A Minute With SpaBeautySchools

When it comes to weddings, a bride’s dream is that everything will come out perfect, no matter what the cost may be. And when it comes to hair and makeup, the statement also applies. Most brides are willing to spend top dollar for hair and makeup because it is “their day” to be the center of attention.

Beauty Professionals
Those in the beauty profession have a high chance of receiving a large amount of customer traffic this time of year. With wedding season being at its height in June, beauty professionals can begin to market themselves by offering discounted spa days for brides and grooms. This is a win-win situation for the bride and spa company. Another good idea for marketing yourself is to create a website for your business. Brides (along with just about everyone else) turn to the Internet for ideas and perform searches to locate places to have their hair and makeup done.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the hourly earning potential for beauty professionals ranges from as little as $7.92 to up to and over $18.78 with tips and commission. With additional services being provided to the customer, beauty professionals have the opportunity to increase their cash flow. There is also potential to earn more once you have gained more experience and also if you are licensed to perform these services. Attending beauty school is a very good idea because of the income advancement opportunities that are available to you.

Ideas for Spa and Salon Owners
There is a high amount of revenue to be made by spa and salon owners when offering spa services to brides and their bridal party. Here is a list of what a few spas are charging and the services they are offering to brides, and grooms, as well:

1. Christie & Co. Salon and Spa (Bayside, NY) offers bridal services such as a trial hair day for $75 and a bridal hair day ranging between $75 and $125.

2. Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas (various locations throughout the US) offer bridal spa packages for both the bride and groom. Their packages are for either a full day or half day and run anywhere between $300 and $370. A full day for brides at a Red Door Spa includes a classic 50-minute massage, bikini wax, spa lunch, and much more.

3. Estee Lauder Spa (Manhasset, NY) also offers packages for both the bride and groom. The special bridal packages are offered from as early as six months before your wedding up until your wedding day. You can find more information about these services on esteelauder.com and can be found under link “The Beautiful Bride.”

A Few Resources
For more information on how other beauty professionals are marketing their services, and also what working as a beauty professional is like, check out these sites:

Occupational Outlook Handbook: www.bls.gov/oco/ocos169.htm
Christie & Co. Salon and Spa: www.christiesalon.com
Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas: www.reddoorspas.com
Estee Lauder Spas: www.esteelauder/templates/spa

-Priscilla Rodriguez

I need to be pampered. Seriously. I haven’t had a massage in almost two years and my hair is an absolute disaster! Luckily, I’m at ease (to an extent) about the professionals who can provide these services to me.

Really I love the beauty and fashion industries. Nothing thrills me more than a good pair of shoes or a beautiful leather bag. Being a stylist, I feel, would be so cool, but I don’t have the experience or training to deserve a stranger’s trust. The same goes for makeup. I’ve taught many-a-friend some tricks for their face, but that doesn’t mean I can make a career out of it. What separates me from someone who doesn’t know anything about fashion or makeup?

It comes down to credibility. Employers are far more probable to trust my journalistic judgment than to hire me as a stylist or makeup artist because that’s what my degree is in and that’s where I’ve worked before. However, if I wanted to I should definitely reach for the stars and get myself to beauty school.

I’ve seriously been considering a change lately in my appearance. Like I said, my hair is driving me crazy but I’m kind of nervous to just take the hair plunge! And I never know what to tell my hairdresser - how short do I want it? Do I want layers? Bangs? Ahhhh so many decisions!! Another problem is the fact that I’ve decided to switch hairdressers. I’m unhappy with mine and need a change. But who can I trust?! I’d love it if I really knew what to look for or if I could wear my hair differently than just my typical straight and oh-so-boring.

I need to spice it up! Maybe someone who’s like me can benefit from searching for a beauty program. And although I may stick to writing for now, a beauty career switch may be the way to go one day. And it’s then that I’ll be able to present my skills in a way that others can trust.

-Amanda Fornecker

Cosmetologists in training: take note. If you aspire to be THE hair stylist to the stars, to see your name in lights at your very own salon on the likes of fancy schmancy Madison Avenue, or to see your work all over the Red Carpet, then take a look at the story of Julien Farel. He’s made $3,600 in the past for completing only 30 minutes of work. Of course, he was styling a celeb’s hair at 2 a.m., but that’s just a minor detail…

MSN CareerBuilder had an article up today about this hair stylist and how he got to where he is today. Seems like it took a lot of training, practice, and mentoring. But eventually Farel was able to open up his own salon. Dreams do come true. While he was star struck at first when he started styling celebrities, he now claims that this job comes second nature to him and that his goal is making all his clients look like celebrities.

Says Farel in the MSN article, “Opening my own salon and seeing my name on Madison Avenue was always a dream,” Farel says. “To see it happen still fills me with such pride.”

And you can do it too. It’s not impossible at all. Farel started out at beauty school, worked in the field, and was noticed by someone with more experience. He just continued to move up from there.

“There is no secret to success,” points out Farel in the article, “there’s just determination.”

