Tag: Cosmetology School

Graduate Interview: Katee Brown

How would you describe your dream career? Does it involve working in a high-end salon or spa (or maybe even owning your own) while making clients feel relaxed, pampered and beautiful? Does it include plenty of opportunities for creativity, continual learning and professional growth? Perhaps it enables you to feel a sense of pride every day as well as provide you with financial security? Sounds like you’re dreaming of a career in the beauty industry. Our graduate, Katee Brown, had the same vision before joining our beauty team.

At Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology, we’re dedicated to providing the beauty industry professionals of tomorrow with the education they need to be successful today. Whether you’re interested in our cosmetology, nail technician or advanced esthetics program, we offer financial aid to students who qualify and career assistance to help you land your next job.

Our graduates are highly respected and go on to work in some of the best salons and day spas in the Ohio area because of the world-class training they receive in our programs. In fact, our full-time job placement specialist says she never has enough graduates to meet demand!

But you don’t have to take it from us alone. The best way to learn about a beauty school is to talk to the students who have attended it. We recently sat down with one of our graduates, Katee Brown, to get her take on the experience she had at Creative Images Institute.

CIIC: Thanks for chatting with us today, Katee! Why don’t you start by telling us what inspired you to choose cosmetology as a career path?

Katee: I’ve actually wanted to do hair since I was 12 years old. I grew up as something of a kitchen beautician by practicing things at home like dying my friends’ hair. Growing up in a family of females, I was always going to the salon with my mom and would sit under the dryer while she got her hair done.

CIIC: What brought you to Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology when choosing a beauty school?

Katee: I toured Elite when I first started looking around for a cosmetology school. It was nice, but it was way too small. A few friends actually recommend that I check out CIIC. When I came for a tour, I loved that there was a full-blown salon. It was busy and fast-paced with a friendly staff. And it was cool to see students actually interacting with real clients instead of just mannequin heads.

CIIC: Now that you’ve graduated, what are your job plans?

Katee: I plan to go to work for a full-service salon so that I can continue to grow and learn about all areas of beauty. I’m looking for a salon with a strong client base and plenty of opportunity to gain experience.

CIIC: Of everything that you learned here, what was your favorite part?

Katee: Color! I absolutely love doing color—it’s my niche! Color is always fun to play with, but I really enjoyed learning the technical part of it like how to figure out what color equation I need to achieve a certain type of look and what section pattern will allow me to cover as much hair as quickly as possible. I especially love doing highlights and balayage because of the transformation you get to see. I also love doing nails and makeup because there are so many possibilities and so much creativity is required.

CIIC: And how about your future goals? What’s your ultimate dream for your career now that you are a cosmetology graduate?

Katee: My ultimate dream is to open my own successful full-service salon. I want a full staff and, because I believe in active business owners, I will still take on clients of my won. But for now, I’m going to focus on continually improving my skills. Once I have a strong enough client base, I’ll start looking into creating my own brand.

CIIC: Well, we wish you the best of luck and look forward to hearing about each and every success! Tell us something that has pleasantly surprised you about cosmetology.

Katee: This industry is what you make of it. If you want to go far, there is definitely the opportunity to do so. You just have to be willing to put the work in. The possibilities in this industry are actually endless.

CIIC: So, so true! What other advice do you have for anyone who is considering getting into the beauty industry and considering Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology?

Katee: Now that I am a graduate, it’s not just doing hair and painting nails. There’s so much more that goes into your education than you would even think about. You’re going to learn anatomy, chemistry, biology, dermatology and seriously so much more. It’s hard work, but it will absolutely pay off. There are so many avenues to choose from in this field, your only real competition is yourself!

For more information about how to start your beauty career journey, contact us at https://www.creativeimages.edu/contact/ and we’ll guide you every step of the way!

By Angela Rose for Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology

Winter Beauty on a Budget

Keep Your Hair, Skin, and Nails Warm and Healthy This Winter With These Helpful Tips:

Winter is definitely here, and along with it, icy winds, freezing snows and thermostats set to high. The extreme temperature fluctuations most of us face daily as we navigate our way from home to school to office and home again are hard on our hair and skin. It can make it challenging to look our best, but with the holidays (and all the photo ops that come with them) right around the corner, we obviously want to appear fabulous, not frizzy and frazzled. And we want to do it without spending a bundle.

