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Vietnamese Immigrants Thriving in Nail Art Community

Posted on: July 2nd, 2012 by Becca 1 Comment

It is not uncommon to walk into a nail salon in California and be served by a Vietnamese American. In fact, it is quite common in many states for a person of Vietnamese descent to apply your acrylic tips. According to statistics published in Nails magazine, an industry magazine dedicated to manicures and pedicures and those who perform them, there are more than 400,000 nail specialists in the United States. Of those 400,000, Nails states that as much as 45 percent of nail specialists in the United States could be Vietnamese. They also said that in the state of California, an estimated 80 percent of nail technicians have Vietnamese heritage.

In the 1960s, not many of these Asian immigrants were admitted into the United States. There were barely 4,000 Vietnamese that immigrated to the country during that entire decade, according to the U.S. Office of Immigration Statistics. As the years passed, more Vietnamese immigrants were admitted into the country. A majority of them who entered into the United States arrived there after 1975. Without many people hiring, the Vietnamese were willing to do just about anything to find work and live the American dream, and nail art and design came to the top of the list. Not to mention, television shows of the 70s depicted women with nails done in the salon, which stirred up new ideas and opportunities for immigrants in pursuit of jobs or opening their own businesses. In addition, the nail industry requires short, inexpensive training at nail schools, and there’s not a huge need for the English language to perform these services, so immigrants discovered an industry where they could make a middle class salary and not spend a fortune for training. For those wanting to become a nail technician, the training is short and can get students into the job market quickly. Some schools, especially in areas with high populations of Vietnamese immigrants, even teach the classes in the Vietnamese language.

When a person attends a nail program, he or she can expect to learn to apply tips and artificial nails, as well as how to paint nails, and proper hygiene and sanitation techniques for nail care. A few schools will teach in Vietnamese language, while other schools and states require the curriculum and testing to be done in English only. In areas where Vietnamese-speaking individuals commonly reside, the test for nail technicians may be given in a their native language For instance, in Pennsylvania, the test may be given in Vietnamese, Spanish or English, while Connecticut only permits the exam be administered in English. The states of California and Virginia administer the nail technician board exams in English, Spanish or Vietnamese.

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Are Dominicans Taking Black Salon Business?

Posted on: June 29th, 2012 by Becca 3 Comments

When an African American woman wanted a weave or her hair relaxed, she typically ventured to a black salon, since non-black salons usually were not staffed with stylists who know how to do kinky or textured hair. It was there that she could socialize and gossip with other women and get her hair done in a manner that was best for suited for her. Now, Dominican-run salons are taking over a portion of the business that black beauty parlors used to dominate.

Black Hair Salon Customers

For example, Dominican salons use a special technique for straightening that works well on black hair. This technique is a blowout technique that consists of applying wet rollers to the client’s hair. For about 45 minutes, the client will sit underneath of a hairdryer. A blowdryer and a round brush will then be used simultaneously to smooth out the hair. This process must be done at the tip of the roots in order for it to be successful. When the technique is implemented correctly, it takes less time and costs less than your average black salon. The result of the treatment is super straight hair. Also, the steps that Dominican salons utilize help prolong the effects of the chemicals used in the chemical relaxing process, and if the hair is not already straightened, this process can have results that are just as positive as a chemical straightening. This leads to less frequent visits to the salon and in many cases happier customers.

An Atlanta hairdresser by the name of Jennifer Jackson states that she has noticed a huge change in the number of clients she sees due to the fact that there is a Dominican salon taking over in her area. She reported that clients have been canceling and doing no-call-no-shows more lately, since the rise in popularity with Dominican salons. She is adamant that the Dominican beauticians are passing out fliers to her customers.

“Bad Boy” Romeo Crews is stylist in Atlanta who says that the Dominicans have assisted him with gaining business, because the Dominican’s technique has been causing hair to fall out. It has also been noted that the way they style hair results in excess breakage.

Now that the trend of styling black hair has shifted more toward being open to Dominican hairdressers, many African American beauticians are seeing a drastic decrease in their business. Customers who traditionally would only go to a black stylist are now looking toward the non-black stylists more than ever before. This leaves those working at black salons with a decrease in business, and in dire need of something fresh to compete with.