So turn that determination into some motivation for a beauty program so you can own your dream salon and make thousands of dollars in just minutes.

-Amanda Fornecker

You already know beauty pros are cool, but here are 7 more reasons why a career in beauty is the way to go.

1. Free samples
Why pay retail when you can get the latest and greatest products for a deep discount, or for nothing at all? If you’re into beauty products (which you are, of course), you may as well save money on ‘em.

2. Beautiful people
Let’s face it–when you make it to the top of the beauty chain, you get to meet some pretty beautiful people, celebs and civilians alike. Not only do beauty pros get to stargaze, they get to go behind the scenes and find out what makes the beautiful people tick, and what kinds of products they prefer. They hold the secrets to the beautiful looks.

3. Service for yourself
When you’re in the beauty business, you can get high-quality beauty services as well as you can give ‘em. That’s because your best friends are fellow beauty pros who can work their magic on you, and vice versa. Never pay top dollar for beauty services again.

4. Time to trendwatch
Some people read celeb and fashion magazines as a hobby, but beauty pros get paid to trendwatch. After all, the pros who stay on the cutting edge of cool are the ones who get the best word of mouth and the most business.

5. Spa work
Wouldn’t it be great to spend your days at the spa? According to the International Spa Association, 74 percent of U.S. spas–that includes club spas, day spas, medical spas, and resort/hotel spas–offer salon services. It’s an ideally luxurious work environment.

6. Always hiring
As long as the world turns, there will be a need for salons and spas filled with hair stylists, makeup artists, nail technicians, and more. There will always be work, in every city, in any economy. Not many people can cut and style their own hair, or do their own nails, or apply makeup professionally.

7. Never boring
Unlike the traditional desk job, beauty pros get to work with different people every day. There’s always someone new coming through your door, and there’s always a new look to try, or a challenge to meet. You have to be alert and proactive to do this job.

Now just try to come up with 7 reasons not to be a beauty pro….

-Robyn Tellefsen

Whether you’ve decided on, or are still contemplating, a spa or beauty school it’s important to start searching for financial aid early and often. Though it may not always be necessary, spa beauty scholarships can make the difference between a quick and easy education, and struggling to make tuition payments. In order to help you out, we’ve collected info on three upcoming spa beauty scholarships…

The Name: The International Spa (ISPA) Foundation’s Mary Tabacchi Scholarship
The Game: Part- and full-time undergraduate students who have an interest in spa management, and who plan on enrolling in a two- or four-year spa-related degree program, may apply. Scholarship application essentials include: your college transcript, recommendations, and an essay outlining your skills, credentials, and goals.
The Date: March 1, 2008
The Prize: A $2,500 scholarship, plus airfare, hotel, and registration fees for attending either the ISPA Asia-Pacific Conference or ISPA Conference & Expo.

The Name: Joe Francis Haircare Scholarship
The Game: Available only to cosmetology students who can demonstrate either an enrollment with, or acceptance by, a cosmetology school by August of this year. Applicants are judged by their skill, commitment to cosmetology, and financial need.
The Date: June 1, 2008
The Prize: A $1,000 scholarship.

The Name: The Massage Therapy Foundation’s Student Case Report Contest
The Game: Open to currently enrolled massage therapy students, this contest asks each applicant to conduct a case study into the benefits of massage therapy on a new patient. Students then submit a 2,000 - 3,000 word document that outlines the pertinent aspect of their study.
The Date: March 1, 2008
The Prize: Prizes range from $1,500 to $2,500 and may include being published on the Massage Therapy Foundation’s Web site or the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. Depending on whether a student wins the “Gold” or “Bronze Award” additional awards may follow.

-Genevieve Blaber

Nail technicians are emerging from the shadow of higher-profile salon professionals with s super-bright career outlook for 2008, according to NAILS Magazine 2007 industry stats and trends. As a nail tech, how can you get a bigger piece of the nail salon services pie? Follow the trends …

1. Charge more.
Nail techs give clients what they pay for and then some. Don’t sell yourself short. If you’ve got just as much to offer as the pricey salons do, why shouldn’t your rates reflect that reality? NAILS suggests following this formula to raise your rates: Provide custom services unique to your salon, deliver the results you’ve promised, then charge prices that reflect your quality of products, service, and exclusivity. Make sure your clients are paying for everything they’re getting.

2. Branch out.
If people can get manicures while they’re waiting for their cars to be fixed, why can’t you diversify your services too? Thinking big will set your business apart from the rest. Expand your retail offerings beyond cuticle oil and nail polish. Offer head and neck massages while clients’ nails dry. Consider adding services like a spray tanning booth. Bottom line: Don’t be afraid to offer more than nail care.

3. Get dirty.
People come to you for beauty, but sometimes what they bring you isn’t pretty at all. The fact is, everyone gets natural buildup on their heels; that’s why callus management is in demand. As a nail tech, the callus products at your disposal provide a gentle, yet powerful, alternative to a blade. While callus removal and management may not be the most glamorous addition to your services, it’s a profitable one.

