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Editor in Chief, MODERN SALON
As Editor in Chief, Alison Alhamed shapes the content and voice for MODERN SALON's social media platforms, digital channels and monthly print magazine. Alison collaborates closely with salon professionals, social influencers, brands and industry personalities to connect them with our community of readers and followers. As a beauty editor, public speaker and licensed cosmetologist, Alison was named one of Folio magazine's 13 Under 30 emerging leaders in publishing. She regularly judges industry competitions; presents on how to build a following on social media; collaborates with brands on photoshoots, marketing and advertising campaigns; and is passionate about the professional salon industry.
Hi everyone! Day four of my study abroad trip with Pivot Point International in London--and loving it! Today has been so fantastic. We began our morning bright and early with an english breakfast at the Corus Hotel in Hyde Park. Then, we took the Underground over to the famed Vidal Sassoon Advanced Academy. The whole experience (the education, the surroundings, the salon, the people) was just way too fabulous.
Day two in London--and, again, it's AMAZING! Seriously--this Pivot Point study abroad program is so well-organized, structured, yet allows for plenty of free time for us to discover the city. We began our day with a lovely breakfast at the Corus Hotel. Funny-look eggs, yummy toast and jam, and sausages of course! Then, we boarded our motorcoach bus overview tour of the Tower of London--right next to the Tower Bridge. Look at this fun group picture the Chicago group took!
I'm here in London, the most fabulous city ever, on a study abroad trip with Pivot Point International!
My class at Pivot Point International is nearing the end of Phase 1. In other words, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh man, we hit the salon floor, taking real live clients, in just a few weeks. I am so freaked out. Luckily I have a lot of awesome people in my life who have been great (and very, very brave) for letting me practice on them. More on that later. As my class continues to improve upon our skills in sculpting the basic forms by adding advanced sculpting techniques, we’ve started to sprinkle in male client design techniques as well.
Pravana’s Beach Wave service has been generating quite the buzz—since I was in beauty school, and had just wrapped up (pun intended) my chemical theory, I figured I HAD to try it out!
We are just movin’ right along! We’re all done with color now—and wow, my brain feels like mush. I absolutely love color—so much!—but it’s ridiculous how much chemistry and math is involved in color theory.
Hundreds of student competitors representing more than 20 Illinois beauty schools schools, including Pivot Point International, competed in a statewide hairstyle competition.
Color, baby! Yeah We're just wrapping up our theory and practicals on color... I love it!
In our 11th week of beauty school at Pivot Point, we’re diving head first into chemicals—and loving it! Watching the texture transform before my eyes is so cool—a chemical service can completely alter the overall look of a client.
Kenra’s Volume Spray 25 super-hold finishing spray dries fast, gives all-day hold and delivers body and movement to hair. Instead of making the hair stiff and immobile, the hairspray actually gives hair a ton of body and movement, with lots of control and no flaky residue.
WOW. That’s all I can really say to sum up the past few weeks in beauty school at Pivot Point International. We’re learning so much—more than I thought was possible—and I have soaked up every word like a sponge! Check out my collection of cuts—including one on a REAL. LIVE. HUMAN!!
I'm wrapping up my fourth week into beauty school—whew! Everyone told me it would be hard work, but no one said it would be SO. MUCH. FUN!
Alright, friends... it's Week Three into beauty school—which means another test. See if you retained all your knowledge on hair sculpture by taking this 20 question, multiple choice test. Can you do it? Good luck!
This week at school has been SUCH a blast. While yes, we did have a 50-question test to study for, we also got to learn how to sculpt an increased-layered form cut and we got to shampoo and drape each other. Awesome!