Some say, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” Beauticians that work in black salons need to start bettering the services that they offer to compete on an all-new level. It sounds like the key areas they need to compete on are time, quality and cost. These are the key factors that are affecting the customers’ decisions in not “supporting their own” when it comes to choosing a salon. Better marketing for black salon businesses may also help. Step up your game and get customers back in your chairs!

At the end of the day, Beauty Schools Directory supports all hairstylists, and want to see every single hairstylist and salon business be successful, regardless of race. But we also support healthy competition in the name of innovation, so we look forward to seeing salon businesses run by people of both ethnicities thrive and grow and lead the charge in the beauty industry.

Are you an African American or Dominican stylist or salon owner? Make your voice heard! Weigh in on the comments below and tell us your story or experience.

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SLCC Students Protest Closure of Cosmetology Program

Posted on: June 11th, 2012 by Becca No Comments

Ever since Salt Lake Community College administrators announced it would be closing doors on its cosmetologist training program, cosmetology students have been voicing their discontent. Cosmetology students in Salt Lake City are seeking ways to prevent the program from closing down in two years.

Increasing the prices for student haircuts is one proposal that has been offered by student leaders. One student leader, Rochelle Hall, thinks that clients are willing to pay more than $2 for a haircut. She was quoted by ABC News as saying that clients are willing to pay a little extra in order to ensure the program can continue its operations. Overall, the student body seems to be upset over the closure of the program. Even students who are not studying within the beauty school disagree with the decision, since they enjoy having access to affordable haircuts.

Student leaders in the Revolutionary Student Union will be holding a rally to voice their opposition to the discontinuance of the SLCC salon program. Students hope to find common ground with administrators at the rally and offer alternatives to the closure of the program.

The administration of the cosmetology program at SLCC cites budget costs and poor job placement as the main reasons for the closure of the program, and they consider the issue closed. Costs for the program were increasing by $80,000 every year, and the revenue simply wasn’t increasing to meet the increased costs. In fact, administrators stated that the program cost over $1.5 million to operate every year. Only $700,000 was coming back in cash flow, making the program very costly to operate. About 500 beauty school students were graduating from the program every year.

In two years, the administrators of the Salt Lake Community College salon program plan on closing its doors. The administrators have chosen to make students aware of the closure of the school to ensure everyone is able to graduate within that time frame. The building will be destroyed in two years. A new administration building with classrooms will replace the current location for the SLCC beauty school program.

The effects of the announcement have resulted in a drop in clientele for student salon stylists. After the announcement was made by administrators, the number of clients seeking haircuts has dropped by 50 percent. A Facebook group called “Save the SLCC Cosmetology Barbering Program” has been created to garner more support from the community to attempt to stop the shutting down of the program.

Even though the SLCC program will be closing doors in two years, students in Salt Lake City can still pursue their dream of becoming a stylist. Plenty of other cosmetology schools can be found in the area, and students may be able to obtain financial aid or scholarship money from these schools. The best thing to do is talk to the available cosmetology schools in Salt Lake City, UT and ask for more information about the programs and financial aid options. To help aspiring SLC cosmetology students, we have put together this checklist of things to ask admissions reps: How to Choose a Beauty School

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Are Fish Pedicures Dangerous?

Posted on: June 4th, 2012 by Becca 1 Comment

Are fish pedicures safe?

We brought you the news in May that Cindy Vong in Gilbert, Arizona has teamed up with the Goldwater Institute to sue the Arizona Board of Cosmetology over being barred from offering fish pedicures as a service in her salon. New research has shown that the ever popular fish pedicures may not be as safe as people once thought. The researchers of UK Center for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences have recently performed a study on the fish used in these treatments and their susceptibility to carry harmful bacteria.

A fish pedicure involves a tiny Asian fish called the Garra Rufa. It feasts on a client’s toes to get rid of any dead skin. This may sound barbaric, but Eastern countries have been practicing this treatment for thousands of years. The fish have no teeth and they tickle clients more than anything. The research began with a shipment of the Garra Rufa from Indonesia, which was intercepted and treated at a UK airport for disease. Scientists from the UK Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the fish were carrying a variety of harmful bacteria that were not easily treated. For example, a strand of Vibrio vulnificus was found. It can make open wounds break out and infect people with the lethal disease, Septicemia.

