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How Dirty is Your Date?

Posted on: February 10th, 2012 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

How Dirty is Your Date?
© 2012 Keeping it Kleen

We at Beauty Schools Directory have talked before about how much appearance matters for things like job hunting and dating and first impressions in general. But what about the less obvious hygienic habits? The ones that you can’t see?

Keeping It Kleen has put together an eye-opening infographic, pitting men against women in a battle of cleanliness and hygiene. Some of the numbers may surprise you – they certainly surprised us!

Like the fact that 45% of women never clean their makeup brushes, which are usually in warm, wet bathrooms that are great places for bacteria to live. And however it may look on the outside, the truth is that women’s public restrooms have twice as many germs as men’s.

As the men? Well, their wallets are four times dirtier than women’s purses, and the average college boy’s pillow and mattress pad has twice as many bacteria, mold and yeast colonies as the average college girl.

Yuck.

We don’t know about you, but this infographic kind of made us want to go wash our hands. For the next hour.

A new option in anti-aging: Revlon and L’Oreal offer Botox for hair

Posted on: January 10th, 2012 by Heather No Comments


Although skin is often the focus of anti-aging products, the look and feel of peoples’ hair can also make them seem old. Hiding grays by coloring hair is probably the most obvious strategy for regaining a youthful appearance. However, graying isn’t the only sign of aging that hair shows. The latest anti-aging trend for hair? Botox.

No, seriously. Botox.

In August of 2010, Redken released their Time Reset line of hair products, which contains several ingredients targeted at fighting the signs of aging in hair – including the extra-special Intra-Cylane to reinforce hair strands and fill in gaps in each strand’s cuticle layer, repairing damage and creating volume.

Now L’Oreal has jumped into the ring with the release of their Professional Fiberceutic Fiber Filling Treatment. While Redken’s Time Reset products were designed primarily for at-home use at around $13-20, L’Oreal’s product is an advanced treatment that’s only available through salons. It reportedly costs in the $100 range and lasts for at least six weeks.

And it’s already rumored to be a big hit with celebrities, especially as awards season closes in. Stylist Negin Zand of West Hollywood Salone is said to utilize the treatment, and while she’s mum on the particulars, her clients include Reese Witherspoon, Angelina Jolie, Scarlett Johansson, Carey Mulligan and new-Mrs.-Justin-Timberlake-to-be Jessica Biel.

Word on the street is that L’Oreal will soon be offering a competing line of consumer Botox-for-hair shampoos and conditioners to go up against Redken’s products.

Try these anti-aging hair products:

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ILLUSION: Alternative Hair Show 2011

Posted on: October 11th, 2011 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

Yield your imagination to the whimsical visions of multihued, spiked, twisted and bulbous Lady Gaga-like hair creations. Gossamer designs, colored lights and sky-scraping tresses envelop, tantalize and sometimes shock the senses. Where are you? Is this an alien gathering for lunar stylists? No, you are one of the lucky attendees of the Alternative Hair Show, where anything goes when it comes to hair.

This one-of-a-kind, fantasy-filled charitable event envelops thousands in the bizarre, rainbow-colored world of hair couture. Founded by hairstylist Tony Rizzo in 1983, the Alternative Hair Show was ingeniously designed to heighten awareness and generate funding for leukemia research. Rizzo’s young son, whose death was caused by the disease, is the inspiration behind the show.

Since its inception, the elaborate, fun-filled event has become renowned as one of the world’s most celebrated hair shows. Princes and famous individuals fill the seats as impractical hairdos are flaunted across the stage. Each year’s fantastic theme becomes the motivational concept behind the sprayed, dyed and stiffened locks. The 2010 participants devised styles that embodied their interpretation of the word “masquerade.” The 2011 theme is “illusion.”

