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Winner of the Fall 2012 $2,500 Beauty School Scholarship!

Posted on: December 18th, 2012 by Beauty Schools Directory 1 Comment

We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to give back to the beauty community that has given us so much over the years. 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!

We will check in with Brenda throughout her journey at her esthetics school of choice near her new home in Virginia. No doubt she will have lots of stories to share, insights on the inner workings of esthetician training, and words of wisdom to share with other aspiring estheticians and beauty professionals!

If you didn’t win this time, but you are still anxious to start beauty school, apply for the $2,500 cosmetology scholarship today. We give away four $2,500 cosmetology scholarships every year for a total of $10,000. The next deadline is April 30, 2012.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

The following is brought to you by Beauty Schools Directory.

Meet Brenda. She’s moving from Las Vegas to Virginia.

I’ve been here my whole life. I got married 3 years ago, and ever since we got married we’ve wanted to have a change because he’s been living here for the longest time. We wanted to go all the way to the other side of the country. I’ve never been there. He left two months ago, so I’m just ready to leave. My plan was to go to school here, but the opportunity arrived that we could move over there. So why start school here if I wasn’t going to be able to finish it? So I postponed it for when I move over there. So yeah, that’s the plan!

She dreams of becoming a licensed esthetician.

My biggest plans are that I want to move over there with my husband to be with them. I just want to start fresh. I’ve been thinking about going to esthetics school for the longest time. I’m getting ready to be 23 and I need to do something already. Once I move over there, it’s going to be a new state, new people, new everything. I think it’s the right opportunity, the right time to start fresh in another place. I think I’m ready for the change and to do something with my life.

She’s starting a new adventure alongside her husband of 3 years.

My husband is very supportive. Whatever I want to do he’s there for me and says just go for it. I’ve been looking not only at the esthetics program, but I’ve been looking to see what is it that I really want to do? And he tells me, too, “I think this is a perfect fit for you.” I’m like, “Ok I think so too!” It’s both of us. It’s like, “Ok, I think I’ll go for this. He’s very supportive so I know that. And I know it’s going to be long hours between working and going to the school, but he says that he’s there for me. If he’s there for me, I can do this. I’m ready for that.

She doesn’t realize she’s the scholarship recipient.

I just have one last thing and I’ll let you go. Um… You are the winner of a $2,500 scholarship!

Oh my gosh, I’m so excited! Thank you so much, I’m so excited, I can’t wait to go and start school. Oh my gosh, that’s so cool! I’m all excited, my hands are so nervous! I can’t wait to call my husband. He’s going to be screaming. [Laughs]

Brenda will get a $2,500 scholarship to go to esthetics school.

Thank you so much. I’m going to do my best to, you know, do the best I can! I’m so thankful. Thank you so, so much. I just want to thank everybody – I know there’s a lot of people working behind you and thank everybody that is supporting me for this money. Just let them know that I am very thankful, and my husband is too! I’m going to do the best I can. I’m ready to go to the new state, start fresh, start a new school, and I’m gonna be good. Thank you so, so much.

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Getting a Head Start on Cosmetology Education in High School

Posted on: November 21st, 2012 by Heather 17 Comments

When most of us envision the typical high school experience, subjects like math, English and chemistry often come to mind before cosmetology, hair design, nail technology, skincare or massage. A traditional high school curriculum is designed to prepare students for a four-year university experience, but many students have a different plan for their educations and careers.

In high schools across the country, many educators think these students deserve to take practical classes that will introduce them to the subjects about which they are most interested. At some schools, this means an opportunity to begin a cosmetology education before graduation.

For instance, in Lancaster, Ohio, about 50 students at Lancaster High School apply each year for the school’s cosmetology program. To gain acceptance in the program, students must have a solid academic record and complete an interview process with their instructors. Teachers say that nearly all of their students in the program share a genuine enthusiasm for working in the cosmetology field, but they don’t yet realize how in-depth a cosmetology education really is. In the Lancaster High School cosmetology program, students begin the classes during their junior year, and study everything from the chemical compositions of hair products, massage treatments, common skin ailments and cosmetic applications.

(more…)

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Facial School? Esthetics School? Same thing.

Posted on: March 19th, 2012 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

We found that a lot of people are on the hunt for “facial schools” to learn to do facials. The good news is – you can definitely go to school to learn that. Even better news – you’re going to get to learn a lot more than how to do a facial!

Learning to Do Facials

If you’re interested in doing facials, you may want to consider esthetician school, which is a skin care training program that teaches you how to give facials. In addition to giving facials, an esthetician—a person who studied and passed the required courses in this branch of cosmetology—provides clients with feedback regarding skin care. Giving a facial helps to rejuvenate the skin and also helps with relaxation, so your role in this field will involve performing facial massage, exfoliation, extractions, steaming, soothing creams and masks, and helping spa customers decide what the best skin care regimen is for their skin type.