Despite the bacteria found in the fish, there have been only a handful of people who have ever reported being infected with bacteria after dipping their toes with the Garra Rufa. Still, several states in the U.S. have banned the practice, including Virginia and Delaware. Researchers specifically have advised that people with weak immune systems or diabetes to avoid a fish pedicure. A suitable alternative is for salons to order their fish from special facilities where the fish are raised in controlled atmospheres rather than less reliable international sources.

If you decide to visit a salon that offers fish pedicures or new salon in general, there are some guidelines you should follow to ensure that your experience is healthy and clean. This list was put forth by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) in order to help people understand what they can do to avoid getting an infection.

First and foremost do not get a manicure or a pedicure if you have an open wound or infection. This includes everything from bug bites to dry skin. Bacteria could spread or become even more infected by irritation from the treatment. Also, whenever skin to skin contact is involved, there is a risk of transmitting a virus or harmful bacteria.

Nail technicians should have a license to work in the U.S. that allows them to work in a nail salon. Pay attention that the nail technician uses proper hygiene and wears gloves. They also need to use sterilized equipment or replace items for each person. Do not get your cuticles cut or calluses shaved to avoid getting accidentally cut. And if you do decide to take the plunge and get a fish pedicure, ask about the origins and testing of the fish. If you feel the salon is unclean or unscrupulous for any reason, trust your instinct and find somewhere else to go.

Have you had a fish pedicure? Do you or your salon offer the fish pedicure service? Tell us your experience in the comments below!

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Goldwater Institute Sues Arizona Board of Cosmetology Over Fish Pedicures

Posted on: May 4th, 2012 by Becca No Comments

2008 was supposed to be a prosperous year for Cindy Vong who had opened her Lavie Nail Salon in Gilbert, Arizona two years previously. However, the Vietnamese native was forced to close her business after introducing a “spa fish pedicure.” For those who have never heard of a fish pedicure, each session involves clients sinking their feet into a tank filled with Garra Rufa fish. These specially imported Chinese carp will then begin to nibbme at the dead skin on a person’s foot. This is a pain free process that tickles more then anything as the toothless fish eats their lunch.

Before a client entered the fish tanks, Vong would check each foot for any potential wounds or cuts. Then the feet would be cleaned with antibacterial soap before entering the fresh water used during each treatment. Once the fish had their fill, then the feet would be cleaned once more with soap.

However, according to the Arizona Board of Cosmetology this was not up to par on health codes. The board expressed their concerns in November 2008 to Vong that they felt the carp were not allowed under Arizona state health codes. Then a couple of months later in January, Vong received a letter from the head of the board, Sue Sansom. The letter stated that she was in direct violation of safety standards and that she could face criminal charges if the fish stayed. Vong was left with no choice but to remove the fish from her salon until granted an appeal. She has since been in court for two years fighting the charge.

Garra Rufa fish have been used for centuries in Asian counties. However, some states, like Virginia, Delaware and 17 others, do not agree with the practice and have made it illegal.

This past Friday, The Goldwater Institute fought on Vong’s behalf at the Maricopa County Superior Court. The Goldwater institute is a public policy nonprofit organization founded by Barry M. Goldwater. The head attorney, Clint Bolick, argued that the ban on the fish pedicure was not constitutional because their are no regulations on the fish found in the bylaws of the Arizona Board of Cosmetology. Therefore, the Goldwater Institute claims that they are unfairly punishing Vong from potential clients.

An attorney from the Goldwater Institute said, “Vong has a right to earn an honest living, and the board has no business shutting down her spa fish therapy… This case stands for entrepreneurs who think outside the box, especially during times when economy is not so great.”

The cosmetology board in Arizona then argued that fish could easily spread bacteria via open cuts on someone’s foot. However, Vong cleaned and checked each foot before the treatment. Also, the fish have no teeth and it would not be possible for them to penetrate the skin.

The courts will decide if the ban on Vong’s fish pedicure was unjust over the next few months.

