Posted on: June 6th, 2013 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments
As societies grow and demographics change, the demand for pedicure services has grown and changed along with it. Nowadays there is a much greater need for pedicures with advanced training as the market continues to grow. We spoke with Suzanne Foote, Executive Director of the International Pedicure Association, to get her take on the foot care industry of today.
Her background in pedicures began when she was a foot care nurse. She became interested in the beauty industry when she started teaching advanced pedicures for the North American School of Podology in 2003.
“I was a nurse first and was teaching nursing when I recognized the need for foot care and got into that,” Foote said.
The International Pedicure Association connects pedicure specialists globally. While the definition of pedicures is the same across countries, in Canada, estheticians and skin care professionals do pedicures, whereas in the U.S. it’s cosmetologists and nail technicians. In Europe, pedicures are their own entity – not paired with manicures or any other beauty service.
“Manicures and pedicures have become a lifestyle,” Foote said. “It’s not something that’s just a special occasion anymore. Very few people get to age 20 or 25 who have not had a manicure and pedicure, but many have not had a facial.”
Industry studies have shown that more teenagers and 20-something’s are enjoying the benefits of advanced foot care like pedicures, and they have more disposable income available to spend on themselves. This, paired with the increased emphasis on looks these days, is yielding more demand for high quality, professional pedicures than previously. Whether it’s young professionals cleaning up to look great for the office, the healthy elderly keeping themselves in top condition, or men embracing new grooming services, the foot care industry is growing at unprecedented levels.
What are people looking for in a pedicurist, and what does it take to become a successful foot care professional?
“The first thing you have to have is a passion for what you’re doing,” Foote advised. “This is a service industry, and there’s a lot of competition out there. You need to be observant, and pay attention to what you see, looking for problems or changes in the client’s skin or nails. You need to be a good listener and really hear what your clients are saying. You need to be detail-oriented and have manual dexterity.”
Foote also added that there are many fungi and bacterial infections to keep an eye out for when working with clients on a regular basis. It goes beyond being immaculate in safety, sanitation and infection control procedures. Pedicurists are in a unique position to recognize problems and help guide clients to both prevent and manage these challenges. (re terminology – Doctors ‘treat’ and we ‘manage – they get upset if we use the word treat)
If you would like to further your career in the pedicuring, skin care or nail care industry, the International Pedicure Association is the only professional association dedicated specifically to pedicures. Benefits of membership include having the credibility of a membership certificate in a reputable professional association to show clients, window decals for cars or salon windows, and an annual seal. Members also gain access to a professional advisory board, and a 10% discount off of a variety of pedicure products and equipment for your business. Liability insurance is also available at a discount due to recognition of the IPA’s emphasis on proper sanitation.
There are varying membership levels for students, professionals, salons and schools.
The IPA also advocates, educates and supports in the pedicure industry. Much of the association’s focus is on continuing education, and they provide free webinars every month on a variety of educational topics, including but not limited to foot and nail care, professional best practices, branding, professional insurance, serving varieties of clientele like men or the elderly, diligence in identifying skin and nail problems of the feet, and more.
“One of the biggest challenges is keeping up to date in the industry,” Foote said. “Things change and it’s hard for people to stay on top of it, but it’s important. Associations such as IPA can do that for members. We’re constantly looking into what’s new, and providing education on that.”
Posted on: June 3rd, 2013 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments
Slogans such as “It’s not a sin to look good,” and “Look good = feel good = confidence = success,” are designed to draw the casual man into regular use of makeup. Elvis Presley supposedly never left the house without it. James Dean and Marlon Brando wore mascara in the 50s, and so did the thousands of young men who idolized them. In the 80s, pop music groups like Duran Duran popularized the “made up look” without resorting to Ziggy Stardust-style theatrics. Men appreciate looking youthful and healthy just as much as women, so it is only natural they are turning to cosmetics more than ever to fill the need.
Manufacturing companies have capitalized on this rise in demand for makeup for men by producing make up and skin care lines designed and formulated specifically for men. Products for men now include the full kit, ranging from foundation products to eyeliner and mascaras. A study by Euromonitor indicated American men spent over $5 billion on grooming products last year, compared to $2.4 million in 1997 (a 2000%+ jump!). Grooming products, aka cosmetics, are big business.
More men work behind the department store make up counters than ever before. Major cosmetics retailers such as MAC, Sephora, Inglot, Clinique and others have established lines catering to men. Men in the makeup industry are benefiting from the high profile successes of many male film and TV special effects make up artists. The Academy Awards is even adding two more Governors to the line up for the Makeup and Hair categories.
Makeup designer Inglot Cosmetics founder Wojciech Inglot, started in the make up industry as a chemist specializing in color chemistry. He parlayed this into a multi-billion dollar industry of high-end cosmetics, including a line specifically for men. Jay Manuel, another highly recognizable make up artist, brought more attention to men in the industry through hosting the American and Canadian versions of Next Top Model. Industry sources confide that men tend to receive more awards and recognition for their skills as make up artists, and garner higher sales at the retail level than women tend to earn. (Some also complain that this is disproportionate to number of men and women working in the makeup business.)
Male consumers already accept wearing lip balm because it is sporty. Moisturizer and sunscreen are not far behind in male acceptance. Many men still use no more than this when it comes to daily grooming products, but new lines of grooming products created just for male skin are rapidly increasing in popularity. These include cover up make-up to hide blemishes, imperfections and razor cuts, and brow and beard “corrector” gels help men tame unruly brows and to fill in thin spots. Even big-name stars from Justin Bieber to Ben Affleck have publicly embraced skin care and cosmetics.
