It’s that time of year when the weather starts to hint at fall and newspapers and stores are full of back-to-school savings and specials. And apparently tons of cosmetology schools are getting in on the deal!

The first days of school are a big deal in a kid’s life - and they like to make a good impression. So in addition to the right backpack and sneakers, a cool new haircut is essential for the first day of school – and they don’t have to cost a fortune.

Fortunately, many cosmetology schools are there to save the day, offering special prices for children’s haircuts – and making it easier for parents to fit the right look into their budget. Many cosmetology schools have specials starting at $1 a haircut. Some cosmetology schools are even offering free haircuts to those who need extra assistance!

Is your cosmetology school offering a special deal to celebrate the back-to-school season and offer a little relief to parents’ pocket books?

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Bikini Waxes Cause Infection?

Another bikini wax or Brazilian wax mishap has been highlighted in the news. Women’s Health has an article featured on msnbc.com about a woman, Jennifer, that spent 15 days in the hospital after a bikini wax infection. 15 days!

The article claims she received her wax at a reputable New York salon. After the wax, she developed a 102 degree temperature, chills and pain in her left thigh. Jennifer thought it was just a cold (that’s some cold!) and waited 5 days to go to the doctor.

Well, turns out, it wasn’t a cold. Her doctor diagnosed her with cellulitis – a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection of the skin and underlying tissue. She had surgery to drain the infection and was hooked up to an IV that pumped her full of antibiotics and pain-killers. One doctor even said she could have lost her leg.

So how does this happen? Any procedure, no matter how small or how common, comes with risk. But 15 days in the hospital after a bikini wax! I argue that waiting 5 days to see a doctor with symptoms like that isn’t terribly smart.

I wouldn’t say this is a common occurrence, but it’s not the first time it’s happened. New Jersey even considered outlawing bikini waxes because of problems they were causing. That is why it is so incredibly important to visit educated, licensed estheticians you trust. Ask lots of questions of your esthetician and follow all the pre- and post-wax instructions closely.

These recent Brazilian wax and bikini wax headlines got me thinking. What safety precautions and pre- and post-waxing care techniques are current students learning in esthetician school to avoid these problems? What precautions are salons and spas taking to avoid these mishaps and subsequently getting sued? Has anything changed at the place you attend school or work at – or are the normal safety routines still working?

Why not turn your passion for fashion into a profession?

The cosmetology field employs creative people in every city, in every state in the country. According to a national survey released by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences in December 2007, nearly 53 percent of salon owners had job openings for trained and educated beauty professionals. That’s right. Even in this economy, job openings in the world of beauty are still flooding in.

Nearly three quarters of them, though, said that they had a hard time finding qualified applicants. If that doesn’t scream opportunity, I don’t know what does! More than half of the salons in the country are full-service salons, so they offer all kinds of different beauty services to their clients such as hairstyling, nail services or makeup. There are tons of spots open around the country for people fresh out of cosmetology school and equipped with the hands-on training and knowledge to do an awesome job in real life.

So for all you beauty-loving, makeup-obsessed, creative people who have a passion for fashion, why not turn that passion into a profession? Whether you’re fresh out of high school and just beginning to consider a career or you’ve been in the working world for a while and want a new direction, have you thought about a career in beauty?

These days, it can be difficult to escape talk about the “R word.” I’m talking about the recession. In tricky economic times, it’s only natural for people to tighten their belts a little and trim down their extra expenses. That may mean cutting out certain luxuries, like eating out or taking a vacation.

So, where does the beauty industry fit into this equation? For businesses that are willing to adapt to the current economic situation and get creative, there are bountiful opportunities to attract new and existing spa customers.

Don’t let the shaky economy discourage you if you’re considering a career in the beauty or spa industry – spas around the country are finding ways to keep the foot baths and the massage tables occupied. Most are even flourishing and hiring more than ever.

Consider San Francisco’s spa industry. According to one online reference site, SpaFinder, there is one spa for every 5,100 San Francisco residents (this compares to about one spa for every 15,300 New York City residents). How does a business in this competitive environment stay afloat?

Here are a few ideas from some San Francisco spa directors:

1. Most importantly, get creative! Find ways to differentiate your spa from the competition and to keep your clients coming back.
2. Try out new ideas for payment programs or membership drives.
3. Attract eco-savvy customers by offering green facilities and spa practices, or break into another untapped market of potential spa-lovers.
4. Design customizable service packages. The InterContinental San Francisco I-Spa offers its customers a personalized membership program (similar to those offered at a gym).

What do you think about the current economy and its effect on spas and other health and beauty businesses? Do you have other ideas for how the beauty industry can weather the storm?

Spa Therapy Relaxation in a Recession

From Marilyn Monroe to Audrey Hepburn and Raquel Welch, what do most vintage beauties have in common? Long, luscious, almost supernatural lashes. If you want to get the look of ladies like these, you’ve got to use a classic product.

So, say goodbye to your modern mascara wand and say hello to a time-tested favorite. Cake mascara has long been the product of choice for professional makeup artists because of its dramatic results.

But, make sure you have a few extra minutes for application. To achieve your desired look, you’ll need a bit of patience and a steady hand. It comes in a powder form and you add water using a small, toothbrush-like applicator.

Cake mascara addicts love it because you can add as many layers as you like and it won’t clump. However, because this product is water-activated, try to steer clear of wearing it at tear-inducing events since it is more likely to run than water-resistant mascaras.

We recommend trying Longcils Boncza. Not only because it was Marilyn Monroe’s brand of choice, its natural formula contains beeswax and rosewater. A couple of the other brands currently available contain thimerosal, which is a mercury-containing preservative – so be careful to read ingredients before you make a purchase!

A quick how to on cake mascara application:

•    Dampen your applicator brush.
•    Rub the moist brush in the cake until it reaches a creamy consistency Hint: a little goes a long way
•    Comb the brush through your lashes using an out and upward motion
•    Use a brush to separate and define lashes
•    Continue adding layers until you’ve reached your desired look. Allow at least 10 seconds between coats.

Are you looking to save some cash but don’t want to sacrifice your beauty regiment to the recession gods? I’ve got some good news for you: Hollywood makeup artists like Troy Surrat, Ashunta Sheriff and Brett Freedman recently spilled a wealth of information to Elle magazine. They recommended beauty products that cost less, but still promise to pay off big.

Here’s an edited list of their picks (I’ve whittled it down to the ones that can be found at drugstores for $10 or less):

• $2: Blistex Lip Tone
• $2: Jordana Premium Lipliner
• $3: Rimmel London 1,000 Kisses Stay-on Lip Liner in Tiramisu
• $3: Maybelline New York Expert Eyes Twin Eye & Eyebrow Pencil in Blonde
• $4: Wet N Wild Mega Glo Illuminating Powder in Catwalk Pink
• $4: Ardell Duralash Naturals
• $6: Maybelline New York Great Lash Mascara in Very Black
• $6: Styli-Style Line & Seal Eye Pencils
• $6: Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara
• $6: CoverGirl Wetslicks Fruit Spritzers in Fig
• $7: Rohto Ice Eye Drops
• $7: CoverGirl Queen Collection Natural Hue Minerals Pressed Powder
• $7: L ‘Oreal Paris Hip Concentrated Shadow Duo in Lively
• $7: Rimmel London Lycra Lash Extender
• $8: Maybelline New York Dream Mousse Blush in Peach Satin
• $9: L ‘Oreal Paris Hip Brilliant Shine Lip Gloss
• $10: L’ Oreal Paris Hip Pure Pigment Shadow Sticks
• $10: Neutrogena Soothing Undereye Corrector
• $10: Neutrogena 3-in-1 Concealer

From sleek and professional to fun to funky, the possibilities with nail art are endless. And, it seems like these days America’s demand for nail technologists is dang near endless, too!

In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistic’s Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment of manicurists and pedicurists will grow by 28 percent thanks to the continued growth in the number of nail salons and full-service day spas.

And this demand has a lot of business-savvy personal appearance workers returning to beauty school for nail technology programs. It seems like a logical career step – these programs are relatively short-term, but adding nail care to your repertoire can have long-lasting effects on your career prospects.

Whether you’re already in the beauty industry, or you’re an artistic individual looking for a fun, creative outlet with potential for career success, think about enrolling in a nail technology program. It makes sense – beauty is one of today’s fastest growing fields, but manicures and pedicures are topping the list of consumer demand. Give the people what they want and benefit from working in a growing field!

We all know that lavender has many benefits, like relieving stress and making a home smell fragrantly nice. But, this little herb packs a healthy punch as well and can be added to your daily routine. Lavender can be used in a soothing warm bath, as a flavorful herbal tea, or applied topically in the form of lavender oil to alleviate headaches, back pain, and even muscular tension. Additionally, lavender has also been known to reduce allergic reactions and inflammation of the throat.

Since lavender has the ability to relieve stress and enhance a calming state-of-mind, this herb can help people get a better night’s sleep. Simply add a scented candle, potpourri or essential oil to your pillow to help you fall asleep.

To help with chest congestion, you can make a lavender compress, which is then placed on the chest. For best results, be sure to inhale the steam of the lavender, or you can cover your head with a regular towel and hang your head over a bowl of hot lavender tea and breathe in the vapors to improve breathing.

How to make your own lavender tea:

•    Two tablespoons of dried lavender
•    Add to a cup of hot water
•    Cover for about 10 minutes
•    Rinse and then serve

It is important to know that lavender oil should never be placed on the skin without being diluted in water first.

Do your nails crack or break easily? Nail strength, like so many of our traits, is passed down from our parents. So, if your mother complained about broken, chipped nails, chances are, you will, too.

But, don’t despair! You are not completely doomed! There are some steps you can take to save your nails from nub status. Just check out these tips:

1. Wear short nails. The longer your nails are, the more likely they are to break. File your nails regularly to maintain short, pretty nails that are less likely to break, chip, crack or split.

2. Eat calcium-rich foods. Nail strength depends a great deal on calcium. By taking in calcium-rich foods like cheese, milk, salmon and broccoli can improve the strength of your nails and prevent breakages.

3. Use less polish. Unfortunately, nail polish can dry out weak nails, too. The next time you visit a nail technologist, request a buffer instead of polish. Buffing can still give you a shiny, classy look and it comes with an additional bonus – it stimulates nail growth.

4. Avoid nail polish remover. This will be easier to manage if you follow tip #3! Since nail polish remover lists alcohol as one of its main ingredients, it can cause your nails to become more brittle and more prone to breaking. Try to limit yourself to about once a week – so try to think ahead about upcoming events before you try out any funky neon colors.

5. Cut down on H2O exposure. Since water can make your nails dry out, prolonged exposure can cause your nails to split and break more easily. Make sure you dry your hands and nails thoroughly after washing and bust out the gloves for dish duty.

6. Slather on hand lotion. Hand lotions with a rich formula, not containing alcohol, can help seal in moisture and help make your nails more flexible. It’s better to bend than break, right? So, make sure to follow up apply a generous amount of lotion every time you wash your hands.