Giving a Facial

As a licensed esthetician, you’ll provide clients with facials probably more than any other service. Getting a facial is one of the most common services spa customers request from estheticians (no wonder – they’re fabulous!). Most estheticians work in a a salon or spa setting.

Giving a facial consists of a variety of steps, which are dependant on the type of facial you’re giving. One step in the process may be completing a facial massage. A facial massage increases the blood flow that your client’s face receives. When it is done correctly, it will relieve the client’s stress and even give the skin a healthy glow. Another aspect of performing a facial is microdermabrasion—a process that removes the outermost layer of dead skin cells, in order to soften fine lines, decreases pore size and reduce the appearance of superficial skin hyperpigmentation. Other procedures that you’ll give as an esthetician include exfoliation, steams and extraction. Exfoliation refers to the process of removing dead skin cells through a mechanical or chemical means. Generally, you administer an exfoliation treatment using salt or sugar, or a type of chemical like an acid such as alphahydroxy acids or betahydroxy acids. Steam obviously utilizes steam to refresh the face and open clogged pores, while extraction is done during the steaming process and consists of you extracting white heads and black heads either with your fingers or with a comedone. Lotions, peels, creams and masks are also common spa treatments for a person’s face.

Types of Facials

Various types of facial treatments are available like a European facial, which is a basic one comprised of cleansing, extracting and exfoliating. Another example is a mini-facial will use a similar process as a European facial—cleansing, mask, exfoliating, toning and moisturizing. However, it usually only lasts around 30 minutes and the treatments are not as in-depth. In fact, a facial massage isn’t typically part of the process. Other examples include LED light therapy, an acne/deep cleansing facial, an anti-aging facial, a fruit acid facial, a collagen facial and a bio-lift facial.

So if you love facials as much as we do, have you thought about going to “facial school” — ok, esthetics school – to get licensed to perform esthetics and skin care services for spa clients? If this sounds like the right career path for you, check out or listing of esthetics schools to find one near you and get more information about how to get started.

DIY Facial Products

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Getting a Facial Massage

Posted on: February 21st, 2012 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

KCTV5 anchorwoman Carolyn Long and her colleague, the forward-thinking fashionista Michael Mackie, joined teachers and students at Mitsu Sato Hair Academy in Overland Park, Kansas to learn more about the art and science of giving and getting facial massages. They talk about what estheticians do, as well as some of the things you’ll learn in esthetics school while giving real facial massages!

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How do you become a licensed esthetician?

Posted on: January 16th, 2012 by Beauty Schools Directory 1 Comment

Esthetician Career Information

Type of person who may consider it: If you’re good with your hands, great with people and passionate about beauty.

Services they provide: Licensed estheticians may provide waxing, facials, pore cleansing, exfoliation treatments, body wraps and polishes, manis and pedis, foot reflexology, aromatherapy and other spa treatments. May also learn some elements of massage.

Identifying problems, referrals, regimens: You’ll learn how to identify skin problems that may require a referral to dermatologist or other medical professional, but you will typically recommend skin regimens to your clients.

Classes: Esthetics training classes typically include anatomy courses to learn all you need to know about skin, but also sanitation and hygiene.

Careers: If you decide to become an esthetician, there are a number of career paths open to you – salons and spas, resorts, beauty consulting, esthetics in a medical setting and so much more.

Time: Full-time esthetician school can take as little as 6 months, but part time attendance could take 9 months to a year. But the best thing to do is request information from esthetics schools that interest you and find out how their program lays out.

License hours: The training hours required to become a licensed esthetician vary from 125 hours to 1500 hours, but most states require around 600 hours.

Get info: Most cosmetology schools touch on esthetics and skin care, but if you want to become a specialized esthetician, you may wish to attend esthetician school and get an esthetics license instead.

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Dermalogica Opens Skin Care Academy in NYC

Posted on: April 13th, 2010 by Beauty Schools Directory 1 Comment

dermalogica-academy1 Skin care giant Dermalogica is no stranger to beauty schools around the world. A long time favorite of esthetic programs and skin care experts, the brand recently opened a new undergraduate skin therapy academy in New York City.