Mascaras formulated for men are lighter, more subtle and more durable than those for women. Bronzers give the appearance of health while blending in with a man’s skin tone. New “BB” and “CC” creams are called complexion enhancers for men. Even dark eyeliner (sometimes called “guyliner”) is becoming popular as more celebrities embrace it. Whitening eye drops combined with black or dark blue eyeliner, for instance, gives eyes a brighter, more awake appearance. And of course, let’s not forget “male polish” brands like Alpha Nail, who have whole lines of nail polish designed specifically men, and appealing to everyone from athletes to manual laborers to musicians. Marketers know the key to success in the male cosmetics industry is to avoid calling products make up or cosmetics when appealing to the male demographic. Products for men are called moisturizers, correctors, blemish repair, toners, eye enhancers, and in the case of Lab Series, a “mattifyer.”
Men in the 35 to 50 age group seem to be purchasing most of these grooming cosmetics. The average Joe who is not in front of a camera on the daily is still more likely to purchase cosmetics online where there’s no stigma to be found. They have a variety of high-end retailers including Kenmen, 4Voo and Menaji, Clinique and other department store brands available.
Posted on: May 16th, 2013 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments
Regulation and licensure of beauty professionals is a vital component to keeping the field professional, as well as safe and protected for the consumer. Many states are pushing for deregulation of industries, and the cosmetology professions are no exception. The stated goal of deregulation is to increase employment in the field and competition among providers. However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a growth rate of at least 14-18% in the cosmetology professions by the year 2020.
In an effort to determine the mood of consumers regarding regulation and licensing of the beauty professions, the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) conducted a national poll in December 2012. The study was completed online immediately following the election of November 2012, and involved 1202 Americans who voted in the 2012 presidential election. The margin of error for the study was +/- 2.83%, which places the confidence level in the results at 95% or more.
The results of the poll were overwhelming: 94% of U.S. voters studied supported requiring beauty professional licensing and regulation. The main reason cited for this support was the need to protect the public from health issues, and to improve the quality and safety of the beauty industries.
The respondents generally did not understand the connection between public health issues and beauty licensing prior to the poll. However, when informed of the issues, 67% agreed the connection was important. 80% of voters studied knew beauty professionals attend a school to receive their license. They were less likely to know this training includes preventing disease and identifying health issues. Eighty-two percent (82%) of the respondents felt deregulation would negatively affect safety and quality in the beauty industry. Education, licensing, regulation and continuing professional education give standards and accountability to practitioners and businesses for cleanliness, sanitation and safety.
The study is highly valuable in that it identifies what messages are important to convey to beauty professionals and consumers. The most compelling message in favor of continued licensure and regulation is that of sanitation and public health. This message showed consensus among voters of all ages and political affiliations.
The PBA has launched a campaign among its members to increase pride in the profession and to reinforce the need for licensing and regulation. Called the “I Am” campaign, it encourages beauty professionals to share their pride in their profession. Beauty professionals should share the message of what licensing means and why it is important. They receive information and resources about the effects deregulation would have on the supply chain within the beauty industry. Manufacturers, distributors, salon business owners and the licensed beauty professionals would all be affected.
However, the consumers would be the ones carrying the most risk if beauty professionals were no longer required to be accountable to a licensing board. The state boards regulating cosmetology and other beauty professions have a consumer complaint resolution process, salon and business inspectors, professional testing requirements and oversight of operators within the professions. These all help protect consumers from negligent and unsanitary practices, untrained operators and shady business practices. Without regulation and licensure, beauty operators would no longer be required to attend a beauty school or pass exams to prove their skills. Obtaining beauty services would be completely at the risk of the consumer.
Posted on: April 17th, 2013 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments
Many students starting beauty school are excited, nervous and a little overwhelmed. Receiving your first beauty school student kit makes the whole thing more real for you and brings the excitement home. Beauty school students talk about it as if they are opening holiday presents. They express a sense of pride and accomplishment for having gotten this far in the process, and are feeling they have set their futures into motion. Their long-awaited dream has started to become reality!
The standard full cosmetology student kit comes with everything the student will need to learn to perform every basic service for a client. Kits can be purchased online already createdfor a particular state and their licensing requirements, or various general kits can be ordered. Students can choose whether their kit comes in a rolling suitcase, a rolling aluminum case, or a rolling plastic kiosk with drawers. Inside the kit are sets of combs, brushes, shears, scissors, razors, items for mixing and applying hair color, clips of all kinds, sprays, a blow dryer and diffusers, flat iron, curling irons, perm supplies, hair dyes, apron, capes, coloring caps, mirrors and textbooks. Some kits come with mannequin heads, each with different hair types.
For those whose schools will include manicurist training, kits may include a complete manicure set including mannequin hands and feet, tools for working with artificial and acrylic nails, manicure tools, polishes, polish removers and lotions. Barber kits focus more on men’s hair care and shaving needs. Kits include clippers, brushes, combs, razors, capes, sprays, gels, alcohol, powders, face creams, a manikin head, perm rods, mirrors, and towels.
Depending on the kit needed and the school, a student might have to purchase their own plastic gloves, hair samples, neck strips, a perm kit, hand sanitizer, hair spray, conditioning spray, measuring spoons, hair bleach and shaving cream. Most schools will provide students with a list of exactly what items are needed as part of their enrollment package. Many schools have students keep the kit at home, and only bring what is needed for the current week’s studies. Other schools have students keep the entire kit locked and stored at the school, so every item is always available.
The pre-made state test kits often don’t include a curling iron, hair dryer or lab coat if applicable. In this case, the students would need to bring their own from their regular kit in order to take the test. Students should also check their kits upon arrival, to make sure all items are packed securely and in the right places, and everything is in working condition. Schools emphasize that students must keep their tools and kit materials in top condition because they will be used during the state practical exams. Items should be labeled and sterilized for the practicals, and stored in mini-kits or plastic bags for each procedure. Experienced cosmetology instructors advise bringing extras of almost everything in case something is spilled or dropped during the exam. Students can also purchase specific practical exam kits, already labeled and prepared for any given state’s exam. The examination stresses infection control and safety above all other tasks, so students should follow the proper procedures at all times.