Fortunately, it’s possible to look and feel beautiful all season long without breaking your budget. We’ve put together a few expert tips to show you how.

A Strong Winter Hair Game

That warm blast of air coming from your home or office heating vent might feel good after your freezing commute, but it’s also drying out your hair and making it more prone to split ends and breakage. Experts suggest combating this seasonal increase in dryness in a number of ways:

* Shampoo less frequently to avoid stripping away healthy natural oils. With the right tools, including dry shampoo and cute hair accessories, you may be able to stretch your time between washes by several days. Ask a Creative Images Institute hairstylist to help you develop a strategy.

* Once a week, hydrate your hair overnight with a moisturizing oil or serum.

* Never skip conditioner after shampooing and use a leave-in product to extend hydration and guard against static. While you’re at it, line your course-fabric winter hats with silk or satin fabric to reduce split ends and breakage. You can often find inexpensive vintage silk scarves at thrift stores.

* Keep up with those trims. You might be tempted to just let your hair grow all winter long, but having it trimmed regularly to remove dry, brittle ends will help reduce breakage and keep your style looking beautiful and healthy. Schedule an appointment with a Creative Images Institute hairstylist and you’ll save a bundle off of regular salon prices.

Radiant Winter-Proof Skin

Remember those temperature extremes and dry air we mentioned earlier? Well, they also tend to wreak havoc on skin if you don’t guard against them. From chapped lips and ragged cuticles to overall dullness, experts suggest protecting and perfecting cold-weather skin in a number of ways:

* Cracked, dry lips are a common winter ailment. Keep them baby soft with regular exfoliation. It’s as easy as massaging a generous coat of honey or balm into your lips with a super-soft toothbrush, then wiping away the excess and flakes with a tissue.

* Swap out your light summer moisturizer for a richer product. Avoid petroleum-based varieties as they’re more likely to dry out delicate facial skin and instead choose an oil-based solution for lasting hydration. While you’re at it, treat your face to an intensive hydrating mask twice a week. It’s easy (and inexpensive) to whip one up at home using ingredients such as yogurt, avocado, honey, aloe and almond oil.

* While it’s easy to remember to exfoliate in the summer when you’re naturally showing more skin, it’s just as important during the winter months. Keep a sugar or salt scrub in the shower and give your body a thorough buffing once or twice a week. Even better, visit the Creative Images Institute spa for an aromatherapy body scrub treatment at a budget-friendly price.

* Dry, ragged cuticles can lead to painful hangnails. Keep them moisturized by massaging in hand cream or even inexpensive Shea butter every time you wash your hands. This will also keep your hands soft and hydrated as well as encourage nail growth.

Whether you want to freshen dull winter hair with a new color, nourish and brighten skin with a facial, or get your hands holiday party ready with a fun manicure, the artists at Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology are ready to help. Give one of our conveniently located campuses a call today and enjoy luxury service at a bargain price.

By Angela Rose for Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology

Give a Little Love This Holiday

It may be the season of giving but a lot of us are still struggling with trying to find ways to give outside of just leaving gifts under the tree. Check out this blog for some easy but meaningful ways to give back to loved ones and to your neighbors. Here are six good deeds you can do this holiday season.

The holidays are a natural time to practice kindness and generosity. After all, an American essayist, Hamilton Wright Mabiea once said, “Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” At Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology, we’re planning to spend the next 52 weeks showering our staff, cosmetology students and clients with appreciation as well as extending a helping hand to our neighbors, family and friends. If you want to join in, we’ve put together a list of simple good deeds to get you started.

1. Donate a Toy to Toys for Tots
Founded back in 1947, the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots charity has since distributed 548 million toys to 251 million children. Local Toys for Tots campaigns are conducted annually in over 800 communities through the 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. This holiday season, Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology is collecting toys for the program. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to one of our beauty school campuses and we’ll even give you 10 percent off a beauty service.