In 2004, Rizzo launched the Visionary Award, which encourages hairdressers to submit a photograph of one of their hair creations. Ten award winners are selected; each is invited to present a hair model at the Alternative Hair Show. Hairdressers from around the globe covet the Visionary Award and invitations to show off their dramatically artistic and somewhat outlandish coifs at their own expense.

Known to include major celebrities, the show’s success hinges on the creative prowess and collaboration of industry professionals and has become the pinnacle of hair entertainment. The Alternative Hair Show displays its unusual “dos” annually and hosts the following 2011 events: the Visionary Award Ireland, held this past July 10 at Dublin’s Thomas Prior Hall; the Visionary Award Ukraine, held this past Sept. 5 in Kiev; the Visionary Award Italy and Alternative Hair International Hair Design Masters Presentation, held this past Sept. 25 in Milan; the Illusion Alternative Hair Show Russia, held this Sept. 28 in Moscow’s State Kremlin Palace; and the Illusion Alternative Hair Show London, which will take place on Oct. 16 at Royal Albert Hall.

Alternative styling, like that seen in the Alternative Hair Show, is defined by its departure from the norm, but some of these less-than-popular hairdos could become the next trendsetters. Something has to inspire the pink bobs, white pixies and black spikes of tomorrow.

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Blow dry bars doing blowout business

Posted on: October 4th, 2011 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

Blow Dry BarsIt’s a fantastic feeling – stepping out of a salon after an appointment, styled to perfection by your hairdresser. It’s too bad you can’t have her (or him) fix your hair for you every day, right?

That’s exactly the idea behind a string of new beauty businesses springing up all over the country. They’re called blow dry bars, and they provide one specific service.

They style your hair.

No cut. No color. Just wash, dry, style and go. All for around $30-35.

It started with Blo, which opened in Vancouver in 2007, but it’s really taken off in the past year or so, with new chains like Drybar popping up from coast to coast. They’re a new take on the old school beauty parlors where women used to go to have their hair washed and set each week.

Blow dry bars are proving to be a cheaper option than trying to schedule a blowout at a regular salon, which often charges by length and thickness of hair. Modern women-on-the-go are becoming regular blow-dry-bar patrons for a number of reasons – to set themselves up for the work week on Monday mornings, to get ready for a date on Saturday nights, or just to give themselves a bit of a mood boost on a bad day.

This means that blow dry bars are all about convenient hours – many of them being open seven days a week, from early in the morning until late at night. And the business is all about volume. Getting customers in and out the door in 30 to 45 minutes is the aim, so stylists have to move fast, watch their time and be efficient.

That doesn’t mean that they’ve skimped on atmosphere, though. A tool around the Web to the websites of these blow dry bars – not just Blo and Drybar, but also chains like Blowout and Halo – shows an emphasis on chic, feminine flair and fun extra touches like chick flicks playing on televisions or free drinks, including wine or champagne.

Each chain has their own variation of styles to choose from, too, often with fun names. Blo puts twists on standard phrases – like the Executive Sweet, the Holly Would, the High Society (for updos). Drybar embraces the theme of an actual bar and names its styles to match – like the Mai Tai (beachy waves), the Southern Comfort (big curls and volume) and the Manhattan (sleek and straight).

They’re sassy, they’re convenient, and they’re cropping up everywhere. Proof that, no matter what the economy, the beauty industry just keeps evolving.

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Who are our scholarship applicants?

Posted on: September 20th, 2011 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

We’ve been blown away by the response to the Beauty Schools Marketing Group scholarship, and all of the amazing stories behind our applicants’ drive to pursue careers in the beauty industry. You’ve made us laugh, cry, and sometimes wish that we knew you in real life so we could go out for martinis.

Basically, it’s been moving, and we’re discovering just how many fantastic women and men are out there, overcoming obstacles, being awesome and pursing their dreams. We actually turned the responses we’ve gotten into a world cloud that we think illustrates just how inspiring our applicants are.

Cosmetology scholarship applicants

(Click to enlarge)

It’s stuff like this that reminds us just how excited we are to be a part of such a great industry. Whether or not you’ve applied or have any intention of applying, we think you’re fabulous, and the proof is in the picture.