After founding nearly forty of their postgraduate International Dermal Institutes around the world, opening an undergraduate facility was the next logical step. The 6,000 square foot space is state-of-the-art and is the only LEED-certified trade school in Manhattan. Students will learn using popular Apple products, including the iPod Touch, iPhone and the new iPad device. The academy building includes a classroom, lab, MicroZone stations that offer 20-minute express treatments, a Skin Bar for skin analysis and a Treatment Room. According to Dermalogica founder Jane Wurwand, the academy will offer a skin therapy education unlike that found at most cosmetology schools:

“In most states, undergraduate skin therapy programs are offered by cosmetology schools — typically run by hair care companies and hairdressers — where hairdressing is the focus. There is a need for schools that are solely focused on skin and the business of skin, which requires an entirely different business model than hair.”

Spa fans can visit the 10-bed treatment room to receive a discounted facial — $50 as opposed to $110 at the dermalogica-academy-1 nearby Dermalogica retail-spa outpost — by a student eight weeks into training, under the direction of a licensed skin care therapist. Dermalogica-trained skin therapists do extractions gently by hand, rather than use the metal comedone tool to remove clogged pores, which Frost said can damage skin and break capillaries.

Interested in enrolling? Classes begin May 18th and after completing 600 hours of training in less than 18 weeks, the licensing requirements of New York State, the academy will help assist you in job placement across the 7,500 salons and spas that carry the Dermalogica line. Visit dermalogicaacademy.com to enroll or for more information. Don’t live in New York? No problem! Find an esthestics program near you!

Photos/Source: WWD

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Using Botox to treat acne?

Posted on: September 24th, 2009 by Beauty Schools Directory 13 Comments

Chicago plastic surgeon Anil Shah M.D. recently published the only study ever done showing that Botox lowers the skin’s oil production and thus, can be used to treat acne. “Botox definitely clears up acne,” says Dr. Shah, who has treated about 100 patients in this way.

Of course, the media and spas around the country jumped on this information. “Another acne-treatment product to throw at consumers!” Only one small large problem. It seems like Botox as an acne treatment isn’t really that great of an idea. When tiny amounts of Botox are injected directly throughout the dermis of face, yes, oil production is limited. But, sorry Dr. Shah, seems like Botox injections are a stupid way to treat breakouts.

First, to significantly reduce oil production, very large areas of the face would need to be treated, resulting in the expressionless look for which Botox is often mocked.

Second, the procedure is difficult. Even Dr. Shah admits that “Experience here is really essential.” The muscle paralyzer has to be injected directly into a layer of skin just 1/25th of an inch thick. If it’s injected too deeply it can alter the patient’s facial expressions.

Third, Botox as an acne treatment can be prohibitively expensive. Once you find a doctor willing to treat your break-outs in this way, a treatment can cost upwards of $500 and last for only 4 months.

Of course, this is only my opinion of Botox as an acne treatment. I tend to be skeptical of most trendy things, though. And over a few years, my skepticism usually proves to be right. Atkins Diet, anyone?

What do you think about the prospect of Botox being used to treat acne? Estheticians, skin care specialists and makeup artists – do you think Botox is a viable solution to cure or treat acne?

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There is No Such Thing as a “Medical Esthetician License”

Posted on: September 10th, 2009 by Heather 19 Comments

Susanne S. Warfield is the leading expert on the business, legal and liability issues that affect physician and esthetician relationships working in a medical or spa setting. Warfield is a 27-year Licensed Esthetician and is NCEA Certified. Her career started as an Esthetics Instructor at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, where she taught the 2nd year of a two-year degree Esthetics Program. When she moved to the United States, her advanced training was put into use and she spent almost 14 years working with a dermatologist in New York City. See Susanne S. Warfield’s profile on the Beauty School Lounge.

As you do your research looking at the field of medical esthetics, you are probably seeing ads for medical esthetic, paramedical and become a medical esthetician. Esthetician training and esthetician licensing varies from state to state, and at the time of this article there was no such license for any of the aforementioned terms. The average number of hours of esthetician licensing training on a national basis is 600. The separation of the esthetician license from the standard cosmetology or hairdressing license has allowed some schools to become licensed to teach only skin care, thereby raising their hours and standards. There currently are only two states – Utah and Virginia – that offer a two-tier Esthetician Masters program for 1200 hours. There are several more states that are in the process of updating their statutes – which is sorely needed – but more on that in another article.

From the National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers/Distributors & Associations, Use of Esthetician Titles. It is the position of the NCEA that estheticians represent themselves according to their licensed title, as designated by their state licensing board or regulatory agency, and that estheticians must not promote themselves or allow any employer to market them otherwise.

Esthetician Medical Training Certifications

There are several companies, schools, and associations that offer “certifications” to estheticians upon completion of a course. These courses may have required participation time ranging from minutes to hours to days.

