For three Farouk-filled days, attendees at the Farouk Systems First Annual Educational Symposium were engaged, inspired and informed.  Taking place at the CHI headquarters in Houston, TX on Thursday, March 21, the school department collaborated with platform artists and industry influencers to ineract with over 100 CHI Partner School instructors.

 Mr. Farouk Shami, Founder and Chairman of Farouk Systems, Inc., spoke to attendees about education paving the way for the future of the beauty industry and the importance of proactively lobbying against the deregulation of the cosmetology license in the State of Texas.

 Basim Shami, CEO of Farouk Systems, Inc., encouraged instructors to motive their students by sharing the nearly limitless opportunities available for them as future CHI artists. CHI creative artists from all over the world have careers as platform artists who educate and inspire industry trends, creative directors who create the looks for high-fashion runway and print, and celebrity stylists who ultimately drive the consumer trends.

 Dr. Roy, Vice President of Research and Development, presented the science behind the ammonia-free CHI Ionic Permanent Shine Color and engaged the audience members with a live demonstration of how the color is formulated.

 Special guest speakers included Jim Cox, Executive Board Member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools, and Steve Reiss, Publisher of Modern Salon Media offering industry trend reports, tips to increase enrollment while improving existing student retention and ways to get involved with the many associations and non-profits that support education including American Association of Cosmetology and Beauty Changes Lives.

 Rocky Vitelli and Tibit Beddingfield created avant-garde and 1920’s inspired up-styles on Miss Texas USA 2013, Alexandria Nugent, and Miss Teen Texas USA 2013, Daniella Rodriguez, setting the stage for the roaring 20’s party that took place at Farouk Shami’s house later that night.

 Instructors spent the rest of the weekend in information-packed sessions covering advanced styling, coloring and cutting techniques as well as a special training course with Efrain Levia, CHI Creative Artist, on the CHI Enviro American Smoothing Treatment.

 “We were thrilled to offer this exclusive event to our CHI Partner School instructors. It was an educational weekend for all-- we learned a lot from them too! Every school is different and they have different obstacles to overcome. This weekend gave us a chance to really find out what our instructors need and how we can support them to help them reach their goals,” said Dixie Russell, CHI Schools Manager.

 “The Farouk Systems staff put together an educational event that far exceeded my expectations. The education and training was top notch and most informative. The hospitality went beyond what was necessary,” said Bill Theriot, Southeast Texas Career Institute educator.

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