I love hearing stories of individuals who become successful despite a misfortune. And I love skin care tips and tricks. That’s why I think Clark’s Botanicals story is such a great one that can teach us so much.

Francesco Clark worked at Harper’s Bazaar at the time of his accident. In 2002, he suffered an injury to his spinal cord that left him paralyzed and even took away his ability to sweat. Because of this his skin did not have the ability to fight breakouts and he needed something more than what traditional dermatologists were offering him. He looked to his physician father, who went on to help him develop a botanically-based skin care line that officially went on the market in 2005.

Today, Clark’s Botanicals is a successful skin care company that has been recognized by Allure Magazine and has found all of its success via word of mouth. Using natural products, like Jasmine Absolute, this skin care line is good for your skin. It’s supposed to work for all skin types, too. The line is meant to reflect Clark’s personality and journey, as he says on his website: “Everything about this line has a purpose and reason for being, from the ingredients to the packaging to the contribution to medical research. It’s an expression of who I am in its purest form.”

And to make a good thing even better, part of the profits from the line go to benefit research at The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, which is working to help those who have been paralyzed due to a spinal cord injury.

-Amanda Fornecker

Have you ever been to a student beauty salon? If not, you should definitely consider it, especially if you’re looking to save a few bucks during the recession. Student salons have become increasingly popular during this time and you’re definitely in good hands, despite what you may think.

In fact, student salons have experienced supervisors on hand to watch over and answer any questions students may have. And though it may take a bit of extra time, it’s totally worth it. You wouldn’t want someone rushing through a beauty service you’re paying for no matter how skilled they are.

Another advantage of a student salon is the great specials they have throughout different times of the year. For different services that suit you best, you may find great deals from students who really care about what they are doing. And you’ll be helping them out by giving them the opportunity to have more experience.

I recently talked to some individuals from Empire Beauty Schools and you can certainly see the increases occurring in the beauty industry throughout this recessionary period. For an interesting inside look into the beauty industry, click over to Recession Boosts Biz for Beauty Schools.

-Amanda Fornecker

Even the political scene likes to get a little makeover once in a while. Last week marked the 10th annual Welcome To Our World event, hosted by the Professional Beauty Federation (PBF) on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. And while members of Congress get to be pampered on this evening, some of the most important political issues facing the beauty industry are also brought to light. Let’s just say, it’s like ironing two birds with one flat iron.

According to the PBF, the beauty industry is a $60 billion industry that has limited qualified individuals to meet the demand they face. In fact, the shortage is about 3:1 — the demand is three times greater than the supply of qualified individuals. For this reason, it is paramount that the beauty industry have representation and fairness in taxation and other issues so that more individuals will feel confident in entering the beauty workforce.

Facing the beauty industry this year are important issues, such as inclusion in H.R. 3724 — the Small Business Tax Equalization and Compliance Act. With this, salon owners could claim a tax credit for FICA taxes they pay on the tips of their employees (similar to what restaurants already have). Another big issue is access to beauty education and giving students the option to choose the programs that meet their own needs and career goals.

Beauty volunteers that included hair stylists, nail technicians, massage therapists, makeup artists, and others were on hand to give over 600 members of Congress (plus their key staffers) a little beauty treatment. This was the perfect way to engage Capitol Hill in an industry that dedicates itself to helping other people and have them see what their supporters do on a daily basis.

-Amanda Fornecker

A teenage ne’er-do-well
Most mixed up non-delinquent on the block
Your future’s so unclear now
What’s left of your career now?
Can’t even get a trade in on your smile

Beauty school dropout
No graduation day for you
Beauty school dropout
Missed your midterms and flunked shampoo…
Your story sad to tell

Are there any lyrics more depressing than the “Beauty School Dropout” lyrics from the movie Grease?! Talk about painting a bleak picture!

Obviously, you don’t want to be a beauty school dropout like Frenchie. Here’s why…

Abundant Opportunities
Beauty school offers so many different specialties, and you don’t have to choose just one. You can take your pick from more than 20 different accredited programs of study, including cosmetology, hair dressing, barbering, esthetics, nail technology, and waxing.

And there’s so much more to learn in beauty school than shampoo. Not only will you become skilled in cutting hair, strengthening nails, and beautifying skin, you’ll become knowledgeable in nutrition, biology, chemistry, herbology, and more. It’s an in-depth education that will keep you on your toes. You’ll never be bored in beauty school.

Ease of Entry
Beauty school is much less time-intensive than a four-year degree program, allowing you to get your state cosmetology license quickly and efficiently. Beauty programs can be completed in about two years; for aspiring estheticians or nail techs, six months of beauty school is all you’ll need to complete.

It’s not hard to find a good beauty school, either. You can search for a beauty school that’s accredited by agencies like the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS), Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology, Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, or Council on Occupational Education. NACCAS, for example, accredits about 1,300 institutions. When your beauty school is accredited, you can rest assured that the program is on the up and up and will help get you where you want to go in your career.

High-End Salary and Employment Potential
With a beauty school education, your future can be bright and clear. According to the most recent NACCAS Job Demand Survey, national average salaries, not including tips, are $46,402 for hair colorists, $40,126 for estheticians, $38,843 for cosmetologists, and $33,148 for nail techs.

It’s worth it to stick with your beauty school education because there are countless jobs available for licensed beauty pros. Those positions can’t be filled by just anyone though – the industry is desperately seeking well-trained applicants from top-notch beauty schools. In fact, the NACCAS Job Demand Survey reports that nearly three-quarters of the salons that tried to fill positions were not able to find qualified applicants. And demand for cosmetology services is expected to expand at least at the same rate as the growth of the population. As long as there people walking the Earth, there will be a demand for cosmetology services.

So don’t be like Frenchie – prove to Frankie Avalon that you have the dream and the drive to finish beauty school and make a go of a first-rate career.

-Robyn Tellefsen