Hair Design School

By Laurie M. Brown

There’s a reason the highly acclaimed U.S. News and World Report named “hairstyling and cosmetology” one of 2009’s best career choices. Careers in cosmetology, hair design, nails, and skin care have withstood the test of time. Nationwide, these occupations are predicted to grow by 12 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, even exceeding the average growth rate for all other occupations by almost 20 percent.

The rewards for beauty school graduates run deep and wide for stylists willing to put in the time and effort. Here are just a few of the job’s outstanding perks:

Unlimited earnings potential. Hair stylists, nail technicians, estheticians, cosmetologists and barbers who have graduated from a top-rated beauty academy continually rely on their entrepreneurial talents to build their brand awareness. By keeping up to date on cutting edge techniques and continually networking their talents, savvy stylists experience unlimited earnings potential in a exceptional job market.

Diverse career opportunities. Some stylists enjoy a great career “behind the chair”; others dream of owning their own salon, managing a spa, or teaching in a hair design school or academy. Others grow their business by becoming a retail sales representative, or fashion consultant, even building their brand through participation in trade shows and high-fashion events. Ever dream of being a sought-after esthetician, make-up artist, or salon/spa manager or owner? How about a successful cosmetology school instructor, a photo and movie stylist, image consultant, or manufacturer’s sales representative?  There’s no better time than now to realize that dream, says U.S. News & World Report.

Be an artist and get paid for it. Perhaps the greatest benefit for most stylists is the freedom, flexibility, and security a career in cosmetology provides.  Most artists will tell attest to the challenges they face trying to earn an income and still be true to their art.  Beauty professionals, however, are afforded the opportunity to express their creativity every day while also helping others to look and feel their best … all while being gainfully employed in one of the nation’s hottest employment sectors.

Hairstylists and bad hair days make for a bad first impression
By Laurie McLachlan Brown

What is the formula for success in the salon industry?  Time plus talent plus, of course, a good first, second, and lasting impression can make a difference, but also attending one of the top cosmetology schools can put you ahead of the game.

A cursory exploration of the World Wide Web exposes complaint after complaint against stylists, that is, hair designers, nail technicians, estheticians, cosmetologists, and even barbers, who do little to reflect their talents when it comes to their own appearance and/or attitude. Here are just a few concerns aired by clients who claim they’ll never return to a particular salon or hair stylist based purely on first impressions.

“When I see my hair stylist at 8 a.m. and already her hair is pulled back in the ‘claw’ it says, ‘I don’t have my act together enough to do my own hair today but I’ll still do yours.’  It makes me nervous!  I want to know my designer is prepared and focused.”

“It’s unprofessional when the stylist takes me straight to the shampoo area without first allowing me a two-minute consult in her chair.  Even if she’s super busy, I still am paying for her time and would like her advice on what to do.”

“A stylist doesn’t have to talk up a storm with me throughout the cut.  If she’s good at what she does and needs to focus, I’m okay with that.  But how can she really bring out my best if she knows absolutely nothing about me?”

“It might sound fussy, but I expect my stylist to have a fashionable appearance.  If she doesn’t take the time to look good, I feel like she’s not truly into her profession.  That maybe it’s become a job for her where she’s just reaching for a quota.”