Some courses are teaching advanced procedures using machines and products that are well beyond what the esthetician license and scope of practice allows. Therefore, obtaining liability coverage would then become a major priority for the esthetician practicing. However, in a dermatology setting, it would be up to the physician and their risk manager if the esthetician should be permitted to perform these advanced procedures, under the direct supervision of the physician of course.

This Isn’t General Hospital – It’s the Real Thing

One of the most important factors in deciding whether to work in a medical setting is: Do you like medicine? Specifically, are you comfortable dealing with illness and medical problems on a daily basis? Not that the fields you’re likely to choose will bring you into contact with a great deal of sick people, but your clients will all be patients and all of them will have a medical or aesthetic concern.

While dermatology and plastic surgery, the esthetics areas you will most likely fill in the medical setting, generally involve less serious medical problems, they’re still not for the squeamish. Plastic surgery, after all, is still surgery. And some plastic surgeons perform reconstructive surgery to repair the trauma of accidents or the disfigurement of diseases such as cancer, burn survivors or genetic defects. And dermatologists treat skin cancer various, sometimes disfiguring rashes and infections as well as various diseases that affect the skin.

If you cannot stand the sight of blood or if you find illness or disfigurement overwhelming, then you probably should consider esthetician career paths other than a clinical setting. On the other hand, most of us can get used to the sights and the situations that are likely to come up in dermatology or plastic surgery, and if you enjoy helping others and if you appreciate the privilege of working intimately with people who depend on you, the rewards of working as an esthetician in a medical setting can be tremendous.

One area that I haven’t touched on at all is the medical spa environment. If I had 10 people in the room and asked them what their perception of a medical esthetician is, I would probably get 10 different answers. For purposes of this article, the NCEA position on a medical spa is:

A medical spa is a facility that during all hours of business shall operate under the on-site supervision of a licensed health care professional operating within their scope of practice, with a staff that operates within their scope of practice as defined by their individual licensing board, if licensure is required. The facility may offer traditional, complementary, and alternative health practices and treatments in a spa-like setting.

Working in this type of facility may take you in several different directions depending on the philosophy of the owner, supervising physician and the corporate vision of what a medical spa is.

In conclusion, try to talk to other estheticians who may already be in the medical field, ask your school guidance counselor for advice, or several website such as PCI Journal offer newsletters and other books that may help you decide which of the career tracts is right for you.

Find esthetician schools near you to get started on an esthetics career path, or check out Susanne S. Warfield’s last blog article, “Esthetician Career Options in the Medical Esthetics Setting.”

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The Risky Business of Body Waxing

Posted on: August 13th, 2009 by Beauty Schools Directory 4 Comments

Tiffany Hall is a licensed esthetician and certified massage therapist, as well as a makeup artist with more than 16 years of experience “painting faces,” as she likes to put it. Tiffany is passionate about skin care, waxing, sanitation and supporting local business. She graduated from David Pressley School of Cosmetology in 2004 with a diploma in esthetics, Origin Institute of Massage Therapy in 2005 with her massage diploma, and Dale Carnegie in January 2009 in Human Relations and Communications. Follow her on Twitter @msesthy or become a fan on Facebook.

You’ve finished your cosmetology and esthetics training, passed your cosmetology board exams with flying colors and now you are ready to take on the world. Bright eyed and bushy tailed you have put together an esthetician resume and cover letter that gets results. “You’re hired!” Those words are music to your ears and they have given you the confidence boost that you need in order to live your dreams of being an esthetician, performing waxing, facials, cuts, colors or round brushing. You can’t wait to tell all of those who have loved and supported you throughout your beauty school journey and start your first day.

Taking the Helm: On-the-Job Training
It’s your first day on the job and you are in your treatment room or station at the salon, and Mrs. Smyth walks in unexpected and needs a facial wax. She is headed out of town for business tomorrow. You are the only one available and the receptionist books her with you. Yay – your first official client! Your esthetician career is off to a great start.

You go through your mental check list:

Wax Melted √
Strips √
Applicators √
Gloves √
Client form completely filled out √

In the midst of you servicing your first waxing client, the owner walks over and says, “Take good care of Mrs. Smyth, she’s a regular. Oh, and by the way we use one applicator per client.” You hesitantly comply with her wishes after all she is the owner and you don’t want to make any waves on your first day. The receptionist tells you before handing you your only tip (Mrs. Smyth’s) that the owner would like to speak to you. The walk to the back office is one of the longest walks you’ll ever take. You get there and nervously sit down, and ask, “Is something wrong?” She says “Yes, Mrs. Smyth complained about how long it took you to wax her and that your gloves kept sticking to her face, and I noticed that you used too many supplies for that one service.”

