PAUL MITCHELL
www.paulmitchell.edu
Key advantage: Many locations and many more to come
Currently, there are 104 Paul Mitchell Schools in the USA: 97 Paul Mitchell Schools are open in 38 states, with 7 new schools under construction and expected to open soon. An additional 20 locations are planned throughout 2010–2011.
The core program includes cosmetology, barbering, skin (aes-thetics), and nails. There also is an Advanced Academy.
Paul Mitchell’s basic cosmetology program features design, cutting, coloring, multicultural techniques, makeup, fashion trends, and the art of hairdressing in a three-phase program identified as Core, Adaptive, and Creative.
In terms of the hours needed to earn a license, state require-ments vary and each school meets local requirements for each program. For example, California requires 1,600 hours of cosmetology study, Utah requires 2,000 hours and Florida requires 1,200 hours. The Paul Mitchell Schools curriculum can be customized to fit all state requirements.
Upon successfully passing their State Boards, Paul Mitchell’s “Tree of Opportunity” hooks up Future Professionals with job-leads in salons, television, movies, fashion, beauty distributor sales and education, and within Paul Mitchell products and schools.
AVEDA
www.aveda.com
Key advantage: Powerful and unifying brand identity and corporate culture
With 53 Aveda Institutes across the USA, this experiential, holistic-minded brand is a strong industry presence. All loca-tions offer cosmetology programs, which last 10 months. The other two key components of the curriculum, esthetics and massage, each last four months.
The Aveda method allows students to work on real people, not just mannequin heads, since customer service is crucial to the Aveda business model. All techniques taught emphasize the mind-body connection, and students are educated in stress-relief, aromatherapy, scalp/hand massage and other interactive techniques — what Aveda calls “sensory rituals” — as part of cut and color services.
A new online networking tool, AvedaPurePartners.com, con-nects graduates with jobs in the Aveda family.
VIDAL SASSOON
www.Sassoon.com
Key advantage: The international star-power of the Sas-soon legend
First-time students preparing for their State Boards must attend the basic curriculum at the Sassoon Academy located in trendy Santa Monica, a high-end beach community of Los Angeles. Qualified hairdressers may continue their ongoing studies at any of the five Sassoon locations in North America.
The cosmetology program at Sassoon Academy in Los Angeles is a 10-month course, five days a week, 40 hours a week for 44 weeks, with a two-week midterm break. Not for slackers! Advanced courses range from one-day master classes to six consecutive weeks.
Beyond the basics, students must master the iconic cut that skyrocketed Sassoon himself to international prominence in the 1960s: The classic geometric bob. Young students need to recognize that Sassoon literally turned hair-dressing upside-down by pulling the pins out of the old-school updo, rinsing out the heavy-duty hairspray and cutting the hair chin-length or shorter so that it would fall naturally and move with gravity, unlike the stiff updo which was taken down and shampooed in the salon every two weeks. The Sassoon bob was basically the beginning of the “wash and wear” revolution.
This deceptively “simple” look is considered the ultimate test of technical proficiency in terms of understanding hair design and cutting to release the hair’s dynamic form.
Upon successfully passing their exams, Sassoon offers gradu-ates an assistant training program consisting of nine to 14 months and specializing in either cut or color.
NOT JUST FOR BEGINNERS
The majority of students in train-ing academies for hair and cos-metology are predominantly in their twenties. However, consider the case of Glenn Guerriero who, with wife MaryAnn, co-owns the edgy Brooklyn Attitude salon in…Saratoga Springs, New York? “This town used to be known for horses and health,” says Guerriero, a Brooklyn native. “Since we opened our doors just five years ago, now it’s known for horses, health and hair.”
Guerriero represents an emerging demographic among beauty school students: The midlife cross-over. Guerriero was 41, the oldest student in his graduating class, when he obtained his cosmetolo-gy license in the State of New York. Today, he and MaryAnn lead a thriving business and continue to attend advanced education classes. He’s also working with colleagues to create a “work and learn” program to mentor beauty students while they prepare for licensing. “When you are a stu-dent, finding a mentor is key,” he says. “And when you become a professional, there is great joy in mentoring others.”
BUMBLE AND BUMBLEB
www.umbleandbumble.com
Key advantage: “Graduate school for hair,” available to established licensed stylists only
Bb.U — that’s short for Bumble and bumble University — offers continuing education classes for hair stylists who have been practicing in a salon, with a clientele (not as an apprentice or assistant) for at least two years. The programs are open only to stylists employed by a Bumble and bumble network salon…which may be reason enough to choose working in one.
Courses last between two and four days. In addition to advanced courses in cutting, color and styling, Bb.U also has a business school which challenges salon owners and manag-ers to further define their brand, build strong teams, create structure, increase profitability and establish the foundation for a healthy, creative and commercial culture. There’s also a Network Educator School, which trains the top talent from Bumble and bumble network salons to communicate their dedication, pas-sion and expertise to their fellow stylists.
Many students at Bb.U find mastering the use of the razor — an integral tool in Bumble and bumble Salons and University — to be the most challenging aspect of the course offerings, since use of the tool is rarely taught in most beauty academies. Also challenging is the graduated bob, due to the fact that it combines multiple cutting techniques and must be tailored to fit the shape of the head.
There’s just one location — in Manhattan’s fash-ionable Meatpacking District.
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