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California “Non-Toxic” Nail Polish Study Found Toxins

Posted on: April 23rd, 2012 by Becca No Comments

Little ones who dream of growing up and becoming professional cosmetologists, nail techs, or any other profession that helps women be as beautiful as they can be do not usually consider their dream a dangerous one, and it should not be. A recent report released by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) about tests done in California nail salons brings up concerns however. In most positions that deal with beauty products day in and day out, there is significant exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. This is not a real issue usually as beauty schools train their students to deal with these safely. The problem comes, when as the report notes, products are mislabeled.

The DTSC randomly selects brands of nail polish to test for toxins that are labeled as not containing them. Recently, they discovered that several brands that claimed to not contain any toxins at all actually did contain certain ones in varying amounts. While consumers are exposed, and there is the potential for harm, the real harm lies with those who are exposed all day every day, the workers.

What does this mean for those who work in the nail field and for those who are training to do so? Basically, enjoy your job, but always remain aware of the dangers just like in any other job. And be proactive. Do not believe everything label you read. It has already been proven that they cannot be trusted. Be your own advocate and do not rely on others to do it for you.

What do safety precautions in nail salons and nail technician schools look like? Well, choose to work in salons that are well ventilated, and if you own a salon, make sure it is well ventilated for the sake of those who work there. Wear the most protective mask available regardless of what the product label says, and take frequent breaks. Also, keep up with reports that are released so that you can know which brands have been found to contain chemicals that they claim not to.

No one else is going to do it for you. Do the best you can with the information you have and take your well-being into your own hands. If you begin to feel ill from chemical exposure, go out and breathe some fresh air during your next break. Keep masks handy, and do not allow yourself to be exposed any more than necessary. Most importantly, as this study shows, don’t always trust the labels and do your research.

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Paul Mitchell Students Worked Behind the Scenes at the Filming of the Hunger Games!

Posted on: April 13th, 2012 by Becca No Comments

Hunger Games Hair & Makeup - Photo by Murray Close

Photo by Murray Close, Courtesy of TheHungerGamesMovie.com

It might be difficult at first to imagine what a cosmetology school just outside of Charlotte could have to do with the making of The Hunger Games, but a handful of students and educators from the Paul Mitchell School in Gastonia, North Carolina were called upon to help create many of the hairstyles and hairpieces that brought the hundreds of characters to life in the wildly popular thriller released in theaters last month.

The first Hunger Games movie involves an array of elaborate and colorful outfits and hairstyles, so professionals from all over the world were called upon to bring the incredibly ambitious project to life. For the students that were fortunate enough to work on the movie, the experience was no doubt unforgettable, albeit busy and demanding. It certainly put their hair and makeup skills they’re learning in cosmetology school to the test. The majority of the scenes were filmed on location in North Carolina, so none of the staff or students had to travel far to get a taste of Hollywood.

Evidently, the workload of preparing over 700 hairpieces for The Hunger Games was too much for Academy Award winner Linda Flowers, who called the Paul Mitchell School last summer in hopes of securing some help for the project. Instructors Rex Faile and Bryce Carey jumped at the opportunity to help their esteemed colleague from Los Angeles.Faile, Carey and their pupils were assigned the task of dying, braiding and otherwise prepping hundreds of wigs for the actors and the cameras. Bright and vibrant colors were employed whenever possible, allowing many young cosmetologists to explore the properties of dye colors that they rarely get a chance to use in a typical salon or school environment, such as silver or green. They result of an approach that left no stone unturned is a visually captivating movie that holds the audience on the edge of their seats throughout.

In total, it took over 60 hairstylists and interns the better part of a humid and muggy Southern summer to complete more than 700 hairpieces for The Hunger Games, along with 4,000 eyelashes and 2,000 fingernails. Many of the students and interns were ecstatic to be working alongside a few of the stars that they’ve been admiring on the big screen for years. Naturally, many of them are seeing the film several times in order to be able to properly appreciate their own workSaid one young designer that worked on set to reporters, “I see Katniss walk by with the braids and I’m thinking, ‘That’s my work.’” While a movie of the size and scope of The Hunger Games may not come through North Carolina again for a long time, the skills and resume building that the many students from Paul Mitchell School attained will likely lead them to other interesting jobs in the near future.

Love the movie? Check out these hot Hunger Games items!

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When it comes to 2012 beauty trends, imperfect is the new perfect

Posted on: January 25th, 2012 by Becca No Comments

Perfection is so overdone, and if you’re anything like us, you’re getting sick of seeing it, too. Well, we’re not alone. Leading stylists and makeup artists tout that the minimalist look is the new look of 2012, as opposed to the overly made-up look that has been in for quite some time.

Let’s start from the top. Your hair doesn’t need to be washed everyday. Contrary to popular belief, washing your hair daily does more harm than good. When you wash your tresses too frequently, you’re removing all the natural oils that provide your locks with a healthy shine. Don’t get us wrong, we don’t advise not bathing for days on end, but only washing your hair every other day will give your hair the natural sheen that is popular, rather than a glossy look create from plenty of hair product.

Spending hours doing your hair is a thing of the past, at least for 2012. Instead of spending two hours curling your hair into many tiny twisted locks, tousle your hair around a little bit and go! This season is all about casual looks, so opt for a bun on your head or a loose chignon. You don’t even have to get that fancy, even a simple ponytail makes a fashion statement.

If you’ve been bleaching your eyebrows, stop right now, because those dark eyebrows, you know that ones that match your natural hair color, are trendy. If you want to lighten them a tad, use a eyebrow gel to lighten subtly rather than a bleach that provides you with a drastic, unnatural look.

Although the smoky eye lives forever, add a modern twist to this classic look by using metallics or do a reverse smoky eye, meaning you should apply the effect to your bottom eyelid line. Rather than applying your eyeliner carefully using a defining pencil or your eye shadow precisely using an applicator, try digging in and using your fingers to make a “just got out of bed and did my makeup in two minutes look.” If you don’t use your fingers to apply, at least use them to smudge. You might also want to consider losing the look with black eyeliner applied around your entire eye, and try only lining the corners of the eye into the center.

Skip the lip liner or at least smudge it. For the beginning of 2012, looking like you just consumed a Popsicle is sexy and also a makeup trend that is easy to achieve. All you need to do is apply a bright color to the center of your lips. By pressing your lips together and then rolling them, it will appear like you just ate a freeze pop. When putting on lipstick, try simply pouting your lip and pressing the makeup directly on. This gives you the pretty appearance without being too prim and proper.

Avoid putting makeup on every inch of your face; instead, use concealer on problem areas rather than plastering foundation on your entire face. Highlight only one feature, such as your lips, as opposed to applying heavy makeup on your eyes and lips. Less if definitely more this season.

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Chop it off: Short hairstyles rule in 2012

Posted on: January 23rd, 2012 by Becca No Comments

In 2011, long, wavy tresses ruled the roost, but in 2012, short pixie cuts and edgier short hairstyles are the newest trend for many of Hollywood’s leading ladies. Short hairstyles have been spotted on runways from New York to Milan and on red carpets from Los Angles to London. As summer approaches, shorter hairstyles may gain even more popularity as women rush to beat the heat and cut off layers of long heavy hair. If you are looking to update your look for the new year, opt for some of the shorter hairstyles worn by some of Hollywood’s most darling women.

Celebrity Short Styles
Several celebrities began sporting shorter hairstyles and opted to chop off their lovely locks for stylish pixie cuts and shoulder-length bobs. Some of the most startling hair transformations came from actresses Carey Mulligan, Emma Watson and Michelle Williams who all selected trendy, but classic, pixie cuts.

Other celebrities like Tilda Swinton, best known for her role as the White Witch in The Chronicles of Narnia films, chose to sport an edgier, punk-inspired short cut that features a shaved back and sides. Pop superstar and fellow fashionistas Rihanna sported a similar style but with an electric red hue instead of Swinton’s platinum blonde tones. Evan Rachel Wood also wowed this year with a shorter, edgier hairstyle instead of her signature long red locks.

Some stars, like Cameron Diaz, Charlize Theron, and Jennifer Aniston opted for medium-length cuts like the classic bob styles that are cut to best suit each woman’s individual face shape.

