Do you ever wish there was an alternative to your normal makeup routine? There is. It’s called mineral makeup, a hot new trend in beauty today. Many beauty schools include mineral makeup in their makeup artist program.

Let’s brush on some of the benefits of mineral makeup. It’s all natural. These minerals come straight from the Earth. Fans of mineral makeup rave about the lightness and the long-lasting glow. Some claim it’s healthier on the skin.

Now let’s take a harder look in the mirror. Critics dispute the health-enhancing benefits and claim most other cosmetics have mineral compounds anyway.

But let’s not bat an eyelash. A hot trend is a hot trend. Discover what the fuss is about. Mineral makeup ranges in price from under $10 to over $50. One top brand in mineral makeup is Bare Escentuals. The company won a 2010 Glammy Beauty Award for its foundation product sold in department/specialty stores.

Other noted brands include PUR Minerals, Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup, Colorscience Mineral Makeup and Mineral Hygienics Mineral Makeup.

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?

It’s been just over a month since the devastating earthquake in Haiti, and organizations and charities around the county are still in need of aid for the earthquake-ravaged country. Charities and corporations aren’t the only ones pitching in to help Haiti. California-based Marinello Schools of Beauty recently raised an impressive $22,500 in funds for Haiti.

Marinello donated the proceeds from all student salon and spa services performed on January 16th throughout its 41 campuses. Students, staff and faculty took to the internet to get the word out through the use of Twitter, Facebook and email campaigns. As a result almost 1,500 guests got pampered in support of this worthy cause. All the money raised will be donated to the American Red Cross.

Is your cosmetology school raising funds for Haiti earthquake relief or other charitable causes in your community? Please share!

This hilarious beauty school commercial is part of a series called “I Love Local Commercials”. The series is being created by Rhett&Link (Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal), a North Carolina-based comedy duo and life-long best friends.

To be part of the series, local businesses are nominated or nominate themselves for a free commercial. All costs are provided for by Rhett&Link’s sponsor, Microbelt. So, yes, this is a real school and a semi-real commercial.

According to Rhett&Link’s behind the scenes video, the duo visited Salt Lake City Community College’s campus but weren’t feeling inspired to create the commercial until they spotted the Barbering and Cosmetology school sign advertising $2 men’s haircuts. Upon investigation, they “quickly became entranced by the strange collection of fake heads and the students meticulously styling them.” And a commercial was born!

Enjoy!

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.

If you’re a cosmetology professional, chances are you are already familiar with the National Cosmetology Association and the Professional Beauty Association. (If not, you need to be.) Now, these two organizations have joined forces to help you take your networking and connections to a whole new level.

Individually, each of these organizations has represented the interests of cosmetology and salon industry professionals for years. They have served as networking tools and connection-makers for salon owners, hair dressers, nail technicians, estheticians, educators and students.

By providing resources such as membership publications, discounted products and services, in-depth industry research, industry education, trade shows and networking opportunities, the NCA and PBA have been helping their members enhance their careers and their connections.

New possibilities are definitely in store for current and future members! Check out their websites to learn more about the benefits of membership, to get involved, and to keep an eye out for new developments within the organization. According to the PBA, this merger will be an exciting opportunity for everyone involved. (Gordon Miller, former Executive Director of the NCA has joined Behind the Chair as Vice President of “The BTC Experience.”)

If you aren’t already a member of a professional organization, this is a great time to think about joining! Membership fees are manageable for most members and the professional opportunities are nearly limitless. If you are currently or plan to attend cosmetology school, joining these organizations can be a huge step forward in your career.

Any current members of these organizations? What are your thoughts on the benefits or possible disadvantages to membership?

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!

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?

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?

Now you can become a fan of BeautySchool.com on Facebook! Be the first to know all the latest updates and hottest news in the world of cosmetology from the Beauty School blog - right on your Facebook page. Network and interact with other fans of BeautySchool.com who share a common interest in beauty, cosmetology and esthetics. Be a part of the hot topics and engaging discussions about cosmetology. Become a fan of BeautySchool.com on Facebook now!