A beauty or spa career might be just what you need to consider as the economy continues to stay at a slower rate. People are always trying to look their best, no matter what. And although some services may be slowing down, others will always continue to be in demand.

Take hair stylists, for instance. Would you really cut your own hair? I definitely could never do such a thing. And maybe I don’t go every six weeks any more, but I continue to go and tip my hair stylist. It’s a necessary service that requires a skilled professional.

Nail technicians are also in demand, as regular manicures tend to not be as expensive in a regular salon. While I may not be able to afford it every week, I know that I cannot do as good a job as a licensed nail technician and definitely ned to call in the experts for a big event, where I like to look my best.

Makeup artists and estheticians are always necessary because they have the latest tips and tricks. If they can teach me that my oily face still needs a moisturizer, then I think it is useful to work with these professionals.

These are just some examples of beauty professionals that have influenced my life. Although services may be down, they are still certainly alive and well and will always, in my opinion, be necessary.

Not sure what spa or beauty career is for you?? Check out beauty career program descriptions, as well as spa career beauty descriptions!

-Amanda Fornecker

Sometimes it’s those around you that can truly influence and inspire you. And you may find these individuals in beauty school. Take Melanie Zagar and Liz Hofrichter, for instance. These two present-day beauty salon owners met in beauty school and now they have turned what once was a dream into a reality.

When you participate in a specialized program, whether it be beauty school, grad school, or some other career school program, you are surrounded with people who are passionate. This is why I believe that beauty school — or any school you are interested in — is completely worth it.

This is especially true if you are passionate about the material. Having just enrolled in grad school myself, I understand the joy, motivation, and hard work that can come out of studying something you’re passionate about. I see this surround me with my fellow students, professors, and department heads.

And it’s not only in grad school. Career-focused programs are filled with individuals who truly want to be there. While you may have the required slow course or two, you’re still working toward something you really want to take to the next level. And it is here that you will be working with individuals who have been successful in their very field and wish to pass on their knowledge from over the years to you, the aspiring beauty professionals.

I know I’ve said it countless times, but there are so many advantages to pursuing your beauty passion. Not only does beauty school give you the flexibility, shorter programs, and real-world experience, but you’ll also find dedicated faculty and lifelong friends. And in the case of Zagar and Hofrichter (you can read more about their friendship-turned-partnership here), a business partner that can help you achieve your success. You just need to want it badly enough.

-Amanda Fornecker

This is the true story of how a hospital camouflage foundation artist teamed up with a chemical engineer and a dermatologist to form an up-and-coming successful makeup brand.

Cover FX has an amazing story. I hadn’t heard of the company until a few months ago, but ever since then I have completely fallen in love. And their background and history proves just how thinking outside of the box can help you be successful in the workplace.

Lee Graff (the camouflage foundation artist at the CosMedic Clinic at a hospital in Canada), Jenny Frankel (the chemical engineer), and Dr. Neil Shear (the dermatologist) have worked together since 1985 developing their cosmetic brand. Helping people who had serious skin problems due to rosacea, scars, acne, and various imperfections, Graff has taught patients to use this camouflaging brand to feel better about themselves.

“My dream was to help men and women with skin conditions face the world with confidence by offering them makeup products with therapeutic benefits that would perfectly match their skin tone, be affordable, well tolerated by even the most sensitive skin and achieve a perfectly natural, flawless effect,” says Graff.

The brand is really remarkable, in fact. There are more than 30 foundation shades that can be closely matched to your skin color. The products also contain SPF, which in today’s world is a very important feature to protect your skin against the strong rays of the sun. Additionally, products are cruelty-free and the packaging of the products have become more green. You’ll find concealers, primers, bronzers, brushes, and more at Cover FX. It’s all about your skin with Cover FX so check out all it has to offer.

And while you’re at it, think about what you can do to think outside the box of your current career, especially if you’re unhappy and want to do something you’ve always been passionate about. It seems that you can really steer your career in a direction you may not have thought possible. Who would have thought a chemical engineer and a hospital staffer would make a successful cosmetic brand?! What a great way to be beautiful!

- Amanda Fornecker

Beauty school is more than just sitting in a classroom. While there are certainly opportunities for practice throughout your time at beauty school, it’s through events and networking that you can really enhance your beauty school experience. This is what some students at Empire Beauty Schools recently did.

The 5^th annual tradeshow and competition, known as the Future Professionals Expo, was held in Hershey, PA, on June 7-8. Here, almost 2,000 beauty school students from Empire Beauty Schools gathered together and participated in beauty workshops, enjoyed networking opportunities, sampled beauty products, and even had a career fair experience and completed interviews with potential salon employers.

Competition was fierce, as beauty school students competed in categories, such as long hair evening design, nail art display, and others. Top industry professionals from Goldwell, OPI, HAI, and Odyssey Nail Systems were judges for these competitions. Winners received top awards with professional tools and products, workshops, and job opportunities in major cities like Las Vegas and New York.

The event was certainly a good way to branch out from the typical beauty school education. Empire Beauty Schools, which boasts 88 schools in 19 states, has provided beauty school education to students for over 75 years and plans to continue this annual competition for its students.

-Amanda Fornecker

Photo: The event in action, courtesy of Empire.edu