Beauty school students go to London to learn hair cutting techniquesTHE EVENT:

An intensive two-day course with the Pivot Point beauty school study abroad program, Yolly ten Koppel and her team of educators taught 40-plus cosmetology students advanced hair cutting and hair styling techniques, retailing strategies for increasing salon product sales and tips for salon client retention.

THE VENUE: The Vidal Sassoon Advanced Academy in London.

THE DETAILS: As part of a study abroad trip to London, students from three Chicagoland-based Pivot Point beauty schools-along with member beauty schools Federico's from Sacramento, California, and Kohler Academy from Scottsdale, Arizona-traveled to London for education led by Yolly ten Koppel, Pivot Point's International Artistic Director, recipient of the Coiffure award and three-time U.S. Educator of the Year. The course trained cosmetology students, including MODERN's Senior Editor and resident cosmetology student Alison Shipley, in the art of the consultation, advanced hair cutting techniques with slicing and razor-sculpting, soft increase-layers and combining using graduated, asymmetric lengths with increase layers. Hair styling techniques included all-over curls using a flatiron, forming fingerwaves with a vent brush and a dryer, and creating mermaid-esque texture with a roundbrush and blower.

THE LAST WORD: "Throughout this week, our travels centered around the arts, including trips to view Picassos and Warhols, and explore the inspiring architecture of St. Paul's Cathedral, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and Westminster Abbey," said Shipley. "The education at Sassoon Academy was the icing on the cake - not only did we learn from such talented educators, but in the most beautiful of surroundings."

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