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Farouk Systems Selects Lone Star Student to Assist in Experiments Launching with Shuttle Atlantis
Houston-based Farouk Systems, in conjunction with NASA, will make history with its participation in the last mission of the NASA space shuttle mission.
1500 Hours Completed!
HUGE news! Last night I completed my 1,500 hours at Pivot Point International Academy and am now a BEAUTY SCHOOL GRADUATE! WOOWOO!
Beacon 2011 Student Winners Announced
The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) has announced the 200 future beauty professionals chosen to attend Beacon 2011. These 200 students were selected based on the creativity, presentation and content of their resume, professional portfolio ...
How Beauty Changed Your Life: Meet Dakima Hicks
As First Chair's distribution has grown, so has its popularity--students and new professionals are reading the articles, passing the magazine along to classmates and other new stylists, and are sharing the information found in the pages of First Chair on their Facebook pages and blogs. One student, in particular, found the Beauty Changes Lives page to be of particular interest, and felt compelled to send me her story. And I, after reading it, felt compelled to share it with you... meet Dakima Hicks.
Tabatha Coffey Spends a Day with Matrix Mannequin Mania Winner and First Chair
Wow, what a truly amazing experience I had at The Beauty Schools of America in Miami Beach, FL, visiting Matrix's Student Mannequin Mania winner Terell Gardner at his academy's member school. Not only is this facility incredibly beautiful, it's packed with energetic, enthusiastic and highly motivated students who couldn't wait for Terrell to claim his prize. Not only did he win $25,000 (OMG!!!), but he also won the chance to spend a full day with industry star Tabatha Coffey! How did he choose to spend his time? By sharing her with his school!
Winners from P&G's Student Stylist Competition at ABS!
Finalists from nine cosmetology schools competed on March 14, 2011 in P&G Salon Professionals first student stylist competition held in Chicago at America’s Beauty Show. The first place winners haled from beauty schools across America. First place winners for each PGSP category took home $1,000, education classes from The Sassoon Academy and P&G Salon Professional, a PGSP Stylist Kit and a first place trophy for PGSP’s Next Generation of Stylist Student Competition.
241 Hours to Go!
Someone once told me, beauty school students don't think in terms of weeks or days—they think in terms of hours... and, when you're 241 hours away from graduation, I've found that this statement couldn't be more true! That's right, guys. I'm 241 hours away from being a licensed cosmetologist (given that I, hopefully, pass my state boards!)! It's been such an incredible journey. I remember my first day—I was so nervous/excited/anxious to get going. I remember sitting in the classroom, looking around at all the strangers... never did I imagine that I would grow SO close to this group of people, and I had no idea how much I would learn!
May 11th Deadline for P&G Salon Professional Student Competition!
The deadline for P&G Salon Professional Student Competition at Premiere Orlando on June 6th is almost here—May 11th to be exact! See the steps you need to take in order to enter!
Tools of the Trade
You may think you know all about tools from beauty school, but shears, brushes and irons are just as unique as the hair you style. Your professional selection, wider than ever before, is described by buzzwords like ionic, ceramic and ergonomic. How to determine the tools for you? You’ll know you’ve found the right ones when they fit perfectly in your hand and never let you down, client after client. But to save you some homework (and legwork), First Chair has rounded up the best beauty tool essentials for any budding stylist to put on their shortlist. As you already know, the right tools are the mark of a true pro. So start building your best toolbox now.
Digital Scheduling
With Mindbody Salon Software, you can ditch your old appointment book and simplify your life, boost your revenues and focus better on your clients. The software allows users to digitally check schedules from any computer or mobile device, and it lets clients book online with “Smart Booking,” a feature that remembers a client’s typical appointment length and styling preferences. Users can also send auto-confirm appointments, via e-mail or text, and print working tickets. The single service provider rate is $45/month with free set-up and unlimited software training. For more information, visit mindbodyonline.com.
Thinning Hair Market
As a professional stylist, your clients will often look to you to answer questions about hair loss or thinning. Knowing how to appropriately address thinning hair questions will not only help you take advantage of the thinning hair market, but it will also increase client satisfaction, retail sales and retention. Divi International’s HairCheck device is a tool that actually gauges hair thinning, hair breakage and hair re-growth. The technology in this tool gives a precise scientific measurement of how much hair is present in any area of the scalp, measuring both the hair density and hair diameter within that area. If your clients are wondering what degree of hair loss they will have in 10-15 years, this tool can help. For more information, visit haircheck.com.
Permanent Cosmetics
In addition to your standard training as a licensed cosmetologist, esthetician or nail technician, further education in applying permanent make-up can be a wonderful addition to your beauty knowledge.
Listen, and Customize!
The number one reason a client chooses to leave her regular salon is because she gets bored, and is seeking change. A great way to get your client—and her friends!—back at your nail station is to keep her excited about coming back.
Brushing Up on Make-Up
Renowned Make-up Artist Sonia Kashuk says taking care of your brushes and your case is critical. Here, she offers up some tips on how to properly care for your make-up supplies.
Say “Yes” to Your Future
How well you can do hair, nails, and skin care may be at the bottom of the list of importance for potential employers. They want to know if you’re willing to say “yes.” When they ask you to come in on your day off to clean up the dispensary, or stay late to help with the models for a fashion show, or participate in a salon fundraising event, will you say “yes?”
Eco-Friendly Colorist
How many strips of aluminum foil do you use per client? How about every day ... or every month? Before you know it, the amount you’re counting up in your head right now probably will all end up in a landfill. If you want to practice being more eco-friendly, consider Biolights Color, it creates dimensional highlights by using 100-percent biodegradable cotton pads in place of conventional aluminum. According to Rick Wellman, co-owner of Patrick Melville Salon Spa in New York City, the pads allow for fast and easy application, no swelling or bleeding and they reduce the risk of over processing. Your color application will stay in place while the material conforms and bends to your client’s head. For more info, visit biolightscolor.com.
Salon Apprenticeship Programs
When you’re ready to start applying to salons, consider those with apprentice programs. These programs can be beneficial to your career for many reasons. Not only will you learn new techniques, get hands-on experience, and learn directly from professionals working in the salon, you will also get a feel for that particular salon’s culture. Apprenticeships also allow you to earn some extra money while learning, and they can help you transition from school life to the workforce.