2. Save Your Pop Tabs for Ronald McDonald House Charities
Since 1974, Ronald McDonald House Charities has helped millions of families with sick children find comfort and support during challenging times by providing meals and housing near treatment hospitals. This year, Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology began collecting pop tabs (from cans) for the charity—and you can help. Gather pop tabs from your family, friends and neighbors and drop them off at one of our beauty school campuses.

3. Give Your Old Mascara Wands to Wands for Wildlife
Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology is also a drop off point for used mascara wands. Instead of tossing them in the trash when you do your monthly makeup bag clean out, bring them to one of our beauty school campuses. We’ll pass them on to Wands for Wildlife, a program run by the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge. They’ll use the wands to remove fly eggs and larva from the fur of animals in their care. Just think, your old mascara wand could have a second life combing a bunny, possum or baby duck!

4. Buy Your Holiday Gifts Through AmazonSmile
If you’re like millions of other shoppers, you’re probably going to order at least one gift through Amazon this year. But did you know you can give to charity in the process? Doing so is easy. Just log into your Amazon account through AmazonSmile and choose a charitable organization. Amazon will then donate 0.5 percent of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to that charity. This isn’t just a holiday thing either. You can help out your favorite charity with every purchase all year long.

5. Adopt a Military Family Through Soldiers’ Angels
Founded in 2003, Soldiers’ Angels has a 98 percent efficiency rating with most of every donation going towards program services. In 2017 alone, the charity provided over $17 million in aid to over 360,000 service members, veterans, wounded heroes and military families. During the holidays, they run an adopt-a-family program for military and veteran families who might not otherwise be able to afford to celebrate. There are currently more than 300 families waiting for adoption. Visit their website to learn more.

6. Send Holiday Cards to Lonely Seniors
Not every elderly person has children and grandchildren to care for them. Some are widows and widowers as well, and often find themselves spending the holidays alone. Even living in a senior community may not be enough to alleviate their loneliness. According to Love for the Elderly, 90 percent of seniors living in nursing facilities report feeling isolated and depressed. But you can help! Join Love for the Elderly’s Letters of Love campaign and the charity will distribute the letters and cards you write to seniors in need of a little holiday cheer.

By Angela Rose for Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology

Do’s and Don’ts to Nail Your Next Interview

Do you ever get nervous for your interviews? Good! Being nervous means you care about how you’ll do which is first step when it comes to starting something new. In this article, you will learn not only how to work through those nerves but also how to nail your next interview!

A job interview is much like a first date. While it’s nerve-wracking and unlikely to go exactly as planned, it’s also your only chance to make a good impression. Fortunately, your education at Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology has provided you with the technical skills necessary to succeed in a hairstylist, esthetician or nail technician job. Now you just need to present your best professional self to land that position. Take note of these do’s and don’ts and you’ll have a new cosmetology job before you know it.

1. Do learn everything you can about the salon or spa before your interview. Whether you look the company up online through Google, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, check it out in person, or call the front desk for information, thorough research into the salon or spa you’re considering can help you decide if it’s really a place you want to work. You can also use what you learn during the research process to impress the interviewer with your knowledge of the company.

2. Do dress appropriately. While the beauty industry is a creative one, and dress code often varies by location, the outfit you choose to wear to your interview should demonstrate your respect for the opportunity. Did you happen to see any pictures of current salon or spa employees while doing your research? If so, those images can give you clues on how to dress. In general, it’s wise to avoid anything too tight, short or low-cut. If in doubt, ‘business casual’ is usually a safe option.

3. Do arrive on time. If you’re late to the interview, the salon or spa owner may assume you’ll be late to work as well. Not sure how long it will take you to drive there? Do a test run a day or two before the interview and plan your travel time accordingly. That said, you don’t want to arrive too early, either. If you get to the location more than 10 minutes before your interview is scheduled to begin, wait in your car to avoid making anyone feel rushed.

4. Do ask thoughtful questions. Yes, the interview is an opportunity for the salon or spa owner to learn more about you. But it’s also a chance for you to get details about the job that you couldn’t find online. Some of this information may even help you decide whether or not to take the job should you get an offer. Good questions to consider include:

• “What traits do your most successful employees share?”
• “How do you define success?”
• “How long do your employees work for you on average?”
• “Why did your last hairstylist/esthetician/nail tech leave the position?”
• “How would you describe a typical day in this role?”

5. Do follow up after your interview. To this day, nothing beats an old-fashioned, handwritten thank you note. Mail one as soon as possible, but don’t hesitate to follow up by email a day or two after your interview as well. Just thank the salon or spa owner for his/her time, reiterate the reasons you’d love to work there, and ask if there is any additional information you can provide to help with the hiring decision.

6. Don’t give in to nerves. Even if this is your very first salon or spa job, you need to project an aura of confidence if you want to make a good impression. Avoiding fidgeting (such as tapping your foot or twirling your hair) during the interview. Sit up straight, but don’t sit too stiffly. Keep your arms loose and relaxed rather than crossed. The right body language can go a long way towards convincing your interviewer of your professionalism.

7. Don’t forget to practice answers to difficult interview questions. To avoid rambling and keep your answers clear and succinct, it can be helpful to practice your responses in advance. Recruit a friend to help you polish your answers to common questions such as:

• “What can you tell me about yourself?”
• “Why should we hire you?”
• “Why did you leave your previous employer?”
• “What are your greatest strengths/ weaknesses?”
• “What are your goals for the next five years?”

You want your answers to show that you are honest, self-aware and passionate about the beauty industry. And you want to avoid distracting fillers such as “um,” “so,” “like” and “you know” in your responses.

8. Don’t speak poorly about previous employers or coworkers. It’s very likely that you’ll be asked why you left your last job, even if it wasn’t in the beauty industry. Even if you gave notice because every second of every day there was a nightmare of epic proportions, avoid saying this in your interview. You might also want to remove any negative comments of that sort from your public social media profiles, if you haven’t already done so.

9. Don’t ask about pay or benefits until you’ve been offered the job. Employers want beauty industry professionals who want to work at what they love, not just for a paycheck. You’ll have plenty of time to negotiate your wages and benefits after you’ve received an offer. In the meantime, however, it is acceptable to ask about the schedule and other logistics. After all, there’s no point in accepting a position with days or hours that ultimately won’t fit with your other commitments.

10. Don’t turn into a pest. Salon and spa owners are busy. Even if they’re eager to fill an available position, it can take awhile for them to make an employment decision. While reasonable follow up shows you’re proactive, professional and passionate about the opportunity, repeated phone calls and dozens of emails will cause nothing but annoyance. Remember: desperation is never attractive whether on a first date or during your job search.

By Angela Rose for Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology

Model Call

It’s Model Call season!!! Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology will be hosting their second annual public model call! This year’s model call will be taking place between the hours of 5pm-7pm. Interested in participating? Please read the following guidelines.

1.) Models must be available from 5pm-7pm for an on-site consultation by our Sassoon professionals. A consultation is a requirement so our Sassoon professionals and educators can determine the texture, density, and history of your hair which will then determine the cut and/or color you will be receiving.
2.) We also need models with a flexible schedule. Demos will be taking place Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday so depending on what service is being performed on you, that will determine which day we will need you back on site. You will be notified prior to the end of the model call which day we would like you to come back so you can adjust your schedule accordingly.
3.) We LOVE models who are open to change! Models who are selected to return will be receiving a complementary cut and/color that is specifically designed for them. Cuts and colors will be determined based off of face shape, facial features, skin tone, hair quality, etc. which means every look created will be uniquely designed for you!

Think you’re a great fit or know someone who is in need of a makeover? To reserve your spot or for more information about the model call, please contact our Director of Education, Candace Miller. We are in need of 6 more models so save your seat before it’s too late!

Please call 937-454-1200 and ask for Candace or you can reach her directly at cmiller@creativeimages.edu

Salon Emotion Event

Salon Emotion Event presented by Matrix:

This class will provide our artists a view from the client’s perspective on their salon experience. From the parking lot to the greeting, to the individualized services and to the rebook; this will allow our artists to learn how quality and exceptional customer service increases client retention, client generation, and the overall bottom line.

This event will take place at the Vandalia Campus. There will be a signup sheet in order for our artists to sign up to attend. This event is open to all programs and all artists. Salon Partners are welcome, as well, along with alumni and future artists. There will be a a field trip request sent to the state once we have all attending artists signed up from the Centerville location. Attendees from our Centerville campus will need to travel to the Vandalia location to attend this event.

Greet your client every time as if they are going to be a forever client.

 

Interview with a Cosmetology Graduate

At Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology, we’re as proud of our graduates as we are each of our students and are always thrilled to share and celebrate in their success. Today, we’re checking in with Alissa Puthoff, a 2016 cosmetology graduate of the North Dayton campus. Alissa is currently slaying it at Village Salon in downtown Troy and loving every minute.

CIIC: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us today, Alissa. You were obviously born to be a cosmetologist, but when did you first discover your desire to work in the salon industry?

Alissa: It’s really something I’ve always wanted to do since I taught myself to French braid while on the track team in junior high. I started braiding the entire team’s hair before practices and track meets, and it really showed me how I could connect with people through that one-on-one time. It also taught me to love hair because each braid made such a big difference, even though it was just a simple thing. I was like, “This is really cool, and I get to talk to people all the time. How awesome is that?”

CIIC: That’s definitely pretty awesome. So, what drew you to Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology for your education?

Alissa: For me, it was the only logical choice. After I visited Creative Images, I just knew that was where I wanted to be. They had the best setup and the best atmosphere. The whole school was very clean, and you could tell they were detail-oriented. Plus, the staff really seemed to care about the students.

CIIC: Well, we’re certainly glad you found us! What did you enjoy most about your time at the school?

Alissa: I loved the environment as a whole, but the staff is truly the best. You can tell they really care about what they are doing and the students they work with. They always made sure that everybody felt comfortable. And if anybody ever needed help, they were right there with one-on-one time to make sure we would all excel in our new careers.

CIIC: Did you find anything particularly challenging while you were training to become a cosmetology graduate?

Alissa: I think it can be challenging to admit that you don’t always know what you’re doing, but you have to if you want to get better. It’s a tough one for everybody. But again, the staff was always there to help me with that. I had to admit that I was young and had plenty of room to grow, though.

CIIC: It sounds like you conquered that challenge pretty easily. How about the challenge of finding your first salon job? What was that experience like?

Alissa: I was considering salons that my educator knew wouldn’t be a good fit for me, so she told me so. She pushed me to the be the best that I could be, including applying at the salon I’m now working at. In my head, I didn’t think I’d be good enough for them, but I actually interviewed and got the job here—five days after graduation—and I credit my educators for that 100 percent. They pushed me to see my full potential.

CIIC: That’s fantastic! So, now that you’re a full-time professional hair artist, what do you love most about the work you get to do every day?

Alissa: Absolutely everything! I know that sounds really cheesy, but as cosmetologists, we have the ability to be the best part of somebody’s day. My clients come to me to get their hair done and they get to relax for one, two or three hours. I have that one-on-one time with them to turn their whole day around, and I get to be a day-maker. That is huge for me because I’m such a people person. I love to help people see how beautiful they are, too. We’re always way too hard on ourselves.

CIIC: That’s certainly true. It’s great that you can have such an impact on the lives of others through what you do. Is there anything you’ve found challenging about working in cosmetology?

Alissa: I’m a people-pleaser, so especially when I was starting out, it was challenging to accept that you can’t make everybody happy all of the time. You can’t be everybody’s hairstylist. It’s hard to accept that, especially when you are young. I mean, I was only 20 when I first started. But I’ve learned to be true to myself and be who I am because my personality helps to attract my clientele. Of course, you also have to work every day to be the best professional version of that.

CIIC: Personality and professionalism are definitely keys to success. What other advice do you have for Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology’s current students as they complete their training and enter the workforce?

Alissa: Just don’t stress about it too much and enjoy this season of growth. Looking back, you’re going to see that it was such a cool time in your life. When it’s time to choose an employer, find a salon that is going to help you grow and never put a limit on your potential. That was the number one thing I was looking for and, right out of school, I went into this incredible eight-month training program at the salon. It has totally boosted my career. Now, two years later, I’m helping do the training in that program.

By Angela Rose for Creative Images institute of Cosmetology