Don’t Rock The Boat, Baby?
You are at the pinnacle of your career, you work in a posh Midwest salon, and the potential for growth is endless. Just one problem – they are unsanitary! I mean DISGUSTING. They break every sanitation in the book. They double-dip during waxing, don’t wear gloves, their wax pots are a health code violation, and you, the germaphobe, are forced to go along with their unsanitary practices. After all, your job is on the line. In your heart you know that double-dipping and not wearing gloves while waxing is risky business, but you need your job. So you grin and bear it.

Making Waves
Sanitation during body waxing is a very touchy subject and has been known to spark the most heated debates among spa and salon professionals. So much so that people are afraid of losing their jobs if they speak out. If sanitation is an important issue to you and you are unwilling to compromise (good for you!), take these steps to find the right

Put it in writing. Use your resume and cover letter along with your application to state your intentions upfront to perform the highest quality, most sanitary waxing services.
Take a stand or take a walk. If you are serious about sanitation and unwilling to take the risks associated with double-dipping and not wearing gloves while waxing, do not compromise your standards.
Be on the lookout. There are countless spas and salons out there that practice safe sanitation when performing waxing services. Keep going until you find the right one.
Ask and you shall receive. During any routine interview the interviewer will ask you if you have any questions. This is your chance to ask about their sanitation practices and inform them early on that it is important to you.
Call in reinforcement. You’ve been gainfully employed, and aside from the waxing violations things are perfect. Before you approach management concerning their sanitation fiasco, do your research. Find others that share your point of view on safety and sanitation and broach the subject with management in a respectful manner with solutions in mind.
Put yourself in their shoes. This may be very embarrassing for them. Take their feelings into consideration and assure them that it is in the spa’s best interest to provide the safest services to your clients.

As trained, licensed estheticians, you know the benefits of body waxing are endless. As we are in peak season for waxing and sun, remember what you learned in cosmetology school about safety and sanitation for waxing procedures, and put your clients’ health first. It is a win-win for everyone. Your clients leave safe and happy, your salon has repeat customers coming back for the highest quality services, and you will always know you’ve done the right thing.

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The Bikini Waxing Debate: Sugaring vs. Waxing

Posted on: July 23rd, 2009 by Heather 11 Comments

All of the horror stories in the media lately about the dangers of Brazilian waxing and bikini waxing got me wondering, what alternatives are there for men and women who want to go hairless? For those who are tired of shaving but can’t commit to laser hair removal? There is another alternative that’s been around much longer than waxing (supposedly ancient Egypt) but isn’t as popular in salons and spas – sugaring.

And so it begins. The battle of the century. Which hair removal technique is better: sugaring or waxing?

Application

Sugaring – Sugaring is similar to waxing as it rips hair straight from the root, but there are differences in the application. The sugaring paste or gel is applied lukewarm, under no circumstances should you accidently get burned during this procedure. Using a traditional sugaring technique, the sugaring paste or gel is removed the same direction as hair grows; this is easier on the skin and less painful. Sugaring also only attaches to dead skin cells – it won’t accidently remove your skin.

Waxing – Wax is applied warm, there have been several cases of clients getting burned during this procedure. Wax strips are pulled off in the opposite direction of hair growth, which can be hard on the skin and painful. Wax attaches to both dead and live skin cells making the possibility of skin coming off more likely.

Ingredients

Sugaring – Sugaring has natural ingredients that are less harsh on the skin and are less likely to cause allergic reactions. The main ingredients in the sugaring formula are sugar, lemon juice and water; essential oils may be included as well.

Waxing – Waxes have many more ingredients and most are not natural. Waxes are usually made of resins and can include artificial fragrances, dyes, chemicals, and preservatives.

Infection

Sugaring – Bacteria does not breed or survive in sugar; it actually helps prevent infections and promotes healing. Sugaring is also water-soluble, extremely easy to clean up and leaves the skin feeling smooth.

Waxing – Bacteria breeds in wax, can bruise skin, and can cause rashes and bumps. Wax is difficult to clean up; usually heavy oils or chemicals are needed and it often leaves the client’s skin sticky.

Cost

At most salons and spas, sugaring costs a few dollars more than waxing. The main reason for the price increase is that sugaring takes longer than waxing.

Conclusion

From most of the comparisons I’ve read, sugaring seems like the obvious choice. I think most of us would be willing to pay a few dollars more for less pain and risk of infection, as well as a better, more natural result.

So why isn’t it available everywhere like waxing seems to be? I’m curious, is this technique is being taught in the majority of cosmetology schools? Does your salon or spa offer it? What are your experiences with sugaring and waxing?

Try Sugaring or Waxing at Home: