The Bellus Academy of Beauty & Spa recently hosted an evening in San Diego to honor those who have been working hard to further the beauty industry. By providing mentoring and externship programs, these businesses and campaigns work tirelessly to give the community a further knowledge of beauty careers and the beauty industry. And they have even pledged scholarship money to help those looking to get into a beauty career.

“These beauty industry leaders have inspired so many others with their knowledge and generosity by taking students under their wing and serving as mentors,” said Lynelle Lynch, President of Bellus Academy. ”By nurturing the future of the beauty industry and sharing their passion for their jobs with the community, it has helped us take another step further in changing the perception of beauty as a fallback career. Beauty industry professionals are just that – professional, while also being creative, business-minded and in love with what they do.”

Businesses and campaigns were given the special award at a ceremony on June 9, 2010. Some of these honorees included the Hard Rock Hotel, the Travis Parker Salon in La Jolla, The Loft in Escondido, The Doves in Santa Monica, and Salon Radius in Del Mar. Through campaigns, such as We Love Our Jobs, those in the beauty industry have been able to give more than $1 million in scholarships to deserving and aspiring beauty students. This just shows us that there are lots of opportunities in fields that we love. And the beauty industry is just one more.

-Amanda Fornecker

Life has been very exciting and a dream come true for Ted Gibson. He gets to do something he loves every day and inspires many throughout the country. And now he can do this even more regularly. This celebrity hair stylist and salon guru has not only became the resident expert on everyone’s TLC favorite “What Not to Wear,” but also just recently partnered with the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) in their Beauty Changes Lives campaign.

Through Beauty Changes Lives, people can become educated on what a beauty career really means and how they might fit into that kind of world. It’s through having people like Gibson in support of his very own chosen career, that others may become inspired to do the same.

Gibson began speaking at conferences for AACS just last year but has since become a main face for the organization. In a recent press release, he said the following about his passion and work with the AACS: “My career in the beauty industry has allowed me to blend both my creative and entrepreneurial drives. The career has truly provided life changing opportunities and I feel both humbled and privileged to be part of this effort to raise awareness of beauty careers.”

Gibson has worked with the likes of Anne Hathaway, Demi Moore, Diane Sawyer, Jessica Alba, and more. His work has also appeared in countless magazines, including Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Cosmo. He also has two very successful salons; one in New York City and one in Washington, D.C. For more information on his latest job, check out BeautyChangesLives.org.

-Amanda Fornecker

Photo: Gibson with Lynelle Lynch, president of AACS

A strong interest in a career path is certainly necessary to begin your schooling in a particular subject. Particular knowledge, however, is not always necessary.

As I recently sat to get my nails done, my nail technician worked diligently to give me the best manicure. She asked me if I wanted my cuticles pushed back and I responded that I would rather have them cut. I told her that I always liked to get cleaned up the best I could. To this, she responded that she didn’t think I needed them cut and that it was actually not the best to always have that done. This is when I thought about how beauty school and work experience really shapes the professional you can become. I’m fairly certain that before my nail technician started her nail career that she didn’t know that little fact. It was through time and learning that she was able to learn such things.

So is this case with most people. You start your career out with some knowledge and then eventually learn more as you go along. You work your way to the top by working diligently and persevering. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t tough at the bottom, but you have to start somewhere. There are lots of different career path stories. Start your own today and read up on a hair stylist, a celebrity makeup artist, and a foundation expert.

-Amanda Fornecker

One of the most difficult parts of school, in my opinion, is choosing the right one. Once you’ve picked your school, you just need to go the distance to make the grades and be successful. Here, I’ve picked out some articles that may help you in your quest for choosing just the right school.

How to Choose a Beauty School
Beauty school includes a wide scope of professions. So with a few interviews from those who have been there, done that, and made it to the top, you’ll find sound advice that you may find helpful as you search for and make the big beauty school decision. Preparation, personality traits, and curriculum expectations are just some of the great things you can read about and learn more about here.

How to Choose a Cosmetology School
Cosmetology is a more specific category of beauty. Cosmetology school is where your beauty career begins but it can be overwhelming picking the right one. Here, we guide you along the path to looking at reputation, programs, quality, and skill sets. Once you’re in, you’ll be able to explore cosmetology careers and pick just the right specialty for you.

How to Choose an Esthetician School
Esthetics is an even more specialized field of the beauty industry. It deals with skin care and makeup application. Choosing an esthetician school involves licensing options, esthetician school visits, and talking to those who have already walked in your eager shoes.

Picking the right school, no matter what your specialty, involves taking care, research, and time. But with the right information you can choose the right beauty school for you and start out on a successful career path.

-Amanda Fornecker