4. Buy direct.
Each new year brings new distribution opportunities for nail techs. Why pay a traditional full-service dealer when you can buy products direct from the manufacturer? With your products in more online stores than ever, you’ve got a better selection and better options for buying. NAILS also predicts that more nails-only dealers will spring up, which will make it even easier for you to find the products you seek.

5. Learn more.
Nail techs and salon owners are going back to school, and not just for standard continuing education courses. According to NAILS, we can look forward to the availability of more college-level salon specialization courses as well as farther-reaching curriculum being designed by manufacturers and independent outlets. Highly specialized technical courses in areas like medical pedicures, anti-aging treatments, and solution-oriented natural nail care based on biology and chemistry will crop up as well. And salon owners will pursue business degrees, while more MBAs will make their way into the nail industry and start their own salons.

Whether you’re considering becoming a nail tech, you’re on your way to getting licensed, or you’re already established in your career, rest assured that the industry is full of opportunity. It’s never looked better!

-Robyn Tellefsen

If it’s true that a woman’s hairstyle is her most important accessory, revealing her personality and her adventurousness or conservatism, what does your hair say about you?

I suppose my short, zero-maintenance haircut points to my overall low-maintenance look. Basically, I’m a hair designer’s nightmare. I’ve never met a hair designer who hasn’t wanted to give me a chic new style or a complete color overhaul. (The one nod my hair gives to the adventurous aspect of my personality is my blonde highlights. How daring!)

After all, people are known for their hairstyle–think Farrah Fawcett’s 1970s feathered look, for one. And what about the public outcry in 1999 when Keri Russell of the TV show “Felicity” cropped her long, curly hair into a pixie do? If that doesn’t speak to the importance of hairstyles, I don’t know what does.

And when it comes to hair, it’s obvious if you’re not changing with the times. The late fashion designer Bill Blass once said, “The secret of living is not staying too long. I have learned when to leave the party.” In other words, if you’re still sporting a ’50s-era bouffant, you might want to rethink your style. Besides, if your hair designer were still pushing the “Rachel” from the 1990s, you’d probably look for another designer.

Going even further back, history provides classic examples of the ever-evolving nature of hair design. In the 1700s, during the reign of Louis XV in France, women began hiring artists to create hairstyles depicting the themes of the elaborate French socialite parties they were attending. Their hair was draped over a frame stuffed with cotton, wool, or straw and cemented with a paste that hardened. Hair was then powdered and decorated. And, get this: Women were known to sport live birds in cages, waterfalls, cupids, and naval battles in their hairdos!

As you can imagine, these hair designs got a bit out of control. Women suffered backaches from the weight of these creations. Not only that, but the pomades holding these styles together were made of beef lard and bear grease. Because women traditionally kept their hairdos for a week or two, their hair became rancid and would often attract vermin. Unfortunately, shampoo didn’t make its debut until Breck entered the market in the 1930s. Aren’t you glad you missed this chapter in the history of hair design?

Change is good. And if you’re interested in hair design, change must be a key term in your career vocabulary. Maybe you can even convince low-maintenance gals like me to consider a new style …

-Robyn Tellefsen

If you’re considering a career in skin care, you probably enjoy working with people and making a difference in their lives. After all, esthetics is a truly hands-on, helping profession. But did you ever think that skin care could symbolize life itself?

Check out how these functional categories of skin care ingredients reflect key aspects of a healthy life:

Skin care category: Antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid and alpha lipoic acid, reduce the skin’s exposure to free radicals, which speed the aging process and contribute to inflammation.
Healthy life application: Protect yourself and the ones you love. In the same way that you would instruct clients to limit their skin’s exposure to the sun, consider what you expose your heart and mind to every day. Are you listening to media messages that make you feel bad about yourself? Redirect the time spent on negative pursuits to engage in activities that feed your soul.

Skin care category: Emulsifiers, such as beeswax and cetyl alcohol, stabilize emulsions, smooth blends of oil and water, and prevent products from separating.
Healthy life application: Seek unity with friends and family. After all, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. If your support system is damaged, you won’t have the solid foundation to help you stand strong in life.

Skin care category: Emollients, such as seaweed and green tea extracts, smooth and soften the skin and reduce friction.
Healthy life application: Live in peace with others. When there is friction in your home or workplace, it’s difficult to accomplish individual and corporate goals. Make an effort to establish a peaceful environment, and you will cultivate a soft heart.

Skin care category: Preservatives, such as benzoic acid and octyl salicylate, kill detrimental bacteria, yeast, and mold, and thus inhibit the chemical degradation of products and prevent spoilage.
Healthy life application: Keep your heart pure. In skin care and in life, you need a good defense as well as a good offense. On the offense, you must put preventive measures in place to deal with distractions and detractors when they come. Otherwise, the positive qualities you’ve worked hard to attain may become degraded or spoiled.

See? The applications of skin care go much deeper than the surface of the skin. With training in skin care, you can acquire the tools to teach others (and yourself!) how to live a healthy life.

-Robyn Tellefsen

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