State laws seem to be up for discussion in the state of Nevada. It was instituted July 1, 2010 that skin specialists (the ones that practice making you look years younger by taking the wrinkles out of your face) will be required to receive training before getting licensed. Training hours are also being upped from 500 to 600 hours for students studying at Nevada nail technician schools and from 600 to 900 hours for  aestheticians schools.

“The additional training is needed for infection control,” says Vincent Jimno, executive director of the state Board of Cosmetology.

But now this appears to be up in the air. After the instatement of these laws, a spokesman for the Nevada governor recently said the state cosmetology boards will be reconsidered for this state, posing the question “Are they really necessary?”

Make up your mind Nevada!

With the acquisition of Empire’s newest cosmetology school in North Carolina, (Pineville school in Charlotte to be exact), came two reasons to celebrate: the opening of a new school and the incorporation of eco-conscious features. Other schools are expected will follow suit with environmentally thought-out designs. All we have to say is “Go Green Beauty!”

The North Carolina’s Campus Eco-friendly Features

• Exterior LED lighting fixtures to the 100% recyclable floors
• Energy saving devices in the student salon area such as water reduction shampoo sinks
• Green paint products
• Energy star rated heating
• Ventilation and air conditioning units
• Additional energy reducing hand washing faucets
• Motion sensing light controls
• Eco-friendly professional product lines like Regis Designline PURE Results

What’s Next: Domestic Abuse Training in Cosmetology School

Now that we are doing better for the environment, how about bettering ourselves! Two other newly acquired Empire schools, Northern Westchester School of Hairdressing and Cosmetology in Peekskill, New York and the International Academy Salon in Cincinnati, Ohio will adapt a philanthropic program dedicated to fighting against domestic abuse known as Empire Gives Back.

What Empire’s Domestic Violence Training Will Involve:

• Training and education in identifying the signs of domestic abuse in their salon client
• Participation in fundraising efforts to aid their hands-on and real-world salon training
• Aid local women and children’s shelters across the country.

Empire Says…

“We are committed to bringing our charitable spirit, our dedication to supporting our local communities and our active engagement in anti-domestic violence causes.” - Franklin K. Schoeneman, chairman and CEO of Empire Education Group

It became official July 1. North Carolin hair law now requires anyone who braids hair to have their cosmetology license. Why the sudden regulation? Health concerns! Many customers complained to North Carolina legislation about insanitary conditions and head wounds received at their salons.

“People often got lacerations on the scalp because the braiding was too tight for their hair,” said Rep. Earline Parmon, D-Forsyth. Now, state law enforced by the State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners requires all hair braiders to obtain a cosmetology license in North Carolina. The process involves passing a  state cosmetology exam, which usually has two parts: a written portion and a practical portion.

Sounds simple enough, right? Wrong! Many hair braiders are from West Africa and primarily speak French, knowing little English. Passing the cosmetology exam suddenly becomes a huge obstacle. Many salon owners are worried that they will be forced to close shop and lose their jobs due to being unable to meet these new requirements. Parmon tries to reassure saying, “I will do whatever is necessary to make sure that these people have a fair chance.”

It’s going to be an interesting road up ahead.

For information on this topic:

How to obtain a cosmetology license for hair braiding:

Cosmetology Schools in North Carolina

Celebrity hairstylist Ted Gibson has added yet another credit to his already impressive resume. In addition to running his eponymous NYC salon (which is to die for, by the way), namesake product line, and appearing on the hit TLC show “What Not To Wear”, Mr. Gibson is the new spokesperson for the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS).

According to WWD, in his new role, Ted will raise awareness about the importance of a cosmetology education. For example, Ted could possible speak to members of Congress this fall to encourage government support for beauty school students. Pretty cool, huh?

It’s great to see someone as accomplished as Ted Gibson give back to the beauty school community. A rarity, to be sure! Who else would you like to see become involved in the cosmetology education community?

Pivot Point Academy in Evanston, Illinois

Pivot Point International Academy, an Illinois beauty school, is helping promote the 7th annual Cancer Survivor Beauty and Support Day (CSBSD) on December 1. The school is one of several offering free hair and beauty services that day for the CSBSD event.

Read the full article here.
More about Pivot Point Academy in Evanston, Illinois.

State College of Beauty Culture in Wausau, Wisconsin

State College of Beauty Culture in Wasau is hosting its annual Cuts for Cancer to raise funds for local charities on October 29. This Wisconsin beauty school is supporting October’s Breast Cancer Awareness theme with several “pink” fundraiser ideas, including a cut-a-thon where all haircut proceeds will be donated for local cancer charities! Cut hair 10 inches or longer will also be donated to Locks of Love.

Read the full article here.
More about State College of Beauty Culture in Wasau, WI.

Are you protected under the First Amendment when you express your opinions in an open forum like Facebook? When does freedom of speech go too far? Well, one beauty school in Illinois is testing that the limits of freedom of speech and the use of social networking sites like Facebook.

Salon Professional Academy of Elgin is suing one of its students for creating a Facebook page about the school where students could rant or vent about classes or instructors. The beauty school is suing Nicholas Blacconiere for unauthorized use of their logo and $50,000 for emotional damages caused by defamatory comments posted on the page. The lawsuit alleges that the defendents published “libel per se,” with statements that were unfounded, untrue and defamatory.

One has to wonder: can corporations or individuals start suing over Facebook posts? If so, this lawsuit could set a precedent on how students are held accountable for complaints or insults posted on the web.

What do you think? Should Nicholas Blacconiere be held legally accountable for his actions, or is this Illinois beauty school infringing upon his rights? Would the damage to Blacconiere’s reputation and future career in cosmetology be sufficient, or is paying financial damages necessary to punish him? BeautySchool.com wants to know!

Tulip City Beauty College in Holland, Michigan

Tulip City Beauty College is the first nationally accredited cosmetology school in Holland, Michigan, and has just opened in a newly renovated building. Tulip City’s accreditation means beauty students can qualify for financial aid. This school is the fourth cosmetology school to be opened in a group owned by Jim Moored and his family.

Read the full article here.
More about Tulip City Beauty College in Holland, Michigan.

One of the most important questions a potential cosmetology school student has is how to pay for cosmetology education. The Montgomery GI Bill was designed to provide soldiers and veterans with financial funding for higher education. Each state has its own Montgomery GI Bill approving agency, and technical schools such as beauty schools are ideal candidates. The GI Bill has even recently been expanded to cover the spouses and dependents of military personnel, so it’s important for beauty schools to recognize and appreciate the service soldiers and their families have given to our country.

Ryan Vaia, a U.S. Marine Corps sergeant, long dreamed of becoming a licensed cosmetologist. However, when she applied to one Illinois cosmetology school, she discovered the beauty school would not maintain Illinois VA compliance because of the need to have an on-site member of the staff maintain academic records. Fortunately there are more than two dozen other Illinois cosmetology schools that do not have that issue.

If you’re a member of the military or immediate family, you may be able to benefit from the Montgomery GI Bill – but make sure the cosmetology school you choose is approved and willing to work with you! As for Vaia, she is already looking at other cosmetology schools in Illinois in order to transfer to one approved for the Montgomery GI Bill.

What are your thoughts on situations like Vaia’s? Have you ever run into any challenges applying the Montgomery GI Bill funding to a cosmetology school education?

Salon Professional Academy in Nashville, TN

Salon Professional Academy, a cosmetology school in Nashville, Tennessee, is lending a hand in today’s hurting economy. They are now offering cosmetology scholarships to General Motors employees who’ve been recently laid off to help them get back on the career track.

Read the full article here.
More about Salon Professional Academy in Nashville.