Progress

Done by Jessica.

My first A-Line. LOVED IT

Crazy Hair day @ School. April 1, 2010

Crazy Hair day, Jane let me spice up her do! April 1, 2010

Braids I did in Jessica's hair. April 3, 2010

Almost 2 months down

What a amazing journey so far. I have really had such a good time. I am coming up on my 2 months of going to school and its been great. Scary thought that in 6 1/2 months, Ill be finished. I have not missed a day, I am so afraid to miss something.

I am learning more and more how Self-Critical I am of myself. It's actually rather sad. I spend the majority of my time, telling myself how bad I am doing. Its something I have to seriously work on, every moment of the day. Being so hard on myself, has given me such low confidence in school. But I think I have finally noticed it and now I can finally work on it. Because its only hurting me more. It is preventing me from being creative and stopping me from really liking what I am creating. I am going into the business or making others beautiful and creating art each and every client. I need to really love myself and think what I do is of worth, before I will ever enjoy my job. So far I am so in love with what I have learned, I just need to work on me on the inside.

I am working everyday to build my confidence to stand up and volunteer to take a client. I never knew how terrified I was of people, as far as doing this line of work. I know for a fact, had I tried this profession earlier in my life, I would of failed. I think I am in the right place in my life now, to really step up to the plate, once I convince myself. I have to remind myself the majority of these people know this is a school and we aren't going to be perfect. Ha, that's my biggest struggle, convincing myself.

Some photos..

Things I have done recently!

Wahhlllaa!

YES, these two outcomes are done by me!!!! Did my Moms hair first. Lightened the 4 sections and then added a teal/green color. Mine was originally going to be the same, but I love the highlights. So for now, No green for me! It was ambitious but MOM was such a big help and encouraged me the whole time. Gotta love learning!!!

Highlights

Did highlighting with foils today and it came ok, not near as good as it should but not bad for my first attempt using the foils!

Fishtail and Bangs

Did my moms bangs and did a fishtail!

First Week

Was amazing!!!! I learned so much. We did our mock board today and I got a 93. I was a wreck the whole time, I felt like I needed so many improvements and I did. But I passed and I cant be happier. I know what to expect now, for next time. This upcoming week is going to Hair coloring and Bleaching, YAY!!!!

Learned how to do a chemical straightening, Soft Perm, aka Jerry Curl, Press and Curl and tons of updo's. Like I learned the fishtail braid. All and all it was a great first week. Stressful at times, but mostly exciting and lots of learning involved.

First Day

My first day went well. I have never had so many ?'s in my life, but thats great. I learned long ago no question is dumb. Plus I really need to know what I am doing and if its not explained to me, then I need to ask.

Today started out with Theory on hair color. It went well, mostly because I finished the workbook section on hair color. So I knew a lot about what was being discussed.
Then a sale's rep came in for the product the school uses on "Real" clients. "Enjoy," he spoke about the products they offer and what some do and how they "Really" work. Regardless, it was very informative. Then we had a break. We moved on to actual hands on on our mannequin doll, which really excited me. Thermal Press... Which was just simply doing it without the hot tools. But learning how to do it "Right" for the State exam. We did that the rest of the school day. It was fun. My mannequin shed sooooooo much. But I was told eventually that stops. Lets hope so. I spent the majority of the time throwing hair out of my combs. But none the less, I learned how to thermal press.

Everyone was so helpful. It made for a better day and a great start to my experience. I am wiped out mentally, but I love that about it. Tomorrow is Relaxers and what not. Excited for that too. I am just excited to be able to learn more about something I love so much.

Cheer's until next time!

MY KIT!!!

Wow, I got my kit with all the goodies I will need for school, minus a few things, but will be getting them soon. I am so excited to learn! I cant wait to start on Tuesday. Yay!!!

A week from Tomorrow

I know these nerves are normal. I think its mostly me being anxious. I am so excited to start this journey. I am also really proud I am finally doing something about it. I am going into something I love. A few are trying to convince me to wait or go another route. But this is MY decision and Its something I WANT to do now. I am going to do everything in my power to make it work. I may struggle at times, Ill have my good and bad days, but I am going to be strong and thrive!

Helpful info to go back on...

http://www.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2008/12/11/best-careers-2009-hairstylistcosmetologist.html

Overview. In a recent British job satisfaction survey, hairstylist ranked No. 1. It's not surprising: It's one of the few careers in which you please nearly every client. (Save for the occasional one who cries, "What have you done to my hair!") And people tend to be loyal to their haircutter, so if you're pleasant, you can develop plenty of long-term friends or at least acquaintances. After all, there's a lot of time to chat while shampooing, cutting, and torturing hair so it curls or straightens.

Other pluses: This career is a fashionista's dream: It's one of the rare fields with good job opportunities in which you're rewarded for staying current on fashion and design. And your job won't be offshored—it may make sense to do robotic surgery from India but not a shampoo and cut.

Most men now get their hair cut by a stylist rather than a barber, and more and more men seek out related services such as facials and manicures. So, not surprisingly, the number of male hairstylists and cosmetologists is growing.

To succeed, whatever your sex, you must be a great listener so you can unearth what the client really wants. You also need a good fashion and design sense so you can offer appropriate suggestions. Perhaps most important, you must be able to translate a great hair concept into a great haircut. In short, you must be a hair artist. In addition, you must be engaging enough that your clients remain loyal and willing to buy the hair and skin potions that represent an ever-larger proportion of a hair salon's profits. With those skills, instead of having to work for low-pay chains, you can likely get hired by a an independent mid-to-high-end salon, day spa, resort, or possibly even a film or TV studio, all of which tend to pay better than the average clip joint. Or, you can open your own.

This career's downsides: Especially with the slow economy, pay tends to be low until you've improved your skills and developed a clientele. You're on your feet all day (hairstylists have an above-average incidence of varicose veins) and often into the evenings and weekends, because that's when most people want their hair cut. You have to work with chemicals that may be unpleasant or worse. Most hairstylists get little or no healthcare benefits. Finally, you must react well to dissatisfied clients: Fix the problem if you can, and if you can't, take a deep breath and let it go—we all make mistakes.

A Day in the Life . As a stylist in a salon that charges $50 for a cut, you're especially careful to pamper your clients. So, unlike at the $15 salons, you're spending an average of an hour with each one, especially if you're shampooing, coloring, or treating the person's hair, or consulting on a major tonsorial overhaul. That leaves plenty of time for chit-chat. One of your clients today has been with you since you started cutting hair, and now, she also has you cut her son's.

On average, you do six or seven "heads" a day. A side benefit of working in a higher-end salon is that you spend less time per day using scissors, which means less risk of repetitive strain injury, common among haircutters in high-volume operations.

With the slow economy, to make a good living, the number of people willing to pay $50 for a cut are down, so you have to be a master at selling your clients potions, lotions, and notions. ("Did you see those cute pins over there?")

No matter how upscale your salon, between clients, you have to sweep the floor and clean your instruments. More pleasant, manufacturers' reps occasionally pop in to clue you in on the latest lotions, potions, and hottest looks.

Two mornings a week, you work your hair magic in a nursing home, where you pamper residents who'd have a hard time getting to your salon.

At the end of the day, you're happy to get off your feet but still are glad to know that tomorrow is a workday.

Smart Specialty

Wigs and hairpieces. You may find lucrative work building and styling wigs and hairpieces for people who have lost their hair, or even for stage, screen, and TV.

Salary Data

Median (with eight years in the field): $35,800

25th to 75th percentile range (with eight or more years of experience): $27,500-$55,500

Note: Not including tips or commissions. Also, these data does include employees of deep-discount salons, such as Fantastic Sams and Great Clips.

Training

Usually, you have to graduate from a state-licensed barber or cosmetology school. Which school? On hairstylist forums, the Aveda Institutes, a nationwide (plus British Columbia and Australia) chain, is touted by many.

Full-time programs generally last nine to 24 months. After that, you typically start as an apprentice, which means a lot of cleaning up in exchange for watching a senior stylist and then having the stylist watch you. Continuing education classes are offered, sometimes free, sponsored by a hair product manufacturer. Classes are typically about fashion, hair techniques, or product use.

The Beginning!!!

I started this blog, to note my journey thru Cosmetology school. I am hoping to have this to look back at my progress and my journey thru school.

I start on the 9th of Feb. On the 4th of Feb I have orientation and get my school kit and get some guidance on what to expect. I am super excited. I have my uniform all ready. My head is where it needs to be and I am nothing but proud that I set this goal and I am going thru with it. Wish me luck!

Cheers!