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

Attention! Whether you’re a beauty professional or a beauty fanatic, a trip to Beauty Boot Camp may be in order to get you into tip-top shape! No, I’m not talking jumping jacks and pushups, I’m talking skin advice, makeup tips, and ways to improve your daily regimen to always look your best.

The Boot Camps take place across the country throughout the month of November and are meant to be affordable for the everyday individual to check out. Celeste Hilling is the CEO of Skin Authority, the company sponsoring the Boot Camps. She is also a healthy skin lifestyle expert. Says Hilling: “The Boot Camps are mini vacations that offer lasting benefits for very little money. In fact, for less than the cost of four people going to McDonald’s, the Boot Camps teach the skills to go from drab to glam in 30 days.”

From the beauty-challenged to the beauty-obsessed, you’re sure to learn something that can take you to the next step within the beauty industry. Beauty professionals may learn things they can take back to their clients, while the everyday beauty can ask questions and be helped along their path to beauty success.

For more information, check out the Skin Authority.

-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

Nothing is more sought out than the advice a beauty professional can dish out to his or her clients. This is why it is so important for these professionals to know the best techniques for any beauty routine. Recently Empire Education Group surveyed some of their cosmetology students to get their opinions on different beauty routine topics.

The cosmetology students at Empire were asked to give their opinions on styling, eyebrow removal techniques, nail enhancements, and more. The results of this survey may or may not surprise you, but knowing how these students responded may just help you with future client consultations.

The results of this survey were as follows:

1. 66 percent of students stated that the biggest styling mistake a person can make is not using enough styling products.
2. 59 percent said that the most difficult hairstyle to complete at home is an updo.
3. 74 percent said that the eyebrow removal technique that lasts the longest is hot wax.
4. 56 percent said that people with sensitive skin should not use any type of exfoliator.
5. 61 percent declared that nail enhancements are always in style.
6. 54 percent said that makeup brushes are the absolute most necessary tools to have in your makeup bag.

For more information on Empire Education Group and how to get your start as a beauty professional at one of their schools, click here.

- Priscilla Rodriguez