“Back to school, back to school, to prove to Dad that I am not a fool!” So said Adam Sandler in Billy Madison. It’s the attitude around this time every year – the summer is winding down and the anxiety of an impending year is beginning to hit some. And to think that you could actually be in this situation as well is even more exciting.

It’s still early enough that you can begin your quest for knowledge at beauty school or spa school and get started right away. Most beauty school programs have classes that begin every few weeks – all you need is an interest and passion in the material. And, nowadays, it’s even easier to enroll when the very possibility of enrollment is right at your fingertips.

A recent article on KansasCity.com highlighted a local hair salon that has been in operation for 47 years – ever since owner Judy Gaume began her hair styling career. A weekly patron, Patricia Gaunce, put the very essence of a hair stylist perfectly in the article: “It’s like finding a doctor you can trust,” she says. “Once you find a hairdresser you like, you stay with her. Before I met Judy, I had never really gone to the salon. But that changed. I’m not a smoker. I’ve never been a drinker. But I go to the beauty shop.”

I, personally, am always so nervous to find a new hair stylist. And I know I’m not the only nervous nelly. In fact, most of my experiences with hair stylists have come via recommendations of people I trust. It’s a scary thought to imagine that anyone can mess up your daily appearance. And sure, hair grows back, but we want to look our best all the time.

An interest in styling hair would certainly be a must to begin a beauty school program. But, as I mentioned, this is the time to really follow your desires (no matter what your age) and form relationships just as Judy has.

Do your research and apply to beauty school today!

-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

I didn’t think a reality television show could get more entertaining than our beloved Jersey Shore and the craziness that is Snooki, but alas, there is a rival. And while it may not be the most original of ideas to bash the same state and its inhabitants over and over again, I still find myself mesmerized by Jerseylicious (the title alone speaks volumes). This Style Network show follows the hair stylists and makeup artists of a New Jersey salon. I don’t know if it’s the fact that I actually know the types of people portrayed on this show or if it’s actually hysterical, but just like a typical train wreck of a reality show, I can’t look away.

On last night’s episode of Jerseylicious, the Gatsby Salon was buzzing over the possibility of being featured in a New Jersey magazine. A “secret shopper” type of customer would be from the magazine and size up the salon for their professionalism and overall success as an upscale salon. Of course the customer that was the mystery writer turned out to be the one that was around for a crazy time in the salon. And Gatsby has been named a finalist.

What reality television show would be complete without drama? This episode’s drama included a fight that ensued between a hair stylist (Tracy) and an aspiring makeup artist (Olivia). It was Tracy’s birthday and she was having a safari-themed party at her apartment. She decided to invite the entire Gatsby staff – except for Olivia. To retaliate, Olivia decided to throw her own jungle-themed party at the same time as Tracy’s. You can only imagine the drama, which involved a screaming match in the parking lot and a lot of smack-talking.

The lines that came out of their mouths were pretty hysterical. Some of these included:

“She likes to copy everything of mine: my hair, my nails, and even my cell phone covers. She’s like a Chinatown knockoff.” – Tracy in reference to Olivia
“It was like the Civil War. I felt like the Mason-Dixon line!” – Anthony (the only male hair stylist on the show) in reference to his meddling between Tracy and Olivia

The worst character was Alexa, the head makeup artist. She refers to herself as a “Glam Fairy” who trains others to get their wings. It was like she was living in lala land, but was actually really mean to everyone. I think that it’s good for makeup artists and hair stylists to come up with a philosophy to live by in order to beautify others, but Alexa used bad puns and references constantly throughout the show. And she’s not a nice person either.

Oh, and I forgot to mention the stereotypes portrayed in the show. Of course we have the big hair, crazy nails, fake tans, and crazy outfits. And let’s not forget about the accents (although I have been made fun of a time or two for my New York accent). If you haven’t seen Jerseylicious yet, the picture you have in your mind is probably correct. Check it out yourself for a fun salon experience and some mindless entertainment!

-Amanda Fornecker

As a young child, Kristin DeSimone always jumped at the chance to style the hair of her family and friends. She delighted at practicing her latest creations on her dolls in the fourth grade. So when she thought seriously about what she wanted to do with her life, Kristin knew just where to look: cosmetology school. With a cosmetology program, practice in school, and real-world experience, Kristin has come along way to the successful hair stylist she is today, based in Staten Island, NY. And she wouldn’t trade it for a thing.

What’s your educational background?
I graduated from the Aveda Institute NYC in Soho in 2004. I also took classes with Wella Professionals and L’Oreal Professionals.

How did you decide to go to beauty school?
Hair has always been a passion of mine. Ever since I was little, I always wanted to do everyone’s hair. And when it came time to pick a career, it was only logical that I had already found my calling – I just needed to go about finding the right school.

How did you get your start?
After beauty school, I was working in an upscale salon in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, which was also an Aveda concept salon. I was working five days a week, anywhere from 8 – 12 hours a day, rotating among 13 stylists. I had classes on Tuesday nights with one of our master stylists who worked with us to master our craft. I brought in models, friends, family, and people off the street and completed services at reduced prices to get my name out there. That is how I started to build my clientele.

Is your career what you expected it to be like? How so?
It’s everything and more. Being able to wake up every morning and make people feel good about themselves is very rewarding. It’s also an amazing feeling to enjoy my passion every day. It’s not work; it’s fun!

What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are to take more classes and always keep up with my learning. This is an ever-evolving business and I want to be sure that I’m on top of the latest hair styling trends and products. Working in a Manhattan salon is my next step. And, eventually, I would also like to be an educator in a cosmetology school so that I can share my experiences and craft with people who are just as passionate as me.

Tell us one of your hair styling secrets.
It’s simple, yet important – I always do a cool rinse at the end of washing my hair. It helps take away frizz and fly always and brings out the natural shine in your hair.

What’s the best part of your job?
I love being able to use my creativity daily with my clients. I love meeting new people. And I love making people feel good about themselves. Each day is a new adventure.

What’s the most challenging part of your job?
It’s often hard to please everyone because you are constantly faced with different personalities. This is why consultations are very important. You really get a sense of what someone is looking for and you then do your best to please them.

What’s your advice to aspiring hair stylists?
Never give up; never stop learning; never think you know it all. Be creative, get inspired, be unique, and rock the hair world!

-Amanda Fornecker