Since it is a new year, it might be beneficial to think about what you want to do for yourself this year. And perhaps that includes going to school. Whether you’ve recently been in school or haven’t seen a book for years and years, the following information may prove helpful in making your final decision to embark upon a new life…

In How to Choose a Cosmetology School, we break down the ins and outs of programs, what to look for, and how to find just the right cosmetology to suit your interests.

You’ve probably gotten your nails done at one time or another. With the right license and nail technician education, you can be successful at a job that helps others feel great about themselves. See the Top 10 Reasons to Go to Nail School.

Barbers don’t just work with trimming the hair of men, you know. In fact, some women go to barber shops to get their beauty services. No matter who you are working with in your barber shop, you’ll first need to Go Old-School at Barber School.

Finally, if you’ve been thinking about helping others through massage, you may find your calling at massage schools. It may seem like a long road, but it really is a great way to embark on a new career. Stay calm and Relieve Stress at Massage Schools.

Good luck in your search!

-Amanda Fornecker

I’m a reality TV junkie. I’ll admit it. Sometimes those shows present subjects that resemble a train wreck from which you just cannot look away. The main goal of the shows is the entertainment factor to draw in viewers for excellent ratings. Some do an excellent job, while others can’t seem to draw a faithful audience. But what happens when it goes too far? Such is the case with a California beauty school, according to its students.

Alameda Beauty School is currently under fire for attempting to turn their everyday learning into a reality television show. But what’s most disturbing to these beauty school students is the wording of the proposal. According to an article on KTVU.com, the proposal put together by the beauty school owners included the following: “The students are mostly inner-city, unwed mothers taking advantage of government subsidies for a better life. The instructors can’t find any other job that offers ‘bennies’ [benefits]. The new owners are white, naive suburbanites bleeding cash and trying to keep it all under control.”

The proposal also suggested episodes with scenarios that named specific students and instructors and did not necessarily present them in the most positive of lights.

Of course, there are two sides to every story and owner Tracy Becker now says that the entire proposal has been taken out of context and was exaggerated for the purposes of getting picked up by a production company.

Students have been protesting and faculty are certainly less than thrilled about this incident.

Personally, I think that if a reality TV show were to be done about a beauty school, it should showcase the trials and tribulations of attending a school that helps make a difference in many lives (both the student and the client). In fact, I believe that a well-done reality TV show about beauty school could help those who are considering a career in the industry see what it’s really like. Something like that would certainly be of value. But what was written in the proposal by Alameda seems rather petty and as if the ’suburbanites bleeding cash’ are continuing to plant seeds for their tree of money. What do you think about the Alameda Beauty School reality television proposal?

-Amanda Fornecker

I’m always weirded out by the eyebrow threaders in the mall. I, myself, am an eyebrow tweezer – even intimidated by the eyebrow waxers at the nail salon. But I’m pretty sure that if I went to either, I’d want the eyebrow professionals to be licensed and skilled in what they’re doing, considering their close proximity to my eye and the fact that they’re correcting something on my face.

So what are the requirements for eyebrow threaders? Well, of course, it varies from state to state and it’s always important to first check with your state licensing board before you go for your degree so that you know what you’re in for. Some states require eyebrow threaders to have a cosmetology license; others require an esthetician license; and some may not require any type of licensing. But what happens if the state decides to change the law and require a license all of a sudden Businesses are stuck, especially if they have a group of unlicensed individuals on staff.

This is what has been happening in Texas, recently. Eight businesses have challenged the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation’s new rule that all threaders must be licensed in order to practice, deeming that this is unfair and imposed without warning. In fact, many unlicensed threaders have received fines as high as $2,000, according to the Houston Chronicle. The businesses don’t think licensing is necessary because there are not many eyebrow threading courses offered in cosmetology schools.

It’s interesting to see both sides of the story. Some clients may say they wouldn’t care if a threader was licensed or not. However, I can’t really say I feel the same. Let’s go back to the main idea of what a license is. In order to obtain a license in any field, you must achieve success in a particular course of study and have put in a certain amount of hours of both study and practice. This means that you’ve passed and learned in the amount of time that the program dictates you need.

Yes, it is oftentimes the case that you learn by doing more than sitting in a classroom. This is why I think that there is a required practice part in a beauty school program. But you’re working with instructors who have been there before and have paid their dues. Why shouldn’t an eyebrow threader be licensed? They are still in the beauty profession, working with clients and providing a (somewhat invasive) service for which people are paying.

I don’t think it’s fair that the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation didn’t give the businesses fair warning before they began issuing fines. You can’t just decide all of a sudden to change something that has been in place for a while. But with the rise in popularity of eyebrow threading, I think it’s important that professionals be licensed. What do you think?

-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