You’ve decided to go back to school to pursue something you are genuinely interested in. Congratulations! No matter what avenue of education you are pursuing, you’re always bound to have questions. It’s a huge life-altering decision to continue on with your education so it’s a good idea to have some of the facts down first:

• Beauty schools generally interest the artistic and creative sides of individuals. This doesn’t mean you have to already have techniques to pursue your education, but a strong interest in fields like cosmetology, hair design, makeup application, and more are certainly important.
• According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest 10 percent of salaried cosmetologists earned close to $20 per hour in May 2006. Salaries grow with experience.
• Cosmetology and other beauty professions tend to be flexible careers, with about 46 percent of the total number of cosmetologists being self-employed, according to the BLS.

What questions will you have before you make your ultimate beauty decision? Let us help you here with the Top Five Questions About Beauty Schools.

-Amanda Fornecker

Being a hairdresser can often be a tough job, especially to those who aren’t quite sure of the proper techniques. That’s why hairdressers have gone to school and have learned just the right methods to make their clients happy with their appearance. Here, John Doucette, Director of Student Salons at Empire Beauty Schools, gives us insight on how to properly blow out your hair. You’ll be a pro in no time! And if you’re interested in actually working as a hairdresser, then be sure to research cosmetology schools for the right program!

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Of all the complicated beauty techniques out there that people would love to know about, one of the things that I get asked about most often is how to get a top-notch blowout on your own hair.  It’s actually not that hard to do if you just keep a few professional tips in mind. In fact, there are many simple things that can be done at home to get a salon-quality blow-out.

Start by gently blotting, not rubbing, the hair with a towel and then combing with a wide tooth comb. Removing as much water as possible makes it easier and quicker to dry, and it is much healthier for the hair. For frizzy or wavier hair, use an anti-humectant product to repel moisture.   Frizz is caused when too much moisture from the air gets soaked up by the hair. When hair is well hydrated, it doesn’t pull so much problem-causing moisture from the air.

Always subdivide the hair into sections. The smaller the sections, the easier each piece will be to straighten. I recommend using a large, round natural bristle brush such as boar bristle, to blow the hair out. A natural bristle will help the cuticle to lay smoother, which will mean a sleeker final result.

And here is the tip that will really help get a professional-looking result: finish each piece using your hair dryer’s cool shot button, unwinding with a twist of the brush, rather than pulling it out straight. The result will be smooth shiny hair with some volume and a bit of a wave.

John Doucette has over three decades of cosmetology experience. Doucette was co-owner of an eleven franchise business and also gained invaluable expertise and knowledge as a longtime leading colorist. He now works with the student salons at Empire Beauty Schools and shares his experience and knowledge with the future hairdressers of America.