If a blood spill occurs or is simulated in the test, students must follow the NIC Health and Safety Standards. A student can be dismissed from the exam immediately for failure to do this. It is also suggested that students bring a container of water to the exam if it will be needed for any section of their state’s exam. They may also bring a Thermos of hot water if it will be needed. A basic requirement for all states, however, is that everything is clearly labeled and obviously clean and sterile. Students are also expected to keep their work area clean and sanitary throughout the exam.
Cosmetology student kits can range in price from just a few hundred dollars for smaller kits, to about $1,200 to over $2,500 for the larger, more complete kits – it all depends on what your school’s supply list includes. Many schools require mannequin heads, hands and feet as part of the kit to practice the techniques you learn throughout your time at the school. Some schools have student kits available for purchase as a package with tuition and books. Others provide a list of approved vendors and allow students to create their own kits through direct purchases. Still others recommend the purchase of a specific complete kit from a vendor they approve, as long as it includes all the items on their school supplies list.
If a student has purchased a kit from the school, the school typically does not let any item be returned. They consider opening the kit to be opening each individual package within, and therefore used. Kits usually do not include student uniforms or scrubs, so these must be purchased separately. (Check out theseadorable cosmetology aprons and frocks.) Usually cosmetology textbooks and exam materials are included in kits purchased through the school. A few schools provide students only with the parts of the kit they will be using in class each week, and by the end of the course, the student will have acquired a full kit and be ready for the licensing exam.
Regardless, students are expected to care for their equipment and their kit carefully, and to replace any broken, lost or damaged items immediately. So, choose the kit that will meet the requirements for the state and the school, and the method of carrying the kit that best suits the student. Then, enjoy opening the presents when they arrive!
Here are some videos of students at various beauty schools walking you through what comes in their school’s cosmetology student kit:
Posted on: March 26th, 2013 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments
We tagged up with beauty industry veteran and marketing expert Mike Nave, who is the publisher of Beauty Industry Report, one of the most extensive monthly newsletters for executives int he professional beauty business. He shares the story of how he broke into the beauty biz and offers his hard-earned advice on how to market yourself and be successful as a beauty professional.
Beauty Schools Directory: You have more than 20 years of experience working in the beauty business. Tell us about that journey and the different roles you have played.
Mike Nave, Beauty Industry Report Online: It definitely is much more than 20 years. I was born in the beauty biz and no doubt I will leave it when “they throw dirt on my face!” My father started Mercury Beauty Supply just after the end of World War II. As a teenager I started working at the family business part time until I graduated from college with a degree and told my dad I was going to get a “real job.” After two months searching I came home and proudly told him I received an offer from the Southern California Edison Company in their management training program. Dad of course congratulated me and asked about the position. I told him the first 90 days I would be reading gas meters. He went through the roof and said, “You are nuts! You start working at Mercury on Monday morning!” I of course was relieved, but told him, “OK but only until something better comes along!” I was there for 35 years and did every job from working in the return department to being CEO. We sold the company at end of the ‘90s. The company had a great 55 year run! I was too young to retire and I always thought I knew more about marketing products than the company sales people that called on our company. I remembered the line comedian Jackie Mason said, “When you are a gentile and out of work you become unemployed, when you are Jewish and out of work you become a consultant!” I took his advice and have been doing sales and marketing consulting for the last dozen years, working with many companies including being fortunate to have brought Moroccanoil to the US Salon Market, where I set up the original distributor network for the company and the distributors who we put on refer to me at the “Moroccanoil Angel!”
BSD: Tell me why you founded the Beauty Industry Report. What void were you filling in the business?
Nave: Bob Oppenheim was a guru in the salon industry and during part of his career he did business with our distributing company when he was working with Clairol, which at that time was owed by Bristol Meyers. Our company was a unique distributor for Clairol because we were not only distributing in the professional beauty field and buying from Clairol Professional Division, but we were also buying the retail Miss Clairol line from the company’s retail division. When Bristol Myers acquired the brand their legal department did not know how to deal with our company because of our unique situation, so in all their infinite wisdom they decided to terminate our professional business relationship. Bob had to be the bearer of the bad news. However he figured out a solution to our plight by have our “former” professional division salesman continue to call on us and take our order but instead of the normal former procedure of sending it into the company he went to nearby State Beauty Supply and put the order in thru them and we continued getting our professional line goods. Bob continued to be a friend and stayed in touch. At the time he was writing the only professional beauty field executive newsletter and in fact had two: one targeting salon owners and salon professionals, and the other to the mainstream manufacturers and distributors. As time went by the newsletter was becoming more of a burden as Bob was starting to wind down his career towards retirement. He sent back to all the subscribers the money on their unused subscriptions and closed down the publications. I felt the industry definitely could use an executive newsletter and decided to fill the void. At the time I was publishing Beauty Store Business, (BSB), a magazine I had started, and I also thought having a newsletter would be a great way to get more subscriptions for my magazine, which it did. After a couple of years I sold BSB and at the time had started my consulting business and again thought the newsletter was a great asset to give me visibility and also the opportunity as a member of the “press” to be able to get in front of just about any pro beauty biz executive. It definitely has proven valuable to me in many ways.
BSD: Beauty Industry Report has been called the “score card” of the beauty business, so you’ve no doubt seen many successes and failures. What are your tips for a beauty professional, salon or store to be successful in this popular and competitive industry?
