| Beauty Articles :: Beauty School Confidential :: Lessons in Becoming a Master Stylist |
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| Lessons in Becoming a Master Stylist |
| by Ysolt Usigan |
After 23 years of working in the beauty industry, Maria Ascher can look back at her career thus far and offer you some advice. Now serving as Regis Corporation's artistic director, Ascher advises aspiring master stylists to make the most out of each opportunity. She first started as a stylist, then moved on to manage two salons -- one being the Regis Salon in Fort Lauderdale, FL. "I became a regional trainer for Regis," she recalls. "I loved it so much, I became a full-time art director for the [leader in salon education]."
Having worn so many beauty industry hats -- from working in salons, management, and training -- you can learn a lot from Ascher. She took her love of cosmetology to a professional level and surpassed each career transition with the next. But make no mistake, the prime force of her success was an education at a beauty school.
So when you're on the road to follow in Ascher's footsteps, take her beauty school lessons into consideration.
Lesson 1: What to Expect
Remember grammar school? Your mom and dad were prepared to buy you all the necessary school supplies you'd require for the year. When it comes to school, it's all about being prepared. But beyond school supplies, enrolling in a cosmetology program requires you to be prepared for what's to come. Instead of stepping into the classroom lacking the necessary supplies, you'll enroll in a program that you are prepared to handle and you know you'd excel at.
For starters, Ascher says to expect the following:
Some of the course material is more difficult than you expect. To counter this, set aside extra study time.
No two days are going to be the same. Be prepared to have some really great moments and build your composure to handle any challenges along the way.
Practice, practice, practice. Discipline, dexterity, and creative vision are key to satisfying your clients and being a stellar stylist or beauty consultant.
Work hard at understanding color and chemical processes as these will be very important in keeping your clients happy.
Lesson 2: About Beauty School Training
While students at different Beauty Schools will have varied experiences, most schools are structured similarly. Instead of going into a program blind, you should know what types of courses you'll have to take, the requirements you'll have to complete, and the techniques you'll have to master.
At Regis Schools, for instance, the curriculum is broken into three phases -- creative essentials (basic principles), creative technique (hands-on learning in a lab-like setting), and salon and spa success (customer service and business building skills). From the basics of chemistry to working with clients, the program at Regis Schools will provide students with all the training necessary to be a successful stylist and beyond. "At Regis Schools, we teach our students that they will never stop learning," Ascher explains. "Our graduates will be successful in their chosen careers."
When you've completed the necessary training to become a stylist, you can continue on to higher rank. In order to be a master stylist or beauty school eduator, you must adhere to extra training. For students at Regis Schools, for instance, a continued education program is available at the Redken, Matrix, and Vidal Sassoon Academies. "These academies are the cornerstones of the industry," explains Ascher. "We are happy to partner with them to give special attention to both our educators and students."
Regis Schools provides their educators constant training throughout the year. In fact, Regis artistic directors travel to the 50 locations in order to provide customized education to their instructors. Which means, their students get not only get the best of instruction, but those lessons are always up to date. Regis Schools also offers an educator training program to prepare you with hands-on training in methodology and classroom management.
Lesson 3: Beauty School Selections
So you're sold on a career in cosmetology. How do you pick the right beauty school for you? Ascher asks an aspiring master stylist to consider the following when it comes to picking a beauty school:
Ask a successful stylist for a recommendation on where to go.
Choose a beauty school with a great reputation and a dedicated team of educators that are committed to helping their graduates become successful.
Choose a program that works well with your lifestyle -- whether full time or part time, for instance.
Meet with several beauty school admissions staffs and see what they have to offer. Take a tour if you can. Meet the staff and talk with current students.
Have a service done at the school salon. Get a feel for how busy their clinic is. The busier the clinic floor, the more hands-on instruction you will have.
Lesson 4: Take Your Beauty School Lessons to the Road
Beyond the training and labs, a master stylist-to-be should take what they learn in the classroom and put it to real-life work. "Getting a salon job is a great idea," Ascher asserts. "It gives students a real sense of what it will be like when you are finally a salon professional."
Ascher also advises an aspiring master stylist looking to practice their techniques in an actual salon to choose their part-time employment wisely. "A salon job can be a real benefit when you work with people who want to mentor you and contribute to your success," she adds.
And of course, practice your lessons on yourself. Ascher believes a stylist-in-training should look the part of a beauty industry professional. "Now that you are an image-maker, make sure you spent time on your own look," she explains.
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