Beauty picks for fall

Posted on: September 13th, 2011 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

beauty-ts200266549Times change, seasons change and fashion does, too! (Thankfully – the ’90s can keep their neon mascara.) So, switching out your beauty regimen should coincide pretty easily with switching out your seasonal wardrobes. But how do you know how to make it work? We’ll tell you!

One thing that’s in style every season is a clear complexion and a good foundation. Keep moisturizing, exfoliating and fighting blemishes. And make sure you’re not using the same shade of foundation year-round. It can either make you look too pale in the summer or too dark in the winter. Not good! Once you’ve got the facial basics down, dive into the details:

Animal Prints
To go along with those fabulous leopard-print heels you’re wearing, try neutrals and browns on your eyes, lips and cheeks. The prints are bold and so should you be. You can also take a walk on the wild side with hand-painted or transfer prints for your nails. Rawr!

The Blues
For once, they’re a good thing. Cobalt blue is especially hot – think bright, bold true blue, almost like a sapphire. For a dramatic eye, try an opaque shade on your lids with some black mascara. Or, if you’re not quite that daring, mix it into your nail polish collection.

Heavy Metal
Step into the spotlight with metallic shades this fall. Sparkle with silver, glimmer with gold and be brilliant in bronze. Whether you go for a light layer or serious shimmer, these hues work perfectly on your eyes and nails.

Lash Attack
Eyelashes: the only facial hair a girl wants. And right now, the more and the bigger, the better. Mascara is no longer a one-size-fits-all product. Whether you need to lengthen, curl or thicken your lashes, there’s a tube out there for you. Take it one step further with some false lashes for an extra bold look.

Hair Beware
Volume is the name of the game when it comes to hairstyles this fall. Get pumped with volumizing shampoos, conditioners and styling products that will give you a lot of lift. And if your style starts to sag, bulk it back up with a dry shampoo.

Nail It
The fashion industry has brought back the ’30s with the appearance of half-moon manicures on the runway. Think either an unpainted or different-colored semicircle right above your cuticle. Perfect for two-tone animal prints, no?

There you have it – fall fashion for your face and nails! Day or night, simple or dramatic, these trends can put you on the cutting edge of seasonal beauty.

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Blinded by the White

Posted on: September 6th, 2011 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

Why overusing bleach in teeth whitening can be counterproductive

Teeth WhiteningYou’re having a good hair day, your make-up is flawless, and you’re rocking a fabulous new outfit – what’s missing?  It may be a blinding, white smile.  Americans seem to be obsessed with whitening their teeth, making it a must-have accessory.  But how far is too far with this bright, white trend?

In an attempt to get white teeth, it seems many Americans are bleaching their teeth obsessively and to unhealthy extremes – bleaching multiple times a day and using multiple treatments.  Dentists are beginning to call this addiction “bleachorexia.”  While it may not sound that bad, some people go so far with their bleaching kits and agents that they’re left with eroded enamels, sensitivity, and extremely weak and unhealthy teeth.  Overbleaching as part of your teeth whitening process can actually backfire –  wearing away the protective enamel and exposing the naturally yellow underbody of the teeth.

Like many things, dentists tell us moderation is key.  Overbleaching is only going to ruin your teeth and make them look worse in the long run.  Also, you should not have unrealistic expectations of your teeth whitening products.  Clean, bright teeth are attractive, but shooting for glow-in-the-dark, blinding white is unhealthy and unnatural-looking.

Let us know – do you bleach your teeth?  Do you know someone who may have “bleachorexia”?

Fluid Hair Salon Advertising Glorifies Domestic Violence Against Women

Posted on: August 30th, 2011 by Heather No Comments

I’m 100% pro edgy advertising. I love it when ads show some guts – especially ads for beauty products, professionals and salons. I like to be surprised in this world of advertising clutter where millions of advertisers are competing for our attention every second of every day.

But there’s a line. And Fluid Hair Salon’s most recent advertising crossed it.

It’s one thing to show a hard-working blue collar babe with impeccable hair, or a chic biker chick burning out with high-fashion locks perfectly in place.

It’s entirely another to glorify domestic violence against women.  The same could be argued for their homicide-themed or homelessness and drug-use themed ads, but for some reason the domestic violence one just strikes a particularly uncomfortable chord.  I’m also 100% pro free speech, and support their right to produce such advertising. But just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. These three ads aren’t edgy. They’re tasteless.

What’s the difference between the blue collar ad and the domestic violence ad, you ask? The hard-working blue collar woman and the gutsy, adventurous biker babe make you feel empowered. But the domestic violence victim? That’s just it – she’s a victim. No one wants to be a victim. What message does this ad send to young women? It’s ok that he beats you, as long as you get jewelry at the end – and you’d better look hot while it happens.

Unfortunately, the advertising is probably working in a way. Their reach is probably incredible because of the number of people (just like us) who are talking about the tasteless ads. There are better ways to be creative and to get people to talk about you.

Want to help put a stop to domestic violence instead of glorifying it? Consider making a contribution to or persuading your salon to support organizations like Cut It Out, which mobilizes salon professionals to fight domestic abuse. It trains salon professionals to recognize warning signs of domestic abuse in their clients and safely refer them to local resources that can help.

What do you think about the Fluid Hair ads? Worth making a stink about, or no big deal? Tell us what you really think in the comments below!

These ads are the property of Fluid Hair Studio + Salon in Toronto, Ontario. The images were collected from their Facebook page. These ads are displayed here for the purpose of critical commentary.

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Carisa Gaul Speaks Out On The Business Of Selling Feather Hair Extensions

Posted on: August 25th, 2011 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

get-feather-hair-extensionsGet feather hair extensions! Yes, we’re telling you to, but what we are really talking about is the fashionable business exec, Carisa Gaul, creator of the website getfeatherhairextensions.com. Originally launching the website due to the inability to find a website to purchase her own pair, Gaul decided to just do it her way – creating a website that was never sold out!

Tell us about the time you purchased your very first pair of feather hair extensions.
My first purchase was actually a bulk order of 100 feathers.  I started off just wanting a pair of feathers for my hair for a Jimmy Buffett concert, but after shopping online trying to find the best deal, I was noticing a lot of websites were sold out.  Which also was why I wanted to start a website.

What made you decide to start a website on feather hair extensions?
A couple of friends and I were going to be attending a Jimmy Buffett concert and after seeing them on YouTube I knew I wanted to have them for that concert.  Salons weren’t selling them in Kansas City yet so I was going to have to purchase the feather hair extensions online and install them myself.  I was noticing a lot of websites were sold out.  I decided I wanted to have a site that didn’t “sell out” of feather extensions and cater to the Midwest.

How long did it take you to start seeing success?
Almost instantly!  I bought the domain in April and built it from ground up in two days and bought my first 100 feathers. On April 7, I had my first sale of Blue Feather Hair Extensions.  By April 24, I had to buy more feathers because I only had a couple left.

What has been your greatest moment during the whole process so far?
My greatest moment would be after getting so many inquiries about people wanting to buy feathers in bulk, deciding to put the option up with prices on the website and getting that first 50 feather bulk order.

I would also say another moment that I get to enjoy almost daily is seeing girls with feathers in their hair.  Just knowing that I’m supporting the trend and people can find them on my website without the words “sold out” or “out of stock”.  I’ve maintained low prices from day one and haven’t raised the price even though demand has got increasingly higher. I think that this helps with sales as it can help generate word-of-mouth because not only are they in stock, but they are some of the best prices out there.