Nave: If I had the answer I would have retired year ago. One constant in the ever changing professional beauty world is “What’s New.” It drives the business, whether it’s a new company, new product, new salon service, it’s always about what’s new. From a marketing standpoint there is a large banner I have seen hanging in a number of marketing offices that’s titled, “The 22 Immutable Rules for Marketing Success.” The first one states, “Be first to market and hold your position.” It has an asterisk next to it. As you read the other rules listed, they are valid and needed action and you agree, “Yep got to do that one, and that one, etc.” However you then read, “Do number 1 and don’t worry about the other 21. That’s it.” A number of years ago Jim Markham hit with PureOlogy, a line of hair care for serious hair colorist and users. It filled a void, up to that time there were shampoos for normal, dry, oil and tinted hair. With hair coloring being the driving force of our industry Jim struck gold by being the first company to market a complete line of products targeting women that colored their hair. Needless to say he went to the bank. Six years ago I was fortunate to hook up with the founder of Moroccanoil who brought his product line, the first one using argan oil and created the oil treatment category and used his strong position of being first to market and protect his brand and position. Today Moroccanoil is a worldwide winner.
So my tip is if you plan come to market, don’t do it with another me-too line. The other tip comes from a marketing guru, Simon Sinet, whose best-selling book Start With Why gives you the secret to success for Apple, Costco, Trader Joe’s, Southwest Airlines, and others. His premise is every company does three things: what they do, how they do it, and why they do it. Simon pointed out that all companies know what they do and most know how they do it, however when it gets to the why, they are fuzzy or just plain don’t know. He goes on to assert that ultimately it is the company’s WHY that attracts and keeps customers. He uses Apple to make his point. Apple’s why is simply that they provide innovative solution for individuals. When they announced the introduction of the iPad, customers flocked to their store buying them up. Why? Because of Apple’s great track record of one after another innovative product success.
My recommendation for success is if you are a marketer, look to be first to market with your product line, and hold that position and you go to the bank! For those that already have a company that is either marketing products or services is to pick up a copy of Simon’s book and focus on your company’s WHY.
BSD: BIR has the most extensive calendar of beauty shows, conferences and events on the web. In your opinion, what are a few of the absolute most important shows for a budding cosmetologist or beauty professional to attend?
Nave: The five major salon trade shows: ISSE Long Beach, America’s Beauty Show in Chicago, International Beauty Show (IBS) New York, Premiere Orlando and IBS LV.
BSD: Do you have any networking tips for new beauty professionals just entering the business?
Nave: Get subscriptions to a couple of the top trade show magazines i.e. Launchpad, Modern Salon, Nails or Nailpro (for nail techs) or Dayspa, Dermascope (for estheticians), attend trade shows and join appropriate organizations (Professional Beauty Association).
BSD: What are the newest beauty names or businesses to watch in 2013?
Nave: Nubar Cosmetics (nail care), Glimmer Body Art (temp glitter tattoos), Connecting Hair (hair extensions) MILK by Garrett Markenson (hair care).
Posted on: March 19th, 2013 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments
We sat down with Beauty Brands Master Stylist and Advanced Trainer Michelle Reid-Angell, who is a fully licensed cosmetologist at the Beauty Brands at 9570 Quivira Rd in Lenexa, KS. She has eight years of experience as a licensed cosmetologist, and her career has been upwardly mobile since the day she hit the salon floor. She offers insider insight on what to expect on your written and practical cosmetology exams, as well as how to prepare for a salon technical demonstration when you’re interviewing for jobs. She gives excellent advice about how to choose the right beauty school for you. She offers tips from her own personal experience on how to work hard to create the beauty career you really want.
Without further ado, meet Michelle Reid-Angell!
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Introducing Michelle Reid-Angell.
I’m Michelle. I’m currently a Master Stylist and Advanced Trainer at Beauty Brands, and I’ve been a cosmetologist for 8 years. I discovered my passion for cosmetology when I was probably about 7 or 8 years old and I knew I wanted to cut, color all my Barbies myself, and I probably started coloring my own hair myself when I was about 12 with Manic Panic Hair Dye. Then eventually over time I realized that there wasn’t a job creative enough for me until I found cosmetology.
What were you looking for in a cosmetology school?
A great question when you’re a cosmetologist. I actually got my training at what was Superior School of Hairstyling in Olathe, Kansas and it is no longer, it was bought out by Xenon, which I hear is also a great school. I will tell you that I traveled to Topekaand looked at their schools and I even looked in California as well. My deciding factor for where I went was diversity. I wanted a cosmetology school that offered not just a specific clientele that you get, but a little bit of everything.
What kinds of questions did you ask potential beauty schools?
I asked of course the basic questions – What are the hours that need to be completed? How do you handle training and preparation for your state board tests, your licensing? A big one I think is important as well is how they’re going to help place you in your job market when you’ve completed your graduation and your time. I asked all of those questions as well as their full-time and part-time hours, how they work that. You know, just the basic things of life so you can create a life around school if you have to. Also, what types of services they got as walk-ins when you’re out on that floor. Did they do just highlights, just haircuts, a lot of relaxers, just perm sets – so I could get my hands into everything and get the best education I thought I could.
What does it take to become a Master Stylist and get to that point in your career?
To become a master stylist at the company I work with, it’s kind of a tiered level. The requirements are pretty much the same across the board. It all focuses on your clientele, the biggest part, meaning how many people you see on a regular basis that come directly to you as a request. That’s a huge portion of it. The other portion with the company I work for is your dollar-per-hour, so what you’re doing per hour while you’re there. And I do work for a commission-based company. If you’re not doing a service, you’re not ringing anything to make money on. It’s not an hourly wage. The others are education. You have to have advanced education requirements, meaning business building, advanced cutting and color techniques to build up to that requirement and have a certain percentage of requests for yourself in order to maintain Master Stylist. I’ve also been a Master Stylist for 3 years now, so I’ve worked throughout Beauty Brands to be able to earn that title.
What are some of the non-technical skills cosmetologists need to be successful?
Just being able to do a great haircut is an amazing talent in itself, but really to grow in that it obviously takes education because this industry is always changing. It’s an industry that doesn’t stay with the same trends and fashions year to year or season to season. That’s the goal with our education team is to bring those things and educate people in those so that they can create a better career throughout that time period and then advance themselves in that way.
Things outside of just the technical piece that people think, “I have to be really good at doing haircuts or specialize in color.” Those are great things, which I’m very passionate about is education, continuing that and your passion for that, keeping up with trends. I think a big portion of it is I’m a huge stickler for consultation because to me that’s where this business starts is in the communication. It’s an agreement, and you both have to agree on what’s going to happen. Consultation, working on that and whatever skills you can and tools you can… Obviously continuing education in business building, meaning attending classes or the Redken Symposium, and taking those business building classes teaches you to maximize your time, work smarter not harder. But also it gives you some values in how to treat your clients, and how to get returns from them, and how to give back to them as much as they give to you.
What does it feel like to graduate from beauty school?
I have to tell you when you graduate cosmetology school you are so excited and ready, but at the same time it’s terrifying. The school that I went to set us up amazingly well, and every few months before you leave the classroom, you do what’s called a mock demonstration and mock test. So you actually mock what you’re going to be doing with that information and you get that anxiety out of the way. I can tell you with the written examination – be prepared, be prepared for everything, not just the hair portion or wrapping a perm, but chemicals, sanitation is huge in the state of Kansas, be prepared for your nail exam, that’s a big part of the cosmetology license is nails, and skin, and waxing. Just know everything. Don’t be too nervous because it is a multiple choice test. Study before you go in there if you’re not a test taker, like myself. Just be ready to do it and have every tool you possibly can in your tool belt and ready to take that test. I’ll tell you the written was not as terrifying as the practical was.
How do you prepare for the practical cosmetology board exam?
Ok, the practical exam. Preparation for that if I could give you key points with the practical examination would be to over-prepare. Truly over-prepare. If they say to grab 3 of something, grab 5 of them. I will tell you at least in the state of Kansas with your practical exam, sanitation is the biggest focus and the biggest portion that they’re looking at. The other thing I’d tell you that I think is a misconception when you do your practical is that you have to finish everything. You don’t necessarily have to finish everything. They would rather see it done right than have it be finished. I would tell you that there’s no getting rid of the anxiety. It’s the most terrifying experience of your life it seems like. And you go in and after two hours you’re sweating, and you still don’t know directly afterwards [whether you passed]. But I will tell you that if you took all your notes, and you were meant to do this career and you’re passionate about it, then you will come over-prepared with your bag, you will label everything, you will follow all sanitation. Just listen to the directions, keep yourself calm and you’ll get through it. And in a week, hopefully you’ll get that license that says you passed.
What are the board exams like?
The written takes about 45 minutes. I’m a slow test taker, I’m not a test taker at all. It took me about 45 minutes. But you do get your results back immediately. It’s done very seriously. They check in you in, you’re in a quiet room, you have headphones on, a gentleman checks you in and checks you out, and you get your results immediately. The practical, you show up early of course. It kind of depends on the day and how quickly they’re moving, but I would say at least 2 hours total. Then generally between a week to two weeks you’ll find out if you made it through the mail. They don’t contact you via e-mail or anything, they just mail you your letter stating you made it.
Obviously getting the written right away, it was like a sigh of relief. And I knew the hard one was coming. I have to say that when I was waiting, every day I was checking the mail, like you’re waiting for the biggest letter of your life. You get this little white sheet of paper, it’s a pink temporary license, then you get a blue license, your permanent license. When you read that letter, it says, “Congratulations you’ve passed the Kansas State Board of Cosmetology test. You are now licensed as a cosmetologist.” I think I called everybody I knew and told them, because I hold that license forever now. I renew every 2 or 3 years I believe. You do have to take your written every time you renew. You get a written test you mail back in, and you have about a month to do so. Just to keep you fresh, and laws do change, so be careful about copying and thinking last year’s was the same. But they do give you a booklet and a test, and you go through the booklet and re-read those sanitation laws and some of the laws they’re asking about.
What about cosmetology continuing education?
This is my most passionate subject, which is continuing education in this industry. Because this industry is forever changing, sometimes people in this industry get in – I don’t want to say a rut – but a comfortable space with what they know how to do because they’re best at it, quick at it, it gives them the results they want. And sometimes I think that I thrive in the cosmetology business because it’s creative and it’s always changing, so day-to-day, month-to-month and year-to-year, there’s always something new and bigger and better and different, even. Challenging those habits is the hardest thing that we have, and that’s sometimes that’s what makes some of the best hairstylists is those who challenge themselves to become better or different or unique in that way. So to me continuing education is a key piece to everything that we do. Keeping yourself up-to-date, and networking and meeting people and different avenues. Because this industry isn’t just cutting hair, coloring hair – you can do platform artistry, you could do hair shows only, you could just do education in this field. There are so many different avenues that you could go down, that if you don’t have those tools in your tool belt, sometimes it can limit what you can do or where you’re going to go.
Describe the salon technical demo or audition.
When someone comes in at the salon I work for, we do what’s called a technical piece. So you do a basic interview, and you go through the paperwork, and you speak to somebody. And if they’re interested and the schedule works out, they ask you to come back and do the technical. That shows us not so much your ability, but your timing; do you understand Redken color because the salon I work for utilizes Redken color; can you formulate, mix and apply in a timely manner; how was the haircut, the blowdry and the service itself? So really we’re not looking for do you do amazing highlights right away, or did you do an amazing cut. Those are all great bonuses, but I think it’s about do you understand how to work with a client, fulfill their needs, communicate with them, and then obviously give the demonstration that you’ve learned what you do best to the best of your ability. Honestly, after you do your state board test, your actual demo, you won’t terrified to do a practical in a salon. Most of the time you work with a model you know, and if you don’t then it’s even better.
What are your tips for effective client consultation?
Communication is huge. So you have to be somebody who is confident and comfortable speaking to other people. And a huge one for me is honesty. There’s a way to be honest without being rude to people or mean. But we’re the professionals and we don’t go to our doctors’ offices and question what they do. So I feel that people can ask me questions and they can give their opinions because it is their hair at the end of the day, but you came to me for a reason, so I have to be able to input my advice and expertise as well.
I definitely think that beyond the communication and honestly, it’s an agreement between the two of you. It’s like dating. You want to make sure that you have their permission, and that you explain honestly what’s going to happen in that process to your best ability without sounding too professional, and bringing it down to their world. I think a lot of times people fear being too honest or just do what people ask even though, we over-promise and under-deliver. And that’s what upsets people, and that’s why they learn not to trust you. So really building a relationship like a dating relationship – it’s trust, it’s honesty, it’s communication. And if you have those huge key pieces, you’re on your way to an amazing consultation.
For those people who are not great at consultation or even starting in this industry, the tool I would highly recommend is Redken’s Art of Consultation. It’s a toolkit you get that actually has a sheet that walks you through questions that should be asked to provide the best experience possible for each and every client. That would be a huge tip I could give people just starting out, or even who have been in the business and feel like you’re lacking in consultation or you need some extra help with that. It walks them and you through what’s going to happen and what may best suit them for that experience.
How do you get return clients and referrals?
To get return clients and rebooking is huge. It’s what makes your clientele, and that’s what advances you and builds your business. So if your goal in this industry is even to become a booth rent, you need a large enough clientele to support that. My key tips there having an amazing consultation will always keep people coming back, because the lines of communication are open. When you create that relationship where people are comfortable being honest with you and give you their opinion, and they know you can follow through and succeed with that, they’re willing to come back to you because you’re always providing that experience for them.
A great tip I can give to anybody – booth rent, salons, whoever you are – encourage people to rebook. Give them a discount to do it, and don’t discount yourself. Say, “I’m running a contest, if you rebook with me I’ll put your name in a drawing for 20% off your next service and I’ll let everyone know at the end of the month who won that.” For lack of a better word, it’s training your clientele to understand – every 8 weeks I need this haircut to maintain the look I want. Every 6 weeks I need to maintain my highlights, because this is what my doctor has prescribed to me. So my hairstylist has prescribed to me to keep and maintain this look, this is what I need to do. It teaches them to keep that schedule, and when they rebook they learn that is what they need and they’ll continue to do it. Always encourage people and let them know. For example, “You’re asking for a full head of highlights and to maintain that look I need to see you back in 8 weeks.”
Again, I think my biggest piece of advice with maintaining a clientele and rebooking is always let people know that you want to see them again and almost don’t ask them, but tell them. “I need to see you back” or “I’d like to see you back in order to maintain what we’ve done,” instead of “Would you like to come back?” Because people will always say they need to check their schedule or calendar, and that’s fair, but at the same time people start to get in that groove and like that schedule and understand that’s what works best for them. So I would say just educating them on when they need to be back, maybe running a contest to start that out and get people used to that rotation helps to build that rebooking business.
What inspires your creativity daily?
What inspires me daily? Everything. Everything from Launchpad, Modern Salon, Allure magazines. You look at everything in the world. The TV, the magazines, everything and it kind of inspires you. But I’ll tell you that being inspired by celebrity hairstyles only takes you so far before you want to create outside of that box and expand on it. My biggest inspirations are color – I’m very, very passionate about hair coloring – like being in a hardware store and seeing paint swatches. The other day I was looking at a color wheel for painting your home, but it mimics the hair color wheel. It inspired me to look at that and understand complementary colors that maybe do or don’t work together. I get inspired by pastels a lot, so Easter time I’m always inspired by something because I find that fascinating in hair color. Science is inspiring to me, because the science of hair color has come so far from when even I first started. I know people who have been in the industry 20 years who have seen this hair color world change. But even in the last 8 years, it’s been amazing. What else inspires me is other people like me, other hairstylists. People who are passionate about their careers and love what they do inspire me. A lot of the motivational speakers inspire me in the way of teaching people how to communicate with others. I think that’s where people lack. Their talent is amazing technically, it’s just that their missing a piece. I would definitely say that it’s an everyday world of inspiration for me. Other artists, if anyone’s ever attended Redken Symposium, you get to meet 10,000 other hairdressers from around the world who are absolutely as creative as inspired by the world as you are. I think that by far is one of the most amazing and inspiring experiences you could have.
What are your top three tips for new cosmetologists?
My top three tips for a person either entering this amazing world of cosmetology or considering entering the world of cosmetology. I would say my number one tip for you is to always be grateful and appreciative of what we do. I believe that cosmetology is a gift because we don’t get to touch people regularly unless we’re in an industry that allows us to. You’d be surprised what that does for somebody. Always be grateful to your clients, to your coworkers, to your educators – but definitely your clients. Be grateful to those people for building a relationship with you. Always appreciate them because they create your livelihood, fuel your passion and share their lives with you on a day to day basis.
My second tip is patience. I say patience because I know that for me, I wasn’t great at everything in the cosmetology field. I struggled with some of those things, and it takes patience to get through school – trust me, it takes patience to take all that you learned and take a written and practical test, and it takes patience to build a clientele in this industry. I meet a lot of people just starting out working at a salon who get so frustrated and give up, because they’re not making tons of money and have a huge clientele right away. But if you express your gratitude and passion and appreciation, and you give it a little patience, you’ll be amazed at how successful you can be.
My last tip is education. I am passionate about education and can’t stress enough how much continuing that, every little thing counts, even if it’s just hanging out with somebody at the salon who’s great at something you want to be great at. Don’t ever stop practicing, don’t ever stop learning, don’t ever stop looking through magazines and books, or even watching free videos on the web. Always do those things. Research things. Be curious. I think if you continue to do that, you’ll find that you become very successful or fortunate in your life. You’ve picked an industry that’s amazing. It’s a gift.
Hey guys this is Heather with Beauty Schools Directory again. This time I want to talk to you about the education level requirements to enroll in beauty school. There are some high schools that allow people to enroll in a vocational technology cosmetology program at the school and get a head start on their cosmetology training hours, so anywhere from juniors to seniors could be getting a head start and actually earning hours that they can apply toward being able to sit for the board exam.
But barring that, typically to enroll in a cosmetology school you must be at least 16 years of age and have either a high school diploma or a GED. Now this completely depends on your state and its cosmetology board license requirements, so I’m going to link to a list of the 50 states plus Washington D.C. cosmetology boards so you can do your research and find out for sure.
But it’s not just up to the state. Some schools individually may also require different ages or different education levels. But as a general rule, 16 years of age or older and with a high school diploma or GED. So as long as you have those, you should be good to enroll in cosmetology school. Always check with the board and always check with the school to be sure. Thank you so much for watching, and have a great day!
Posted on: March 5th, 2013 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released new data last year for the job demand growth, earning potential and top paying metros and states in America for working beauty professionals. Much of the job demand growth is very promising, and median salary appears to be increasing over time. All-told, the BLS estimated that there were more than 819,000 beauty jobs in 2010 and that more than 128,000 new jobs will be added through the year 2020.
Beauty Job Demand Growth
Cosmetologists & Hairdressers
627,700 jobs in 2010
16% growth predicted through 2020 (as fast as average)
Addition of 98,400 jobs by 2020
Barbers
62,200 jobs in 2010
7% growth predicted through 2020 (below average)
Addition of 4,500 jobs by 2020
Manicurists & Pedicurists
81,700 jobs in 2010
17% growth predicted through 2020 (as fast as average)
Addition of 13,600 jobs by 2020
Estheticians & Skin Care Specialists
47,600 jobs in 2010
25% growth predicted through 2020 (faster than average)
Addition of 11,700 jobs by 2020
Top Employment States by Beauty Job
Barbers – PA, TX, NY, MO, IN
Cosmetologists & Hairdressers – NY, TX, PA, CA, FL
Estheticians & Skin Care Specialists – CA, FL, TX, NY, MA
Posted on: February 26th, 2013 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments
Bullying is a huge problem in schools nowadays, even contributing to youth suicide. And no school is immune to the issue, including post-secondary educational facilities. Thus, Paul Mitchell cosmetology schools are teaming up with the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL) to develop a program known as N-Lighten, which has the sole purpose of raising awareness regarding the issue, and creating an anti-bullying curriculum that teaches self-empowerment as well as intervention and prevention. Winn Claybaugh is the co-founder and dean of Paul Mitchell cosmetology schools, and he will be working with Dr. Susan Swearer, an expert on preventing and intervening bullying. Their goal is to form a life-long relationship that focuses on building healthy relationships, teaching healthy thinking, building self-esteem and preventing bullying.
“Every parent wants the absolute best for his or her children,” Claybaugh says. “When prospective students step into a Paul Mitchell School, their parents are entrusting us with the safety and security of their son or daughter. We take that responsibility very seriously. Our partnership with Susan Swearer, who has spent her professional career studying these behaviors, puts the world on notice that Paul Mitchell Schools are committed to not just teaching the skills of cosmetology but also the skills of life, leadership, and happiness. This is an opportunity for Paul Mitchell Schools to raise awareness that bullying and harassing behaviors cannot be tolerated in the society we live in.”
The importance of this program is significant considering that Dr. Swearer states that bullying affects three out four students during the course of their education, and it can lead to psychological consequences ranging from depression, antisocial behavior and anxiety to feelings of helplessness and suicidal thoughts. In a school environment, bullying has the ability to create a negative learning environment, which oftentimes leads to lower academic performance and eventually dropping out.
Although the long-term goal of this program is to reach out to high school students across the country, it will start being taught at UNL, and a distance learning program will be implemented for those unable to travel to theNebraska beauty schools. The program will be taught to more than 100 Paul Mitchell schools. N-Lighten will include messages from Claybaugh’s book Be Nice (Or Else!)combined with evidence-based methods to prevent bullying, create healthy relationships and help with self-empowerment. As part of the new UNL Empowerment Initiative, which was created by Dr. Swearer, the N-Lighten program will be the speech portion of the program. The N-Lighten Program will educate on a personal level in regards to bullying, and it will focus on the issue on a much larger scale in relation to the world. Once staff members finish the training, they will become Certified N-Lighten Trainers, meaning that you will be able to encourage and empower others not only in the schools, but in the local communities as well.
Posted on: February 19th, 2013 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments
Can you attend cosmetology school while pregnant? Is it safe to perform cosmetology services during pregnancy? Will you miss too much of your class to graduate on time? Whether you are pregnant and touring beauty schools and considering enrolling, or if you get pregnant after you’re already enrolled, no doubt these are burning questions for you and many other current or prospective beauty school students.
The Safety of Attending Beauty School While Pregnant
One study published in Occupational Medicine in 2009 compared hairdressers, cosmetologists and teachers who are pregnant. The study concluded that there is some evidence that working as a hairdresser or cosmetologist while pregnant may reduce fetal growth, and working as a hairdresser may increase the risk of pre-term delivery or perinatal death. The study asserts that hairdressers and cosmetologists are “commonly exposed to chemicals, poor posture and psychological stress that may increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.”
However Angela Hawk, a clinical instructor in Maternal Fetal Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina, said that many studies in animals have addressed this, and that most of them found that even when hair dye was administered in very high doses that would be also be toxic to the mother, no adverse effects were seen in the offspring. She also pointed out that some older studies did suggest that cosmetologists might be more likely to miscarry or give birth to smaller babies, but that these studies didn’t take into account other aspects of mom’s health like cigarette smoking, for example.
“Newer studies have not confirmed these findings, which might be due to the studies themselves being done better, and actual changes in the composition of many hair dyes,” Hawk said. The actual amount of dye absorbed through the scalp is very small, not more than 1% of the applied dose, and highlights alone don’t even touch the scalp.”
But what about the physical strain of standing on one’s feet for a full eight-hour day, and the sometimes poor posture sometimes associated with doing hair and makeup? Can those negatively impact the baby or mother? Hawk cited a large study that compared hairdressers to sales clerks since both of these professions involve standing for long periods of time.
“Hairdressers didn’t have any increase in reproductive disorders above the sales clerks,” Hawk said. “[A person working] any job that involves standing for long periods of time should take regular break every two to three hours, however, and make sure they say well hydrated.”
Hawk also advises that it’s important to pay special attention to posture, since a woman’s center of balance changes during pregnancy. Some women find that wearing a belly band is helpful for this. As long as cosmetologists have proper working conditions, Hawk says, she “wouldn’t expect any risks above and beyond that of any other profession.” Pregnant cosmetology students or salon employees should work in a well-ventilated area, wear gloves when performing chemical services, and minimize the amount of chemicals they are exposed to. Given those conditions, Hawk says that attending cosmetology school or working as a cosmetologist while pregnant is just fine.
What about while a mother is nursing her infant? Should you wait to enroll or start work again? Hawk emphasized that breastfeeding has many benefits for both mom and baby, so mom should always be given regular opportunities for pumping if you are away from your baby to attend beauty school or work in the salon. Hydration is just as important here as when you were pregnant, and again, limit exposure to chemicals by wearing gloves and wash hands well before pumping or nursing.
The Strategy of Attending Beauty School While Pregnant
Now that we know that in the proper conditions attending cosmetology school while pregnant is safe, that still leaves the question of what happens if a pregnant mother-to-be or new mom with an infant must miss an extended period of time from school. Every beauty school has a different policy for either pregnancy or medical leave of absence. Some schools have trouble accommodating extended leaves of absence due to the short duration of most beauty programs, and may advise a student to drop the program and re-enroll after the baby is born, or in some extreme cases even charge someone for each day missed after a certain point. Cosmetology typically lasts 9 to 15 months depending on your state, and shorter programs like nail technology or esthetics and skin care can last as little as 3 to 6 months.
However because cosmetology schools usually enroll classes year-round, some schools take a slightly different approach and allow students to put their education on hold and return to it later. One such example of a school leaning on the medical leave of absence policy for maternity leave is Xenon International Academy in Olathe, Kansas.
“We have had prospective students who are already pregnant who have shown interest in our academy and have enrolled,” Xenon Director Laura Miller said. “We advise them that they are able to take up to a 60-day medical leave of absence. We do encourage them to try to make it through our core curriculum first, which is approximately 7 to 20 weeks, depending on the program,” Miller explained. “This is for their benefit, so they will have that core education for when they return from their leave of absence.”
Miller said that Xenon has not been advised of any safety concerns regarding pregnant students, but they do help pregnant students work on different services if the smells of certain chemical processes – like perm solution – bother them. But if their doctor expresses concern, they say they’re happy to make arrangements to help the student during their pregnancy.
Notify your school officials as soon as possible if you become pregnant so they can help you make arrangements to finish your education in a timely manner and not lose the time, money and energy you’ve already invested in getting your training hours. And at the end of the day, every person and every pregnancy is different. We always recommend that you talk to your OB directly about safety concerns with attending cosmetology school.
Do you attend or work for a cosmetology school? What is your beauty school’s pregnancy policy?
Interview with Kathy Jager - Cosmetology Author It takes more than just being great at cutting hair to be a huge success in the beauty business. It takes top notch client consultation, relentless marketing, a growing and steady clientele, professionalism and poise, and much more. We interviewed author Kathy Jager, who has more than 30 years of experience in the beauty business, about what it takes to really make it in the cosmetology business.
Interview with Meg Haas - Blowdry Bar Owner Blow Dry Bars are the hottest new beauty salon on the scene, and one has opened up in the heart of Kansas City. No cutting and coloring here, though – it’s all about hair design and styling! Parlor is Kansas City’s first blow-dry and cosmetic bar. We checked in with Meg Haas, the owner of Parlor, a “beauty bar” located on the Kansas City Plaza to find out more about what a blowdry bar is, what kinds of clients they serve and services they perform, and what she looks for in blow dry bar employees as a salon owner.
Interview with Brenda Corona - Scholarship Winner It was an incredibly special moment when the Beauty Schools Directory team was able to surprise Brenda Corona from Las Vegas, Nevada on Skype with a $2,500 scholarship for esthetics school. We would like to thank every single applicant who told us their story and applied for the scholarship to pursue their dreams and attend a beauty school or cosmetology school, and everyone who had a hand in making this scholarship possible. Congratulations, Brenda! We are so excited for you!
As societies grow and demographics change, the demand for pedicure services has grown and changed along with it. Nowadays there is a much greater need for pedicures with advanced training as the market continues to grow. We spoke with Suzanne Foote, Executive Director of the International Pedicure Association, to get her take on the foot care industry of today.
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