled farther if she could have gotten in sooner. “I arrived at the site at 9:30am, as you have to be at the testing location a half-hour before the testing starts or you forfeit your spot,” she notes. Next time we’ll find out how the
cosmetology school grad did that day.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
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Esthetics is such a great field, and once you enroll in an
esthetician school you’re warmly welcomed into the profession. For example, this coming Monday through Thursday the International Spa Association (ISPA) will hold its annual conference and expo in Las Vegas. All students at
skin care schools are invited to join ISPA and attend the conference. For students,
membership costs just $88 for the year.
You can get a wealth of information and education at these events. A lot of business topics are presented to help you brand yourself as a professional and earn as much money as possible. There also are classrooms that focus on the technical end—teaching you new treatment methods, expanding your product knowledge and letting you ask top professionals all of your technical questions.
In addition, the speakers can be very motivating and exciting. This year, one of the keynote speakers is actor Sidney Poitier, who will be presented with ISPA’s Alex Szekely Humanitarian Award for his many charitable achievements. I happened to hear Poitier speak earlier this year at another conference, so I can tell you first hand that at 81 years old he is amazing and inspiring. As he told his life story in his beautiful speaking voice, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house! You can find more information at the ISPA website. When you become an
esthetician school student, you’ll get to attend a lot of these very cool events.
Photo is courtesy of The National Laser Institute
Sunday, November 02, 2008
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If you’re thinking about attending
beauty school and happen to be anywhere near central New Jersey next Sunday, November 9, treat yourself to an evening at the
Lab Paul Mitchell Partner School’s special event. The Paul Mitchell organization runs such great schools, and this is just one example—the students’ final project is to host and design the hair for a runway
presentation of 70 models styled under the theme “Daydreams and Nightmares.” Each of the 35 graduating students will present one “daydream” style and one “nightmare” style.
If you’re getting into beauty you’re likely to be a very creative person. Can you imagine how much fun it would be to fashion the hair for this show? The photo here is one entry: daydream or nightmare? Anybody’s guess! But that’s not even the best part of this experience. Both the Paul Mitchell product company and the school group place high priority on charity and giving back. Ticket and raffle sales from this event will benefit The Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation, which will pass the money along to Leeza’s Place, an organization founded by celeb Leeza Gibbons that provides safe haven for people with dementia, Alzheimer’s and other memory loss conditions.
The event will also feature a d.j. dance party. For the small $10 admission price, you’ll have a great time and get a glimpse into your exciting future as a
beauty school student. For information about time and place,
click here. Then come back and tell us how you enjoyed it!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
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If you happened to catch “Desperate Housewives” on Sunday, you heard Carlos mention possibly going to
massage therapy school to become a
massage therapist. Carlos had never had anything close to a cosmetology career but, having recently lost his vision, he concluded that massage was a good professional choice because the work is through the hands, not the
eyes. A blind man could perform just as effective a massage as a sighted person.
While his statement was played a bit for laughs, Carlos was actually spot-on. Massage therapists rely pretty exclusively on their hands. It’s their highly trained sense of touch that gives them the information they need about the client’s tightness and problem areas. Some professional massage therapists tell me that they close their eyes as they perform the massage.
Yet Carlos sorely missed the mark in another important way. He referred to becoming a “masseur.” Similarly, in TV’s “Friends” reruns, you’ll hear Phoebe refer to herself as a “masseuse.” Although these terms are still used in Europe, in the United States they’ve been outdated for at least 15 years. A “massage therapist” indicates that the person is a professional who has graduated from
massage therapy school, whereas “masseur” and “masseuse” have taken on a connotation associated with escort services, if you get my drift. These terms are aptly addressed in an article at suite101.com. If Carlos ever does go for massage, he’ll love the profession, and I guarantee he’ll learn the proper term for what he does!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
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Picking up Krissy Simmons’ story of her days as a student at
CHIC University of Cosmetology an Empire School in Portage, Michigan, we meet Nicci, her first
beauty school friend. “We were inseparable,” Krissy says, “but she transferred to a different location of CHIC. That was pretty tough on me.”
However, January brought a new group of students, including Holly who, like Krissy, was in her 20s and had been in the work world before entering beauty school. “We hit it off instantly and became fast friends,” Krissy recalls. “We’re very much alike.” It was not instant with Jay. Krissy remembers, “I was intimidated by him, because all of the girls—and even the teachers!—thought Jay was the most amazing-looking guy they’d ever seen. It took a little bit before we started talking, but now we are the best of friends.” Another male student, Shane, was different from the others and kept to himself, so Krissy avoided him at the beginning. Once they struck up a few conversations, however, they discovered they were soul mates. “Shane is probably the best friend I’ve ever had,” Krissy writes now. “He’ll be my maid of honor in my wedding some day, I’m sure :).”
While Krissy says she didn’t go to
beauty school to make friends, she’s grateful she has them. “I don’t think I would have made it through the rough patches without those friends,” she says. “I thank God every day for putting them in my path at CHIC.”
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
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By now, you probably get it: no matter where your birthday falls, there’s a place for you at
beauty school and personal fulfillment to be found in a
cosmetology career. Stick with me for the remaining two astrological signs.
Aquarius: Beyond creative, you’re actually innovative, the first to enthusiastically welcome anything new to come along. Given ample opportunity, you’ll wow them in your cutting and coloring classes, so choose a school that encourages originality. The same goes for the salon you join—if everyone looks exactly alike you won’t be happy there. You want to express yourself! Your clients will love asking you to give them something a little different. Also, select a salon that gives back to the community. You have a big heart.
Pisces: Artistic and easygoing, you have a nature that will do well in hair, nails, skin care or massage. Not everyone is multi-talented enough to consider all of cosmetology’s professions, but you are! Similarly, you’ll be happy in pretty much any school and, later, working at any salon, as long as everyone there appreciates your talent. While you enjoy stability, you also need a structure that gives you some freedom to follow your intuition, plus at some point you may want to teach. Since money isn’t all the important to you, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the income you’ll generate just by being you.
That’s the whole Zodiac! A
cosmetology career offers so many opportunities that every personality can find a rewarding path within it.
Friday, October 17, 2008
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Going through the horoscope is taking me longer than I thought! But since I started this whimsical look at how your astrological sign lines up with success in
beauty school and in a professional
cosmetology career, I’d better finish.
Sagittarius: You’re such a free spirit and you love to travel, so beauty school could provide an opportunity to spend a year on an adventure in a new location. Impulsive and optimistic, you’ll tend to enroll in the first school you consider, but first make sure it offers a variety of academic options to accommodate your independent streak. After graduation, choose a salon that has zero tolerance for unethical behavior. You may not like tons of rules, but you are highly moral—and ambitious! Go for a clear career path with opportunities for you to teach others. Funny and a great conversationalist, you’ll keep your clients forever!
Capricorn: Focused and not afraid to work hard, you want to start making money ASAP, so a
one-year cosmetology program is perfect. Opt for a school with a structured program that includes business classes, since marketing yourself is a real talent of yours. The salon that hires you will be gaining a loyal, responsible and skilled employee. You’ll build your clientele quickly, because people trust your judgment. Since you like to be in charge, consider applying to be manager of the salon after a couple of years.
Almost finished! I’ll address how the last two signs fit with
beauty school next time.
Monday, October 13, 2008
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On to more astrological signs and how they mesh with
beauty school and a
cosmetology career!
Virgo: Your combination of great communication skills and strong desire to help others will make you an ideal cosmetologist. You thrive on an intellectual environment, so find a school with instructors who encourage questions and then challenge you to think for yourself. Because you’re methodical and a bit of a perfectionist, you can become expert at working with hair color formulas; you’d do well in esthetics, too. Find a salon that’s high-class, refined and squeaky clean.
Libra: With your great smile and easy-going attitude, you’ll make people feel instantly comfortable in your care whether you do their hair, nails, skin care or massage, and your creative muscles will stretch and grow in cosmetology. Find a school with friendly students and staff, and interview at salons that treat everyone like one big family while valuing creative independence and rewarding hard work.
Scorpio: You have so much passion, focus and imagination—you’re a natural for a creative
career like cosmetology! With your self-direction and intense level of concentration, you’ll do well at a school that offers some independent study. Choose a salon that embraces your ambition and offers plenty of room to grow. At both school and at work, you’ll enjoy the opportunity to enter hair competitions and show what you’ve got!
If your sign hasn’t come up yet, check back soon to see how you’ll fit with a
cosmetology career.