Do you consider yourself a feather lady aka frequent wearer of feather hair extensions?
I was wearing the feathers for about 2 months. Then when I had to take them out to reposition them back up my hair shaft, closer to my scalp, I didn’t put them back in. I still love the look of them and might put mine back in this fall.

For a beginner looking to purchase feather hair extensions, how difficult are they to attach to the hair?
Very Easy! The most difficult part is holding the feathers in place while you are trying to clamp down on the micro link with pliers.  It’s sometimes easier if you can have three hands, but it’s not necessary.  We supply everything with your order from our site, expect for the pliers.

Steven Tyler is certainly not shy about his love for feather extensions. Do you think this trend is a fashion do or don’t for men?
Personally, I think it’s a don’t for men.  Steven Tyler can certainly pull them off, but he has a unique style about him.  My boyfriend, and business partner, wore feathers in his hair to the Jimmy Buffett concert, and I think they’re fine for an event but not really an everyday thing. However, some men are very fashion forward and I’m happy to help them find the best feathers for their hair!

What would you tell other women looking to start a website on the next big fashion trend?
If you really put your heart into it and keep focused on what your main goal is, you’ll have success.  Also, don’t listen to other people that don’t think “it’s the thing to do” because in the end, they will be coming back to you saying, ‘Wow I really like this’.  I had this happen to me.  I told my family about the feathers and one of my very-fashion-forward sisters thought it was a stupid idea.  I was hurt by it and it prevented me from buying the feathers for a couple weeks.  After keeping my eye on the market I knew I wanted to move forward with it.  She now sees feathers in girl’s hair and tells me, and supports me by passing the website information along.

So what’s next for getfeatherhairextensions.com?
GetFeatherHairExtensions.com has started to add new products like Feather Earrings for people that don’t want the commitment of feather extensions, but still love the look.  We also are looking into adding synthetic feather extensions, clip-in feathers, peacock feather extensions, and hair tinsel.  We’ve also thought about putting a fashion line on our website for things such as: rings, bracelets, headbands, earrings, etc.

Have a specific question for Carisa about feather hair extensions? Email her at getfeatherhairextensions@gmail.com.

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Who Doesn’t Need a Hug These Days?

Posted on: August 16th, 2011 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

Photo from Paul Mitchell The Ohio Academy

Paul Mitchell Schools Announce 3RD Annual Free Hugs Day

An army of 16.500 Future Professionals will take to the streets on September 21, 2011, when the nationwide network of Paul Mitchell cosmetology schools holds its third annual Free Hugs Day, with simultaneous events throughout the continental United States and Hawaii.

Inspired by the Sick Puppies YouTube music video about Juan Mann’s popular Free Hugs campaign, the Paul Mitchell Schools decided to hold their own Free Hugs Days, reaching out in their local communities to spread their positive message through a simple little hug.

“As members of the beauty industry, we’re in the business of helping people look beautiful,” said Paul Mitchell Schools Dean and Cofounder Winn Claybaugh. “More important, it’s part of our ‘be nice’ culture to help people feel beautiful. Our Free Hugs campaign is just one of the many ways our Future Professionals show their passion and compassion in their local communities.”

Dressed in their signature black outfits, carrying handmade “Free Hugs” signs, and naturally sporting fabulous styles, Future Professionals from the network’s 100 schools will head for plazas, parks, and other popular spots to offer hugs and make people’s day. Events for day and night school students will occur simultaneously in every time zone throughout the country:

Hawaii time: 9 a.m. (day school), 3:30 p.m. (night school)
Pacific time: 11 a.m. (day school), 5:30 p.m. (night school)
Mountain time: 12 noon (day school), 6:30 p.m. (night school)
Central time: 1 p.m. (day school), 7:30 p.m. (night school)
Eastern time: 2 p.m. (day school), 8:30 p.m. (night school)

Paul Mitchell artists, educators, top executives, and superstars will join the Future Professionals at Free Hugs locations in their areas.

For more information about Free Hugs Day events in your community, contact your local Paul Mitchell School.

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