A Minute With SpaBeautySchools

I’ve been thinking about beauty professionals, and I’ll admit that “altruistic” was not the first descriptor that came to mind. Social workers and nurses merit that adjective, but cosmetologists? Hmm …

Then I stumbled upon Vidal Sassoon’s new Web site at behindthechair.com and discovered how wrong I was when it comes to what a career in beauty can mean to others.

Founded by Vidal Sassoon and Mary Rector-Gable, “Hairdressers Unlocking Hope” is a new program designed to raise awareness to the wake of devastation still experienced by victims of Hurricane Katrina, and to create something beautiful from the ashes of loss. Through this initiative, hairdressers are committing to building an entire community of homes in the New Orleans area.

Why hairdressers? According to the co-founders, the power of hairdressers’ hearts and hands is great:

“Imagine if we could build a village with the hands and hearts of hairdressers. Thousands of us working together to build a new life for families in need. We are such a caring craft; we make others look and feel beautiful every day. In November, working side by side together, the world will watch as hairdressers build an entire community of homes in the New Orleans area for those in need.”

Vidal Sassoon, who himself experienced homelessness as a child, has a special place in his heart for Katrina victims. And if anyone deserves to look and feel beautiful again, it’s certainly those were directly impacted by the hurricane’s destruction. That’s why hairdressers are lending their hands — so that the story of Katrina and the loss of 275,000 homes will never be forgotten.

Wow. Who knew that with a career in beauty, you could have the opportunity to impact someone’s life as well as their look?

That really shouldn’t come as a surprise, since cosmetologists and other salon professionals spend one-on-one time with clients every day, working hard to help them look and feel their best.

After all, the beauty industry was never just about external beauty, was it? By creating something external (a new look, a new home), beauty professionals effect something internal (a new attitude, greater self-esteem).

And let’s not forget the therapist role played by many hairdressers, nail technicians, and the like. They’re not just cutting hair and painting nails, they’re listening to woes and joys and offering insight gleaned from hours spent behind their chair, hours spent interacting with the ones occupying that chair.

Did I say that beauty professionals don’t contribute to the cause of altruism? Scratch that. They’re leading the way.

-Robyn Tellefsen

It’s obvious that it takes top-notch training to succeed in the spa and beauty industry, just like in any other profession. That’s why, this week, I went in search of some not-so-obvious insight into spa beauty career success. Check out what I found right here on SpaBeautySchools.com:

1. Look the part.
Maria Ascher, Regis Corporation’s artistic director, believes aspiring beauty professionals should look the part. “Now that you are an image-maker, make sure you’ve spent time on your own look,” she says.

2. Learn the business of beauty.
“Business and marketing skills are just as important as your artistic skills to be successful in this industry,” says Debra Macki, founder of Debra Macki Cosmetics.

3. Check your motivation.
“Don’t just do this to be a star,” says Arianne Damboise, known as Benefit Cosmetics’ Makeup Maven. “Help your clients take what they have and show them how to evolve into who they want to be.”

4. Keep your skills up-to-date.
Joey Noufal, owner and color artistic director of Noufal Hair Studio, attends hair shows to stay current with trends and train his staff. “Continuing education is critical,” he says. “There are always new techniques, styles, and products to learn about.”

5. Judge not.
“Be open,” advises Andrea Hirsekorn, a certified Pilates instructor, licensed massage therapist, and assistant director of Spectral Journeys. “You have to let go of judgment, and you can’t have a feeling of not wanting to touch a person.”

6. Become an excellent communicator.
“The most important part of having a future in the beauty industry is clearly having the ability to communicate and sell yourself and your services,” says Frank Schoeneman, CEO and founder of Empire Education Group.

7. Do some soul searching.
“Spa customers today are very savvy; they want results coupled with pampering,” says Jillian Wright, owner of Glow Skin Spa. “It’s a true art form that isn’t learned in school. It has to come from your soul.”

That’s good advice, no? So here’s my very own recipe for spa beauty career success: Take these “lucky 7″ tips, add some career education, and voilà –you’ll be on your way. Let us know how it goes!

-Robyn Tellefsen