TRY IT: The Pixie Cut
Audrey Hepburn made this look famous in the film Roman Holiday. Mia Farrow’s short pixie cut in Rosemary’s Baby is also an iconic piece of film, pop culture and fashion history. The pixie cut is one of the most popular shorter hairstyles due to its manageability and suitability for many different face shapes. Styles like the pixie cut are best suited for individuals with oval, long and square face shapes. Regardless of your face shape and size, a professional stylist can create the perfect cut to complement your face. If you would like to try a pixie cut, you should know that this style is not ideal for individuals with tight curls.

TRY IT: The Shoulder-Length Bob
Made popular during the 1920s, the bob is back with a vengeance in 2012. The re-emergence of this stylish take on shorter hair has been mirrored in Hollywood and in hair salons across the country. This bob style is a great option for women who like to have the flexibility to wear their short style up in a ponytail or an elegant updo. The bob can be customized for a variety of face shapes. If you are interested in trying a bob cut, be sure to investigate the many types of bob styles, which include the asymmetric bob, semi bob and graduated bob.

TRY IT: The Punk-Inspired Short Cut
If you are not afraid to take risks, try a punk-inspired short cut. These styles aren’t for the faint of heart as they will surely grab the attention of those around you. Punk-inspired short cuts typically feature short back and sides that are razor-cut or shaved off completely. The crown portion is usually left longer to enhance styling possibilities. Punk-inspired short cuts are surprisingly versatile in that they can incorporate curled, spiky and wavy styles. If you opt for a punk-inspired short cut, be sure to enhance your new locks with statement earrings. Pop sensation Rihanna and Evan Rachel Wood have been photographed complimenting their super short tresses with over-sized rock-and-roll-inspired earrings and other “bad girl” accessories.

Try these short hair styling products:

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Rocking 2012 with Punk Rock Hairstyles & Fashion

Posted on: January 20th, 2012 by Becca No Comments

Courtesy ToriVT via Flickr

Fashion couture companies have embraced the punk rocker look of the ’70s. Recent runway collections from Alexander McQueen, Burberry and more – spurred on by the runaway success of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo novel and its film adaptations – have been marked spikes, studs and black leather. The spirit of punk fashion is hard-edged and free; there is no pressure to put together the “right” outfit in this fashion genre. The more freedom one embraces while achieving the punk rock look, the more authentic he or she appears.

Punk rock fashion is all about authenticity. The punk movement arose in response to the harsh economic climate of the ‘70s, where the youth of the U.S., the U.K. and Australia were hardest hit, and is best marked by iconic bands like The Clash, The Ramones and the Sex Pistols. What resulted from this anti-establishment phenomenon in music was an anti-fashion statement.

It’s no surprise, then, that during an even rougher economic climate, with young people facing harsh unemployment rates yet again, there’s been a resurgence in the punk movement’s style. We’ve got a few ways that you can express your own punk rock affiliation beyond just donning a little leather.

Chopped Layers
A more sophisticated and chic form of the punk rocker hairdo is the chopped layer look. Ask your hairstylist for chopped layers, and he or she will know exactly what you mean. Instead of refining the ends of layers, a hairstylist will cut a more exaggerated diagonal layer. Getting a few highlights can also help you look like the ultimate punk rocker. Red highlights look hot on women with blonde or brown hair.

White Highlights
For women with black or darker hair, one way to create a rocker look is by adding white or grey highlights. White highlights have a very sexy look on women with punk rocker hairstyles. This is a more modern way to achieve a subtle punk rocker look that you can wear everyday.

The Short Bob
The short bob makes women look fierce and strong. The bob frames one’s face and makes any woman look chiseled, smart, and rebellious. You can customize this hairstyle in whatever way looks best for your face shape. If you have a round face, then you may want to get forward bangs cut. If you have a square face shape, then you will want to get a side-sweeping bang.

Shave a Little Off
Shave the back and sides and leave the top of your hair long. Or just shave down the back and leave the front sections. Or shave one side of your head and have cascading locks down the other. The punk movement was about doing all the things that the establishment told you couldn’t be done, so get daring and edgy and bold with your hair. Run with that one crazy idea you’ve always had.

Getting the rocker look is the best way to take on a bold, new attitude for 2012. 2012 is the year of your independence and freedom, why not look the part?

Get the punk rock hair look: